Neighbours: Discussion Thread

[EricMontreal22]

I've mostly enjoyed the Amazon version, but I know this isn't really surprising to anyone and certainly I feel for a 4 times a week streaming soap I felt mostly satisfied with it--I don't feel the way I felt with my only other experience with streaming soap reboots (over ten years back) with AMC/OLTL where so many factors just screwed up so much potential.

And I appreciate that we have months still to go (I think they film three months in advance?) so it's not one of those typical "well maybe it will be renewed, oh I guess not" experiences. 

I agree with most of your take (though now I've watched this week's too.)  Fallon is fine, but I wish she wasn't tied into the whole Seb thing which doesn't really make sense (IS she actually over him or not, anyway?  It seems to change with each scene and who cares now that he's off-screen anyway.)

Jane's fling with Clint I like more or less, except when they show the characters truly being stupid.  It's one thing to use the empty room at Eirining (or whatever) Rising, I can accept that even among grown adults, but not being able to control yourself and not be so loud that the other tennants can you hear you?  And I'm sorry, even as a teen I would have made sure the room was clean and NOTICED a condom in the middle of the floor, let alone as an adult trying to keep this secret (how do you even forget to get rid of a condom is beyond me) and just yech.

I have liked the stuff with Aaron EXCEPT my issue with Brett having a new BF was...  No young gay guy suddenly is going steady with a new guy within, what, a week?  They could have had some line about him reconnecting with an ex, or *something* to make it plausible for me.

I don't understand if we're meant to even like Holly.  I was glad that Taye didn't budge and give her his job (I honestly thought he was going to, and maybe he still will.)

And I like Cara a lot--I even like her interacting with Nicolette, but I still have NO NO NO idea why she seems to think she has to keep her search for her sister secret.  I know Remy doesn't like her, but regardless, it doesn't make a lick of sense to me.

(And yet, I have been enjoying watching the show, despite my complaints with almost all the current storylines?  So there's that. )

[Liberty City]

It's five; they wrap filming in July, with the final episodes at the end of December. So they do have some time to hopefully find another company if they choose to in continuing.

[EricMontreal22]

Thanks!

[Chris B]

Freevee was ad supported and prime is not so that could be part of the problem. As recent as yesterday the show was ranked #2 on Prime in the UK. I haven't checked recently but i know during the first season it was often top 10 in the US so it does seem like it had an audience.

I'm disappointed by this news. I feel like the show keeps getting better and especially this year I've started to become really invested in the stories. 

[Vee]

I lost track long ago, but always wanted to catch up. The show was far from perfect but has been a fascinating experiment and was a fun watch. It seems as though Amazon's new round of execs weren't onboard with platforming Neighbours, which is a peril with any non-network streaming service unused to the grind of year-round soaps. I still think there is a place for soaps on streamers, but these platforms have to be prepared to make a firm commitment as opposed to judging them like quick-burn prestige shows with 10 episodes a year that maximize viewership then vanish. I think losing the ad support of FreeVee was also possibly a major issue.

I'll miss the Varga-Murphys most of all. And poor little J.J.!

[Liberty City]

They really were the best-introduced family in a long time. So unique to Ramsey Street, as well.

[EricMontreal22]

Awww JJ.

I think this take is pretty spot on.  I keep forgetting about FreeVee as we never had it with Amazon Prime in Canada anyway, and this was just up with their other shows (I only realized when I was at a conference last year in Chicago and was watching on my phone and started seeing ads--and realized I wasn't actually logged into my Amazon Canada account.) 

And you're right--I don't think the platforms right now are interested in constant programming like this.  I take that back--they seem keen right now to try more game shows and reality shows in the format--but not scripted.  It is too bad though because, for the most part, I felt like they had found a way to make it work.

[Vee]

I think they clearly appreciate long-running scripted shows - old sitcoms, dramas, etc. - since those do consistent numbers. But it seems like they're not prepared for the expenditure of making them themselves, especially year-round soaps, because their business model seems to operate around the quick hit return/churn and burn of seasonal dramas.

Whoever greenlit Neighbours was on to something, but executive turnover seems to have screwed it over. If it's true it's topping the charts in the UK then that is not necessarily on the show, and it's too bad. I do think soaps have a future on streaming, but i've long though it has to be arc/seasonal-based (say, 13-16 weeks) to keep the platforms satisfied - as Gottlieb once tried to do at OLTL very early on, as PC did and as the Prospect Park soaps resorted to before they ran out of money and rolled the whole thing up lol.

[DRW50]

It's very sad to live in a world where Amazon will get more of Mr. Beast ripping off Squid Game but not this.

Given the ever-shrinking economy and the industry supporting actors and creatives less and less, I do wonder if we will ever see any real support for soaps. 

I think the revival just made some very weird choices, maybe down to budget issues - it's never good when your show is run by guest characters and much of your cast is part-time - but even if it had been superb I don't think they would have had another year. 

I still think 15 minute soaps, with just a few cast and a few sets, may be the way to go.

[John]

I hope Holly senses something is up & looks for Max

[Skylover]

If you don't want Neighbours to end, please sign the petition, thanks in advance!

Please register in order to view this content

 

https://www.change.org/p/keep-neighbours-alive-urge-amazon-to-keep-streaming-the-iconic-show

[John]

Shouldn't ramsay street  find it weird that max who is being targeted suddenly dips out

Come on Holly

[Liberty City]

Wasn't the BBC looking to launch a new soap? Or is that dead already? Because wouldn't BBC/BBC America teaming up to produce Neighbours provide a solid financial production towards this soap continuing?

[Chris B]

This is what I'm going to miss the most. I feel like they've worked out their kinks with this second season and the show has been so good. I loved getting to meet Remi's brother and dad and getting some insight on her upbringing. Of course Chelsea is around the corner with her baby as well which is waiting to be blown up. 

It's a shame that just as the writers figured things out they get the boot. At least I can anticipate a good final year but I do think it's a big mistake of Amazon to get rid of it.

[EricMontreal22]

100% agreed.  Even with the stories that I don't feel are working, the show has established a good rhythm and mix.  But it often seems like by the time these things iron out their kinks the decision's always been made (though I'm not sure if Amazon ever was in this for the long haul of a soap anyway...)