alexx Posted March 30, 2014 Report Share Posted March 30, 2014 ^I don't think it's as simple as that. If they wanted to focus on other characters and types of storylines, they would. But this just seems like a new way of writing Home and Away now, so as far as I can see, unless a new producer takes over and takes the show in a completely different direction with regards to way of writing, storytelling, characterization etc. I reckon the H&A of today is going to be the H&A going forward. Lot's of new H&A fans like the show the way it is now and they tune in because they like the show as it is now. Yes they may have lost a lot of long term viewers in the process, but does that matter to them anymore now that they've got a fresh audience? It would be easier for them to just build on the current format rather than trying to entice any of us lost viewers back. Or perhaps they will begin to write the show in a balanced way again and give every character a decent storyline at least once a year (every character). I just can't see it happening any time soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Light of the Bay Posted March 30, 2014 Report Share Posted March 30, 2014 What's frustrating is that it wouldn't be hard to have a balanced drama airing 5 nights a week. It would take effort, as Coral Drouyn once said, all it takes is some hard work in the writing room. Most of the characters are no longer relatable or even realistic. They don't seem like people you'd know in real life or want to know for that matter. The writers don't seem to want to address the problems that have plagued the show for over 9 years. Maybe it's too late for Home and Away to return to its original vision. For 18 years it was a drama about the people of Summer Bay, a small coastal town, who (apart from Fisher and a few others) had fairly ordinary jobs and not a lot of money. The sets reflected this too. The houses were a little shabby and you could really believe that the people living in them didn't have lots of money. Also, remember the quirkiness and personality the sets used to have? The Diner had the iconic burger phone and the jukebox while Irene had her apples painting. I really want Home and Away to drop the overused of criminal activity and the constant make-up break-up cycle that ruins characters. Can't we just have a cast of characters who have issues and struggles that people face in every day life, see them love and lose and see their friendships and careers. If it doesn't happen, I have a growing episode collection (too bad there isn't one here) and I will be quite content with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesC10 Posted March 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2014 I was just reading Digital Spy and the members there have expressed their opinions about whether the producers are ruining the show or not... http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1952188 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadyctslover Posted March 30, 2014 Report Share Posted March 30, 2014 I would agree that the imminent departure of the Braxton's won't solve the issues with H&A. The producers have recognised that 'bad boy' characters that engage in violent/criminal behaviour appeals to a key demographic. So with the first Braxton's beginning to sign off, they're already introducing carbon copies in the form of Heath Andy and Casey Josh. From what I've read of the comments on the H&A facebook page (trust me, I'm ashamed to admit that) the Barrett's have not been as immediately successful as the Braxton's were upon their introduction, and they don't seem hugely popular here either. I think that the success of the Braxton's was that they were so unusual after such a vanilla 2010 season, and that it will be difficult to replicate that success now because the audience is more intelligent than the producers give them credit for. I suspect that once all of the Braxton's have departed that the ratings will begin to slide, and it could result (eventually) in Channel 7 deciding to take the show in a different direction (again) and take the show 'back to it's roots' (again). As long as the storylines are interesting, and the writing is engaging this could work (this time). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted March 30, 2014 Report Share Posted March 30, 2014 ^I don't think it's as simple as that. If they wanted to focus on other characters and types of storylines, they would. But this just seems like a new way of writing Home and Away now, so as far as I can see, unless a new producer takes over and takes the show in a completely different direction with regards to way of writing, storytelling, characterization etc. I reckon the H&A of today is going to be the H&A going forward. Lot's of new H&A fans like the show the way it is now and they tune in because they like the show as it is now. Yes they may have lost a lot of long term viewers in the process, but does that matter to them anymore now that they've got a fresh audience? It would be easier for them to just build on the current format rather than trying to entice any of us lost viewers back. Or perhaps they will begin to write the show in a balanced way again and give every character a decent storyline at least once a year (every character). I just can't see it happening any time soon. I agree with this alexx. The show has not changed just to annoy a section of the previous fan base. Any changes that have been made have been made because of the the changes in community expectations and the weight of audience expectations. Whether we like it or not TV drama goes through phases. Here in Oz we've been through our Underbelly phase ( much beloved of Light of the Bay ) which initially attracted large audiences. In some ways this has spilled over into Home and Away and into other TV dramas. The popularity of that genre is waning and that is reflected in the winding down of crime storylines in other drama including our show. I have no idea what the next drama phase will be .We have had some interest in Downton Abbey and other period dramas but these do not seem to be grabbing audience attention in the same way as the early Underbelly offerings did. One thing is for certain though, The next phase won't be a return to the past. Some aspects of each change that is made to the show as it evolves will remain. The show is gradually evolving as it must to remain contemporary. Even the writing of the show goes through phases. We have periods where the writers seem to be offering endless recycling of breaking up and making up which I find increasingly boring. We have periods where the pacing of the show annoys me and we hurry through storylines and issues which could benefit from slower and more detailed exploration. But then we have periods of compelling viewing such as the past week here in Oz.. The interraction between the Braxton brothers has been all about their characters and how they have grown with no suggestion of criminal activity. We've had the development of the relationship between John and Marilyn with Jett as a spectator and sometime meddler which has just been a delight. We've had the developing friendship between Alf and Denny and Irene's influence on Heath and Bianca. I think the show is as good as it's ever been at holding my attention. I look forward to where it will take me next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Forever Missed Posted March 30, 2014 Report Share Posted March 30, 2014 As someone who has lost a loved one to drugs I don't find it very entertaining to see Heath pushing drugs I find it very hurtful and insulting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted March 30, 2014 Report Share Posted March 30, 2014 As someone who has lost a loved one to drugs I don't find it very entertaining to see Heath pushing drugs I find it very hurtful and insulting! As someone who works with people suffering from addictive behaviors I agree with you. That's why I find it pleasing that he no longer does that and that the Braxton clan as a group have moved away from that space. Probably more importantly is that they are motivated to do that and it has been a part of their character development. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Forever Missed Posted March 30, 2014 Report Share Posted March 30, 2014 Too little too late as far as I'm concerned! TPTB need to realize there ARE people who have lost loved ones to drugs and/or gang violence and for them to glorify such things is a very hurtful and insulting thing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexx Posted March 31, 2014 Report Share Posted March 31, 2014 Too little too late as far as I'm concerned! TPTB need to realize there ARE people who have lost loved ones to drugs and/or gang violence and for them to glorify such things is a very hurtful and insulting thing! I haven't seen it because I haven't been watching - but if they have been 'glorifying' it or writing it as acceptable, then in order to counterbalance that and create compelling and emotional drama - they should have been showing the other side of it and how it can devastate a person and family. As hurtful as it may be to watch those storylines, they are true to life and I would find it interesting to watch something like that being played out (both sides of the coin). Going back to the direction of the show... When people switch on Underbelly they expect to see violence, drug use, sex etc. When they switch on H&A they expect to see H&A. H&A was never influenced so much by what other popular shows were doing that the whole format was changed, until around ten years ago. Since then they've just had 'themes'. During 2005-2007 everyone was in hospital every week (All Saints was extremely popular at the time). Then 2009 was the year long mystery and loads of cop car chases etc. when cop shows like Rush were popular. And over the past few years it's been the 'Underbelly Years'. I think instead of copying they should have just kept on reinventing and reinvigorating their own brand of storytelling and tweaked it to keep it as contemporary as any other drama series. They could have had drug use and violence if they wanted to, but had the characters react the way H&A characters would usually respond to those sort of themes. Perhaps the current produces think that is what they've done - but I just think the quality of writing has decreased overall by 50%. It's just no longer emotionally engaging Imo (When I state my opinion on the show I'm referring to when I last watched a good ten weeks worth of episodes - when Sally returned last year. Since then I've watched about five episodes spread out). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homeandawayfan. Posted March 31, 2014 Report Share Posted March 31, 2014 ^I don't think it's as simple as that. If they wanted to focus on other characters and types of storylines, they would. But this just seems like a new way of writing Home and Away now, so as far as I can see, unless a new producer takes over and takes the show in a completely different direction with regards to way of writing, storytelling, characterization etc. I reckon the H&A of today is going to be the H&A going forward. Lot's of new H&A fans like the show the way it is now and they tune in because they like the show as it is now. Yes they may have lost a lot of long term viewers in the process, but does that matter to them anymore now that they've got a fresh audience? It would be easier for them to just build on the current format rather than trying to entice any of us lost viewers back. Or perhaps they will begin to write the show in a balanced way again and give every character a decent storyline at least once a year (every character). I just can't see it happening any time soon. I agree with this alexx. The show has not changed just to annoy a section of the previous fan base. Any changes that have been made have been made because of the the changes in community expectations and the weight of audience expectations. Whether we like it or not TV drama goes through phases. Here in Oz we've been through our Underbelly phase ( much beloved of Light of the Bay ) which initially attracted large audiences. In some ways this has spilled over into Home and Away and into other TV dramas. The popularity of that genre is waning and that is reflected in the winding down of crime storylines in other drama including our show. I have no idea what the next drama phase will be .We have had some interest in Downton Abbey and other period dramas but these do not seem to be grabbing audience attention in the same way as the early Underbelly offerings did. One thing is for certain though, The next phase won't be a return to the past. Some aspects of each change that is made to the show as it evolves will remain. The show is gradually evolving as it must to remain contemporary. Even the writing of the show goes through phases. We have periods where the writers seem to be offering endless recycling of breaking up and making up which I find increasingly boring. We have periods where the pacing of the show annoys me and we hurry through storylines and issues which could benefit from slower and more detailed exploration. But then we have periods of compelling viewing such as the past week here in Oz.. The interraction between the Braxton brothers has been all about their characters and how they have grown with no suggestion of criminal activity. We've had the development of the relationship between John and Marilyn with Jett as a spectator and sometime meddler which has just been a delight. We've had the developing friendship between Alf and Denny and Irene's influence on Heath and Bianca. I think the show is as good as it's ever been at holding my attention. I look forward to where it will take me next. I agree with this as well. I may just be hoping for a reduction in the current style, a reduction that may never come in the criminal activity and such but H&A is not all doom and gloom. I think it can mix light with shade and one minute you have a Brax trying to do another drug deal and the next you have Alf and Maz bantering in the cafe. H&A has the most colourful history of any Australian soap and at just coming up to 6000 episodes it has featured many more locations and storylines than its slightly older Melbourne cousin. They need to utilise Alf and Irene more. And then perhaps bring back Morag for another spell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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