Soaps often look to the headlines for story ideas, but in Sunset Beach's case, the names were barely changed to protect the innocent (whomever they may be). In a case of art imitating life, see how politics truly makes for strange bedfellows.

The Intern
Real Life: 20-something Monica Lewinsky
Beach: 20-something Sara Cummings

The Politician
Real Life: Middle-aged President Bill Clinton, a tall, robust, silver-haired fox
Beach: Middle-aged Congressman Blythe, a tall, robust, silver-haired fox

The Blabbermouth
Real Life: Linda Tripp
Beach: Melinda Fall (Trip. Fall. Get it? Also, take off the 'Me' in her name and what do you get?)

Fashion Statements
Real Life: Monica wears a beret.
Beach: Sara wears a beret.

Let's Go To The Videotape
Real Life: A tape of the prez hugging Monica surfaces.
Beach: A tape of Blythe hugging Sara surfaces.

Sign On The Dotted Line
Real Life: Monica signs an affidavit denying sexual involvement with Clinton.
Beach: Sara signs an affidavit denying sexual harassment by Blythe.

My Little Runaway
Real Life: News crews follow Monica to her father's home in California.
Beach: News crews follow Sara to her sister, Meg's, home in California.

Hide-And-Seek
Real Life: To escape the press, Lewinsky holes up in the Watergate Hotel.
Beach: To escape the press, Sara hides in a waterfront warehouse.

Listen Up
Real Life: Linda secretly tapes Monica.
Beach: Melinda secretly tapes Sara.

What's In A Name?
Real Life: Clinton's mother's name was Virginia Blythe.
Beach: The dallying congressman-in-question happens to be named Blythe.

Source: Soap Opera Digest