Neighbours: Discussion Thread

[Dion]

Yeah the only issue I have with that period was how coy the show was about certain topics from about 1996 onward (post the Billy and Melissa controversy). That's not to say that the show was completely sexless - it wasn't, but it was weird when Janae had an HIV scare and the words HIV and AIDS were specifically avoided even though there was no problem 11 years earlier with Michael and Cody.

[Liberty City]

I'd love to see more of the Kennedy clan in 2025. Re-watching "live" episodes, and seeing their family I would love for a full-time return for Libby Kennedy & Ben Kirk, and then see the returns of Malcolm & Billy at some point down-the-line. That would be very, very exciting!

[Skylover]

Malcolm's the only one likely to return of those characters, as there are BTS reasons Kym Valentine is unlikely to return, and the actors who played Billy and Ben went on to great success and I can't imagine the producers would want to recast those characters. I'd like to see more unseen Kennedy characters introduced, like Billy's son Jackson or Billy's twins (we don't know their sexes). I would like to see Malcolm's daughter Susannah introduced as well. I kind of wish Majella Davis had been selected to play a recast Holly Hoyland, I like the current Holly but she's not quite Izzy enough for me, and I think Majella is wasted on the Krista role in a boring relationship with Leo and being based at Lassiters, which is a boring set up for her. I could have seen her working well with Alan and Jackie, and she's more of the type of actor to more convincingly play Izzy's daughter. It is what it is though.

Yeah, the show has been a bit hesitant on certain issues for a long time, it seems to be even still today, but at least it no longer has a G rating so it can be bit bolder.

[Liberty City]

Omg... behind-the-scenes reasons?! Oh. I'm so out of the loop on those... but, Valentine did return for the finale (albeit via message). But maybe a potential recast, or bring back the pinch-hit from 2008? I just wish we'd get the Kennedy's family back in 2025! That's what is missing for me.

[Liberty City]

Catching up... again. I need more familiarity in 2025. I really do. The 4K production model they're clearly using is doing better in the 2024 season over 2023, but [some] improvements could still be made.

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Just the most subtle of differences help overall.

[Skylover]

I was surprised that Kym Valentine returned for the video message, but I think any future appearances for her are unlikely to be longer than a video message or a week long stint (possibly a few weeks at the most). I actually really liked Michala Banas as Libby back in 2008, but Kym was a very popular character as Libby so I can't see the producers recasting. Kym is actually appearing in the line-up for the 40th anniversary tour, but AFAIK this isn't organised officially by Fremantle.

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I imagine they are happy with the Kennedy set up with Holly around, but those unseen characters could definitely add something.

Edited November 18, 2024 by Skylover

[Liberty City]

Shame there is drama between Valentine and those behind-the-scenes... I feel like Libby would be a welcomed return for Susan and Karl, overall, especially Susan.

[AMCOLTLLover]

But wasn’t Livby‘s actress ill too? I think she can’t be back full time when it comes down to her health 

[Skylover]

She contracted pneumonia and had a collapsed lung, which is what caused her absence in 2008. I'm not sure what illness she had later in 2011, but she sued Fremantle in 2013 over 'sex and disability discrimination'. According to this article, she claimed FremantleMedia failed to provide “a working environment that was safe” and that it breached “the relationship of trust and confidence”. It was reported here that she was seeking an order directing Fremantle Media to re-employ her in her role as Libby Kennedy on conditions no less favourable than her immediate past contract of employment, but I assume it resulted in her 2014 guest stint, which lasted just a few weeks and re-introduced Ben Kirk into the show, before he later returned as a regular. I don't know what Kym's health issues were at the time or if they were chronic, she may be better now and able to work full-time, but it seems unlikely she'd be back on the show as a regular.

[Liberty City]

That blows... would be awesome if Amazon MGM Studios were able to get a return to happen, though. Or, at the very least, get Michala Banas to reprise the role and see if that pushes for Valentine & TPTB at Fremantle Australia to possibly come to agreeable terms, with Amazon MGM's working, too. Libby should be on the canvas. The fact everyone BUT their children stay with them is proof the Kennedys need their children around.

[DRW50]

I'm more confused over how they haven't worked out a return for Izzy, even a brief one. The frequent mentions as we never see her are odd. 

Holly is just overused and like many characters in the revival, feels empty underneath all the constant drama. 

[tiofmso]

Don’t think it’s been posted, but here are spoilers for the rest of the year. From reading it, it sounds exciting hopefully it comes across on screen too.

Obviously don’t click the link if you don’t want spoilers.

https://www.backtothebay.net/news/2024/11/18/neighbours-gives-first-details-of-huge-2024-season-finale/

[Skylover]

At least Holly's there. But I wish she had been recast.

[Liberty City]

I don't need a recast... I just need Holly gone, altogether.

[Skylover]

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