Anger is a public health issue because it can lead to medical, psychological and social problems. However, anger can be beneficial when specific anger management skills are used. This study examined the portrayal of anger on daytime dramas (soap operas). Thirteen commercial television programs, airing in March and April 1986, were selected for content analysis. All three networks were represented. A total of 378 anger events from 65 broadcast hours were analyzed. A content analysis scoring instrument was used which contained 47 items describing characteristics of the angry person, the target of anger, skills, and outcomes. Trained raters used the content analysis form to identify specific management skills used by the characters. Interrater reliability exceeded 90 percent. Soap operas provided frequent demonstrations of anger being expressed without resorting to much physical or verbal abuse. Likeable characters portrayed anger and related to others expressing anger with some skills. Male and female characters were portrayed as being equally skillful. Characters sometimes modeled important anger management skills such as respect and empathy for the angered person and an openness to the angry person's point of view. Opportunities exist for more variety in handling anger in soap operas; reframing and humor were underutilized. Mental health of the public would be improved by supplying villains and weaker characters who depict poor anger management and stronger heros and heroines with positive anger management. References and 15 data tables are appended. (ABL)