While today is Bolero day and team Fear may have managed a top ten finish at the winter Olympics earlier today, yes I am back with more Neighbours related content. Dealt with it. I mentioned in last week’s post that I hadn’t actually watched the show properly for a number of years but with the devastating news which I am still trying to block out I decided to make my way through all the episodes still available on My5 while it was still around and get up to date.
It took the grand total of 18 minutes of the first episode for me to be sucked back in. Having watched every episode of 2022; wedding, natural disaster, death – Erinsborough still has it all. Despite how long it is since I paused my love affair with Ramsay Street at least fifty percent of the cast are old friends; Robinsons, Kennedys, Cannings, Willis, Toadie, Melanie and Amy Greenwood! Paul’s brother Glen is back and while I’ll be honest I had no memory of him first time around you can’t fault the casting of original actor Richard Hugget in the part as more than once I’ve had to do a double take so strong is his resemblance to Stefan Dennis.
Six weeks ran through in roughly four days and while there’s been heartache, laughter, confusion – it’s so good to be back. I just hope and pray I haven’t left it too late. The petition to fend off the bulldozers currently sits at over 53,000 and the 1985 original recording of the soundtrack hit number one in last week’s itunes chart and even the most uptight of broadsheets have been singing the shows praises highlighting the strength of feeling of current and past viewers.
Far and away the most shocking part of this debacle was the revelation that cast members were initially left to learn via the media that the grim reaper was hovering in the shadows. Jackie Woodburne (Erinsborough High stalwart Susan Kennedy) who moved into the cul-de-sac back in 1994 surprised many (myself included) during an emotional interview on Australian television by revealing her native Northern Irish accent. The Carrickfergus born legend explained that the cast were understandably overwhelmed and in shock.
Saturday night saw the final of The Masked Singer UK and winner Panda revealed to be none other than the show’s on Beth Brennan, aka singer and former X Factor panellist, Natalie Imbruglia who has thrown her support behind the petition to save the show and expressed concern for what would become of her character’s son Ned if it was to be pulled. Fellow resident turned pop star Jason Donovan has similarly expressed his devastation at the news and is said to be set to fly out to Oz in April to make a return to the show (joining his real life daughter Jemma who plays Willow Robinson on the show) with hopes of an on-screen reunion with Kylie Minogue (who of course played his wife in the show). Jelly-belly, death defeating Harold Bishop is due to resume filming next month and Hollywood actor Guy Pearce who started playing Mike Young is being tapped up for an appearance. While the writers and casting departments pull out all of the stops to make the next few months truly spectacular the fight goes on to ensure that Ramsay Street continues to provide the perfect blend.
White Skates 