It is a dream-come-true for all fans of TV soap operas: the actors and actresses of your favorite show take your advice. Before making their next move in a romantic relationship setting or a dramatic family fight, they consult the audience. In other words, each viewer becomes the screenwriter and director of their beloved TV soap.

On newer television formats such as Big Brother or Survivor viewers were asked to decide, which performers should leave the show. So in a way, the watcher became part of the plot. With great success! Big Brother is now featured in 40 different countries – from Africa to Venezuela.

As much as becoming the director of one’s soap may sound like a supernatural occurrence, it can be done on a virtual level. The programmers at Electronic Arts (www.ea.com) have created a game that puts the player into the position of running their very own TV show. “This Sims” (www.thesims.ea.com) lets anyone create unique soap characters, fill their lives with a plot and ultimately guide them through all the major decisions. From pursuing careers, making friends, and finding romance to making a complete mess out of their fortune, the omnipotent player slash director is like the master of puppets. This scheme has proven so successful, that now the sequel “The Sims 2” is on the market. With such additions as college life, pets or glamour life, this second edition of the successful reality game has become even closer to the life of real people.

The question remains when the first channel will propose a TV show that is also entirely plotted and controlled by the audience. Until that day, soap-fans will have to settle for the virtual version of their great dream and play EA’s “The Sims”.