THE SOAPS

As the Tape Turns: Are you ready for a new Scotch brand of blank videocasettes called All My Soaps? It’s a durable high-grade tape made for repeated use, and is, the company claims, the first blank videocassette designed exclusively for soap fans to tape their favorite shows. Targeted for working women and sold in supermarkets, All My Soaps blank tapes ($6.99) come in a colorful package “to make them stand out in the all-black world of videocassettes” and help viewers identify their soap tape from others. With this design, the company says, other family members are less likely to record over programs the viewer is saving or has not yet had a chance to watch. Meanwhile, while you were at work today, John left Marcia, Erica slapped Dr. Crane and Bobby kidnaped Andrew. . . .