by Hayley Charlesworth
I am a die-hard Neighbours obsessive. I own records from former actors’ music careers, both good and bad. I have a picture of Dr Karl Kennedy hung up on my bedroom wall. I am a member of The Art of Neighbours, a Facebook group that depicts scenes from the show in MS Paint. It’s fair to say I’m quite the fan. And with today marking the 30th anniversary of Neighbours airing in the UK, it was only fitting that I mark this occasion by highlighting some of the moments that made Neighbours truly great.
I am a die-hard Neighbours obsessive. I own records from former actors’ music careers, both good and bad. I have a picture of Dr Karl Kennedy hung up on my bedroom wall. I am a member of The Art of Neighbours, a Facebook group that depicts scenes from the show in MS Paint. It’s fair to say I’m quite the fan. And with today marking the 30th anniversary of Neighbours airing in the UK, it was only fitting that I mark this occasion by highlighting some of the moments that made Neighbours truly great.
Scott and Charlene’s Wedding
Let’s get the big event out of the way. Everyone knows this scene, from the perm, to the mullet, to the strains of Angry Anderson’s “Suddenly” as the bride walked down the aisle. Yes, Scott and Charlene were arguably Neighbours’ most beloved couple (though the Kennedy’s may vie for that title), and the pairing made superstars of Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan. In fact, the wedding episode scored Neighbours the enormous viewing figures of almost 20 million in the UK! (And yes, that is Guy Pearce as the best man!)
Let’s get the big event out of the way. Everyone knows this scene, from the perm, to the mullet, to the strains of Angry Anderson’s “Suddenly” as the bride walked down the aisle. Yes, Scott and Charlene were arguably Neighbours’ most beloved couple (though the Kennedy’s may vie for that title), and the pairing made superstars of Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan. In fact, the wedding episode scored Neighbours the enormous viewing figures of almost 20 million in the UK! (And yes, that is Guy Pearce as the best man!)
The Tyrannical Rule of Paul Robinson
Actor Stefan Dennis appeared in the first episode of Neighbours, making him the longest serving actor in Australian television. In his tenure as the dastardly Paul Robinson, he has been shot by his wife, pushed off a mezzanine by another wife, been pushed off two cliffs, survived a plane crash orchestrated by his psychopathic son, been trapped in a mineshaft by the same son, become the mayor of Erinsborough, been strangled by Harold Bishop, had a brain tumour that manifested itself as a teenage boy (played by the same actor who later played his nephew), burned down Lassiter’s, killing a man, and released the incredibly 80s single Don’t It Make You Feel Good. But perhaps the most defining moment in the life of Paul Robinson came after one of his cliff disasters, when he was faced with certain death or the amputation of his leg. Thanks to some soul-searching from Harold and a devious trick from Dylan Timmins, we now get the joy of spotting the moments where Stefan Dennis forgets to have Paul walk with a limp.
Actor Stefan Dennis appeared in the first episode of Neighbours, making him the longest serving actor in Australian television. In his tenure as the dastardly Paul Robinson, he has been shot by his wife, pushed off a mezzanine by another wife, been pushed off two cliffs, survived a plane crash orchestrated by his psychopathic son, been trapped in a mineshaft by the same son, become the mayor of Erinsborough, been strangled by Harold Bishop, had a brain tumour that manifested itself as a teenage boy (played by the same actor who later played his nephew), burned down Lassiter’s, killing a man, and released the incredibly 80s single Don’t It Make You Feel Good. But perhaps the most defining moment in the life of Paul Robinson came after one of his cliff disasters, when he was faced with certain death or the amputation of his leg. Thanks to some soul-searching from Harold and a devious trick from Dylan Timmins, we now get the joy of spotting the moments where Stefan Dennis forgets to have Paul walk with a limp.
Harold Bishop Returns from the Dead!
This is not Eastenders, we have not had Dirty Den die twice or the seemingly unkillable Nick Cotton. When people die in Neighbours, they stay dead (except for the occasional ghost appearance.) Several characters have been presumed dead only to later return, however. There was Brennan, supposedly killed in witness protection, and Dylan and Connor’s return after having been lost in the plane crash. But nothing matches up with the saga of Harold Bishop. Washed away to sea, with Madge finding his glasses on the show and crying his name in her distinctive throaty growl, Harold turns up a whole ten years later, under the name of Ted and with no memory of who he is. Incredible!
This is not Eastenders, we have not had Dirty Den die twice or the seemingly unkillable Nick Cotton. When people die in Neighbours, they stay dead (except for the occasional ghost appearance.) Several characters have been presumed dead only to later return, however. There was Brennan, supposedly killed in witness protection, and Dylan and Connor’s return after having been lost in the plane crash. But nothing matches up with the saga of Harold Bishop. Washed away to sea, with Madge finding his glasses on the show and crying his name in her distinctive throaty growl, Harold turns up a whole ten years later, under the name of Ted and with no memory of who he is. Incredible!
Zombie Invasion on Ramsay Street
As I said, the dead stay dead in Erinsborough, unless you go to YouTube. The digital team at Neighbours HQ have created some excellent projects, most recently the hilarious EastErinsborough (an Eastenders parody celebrating their anniversary) and the self-explanatory and excellent Harold Bishop: The Musical. But in October 2014, Neighbours teamed up with YouTuber Louna Maroun to create this five-part Halloween series, in which David Bishop, Drew Kirk, Robbo Slade and the mighty Stingray Timmins raise from the dead to wreak havoc on Ramsay Street. And once again it’s all Paul Robinson’s fault. The special even warranted a spooky hard rock rewrite of the iconic theme tune.
As I said, the dead stay dead in Erinsborough, unless you go to YouTube. The digital team at Neighbours HQ have created some excellent projects, most recently the hilarious EastErinsborough (an Eastenders parody celebrating their anniversary) and the self-explanatory and excellent Harold Bishop: The Musical. But in October 2014, Neighbours teamed up with YouTuber Louna Maroun to create this five-part Halloween series, in which David Bishop, Drew Kirk, Robbo Slade and the mighty Stingray Timmins raise from the dead to wreak havoc on Ramsay Street. And once again it’s all Paul Robinson’s fault. The special even warranted a spooky hard rock rewrite of the iconic theme tune.
The First Gay Male Couple
While Home and Away had previously aired a lesbian storyline, and Neighbours featured recurring lesbian character Lana (plus a handful of ratings-grabbing lesbian kisses), James Mason became the show’s first leading gay character when he began playing Christos Pappas in 2010. Joined by Bob Morley’s Aidan in 2011, they became the first gay couple on the show, airing the first gay male kiss in Australian soaps. But while Morley left the show to join the cast of The 100, Chris is now partnered with Nate (Meyne Wyatt), also a history maker as the show’s first aboriginal actor.
While Home and Away had previously aired a lesbian storyline, and Neighbours featured recurring lesbian character Lana (plus a handful of ratings-grabbing lesbian kisses), James Mason became the show’s first leading gay character when he began playing Christos Pappas in 2010. Joined by Bob Morley’s Aidan in 2011, they became the first gay couple on the show, airing the first gay male kiss in Australian soaps. But while Morley left the show to join the cast of The 100, Chris is now partnered with Nate (Meyne Wyatt), also a history maker as the show’s first aboriginal actor.
The Horse of Death
Neighbours has been full of bizarre accidents. Susan Kennedy slipping on milk and reverting to her teenage self comes to mind, as does the many attempts on Paul’s life as listed above. Plus, all of Toadie’s weddings have ended in disaster. But an oddly large proportion of Erinsborough peril comes at the hooves of horses. A horse inadvertently caused the Parkers to crash their car, killing new mum Didge. Another horse trampled Fraser Yeats, temporarily paralysing him. A horse caused Lauren Carpenter to become infertile (yet she later became a mother of four.) But the deadliest horse of all was the evil equine who threw Drew Kirk to his death, breaking Libby Kennedy’s heart. The lesson here? If there’s a horse in a scene, you know there’s going to be a disaster.
Neighbours has been full of bizarre accidents. Susan Kennedy slipping on milk and reverting to her teenage self comes to mind, as does the many attempts on Paul’s life as listed above. Plus, all of Toadie’s weddings have ended in disaster. But an oddly large proportion of Erinsborough peril comes at the hooves of horses. A horse inadvertently caused the Parkers to crash their car, killing new mum Didge. Another horse trampled Fraser Yeats, temporarily paralysing him. A horse caused Lauren Carpenter to become infertile (yet she later became a mother of four.) But the deadliest horse of all was the evil equine who threw Drew Kirk to his death, breaking Libby Kennedy’s heart. The lesson here? If there’s a horse in a scene, you know there’s going to be a disaster.
BOW DOWN BEFORE EVIL HORSE!
Everyone’s A Singer!
Neighbours may be known as launching the career of stars like Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Delta Goodrem, but they are not the only Neighbours with musical ambitions, and that is reflected in a rather large number of musical storylines. Rachel Kinski, Ty Harper, Georgia Brooks, Summer Hoyland Sophie Ramsay and more have all had musical prodigy storylines, while cast members Holly Valance, Stefan Dennis, Stephanie McIntosh, Kym Valentine and Sam Clark have attempted singing careers unrelated to their characters. The only person that truly needs discussing, though, is musical maestro Dr Karl Kennedy. For twenty of these thirty years, the good doc has been entertaining us with his band The Right Prescription (and for a short time, side band Oodles of Noodles), belting out Free as a River, defiant in the face of his detractors. Which is everyone in Erinsborough, though that didn’t prevent his cast members joining in with festive single If You Want A Happy Christmas.
Neighbours may be known as launching the career of stars like Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Delta Goodrem, but they are not the only Neighbours with musical ambitions, and that is reflected in a rather large number of musical storylines. Rachel Kinski, Ty Harper, Georgia Brooks, Summer Hoyland Sophie Ramsay and more have all had musical prodigy storylines, while cast members Holly Valance, Stefan Dennis, Stephanie McIntosh, Kym Valentine and Sam Clark have attempted singing careers unrelated to their characters. The only person that truly needs discussing, though, is musical maestro Dr Karl Kennedy. For twenty of these thirty years, the good doc has been entertaining us with his band The Right Prescription (and for a short time, side band Oodles of Noodles), belting out Free as a River, defiant in the face of his detractors. Which is everyone in Erinsborough, though that didn’t prevent his cast members joining in with festive single If You Want A Happy Christmas.
Bizarre Cameos
Neighbours has been full of cameos from celebrity fans, from Lily Allen appearing on local radio station Pirate Net, to Emma Bunton turning up at Karl and Susan’s third wedding. Andre Rieu was flown in by Paul to play to Ramsay Street. The strangest and best cameo came in 2007, when Little Britain characters Lou and Andy (David Walliams and Matt Lucas) appeared in the background of a scene for no reason at all. Who is the next Neighbours cameo? Well, if rumours are to be believed, Eddie Redmayne, following his praise for the show and especially the Kennedys on the Oscar red carpet.
Neighbours has been full of cameos from celebrity fans, from Lily Allen appearing on local radio station Pirate Net, to Emma Bunton turning up at Karl and Susan’s third wedding. Andre Rieu was flown in by Paul to play to Ramsay Street. The strangest and best cameo came in 2007, when Little Britain characters Lou and Andy (David Walliams and Matt Lucas) appeared in the background of a scene for no reason at all. Who is the next Neighbours cameo? Well, if rumours are to be believed, Eddie Redmayne, following his praise for the show and especially the Kennedys on the Oscar red carpet.
Bouncer’s Dream
This is the biggest moment in Neighbours history. Yes, even bigger than Scott and Charlene. In a 1990 episode that could only have been filmed on drugs, Joe Mangel and his family sit down to watch a wedding video. Said family includes beloved Labrador Bouncer, and we are treated to a terrifyingly colourful glimpse at his canine mind. Plastic flowers and a dreamlike filter adorn the screen as Bouncer dreams of marrying his doggy love, Rosie the Border Collie. It is a scene which words can never do justice to, simultaneously both the high and low point of the show.
This is the biggest moment in Neighbours history. Yes, even bigger than Scott and Charlene. In a 1990 episode that could only have been filmed on drugs, Joe Mangel and his family sit down to watch a wedding video. Said family includes beloved Labrador Bouncer, and we are treated to a terrifyingly colourful glimpse at his canine mind. Plastic flowers and a dreamlike filter adorn the screen as Bouncer dreams of marrying his doggy love, Rosie the Border Collie. It is a scene which words can never do justice to, simultaneously both the high and low point of the show.
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