While this documentary serves as an introductory service for Neighbours' move from the BBC to Channel 5, where it would remain for the next 14 years, remarkably little time is wasted on the introductory aspect.
At the time this originally aired, there was a great deal of fan concern about just how long the show had left, between the channel move and various quality issues. In spite of that concern, there's a sense of confidence in this documentary. The assumption, generally not wrong, is that viewers knew enough about the show and the staple characters to not need more than a few quick old clips and a few lines from the main actors. Even if only two (Ian Smith and Stefan Dennis) were a big presence on the show in its Charlene-and-Scott heyday of public appeal, there was a trusted familiarity with most of the other central characters. That trust would be proven right, as upon news of the show's 2023 revival, Dennis and a number of the actors profiled here (Jackie Woodburne, Alan Fletcher, Ryan Moloney) were the core cast announced as returning (Smith had retired some years earlier, although he would go on to make guest appearances, including in the final weeks of the Channel 5 run).
There are brief glimpses of rehearsals and of a new hire learning the ropes, as well as glimpses of uber-dramatic storylines to try to get viewer interest, the clips so dramatic (hit and runs, near-hit and runs, fainting spells, panic attacks...) they veer toward parody, but they definitely get your attention.
A large portion of the documentary focuses on the offcamera activities of some in the cast, whether in panto or concerts. We see so much of Alan Fletcher at his various concert and club appearances in both the UK and Australia that even the narrator jokes about seeing him so often, which makes you wonder if they were short on material. Fletcher is very likeable, as everyone involved is, but Moloney's clear-eyed takes on his storylines, why the show is successful, and career options outside of Neighbours are what may stay most in your mind.
The reminders of Neighbours' enduring appeal in the UK (shown via throngs of adoring fans at club and uni appearances) echo something that would go on to be said many times by many of these same cast members, and continues to be said. The familiarity almost makes you forget just how many times the soap has been taken off the air, or nearly taken off the air, only to shock everyone with yet another return - melodrama right at home with the best the scriptwriters could offer.
May Neighbours keep going for as long a time as it takes us to get that theme song out of our heads.
At the time this originally aired, there was a great deal of fan concern about just how long the show had left, between the channel move and various quality issues. In spite of that concern, there's a sense of confidence in this documentary. The assumption, generally not wrong, is that viewers knew enough about the show and the staple characters to not need more than a few quick old clips and a few lines from the main actors. Even if only two (Ian Smith and Stefan Dennis) were a big presence on the show in its Charlene-and-Scott heyday of public appeal, there was a trusted familiarity with most of the other central characters. That trust would be proven right, as upon news of the show's 2023 revival, Dennis and a number of the actors profiled here (Jackie Woodburne, Alan Fletcher, Ryan Moloney) were the core cast announced as returning (Smith had retired some years earlier, although he would go on to make guest appearances, including in the final weeks of the Channel 5 run).
There are brief glimpses of rehearsals and of a new hire learning the ropes, as well as glimpses of uber-dramatic storylines to try to get viewer interest, the clips so dramatic (hit and runs, near-hit and runs, fainting spells, panic attacks...) they veer toward parody, but they definitely get your attention.
A large portion of the documentary focuses on the offcamera activities of some in the cast, whether in panto or concerts. We see so much of Alan Fletcher at his various concert and club appearances in both the UK and Australia that even the narrator jokes about seeing him so often, which makes you wonder if they were short on material. Fletcher is very likeable, as everyone involved is, but Moloney's clear-eyed takes on his storylines, why the show is successful, and career options outside of Neighbours are what may stay most in your mind.
The reminders of Neighbours' enduring appeal in the UK (shown via throngs of adoring fans at club and uni appearances) echo something that would go on to be said many times by many of these same cast members, and continues to be said. The familiarity almost makes you forget just how many times the soap has been taken off the air, or nearly taken off the air, only to shock everyone with yet another return - melodrama right at home with the best the scriptwriters could offer.
May Neighbours keep going for as long a time as it takes us to get that theme song out of our heads.