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> Superfans: Adrian
How long have you been watching Neighbours?
I have being watching Neighbours since beginning of 1991. Being a fan
of E Street, I was excited to see the character of Sonny Bennet, appear as
Glen
Donnelly (Jim's son). I have however, seen the first 4 episodes of
Neighbours, courtesy of a video that my local video store has.
Why did you start watching the show?
I saw an ad on Channel 10, and was very interested. As the episodes
went on, I became more intrigued, and I have not stopped watching it since.
Who are your favourite characters and why?
Susan Kennedy, because she is a such a strong woman.
Paul Robinson, because all he cared about was money and would do
anything for it.
Toadfish Rebecci, because he is a "larrikin", and has really matured.
Madge and Harold Bishop, because she was feisty and he had all his
morals and values, and they were the perfect couple.
Dr Darcy, because he is so evil and manipulative
Isabelle Hoyland, because she is such a temptress.
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What are your favourite storylines and why?
The Glen and Lucy storyline, because it was so daring. Karl Kennedy with
Sarah Beaumont, because it was fun to watch, the doctor engaging with his
secretary. Izzy and Karl being together, he is old enough to be her father
and all the lies that she has kept from him. Lou being sent to jail and had
Dr Darcy as his cellmate, and the recent 2004 cliffhanger. Others I have
enjoyed is watching Sindi go crazy, Paul being a mentor to Dylan, and the
20th Anniversary storyline, was such great fun to watch, seeing all the
familiar characters once again. I enjoyed watching Boyd and Janae get
married, as they do come across as the modern Scott and Charlene.
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Have you ever visited the sets, street or a Neighbours Night?
I first visited Pin Oak Court in October 2003. I was on a tour and they were
filming, and we weren't allowed into the street. I decided to do the tour
again, the next day and they weren't filming. Filming was fun to watch, but
to actually walk through the street and stand in front of the houses was
even more fun. October 2003, was also my first Neighbours Night I went to in
Melbourne. This was an enjoyable night, as I got to meet Stu, Karl and
Michelle Scully as well as participate in the fun and excitement throughout
the night. On my arrival back in Sydney, I found out that Neighbours Nights
are held in Sydney as well, but not as frequent as Melbourne. In Melbourne,
they have them every Monday in a pub in St Kilda, and in Sydney, they are
the last Sunday of the month in a pub on Pitt St in the city. All together,
from October 2003 - December 2004. I've been to 13 Neighbours Nights. In
February 2004, I flew to Melbourne for a Prisoner Cell Block H party to
commemorate its 25th anniversary. Before we went inside the studio for the
party, we were taken on a small tour to Pin Oak Court. The party was
awesome, and that was the first time I met Lyn Scully and she is a wonderful
lady. In June 2004, I went to a Neighbours Night in Sydney and won a singing
competition and the prize was a trip to Melbourne. September 2004, I went on
this trip and part of the prize was a free tour of Pin Oak Court and free
entry into a Neighbours Night. I went along, and the BBC were there to film
a documentary for the 20th anniversary, and I was interviewed for it. For
doing the interivew, I was given a tour of the studio the next day. I went
to the studio, and saw how the editing was done, the make up and wardrobe
and the green room where Serena, Stingray and Karl were. I even got to meet
Dahl the galah. I was then taken into a studio and saw a scene being filmed
and this was very fun to watch. I was informed that another scene was filmed
down the road at a gym and I went there. There, I got to meet Paul Robinson
and I was excited to meet an original icon and one of the best characters
ever written. Also at this gym, I met Isabelle Hoyland and Boyd. I was able
to talk to all 3 of them, and they are really nice people. As of December 2007, I relocated to Melbourne in the hopes of finding
employment and shared accomodation, and also for my love of Neighbours. During
this time, The Official Ramsey Street Tour was now including The Lassiters
Backlot as part of their weekend tours only. Walking around Lassiters on this
tour was a dream come true. I have now being to a total of 50 Neighbours Night (50th being on Monday Dec 24 2007) and 17 Ramsay Street Tours.
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Can you tell us more about your
experiences of meeting the cast?
From the 50 Neighbours Nights I've been to, I have met - Joe Scully, Jack
Scully, Lyn Scully, Michelle Scully, Steph Scully, Isabelle Hoyland, Max
Hoyland, Boyd Hoyland, Connor, Toadfish, Stu Parker, Ned Parker, Harold
Bishop, Janae Timmins/Hoyland, Janelle Timmins, Ned Parker, Paul Robinson,
Elle Robinson, Sindi Watts. A sunday night in September
2004, that was to decide if the Roosters would go into Grand Final, there
was a Neighbours Night. Toadfish had come to this night straight from the
game, and I learnt that, like myself, he is a Roosters supporter, so we
cheered on the our team. I enjoyed Lyn Scully's character in Prisoner Cell
Block H, and everytime I see her, I ask lots of questions about her time on
the show. In 2005, Mark Little who played Joe Mangel came to a Neighbours
Night, and that was such a joy, meeting a character from the 80s.
Also in 2005, I went to Melbourne, and did a tour of Ramsay Street, and
finally met Jackie Woodbourne who plays Susan Kennedy/Smith. This was such a
delight, as I have always wanted to meet her, and unfortunately Jackie does
not go to The Nights, so it was a dream come true. Dec 2005, Janet
Andrewartha who plays Lyn Scully, came to Neighbours Night in Sydney and
this was around the time when her character left our screens. I said a
tearful farewell to Janet, and told her I will always miss her. In January
2006, was the first Neighbours Night in Sydney to have Janae. Janae had
bought her best friend along, Bridget Neval who played Lana (Sky's friend
in 2004), and was a pleasure to meet her. Also at this night, Boyd was
there, and it was great to see Boyd and Janae together in person. In March 2007, Elle was there for the first time
in Sydney, and she is as beautiful as she is on screen, and looks just as
beautiful as Nicole Kidman. In December 2007, I
arrived in Melbourne ( See Above ) and have bought my total of Neighbours Nights
to 50. I was luckily enough to meet characters in this time for the first time,
and they were - Steve Parker, Zeke & Katya & Rachael Kinski and Adam Rhodes.
Steve Bastoni, who plays Steve Parker, I have always wanted to meet, as he was
in another favourite show of mine - Prisoner Cell Block H. He played a Repair
Person (Around The 600 episodes), and fell in love with Jackie Woodbourne's
Character (Julie Eggbert) and they got married. I told him this at the
Neighbours Night, and he was quite shocked and taken back that I knew that,
whereas he does not remember it.
What merchandise from the series do you own?
I have - a Neighbours t-shirt, DVD, soundtrack,
fan
cards I got from my studio tour. I find a lot of memorabilia on EBAY,
and I have bought a Kylie and Jason poster, a Neighbours 10th anniversary
poster, and a cd from 1989, called Christmas with your Neighbours. 2007 saw the release of Volume 1 and 2 of The
Iconic Episodes on DVD, and I have purchased them, and watch them quite a lot.
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What are your thoughts on Neighbours turning 20 this year? Why do
you
think the show has lasted so long?
I am excited that it is turning 20. Not many local Australian shows
last that long and it is good to see Neighbours stand out from the crowd. I
think that is has lasted so long because of the dramatic storylines and with 6
houses in Ramsay Street, familes can move in and go and each and every family can
have its own drama and excitement. I think the writing on Neighbours is
brilliant, so as long as they can have different residents mix and mingle with each
other, it can easily run for another 20 years.
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