Neighbours

Have you ever watched a TV series that has one-dimensional characters, sub par writing, and bad acting? And then have you wondered why its still on the air (see Anatomy, Grey's)?

Then you have been in my TV state of mind for the past five months while I've watched the hit drama series, "Neighbours"

Neighbours has been on the Australian airwaves since 1985 and since then has been churning out low-budget drama five nights a week. Neighbours is a soap opera that details the lives of the families on Ramsey Street in Erinsbourough (as Wikipedia points out, a near anagram of Neighbours...). Filmed in Melbourne, you can even tour the set, which is a must for big fans of the series. Personally, I watch it to kill the time before Big Brother comes on (post on this later this week)so I decided against the tour whilst in Melbourne. (I FINALLY worked "whilst" into a post!)

The problem with Neighbours, and any other Australian made show, is that as soon as an actor becomes big or a writer catches a break, he or she isn't working in Australia any more. They're off to London or LA. This is part my observation, part discussing this manner with Aussies. In show business, Australia is like minor league baseball. Maybe that example is a bit extreme, but you get the idea.

Though, as much as Neighbours is, in my view, a really bad show, its wildly popular, especially in the UK. If you're aching to see what's going to happen next between...I don't even know the characters names, so, yeah. Anyway, if you want to view the show, you're out of luck. Oxygen had shown it in the States for awhile, but has since dropped it.

You might just have to come to Australia, though I strongly recommend having slightly better reasons for making the trek. It is after all, just a show.

A show with a catchy theme song, anyway. (click on Neighbours, on this page)

UPDATE: Youtube of said Theme song. Whee!


That's when good neighbours become good friends,

Alan