Episode 523 (Neighbours)

Last updated

Episode 523
Neighbours episode
Episode no.Episode 523
Directed by Rod Hardy
Written byRay Harding
Featured music"Suddenly"
by Angry Anderson
Original air date1 July 1987 (1987-07-01)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
 Previous
Episode 522
Next 
Episode 524
List of episodes

Episode 523 is the 523rd episode of the Australian soap opera Neighbours . It premiered on Network Ten on 1 July 1987. The episode was written by Ray Harding, directed by Rod Hardy, and executively produced by the serial's creator Reg Watson. Episode 523 focuses on the wedding of popular couple Scott Robinson (Jason Donovan) and Charlene Mitchell (Kylie Minogue). The storyline was devised by the producers after some viewers became outraged by the idea of an unwed couple moving in together. They also believed that the wedding would be "the perfect climax" to the character's long-running relationship and an instant ratings hit.

Contents

The episode was filmed in secrecy and with a limited budget three months before it was broadcast. The wedding ceremony was filmed in the nave of The Holy Trinity Church in Doncaster. Episode 523 is one of only a few Neighbours episodes to include the entire cast. A new romantic style wedding dress made from ivory silk, organza and chantilly lace was made for Minogue's character. The ballad "Suddenly", which was written and sung by Angry Anderson, was chosen as the theme to the episode. Prior to its broadcast, Minogue and Donovan promoted the episode by making several appearances at shopping centres around Australia.

Episode 523 became one of the most watched soap opera episodes upon its broadcast in Australia. When it aired in the United Kingdom in November 1988, it attracted an audience of 19.6 million, making it the third most watched programme in the country that year. The episode was well received by critics and viewers. TV Week 's Kelly Bourne stated that the wedding would be the most exciting television soap opera event of 1987, while Network Ten's head of drama thought it was "a major turning point for Neighbours". The wedding has been voted one of the most memorable soap moments and is often included in lists featuring the greatest television weddings of all time.

Plot

The episode opens with Hilary Robinson (Anne Scott-Pendlebury) bringing breakfast to newlyweds Paul (Stefan Dennis) and Gail Robinson (Fiona Corke). She is surprised to find that they have spent the night in separate bedrooms. To hide the fact that they only married for business purposes, Gail tells Hilary that she and Paul had an argument the night before. Hilary tells them to sort things out and she tends to the bouquets. At the Robinson house, Scott (Jason Donovan) begins to panic about getting married, while his father, Jim (Alan Dale), and best friend, Mike Young (Guy Pearce), set up tables for the reception. Meanwhile, Lucy Robinson (Sasha Close) tries to find her pet mice. Over at the Ramsay house, Scott's fiancée, Charlene (Kylie Minogue), is getting ready. Her mother, Madge (Anne Charleston), asks her brother Henry (Craig McLachlan) not to race up the altar. Hilary brings in the wedding bouquet, while Charlene's friend and bridesmaid, Jane (Annie Jones) arrives. After receiving a blue garter from her grandmother, Charlene becomes excited about the wedding. Scott arrives at the church with Mike, Paul and Jim. He is greeted by his old school friends and Mike explains that he and Jane arranged for them to attend to make up for the absence of Charlene's extended family.

After the guests take their seats, Scott starts to worry that Charlene will not show up, but Paul and Mike assure him that she will be there. Reverend Sampson (Howard Bell) then invites everyone to stand as Charlene and Henry begin their walk up the aisle. Scott and Charlene exchange vows and Reverend Sampson pronounces them man and wife. At the reception, Jim tells Scott that he is proud of him and welcomes Charlene to the family. Harold Bishop (Ian Smith) finds Madge crying in the kitchen and he comforts her. They are interrupted by Mrs. Mangel (Vivean Gray) who informs them that the telegrams from Max and Maria, Clive and Rosemary, who all are unable to attend, are being read out. Dan Ramsay (Syd Conabere) spots a mouse and tries to pick it up, but hits Mrs. Mangel's foot. She accuses Dan of groping her and as he protests his innocence, an argument breaks out among the guests. Scott and Charlene go to his bedroom and Gail brings them a gift from her father. Jane comes to tell Charlene that it is time to get changed for the honeymoon, while Paul takes their bags out to the car. Lucy tells Scott that she will miss him and he gives her his skateboard. Everyone gathers in the street to wave the couple off. Mrs. Mangel catches Charlene's bouquet, as the couple drive out of Ramsay Street.

Production

Conception

Kylie Minogue Cropped Sliver Spoon Awards 2012.jpg
Jason Donovan Here and Now Tour 2011 429 v2.jpg
Kylie Minogue (left) and Jason Donovan (right) portrayed Charlene Mitchell and Scott Robinson, respectively.

By 1987, Scott Robinson (Jason Donovan) and Charlene Mitchell (Kylie Minogue) had become a popular couple with Neighbours viewers, who dubbed them "TV's Romeo and Juliet" because they were from feuding families. [1] Following months of dating, Scott asked Charlene to move in with him. After "stuffier viewers" became outraged at the idea of the unwed couple moving in together, the producers decided that they should get married instead. [2] Donovan recalled that the producers thought a wedding would be "the perfect climax" to Scott and Charlene's long-running relationship, as well as an instant ratings winner. [3]

Speaking to James Oram, author of Neighbours: Behind the Scenes, Minogue thought the marriage would bring controversial subjects, such as pre-marital sex and HIV/AIDS, into focus. Donovan agreed, saying there was "a valid moral point behind it." [4] Executive producer Reg Watson noted how each character in the show expressed a different point of view about the wedding. [5] Some, like Scott's father Jim (Alan Dale), thought it was "stupid" for a couple just out of school to get married, while others, like Charlene's mother Madge (Anne Charleston), believed it was romantic. Watson believed the storyline would have repercussions for everyone. [5] Ray Harding wrote the script for Episode 523. Bruce Andrews from Charles Sturt University noted that it is one of only a few Neighbours episodes to include the entire cast. [6]

Filming

The serial's producers asked Rod Hardy to direct the episode, due to his experience of directing other television weddings. [7] The episode was shot "in great secrecy" three months before it was broadcast on Australian television. [8] The shoot was initially delayed due to bad weather. [7] Due to a limited budget, there were very few extras on set and crew were asked to stand in at the church instead. [8] Minogue found the shoot "very tiring", as she had to walk up and down the aisle twenty times and she felt constricted by the wedding gown as filming went on. Minogue said there was "little chance" of her treating the wedding as anything but work, but added that it was "a good day." [9] Recalling his experience of the shoot, Donovan told Nui Te Koha of the Herald Sun , "I don't remember that particular day well, but when you do set ups like weddings it takes a long, long time to put things together." [10]

The Holy Trinity Church in Doncaster was used as the location for the wedding ceremony. The scenes were shot in the old nave of the church. [2] Liz Guiver, the former vicar's secretary and administrator, revealed that many of the church's parishioners were excited at the prospect of seeing the actors on set. [11] Speaking to Guy Blackman from The Age , Guiver recalled "The person who played the vicar, and wore the vicar's robe, he smoked cigarettes, so we had to be careful that they were dry-cleaned before services on Sunday. Then we waited for months until the episode was aired, and most parishioners were glued to the set." [2] Scenes featuring the character's family homes and Ramsay Street were shot at the show's studio in Forest Hill and at Pin Oak Court in Vermont South respectively. [11] The wedding scenes were shot in soft focus, creating "a halo effect" around Charlene as she walked up the aisle. [8] Hardy believed that "the magic of the episode" is captured best in two close-up shots of Scott and Charlene. The director recalled "The image that stays with me is the close-up of Kylie as she arrives and then the close-up on Jason's face, and those two looks epitomised what the whole scene was about." [7]

Costumes and music

Charlene's new romantic style wedding dress was designed and made by Isis of Melbourne, a local bridal salon. [12] The dress was made from ivory silk, organza and chantilly lace. [4] The silk, satin dress has a "slightly" dropped waist with a cream silk overlay on the skirt. The bodice and skirt are both bordered in lace. The waist is "highlighted" with apricot chiffon, and apricot and pink rosettes. The dress has a high collar that is decorated with rhinestones, which also feature on the organza puffed sleeves. The look is completed by a half-length veil. [9] A writer for the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery's website observed that it was "in keeping with Charlene's character as the suburban girl-next-door." [13] While the show's costume designer, Nicholas Wakerley, called it "perfect for the time". [14] Wakerley described the dress as being "young and cool" for the time, just like Charlene. He also revealed that the dress fitted Watson's desire for a fairy-tale wedding. [14] When asked what made the dress memorable, fashion designer Alex Perry, stated "There are so many things going on that it's hard not to remember it! The see-through sleeves with a hint of lace, the romantic era-style shoulders, the high neckline and hem." [15] Knowing how popular Minogue and Charlene were at the time, Perry was sure that the dress would have been copied by viewers. [15] Charlene's bridesmaids wore peach taffeta dresses, while the groom and his ushers wore charcoal grey tails. [4] [16]

Minogue was asked by the producers to choose a romantic song to be played in the episode and she chose "Suddenly" by Angry Anderson. [11] Anderson had written the song a long time before it was used in Episode 523. He explained that it is about a man coming to a certain point in his life when he realises that he does not mind being vulnerable. [11] Minogue told Anderson that she loved the song and how the lyrics resonated with her. [11] She later revealed that she wanted the song played at her own wedding. [11] After Episode 523 was broadcast in the UK, "Suddenly" reached number 3 on the Singles Chart. [17]

Promotion and broadcast

Network Ten's national publicity director, Brian Walsh, believed the wedding episode would be an ideal marketing opportunity. [8] He arranged for Minogue and Donovan to attend a wedding breakfast at the Park Royal Hotel in Parramatta and invited four hundred competition winners to join them. [8] Minogue and Donovan later made an appearance with the wedding cake at Westfield Parramatta. [8] Walsh recalled "I'd never seen anything like it; there would have been 6000 people. Security had to prevent any more going inside. It was as simple as Jason and Kylie and a wedding cake on stage. There was a speech and the cutting of the cake. Then there was this near riot. We had to stop the appearance at this point to prevent people getting crushed." [8] The actors made several more appearances with replica cakes in shopping centres throughout Sydney and Melbourne. They would cut the cakes and then hand out slices to thousands of fans. [15] The episode later become the main focus on covers of TV Week and the Australian edition of Time magazine. [18] [19]

Episode 523 was first broadcast in Australia on 1 July 1987. [20] Just over a year later, the episode aired in the United Kingdom on 8 November 1988. [21] In 1989, Scott and Charlene's wedding was included on a VHS titled The Neighbours Wedding Collection. [22] In 2002, Fremantle included the episode on the Neighbours: Defining Moments DVD box set. [23] The episode was also featured on the Neighbours: The Iconic Episodes Volume 2 DVD box set released in 2009. [15]

Reception

Ratings

Episode 523 was seen by two million viewers upon its broadcast in Australia, making it one of the highest rating soap opera episodes. [24] [25] When it aired in the United Kingdom, the episode attracted an audience of 19.6 million, making it the third most watched programme in the country that year. [26]

Critical response

Kelly Bourne from TV Week described the episode as "the television wedding of the year" and "a fairytale ceremony." [12] Bourne observed that the wedding would be the most exciting soap opera event of 1987. [12] The head of drama at Network Ten, Rick Maier, stated "Scott and Charlene's wedding was the biggest television event of 1987. ... Not only a major turning point for Neighbours, but a wedding that stopped a nation." [27] The Sydney Morning Herald's Michael Idato observed that "Australians packed the aisles for the nuptials of star-crossed teenagers Scott and Charlene" and added that "the nation wept" while "Suddenly" played. [20] Sarah Megginson from SheKnows quipped "Scott and Charlene's wedding episode is practically the defining episode of what Neighbours was all about in the 80s. This episode featured the entire cast, and audiences loved watching the romance of off-screen couple Jason Donovan (Scott) and Kylie Minogue (Charlene) spill over on to the small screen." [28] Andrew Mercado, author of Super Aussie Soaps, called the episode "The biggest event ever in Aussie soap history." [29]

Elizabeth Day, writing for The Guardian , commented "For many, the quintessential on-screen wedding remains the 1987 marriage of Scott and Charlene in Australian daytime soap Neighbours. It was the apotheosis of a romantic teenage love story which brought together two feuding families – the Robinsons and the Ramsays – in much the same way as the Montagues and the Capulets, albeit with fewer deaths and more shoulder pads." [30] The Birmingham Post's Gemma Quade named the wedding one of her five most memorable Neighbours storylines, calling it a "tearjerker episode". [31] Josephine Monroe, author of The Neighbours Programme Guide, wrote that the episode showed the "soap wedding of the century!", adding "Teenagers Scott and Charlene tied the knot in a traditional and emotional church service". [32] During a feature on how to celebrate a wedding ceremony in the style of a soap opera, David Brown from the Radio Times said "Who needs Mendelssohn and Bach when you can process down the aisle to power ballad 'Suddenly' by Australian rocker Angry Anderson? Sounds unorthodox, but it put pep in the step of Scott and Charlene in Neighbours. Note to groom: we can't all swan around like we're Jason Donovan, so give the feathered mullet a miss." [33]

Impact and legacy

The Holy Trinity Church experienced a surge of interest from fans of the show after the episode aired. Anglican church at Doncaster2.jpg
The Holy Trinity Church experienced a surge of interest from fans of the show after the episode aired.

The Holy Trinity Church experienced an increase in interest after the episode aired, with some viewers holding their own weddings there. [2] Backpackers also visit the church during their holidays to see the nave where Scott and Charlene were married. [2] The church has since been used again by Neighbours to film the weddings of Harold and Madge, Libby Kennedy (Kym Valentine) and Drew Kirk (Dan Paris) and Vanessa Villante (Alin Sumarwata) and Lucas Fitzgerald (Scott Major). [2] [34] Charlene's wedding dress was donated to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery by Grundy television in 1989. It has since gone on display in the Powerhouse Museum and travelled to Victoria and the UK. [35] A copy of the episode's script, autographed by Harding, fetched £2,000 when it came up for auction in London. [6]

In October 1997, the serial's longest serving character, Helen Daniels (Anne Haddy), was seen watching a video of Scott and Charlene's wedding, before she died. Kathleen Morgan from the Daily Record commented "The wedding video brought back memories of the soap's golden years". [36] Footage of the wedding was later shown during the soap's 20th anniversary episode, "Friends for Twenty Years". [37] Charlene became an iconic bridal image, and when Jane Turner and Gina Riley were writing the 2004 season finale of Kath & Kim , they asked Minogue to play the character of Epponnee Rae who was due to get married. [11] Executive producer, Rick McKenna, thought that it would be funny for Minogue to dress up as Charlene and the singer agreed. She appeared as a futuristic version of the character, complete with a lacy dress and 80's style hair. [11]

In October 2006, Australia Post brought out five stamps celebrating fifty years of television. Network Ten's stamp featured Charlene and Scott in their wedding attire. [38] In 2007, Herald Sun readers voted Scott and Charlene's wedding as their top Neighbours moment. [39] A Herald Sun reporter said "No other wedding in soap history in Australia has captured the attention like Scott and Charlene's nuptials late in 1987." [39] The episode became FremantleMedia's seventh most requested television clip in 2008. [40] To celebrate the soap's 25th anniversary and its 6000th episode, producers decided to "recreate the magic" of Scott and Charlene's wedding through the marriage of Ringo Brown (Sam Clark) and Donna Freedman (Margot Robbie). [41] Robbie said "People are saying that my wedding is this generation's Kylie (Minogue) and Jason (Donovan) wedding – that's big shoes to fill." [41]

Scott and Charlene's wedding ceremony has often been included in lists about the best television weddings or soap opera moments. [42] It was voted the "Most Romantic TV Nuptials of all Time" and the "Top TV Wedding of all Time" in a Radio Times poll. [43] [44] The following year saw the wedding place ninth in a list of the most memorable soap moments. [45] In 2011, the wedding placed third in Channel 5's Greatest TV Weddings programme. [46] It also came third in Virgin Media's "10 Best On-screen Nuptials" list. [47] Sky Living included the ceremony in their 2012 feature on the best TV weddings, with a reporter noting that it is probably Neighbours' most iconic moment. [48] After including the ceremony in their list of best TV weddings, a writer for MSN New Zealand stated that "it set the standard up to which TV weddings (and terrible mullets) are held." [49] In 2019, a writer from Soap World included Scott and Charlene's ceremony in their feature profiling soap weddings. They wrote "aww... doesn't it just make you wanna start singing along to 'Suddenly'? This was a Ramsay Street classic - and we hear they're still together! Bless!" [50]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Donovan</span> Australian actor and singer

Jason Sean Donovan is an Australian actor and singer. He initially achieved fame in the Australian soap Neighbours, playing Scott Robinson, before beginning a career in music in 1988. In the UK he has sold over 3 million records. His debut album Ten Good Reasons was the highest-selling album in the UK in 1989, with sales of over 1.5 million. He has had four UK No. 1 singles. He has also appeared in several stage musicals, most prominently in the lead role of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in the early 1990s.

Scott Robinson and Charlene Mitchell are fictional characters and a supercouple from the Australian soap opera Neighbours. Scott was portrayed by Jason Donovan, and Charlene was portrayed by Kylie Minogue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madge Bishop</span> Fictional character from an Australian soap opera

Madge Bishop is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Anne Charleston. She made her first appearance during the episode broadcast on 20 January 1986. Madge was introduced as the sister of original character Max Ramsay. She soon becomes the main matriarch of the Ramsay family. Madge arrives with her marriage in tatters, her son in prison, and her daughter a runaway teen; she rolled up her sleeves and got a job in The Waterhole to support the family as a single mother. She departed on 27 November 1992, before making a return on 7 November 1996. Madge died on 6 April 2001 from terminal pancreatic cancer. Charleston reprised the role for the show's 30th anniversary celebrations from 4–20 March 2015, and for the intended finale on 28 July 2022.

The Robinson family are a fictional family from the Australian television soap opera Neighbours. The family were created by Reg Watson and introduced in the first episode of the serial, broadcast on 18 March 1985. The family initially consisted of Jim Robinson, his mother-in-law Helen Daniels, and his four children Paul Robinson, Julie Martin, Scott Robinson, and Lucy Robinson. The Robinsons have one of the largest and most complex family trees in the show's history.

Scott Robinson (<i>Neighbours</i>) Fictional character from the soap opera Neighbours

Scott Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Neighbours. He was created by Reg Watson as one of the serial's twelve original characters. Originally played by Darius Perkins, he made his debut during the first episode broadcast on 18 March 1985. Perkins was 20 years old when he received the role of teenager Scott. He felt some anxiety about his audition performance and did not think anything was going to come from it, until the production company contacted him a month later to sign on as Scott. When production moved to Network Ten in 1986, producers wanted "a more upfront" Scott and the role was recast to Jason Donovan, who joined the cast following his graduation from school. He made his debut on 12 February 1986, and producers hoped Donovan's blond hair and blue eyes would increase the character's appeal. Perkins later said that he had been physically and mentally exhausted after filming for nine months, and felt unable to continue in the role of Scott.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlene Robinson</span> Fictional character from the soap opera Neighbours

Charlene Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours played by Kylie Minogue. Charlene was introduced to the show along with several new characters, as part of a revamp by Network Ten to increase ratings. Minogue auditioned for the role in 1985, shortly after finishing her high school exams. She attended the audition dressed as the character and casting director Jan Russ cast her in the role. Minogue was initially contracted for a week, but this was later extended through to mid-1988. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 17 April 1986.

Jane Harris (<i>Neighbours</i>) Fictional character in the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours

Jane Harris is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Annie Jones. She was created by writer Ray Kolle and debuted during the episode broadcast on 31 July 1986. Jones originally auditioned for the role of Charlene Mitchell, but she was not successful. This prompted Jones to telephone the producers for two months asking for a role in the show until eventually she was cast. In 1989, Jones decided to quit the serial in order to pursue other projects and the character departed on 9 September the same year. In 2005, Jones was one of many ex-cast members who agreed to return to the serial to mark the 20th anniversary of Neighbours. On-screen she was featured making a cameo in Annalise Hartman's documentary about Ramsay Street. Jones reprised the role again in 2018 for two guest stints starting on 6 April and 26 November 2018. She returned on 10 February 2020 as part of the serial's 35th anniversary celebrations, before returning to the regular cast from 8 July 2020. Her final appearance aired on 28 July 2022 in the Neighbours finale. She will reprise the role as part of the series' continuation, via Amazon Freevee, in 2023.

<i>Neighbours</i> Australian soap opera (1985–)

Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera, which has aired since 18 March 1985. It was created by television executive Reg Watson. The Seven Network commissioned the show following the success of Watson's earlier soap Sons and Daughters. Although successful in Melbourne, Neighbours underperformed in the Sydney market and was cancelled by Seven four months after it began airing. It was immediately commissioned by rival Network Ten for a second production season, which began screening on 20 January 1986. Neighbours became the longest-running drama series in Australian television history. In 2005, it was inducted into the Logie Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hilary Robinson</span> Soap opera character

Hilary Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Anne Scott-Pendlebury. The character first appeared on-screen during the episode broadcast on 25 June 1987. Hilary departed the show on 28 February 1990, following Scott-Pendlebury's decision to quit in 1989. Scott-Pendlebury reprised her role in 2005 for the serial's 20th anniversary episode, and again in February 2015 ahead of the 30th anniversary. Writers established that Hilary is back living in Erinsborough, so she can continue to make sporadic appearances. She is characterised as a bossy and meddling woman who lacks romance and seeks comfort interfering with her Neighbours' personal lives. Hilary's main storyline was mothering an illegitimate child, Matt Robinson. He arrives in Erinsborough to forge a relationship with his birth mother. The character's "hard-edged approach to life" mellowed during the storyline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katie Landers</span> Fictional characther

Katie Landers is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Sally Jensen. She made her first on screen appearance on 15 February 1988. Katie is the niece of Beverly Marshall and sister to Todd Landers. During her time in the show, she became close friends with Toby Mangel. Katie departed on 6 September 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bronwyn Davies</span> Soap opera character

Bronwyn Davies is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Neighbours, played by Rachel Friend. She made her first appearance during the episode broadcast on 7 July 1988. Bronwyn is the sister of Sharon Davies. Bronwyn fell in love with Henry Ramsay and when he left for New Zealand, she followed him not long after. Bronwyn departed on 22 February 1990.

The Ramsay family is a fictional family from the Australian soap opera Neighbours. The family were one of three central families created by Reg Watson and introduced in the first episode of Neighbours in March 1985. Watson wanted the Ramsays to be humorous and rougher than the Robinson family. Ramsay Street, a cul-de-sac which is the central setting of the series, is named after the family. In 2001, the last Ramsay, Madge, departed the series. Eight years later, a new generation of the Ramsay family was introduced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suddenly (Angry Anderson song)</span> 1987 single by Angry Anderson

"Suddenly" is a song recorded by Australian singer Angry Anderson for his debut solo album, Beats from a Single Drum. The track was first released via Mushroom Records in Australia during July 1987. It was written by Anderson, Andy Cichon and Kevin Beamish, with the latter serving as the song's producer. "Suddenly" was used in the Australian soap opera Neighbours during an episode that featured a wedding. It was selected by Neighbours cast member Kylie Minogue, who thought the song was lyrically "beautiful". The song's release coincided with the broadcast, and it reached number two on the ARIA Singles Chart. "Suddenly" peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart. In addition, the song also charted in the European countries Ireland, Belgium and Netherlands. In 2012, Anderson stated that "Suddenly" is the best song he has ever written.

"Friends for Twenty Years" is the 4773rd episode of the Australian television soap opera Neighbours. The episode was written by Ben Marshall, directed by Jovita O'Shaughnessy, and executively produced by Ric Pellizzeri. It first aired on 27 July 2005 on Network Ten in Australia, as part of the soap's 20th anniversary. Planning for the episode began in March 2004, twelve months before the anniversary. Producers decided to celebrate the 20th anniversary on-screen in July, as winter ratings are usually higher.

Tim Phillipps is an Australian actor perhaps best known for his roles in the soap opera Neighbours, drama series Bed of Roses and the movie Animal Kingdom. He has also appeared in the American television series Once Upon a Time and The Secret Circle. He provided the voice and motion capture for Dante in the video game DmC: Devil May Cry.

<i>Neighbours 30th: The Stars Reunite</i> 2015 Australian television documentary

Neighbours 30th: The Stars Reunite is a 2015 Australian television documentary, which celebrates 30 years of the soap opera Neighbours. It first aired on Network Ten and Eleven on 16 March 2015, two days before the show celebrated its 30th anniversary. Hosted by actors Stefan Dennis and Tim Phillipps, the documentary features current and former cast members reminiscing about their time on the show and their favourite memories. The results of a poll to find viewers' top five favourite Neighbours moments are also revealed. The documentary received mostly positive reviews from critics, but underperformed in the Australian ratings.

<i>Neighbours</i>: The Finale Episode of Neighbours

"Neighbours: The Finale" comprises the 8901st, 8902nd and 8903rd episodes of the Australian television soap opera Neighbours. It premiered on 28 July 2022 on both Network 10 and 10 Peach in Australia, and on 29 July on Channel 5 in the United Kingdom. It was conceived as the end of the serial, after it was cancelled due to the loss of its UK broadcaster and failure to find an alternative buyer, and production ceased after it was filmed. The episodes were written by Shane Isheev and executive producer Jason Herbison, and directed by Scott Major. Production on Neighbours ended on 10 June. Production and cast had known the show was facing cancellation since 2021 and ideas for a suitable finale were already being planned at that point. In response to the news of the show's potential cancellation becoming public in early 2022, an online petition amassed more than 67,000 signatures to save the show. The petition did not change Channel 5's decision, who maintained that Neighbours remained popular and ending the show was solely a "business decision". Production were then tasked with bringing the show to an end within a few months. Herbison had already envisioned an ideal way to end the series, and Isheev and other writers supported his plans. Herbison did not wish to end the show with excessive finality, such as in the destruction of the primary location of Ramsay Street, and opted for a celebratory theme that acknowledged the show's history.

The Neighbours 30th Anniversary was a series of celebrations to mark the 30th anniversary of Australian television soap opera Neighbours. The celebrations span over two weeks, beginning on 4 March 2015 in Australia, while starting on 18 March in the United Kingdom. The anniversary features many storylines, but points around Paul Robinson's Erinsborough festival and the wedding of Daniel Robinson and Amber Turner. The serial's executive producer, Jason Herbison, began planning the 30th anniversary over a year in advance. Over ten former cast members from all different eras of the show were invited back to "honour the past and present". Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan were also invited, but they both downturned the offer. The celebrations marked Ian Smith and Anne Charleston's returns to Neighbours as Harold and Madge Bishop respectively. Madge was last seen during her death in 2001 and returns as a ghost in Harold's mind, which Herbison was initially worried would not be accepted by Charleston nor Smith, however both approved of it. The storyline was also popular amongst viewers.

References

Citations

  1. Burfitt, Miller & Walker 2012 , p. 2
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Blackman 2006
  3. Donovan 2007 , p. 99
  4. 1 2 3 Oram 1988 , p. 92
  5. 1 2 Johnston 2005 , p. 11
  6. 1 2 Andrews
  7. 1 2 3 Burfitt, Miller & Walker 2012 , p. 8
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Lang 2000
  9. 1 2 "The Neighbours Wedding – What the young stars thought of their big day". TV Scene. 27 June – 3 July 1987. p. 4.
  10. Te Koha 2012a
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Burfitt, Miller & Walker 2012 , p. 9
  12. 1 2 3 Bourne 1987
  13. Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
  14. 1 2 TV Week 2017
  15. 1 2 3 4 Burfitt, Miller & Walker 2012 , p. 7
  16. Burfitt, Miller & Walker 2012 , p. 5
  17. Official Charts Company
  18. Dunn & Coleman 2007
  19. Burfitt, Miller & Walker 2012 , p. 4
  20. 1 2 Idato 2001
  21. Simon 1996
  22. Small 1989
  23. Idato 2002
  24. Southward & Browne 1996
  25. TV Week
  26. Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
  27. Te Koha 2012b
  28. Megginson 2009
  29. Mercado 2004 , p. 211
  30. Day 2011
  31. Quade 2008
  32. Monroe 1994 , p. 7
  33. Brown 2012
  34. Brygel 2012
  35. Burfitt, Miller & Walker 2012 , p. 6
  36. Morgan 1998
  37. Brooker 2005
  38. The Age 2006
  39. 1 2 Herald Sun 2007
  40. BBC News 2008
  41. 1 2 Australian Associated Press 2010
  42. Laws 2006
  43. Hilton 2007
  44. Daily Mirror 2005
  45. Smith 2006
  46. Greatest TV Weddings 2011
  47. Virgin Media
  48. Sky Living 2012
  49. MSN New Zealand
  50. Soap World 2019

Websites and media notes