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This page was last updated on 25th September 2005. Page launched on 7th August 2005. Site launched on 24th January 2004.
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INTERVIEWS & ARTICLES
Neighbours 20th Birthday Special TV Week, Australia, 30th July 2005
Hi there, TV WEEK readers!
It’s Steph Mac – Sky from Neighbours!
This week I have the honour of being guest editor of one of the greatest, most exciting TV Mags around…one I’ve been reading for as long as I remember.
As I’m sure most of you know, As I’m sure most of you know, Neighbours is celebrating its 20th birthday at the moment – something all the cast and crew of the show are very proud of. So many talented people have contributed to the shows success over the years, and I feel lucky to be a part of it during such an important milestone.
We have fabulous crew who work very long hours, Along with everyone else – whether it’s the cast, writers, production or publicity departments – they’ve made Neighbours a major force in the television industry, not just in Australia, but in about 60 countries all around the world.
I’ve been on Neighbours for just over two years and it’s been a great learning curve. Sky is so different from me, but a real joy to play. There’s never a dull moment with Sky Mangel!
And if you thought Charlene (Kylie Minogue) and Scott (Jason Donovan) getting married was a moment to remember, stand by for more twists, turns and heart stopping moments in this, our 20th year!
Thanks heaps for all your support. We don’t take it for granted. Now sit back and enjoy your read!
Love, Steph
A barbie with the Neighbours
Ramsay Street held a party like no other to mark the special occasion and TV WEEK went along to check it out
You may think it’s just another cul-de-sac, but visitors to this location in outer Melbourne quickly realise this isn’t just any other street. It doubles as the most famous address in Australia – Ramsay Street!
When TV WEEK recently headed there, the cast and crew of Neighbours were busy filming a street-party episode. All of the show’s regulars were involved, along with many much-loved former cast members, who returned for the milestone 20th birthday celebrations.
While sausages sizzled on the BBQ, TV WEEK chatted to several of the cast about being part of two decades of Neighbours.
Alan Fletcher – Karl Kennedy
Have you enjoyed welcoming back former cast members? It’s been sensational. Having people like Mark Little, Terence Donovan, Ian Rawlings and Andrew Bibby back is fabulous. They bring such a presence back to the place.
Who do you wish had returned? It would have been fun to have had Nicola Charles, who played Sarah Beaumont. And the person we all would have loved to have had is Anne Haddy, who has sadly passed away.
Ian Smith – Harold Bishop
How special is the show to you? Very. I was just saying to the guys that, if this show ever closes down, I’d have to come back here once a year for a visit.
What’s it been like having former cast members return? Just fabulous. When I was asking whom I enjoyed working with the most, I always said Mark Little.
Who do you wish had returned who hasn’t? Anne Charleston (who played Harold’s late wife Madge and now lives in Ireland), of course.
What’s the secret to the show’s longevity? Everything that happens on the show could happen to any of the audience.
Joy Chambers – Rosemary Daniels
What went through your mind when you were asked to make a return to the show after six years? I thought of what fun it would be. I thought it would be a lovely reunion and that’s what it is. But you still have to remember your lines!
What’s the secret to the show’s longevity? There are characters you can laugh with and cry with. It’s life…but life in Ramsay Street!
Mark Little – Joe Mangel
Has the show changed much since you were last on? It’s very racy now. Joe has a line where he says, “If the dog ran away, it used to be news.” But now it’s very saucy. It’s very 21st century. But there’s never been anyting pretentious about Neighbours, and that’s still the same. We’re all pretty down to earth and normal about it.
Andrew Bibby – Lance Wilkinson
What has it been like, coming back to the show after five years? Strange. I felt nervous and excited, but I got out of the taxi and Ian Rawlings (who played Phillip Martin) was coming up the footpath, so we got to walk in together. It’s been really amazing – some things have changed, other things haven’t.
What’s the secret to the show’s longevity? It’s a staple. You know what you’re going to get and it’s good fun.
What would you like to see happen on Neighbours in the next 20 years? I’d like it to be revealed that Toadie (Ryan Maloney) is actually Harold’s long-lost son!
Melissa Bell – Lucy Robinson
How did you feel when you were asked to come back for the anniversary? I was really excited. I love the character Lucy. I was 18 when I started playing her – now I’m 32 and a mother of three.
How do you think the show has changed since you were last on? Everything seems the same. It feels like I never left. I don’t feel strange at all.
What’s the secret to the show’s longevity? A lot of people can relate to it. It’s really nice to be a part of history. This is the longest running show in Australia.
Jackie Woodburne – Susan Kennedy
How long have you been on the show now? Almost 11 years. At the moment there are more high-stakes stories, lots of high drama and intrigue. I’m very proud to be on the show at this point. It’s history, really.
What would you like to see happen on Neighbours in the next 20 years? I think it’s time for an alien abduction in Ramsay Street!
Piece of Cake!
After 20 years on our screens, these Neighbours really have become TV WEEK readers’ good friends
Happy 20th birthday, Neighbours! To mark this milestone in Australian TV history, TV Week presented the Ramsay street folk with a huge cake and, of course, a birthday card.
But this particular card was unlike any other. It contained birthday messages to the cast of Neighbours from you, the readers of TV WEEK! Needless to say, the stars of the show were thrilled to receive it, and loved reading all of your good wishes to them.
Tucking into the decadent double-layered chocolate cake, everyone from Alan Fletcher to younger cast members Damien Bodie (Dylan Timmins), Carla Bonner (Steph Hoyland), Blair McDonough (Stuart parker) and Stephanie McIntosh crowded around the card as some of the messages were read out on the Melbourne set of the show.
“The readers’ support is wonderful,” Carla said. “That’s why we have this longevity. These readers have taken the time out to put pen to paper, or to put fingers to keyboard. It’s really sweet.”
Alan agreed with Carla. “I just got back from two weeks in the UK, and the reaction from the UK fans to the show is still so massive,” he said. “I was talking to people over there who say they started watching the show when they were four years old, and they still love it. Neighbours really is such a worldwide phenomenon.”
Damien, who turned 20 this year, said, “It’s amazing to think the show started when I was born. It’s a privilege being here. It’s a real tribute to the show that it’s lasted so long and that it’s continuing to entertain.”
Meanwhile, Stephanie, who has built up a huge following as Sky, found herself reflecting on her family connection to the show.
“My brother (actor Jason Donovan) was on Neighbours in the beginning, and now I’m on it celebrating its 20th year. It’s kind of bizarre and sentimental all at once.”
Looking Back
Neighbours veteran Alan Fletcher reflects on his time on the much-loved Aussie soap
For the past 11 years, I’ve had the pleasure of playing Dr Karl Kennedy on Neighbours. However, my association with the show began in 1987 when I guest starred for three weeks as a tortured soul Greg Cooper. They were heady days. Neighbours had just been introduced to an enthusiastic British public and ranked among the top programs in that country. A young Kylie Minogue was about to release her first single, “Locomotion”. The world was at the feet of this enthusiastic, young and talented collection of Aussie actors, and they were to live up to all expectations. Kylie, Jason Donovan, Craig McLachlan, Natalie Imbruglia, Stefan Dennis and later Alan Dale became household names around the world.
I came back to Neighbours in 1994 and my first day at work was my most memorable.
It was then that I learnt that the actor cast to play the role of Susan Kennedy was none other than my dear friend, the divine Jackie Woodburne. We have enjoyed many years of truly cooperative work that, to an outsider, would have looked more like play.
Perhaps one of the most enduring memories has been the pleasure of watching bright new talent, such as Dan Paris, Krista Vendy, Carla Bonner, Daniel McPherson, Blair McDonough and Ryan Moloney, join the show and grow as actors. Relatively inexperienced, they rapidly developed a confidence in their work that assures them of successful careers.
This ability to discover and foster new talent has always been a hallmark of Neighbours. It begins with the casting process with Jan Russ and her team, and is aided by the supportive atmosphere. Ian Smith, Tom Oliver, Anne Charlston, Anne Haddy, Ailsa Piper, Janet Andrewartha and Jackie have shared their wealth of experience with everyone who has joined the show.
Producing two and a half hours of drama a week is hard work. Despite this, the on-set atmosphere has almost always been fun, co-operative and productive. This is primarily due to the fabulous crew. Actors receive all the attention, yet it is the men and women working behind the scenes whose 60-hour weeks, performed with good humor and professionalism, make Neighbours successful.
After 20 years, Neighbours continues to maintain strong support all over the globe, and is shown officially in 57 countries and seen unofficially, due to the random nature of satellite footprints, in many more. Hello Zimbabwe, Ghana and Slovenia! An estimated 185 million people enjoy the Neighbours experience every day, which is why I have been recognised in temple complexes in southern India, and fashion houses in Paris!
In many of the reflections of the past 20 years of Neighbours, the focus has tended to fix upon the first 10 years: Charlene (Kylie Minogue) and Scott’s (Jason Donovan) wedding, Henry’s (Craig McLachlan) nude sprint across Ramsay Street, Bouncer’s dream, etc. I find this a trifle annoying because it suggests that Neighbours is a thing of the past. The fact that the show has evolved with the times is the cause for celebration.
My eyes are set on the next generation of Neighbours, the next 20 years!
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