Are the current producers ruining Home and Away?

[James Martin]

But Emmerdale went through its transformation well with some excellent storylines plus the introduction of great families like the Windsors, the Glovers, the McCallisters, the Tates and, most notably, the Dingles. There was even a River Boys style Brat Pack, but they didn't dominate the show. Ironically, Home and Away was a massive influence with an influx of teens and the introduction of the holiday village on Tate land, giving the producers an excuse to have them semi naked.

Things like the Plane crash had real fallout. And who can forget the Kim/Frank/Dave love triangle? And that brilliant episode where it was revealed Kim faked her death only to come back and kill Frank by causing him to have a heart attack? Forget Angie Russell, Kim Tate was and still is THE Number One Soap Bitch.

[Homeandawayfan.]

But Emmerdale went through its transformation well with some excellent storylines plus the introduction of great families like the Windsors, the Glovers, the McCallisters, the Tates and, most notably, the Dingles. There was even a River Boys style Brat Pack, but they didn't dominate the show. Ironically, Home and Away was a massive influence with an influx of teens and the introduction of the holiday village on Tate land, giving the producers an excuse to have them semi naked.

Things like the Plane crash had real fallout. And who can forget the Kim/Frank/Dave love triangle? And that brilliant episode where it was revealed Kim faked her death only to come back and kill Frank by causing him to have a heart attack? Forget Angie Russell, Kim Tate was and still is THE Number One Soap Bitch.

In fairness Emmerdale always did have drama even in the Farm days, days seen as sleepy when they weren't as sleepy. I think the plane crash did change the show a little but the biggest move away from its roots has been about 2011 and Emmerdale was a modern rural show from the plane crash onwards.

Crossroads completely changed its format in 1986 to Kings Oak and while H&A retains its Home And Away title, it has ditched its fostering and family drama theme for thuggery and gangster storylines revolving around villains.

However it may be me, but I am starting to accept that H&A is carrying on with its current format and maybe I am getting a bit used to the style, even though I dont watch the show regularly when I do see another Braxton crime or a accidental death I just think "water off a ducks back". I still think Lucy and Louise are ruining the show, to a degree anyway.

[sindikatas]

Lucy and Louise and 7 network has repeatedly chosen to close their eyes before the criticism they get. Only a huge drop in Australian ratings will lead to changing the direction the show is heading.

[jodlebirger]

Lucy and Louise and 7 network has repeatedly chosen to close their eyes before the criticism they get. Only a huge drop in Australian ratings will lead to changing the direction the show is heading.

Yep.

And the ratings are still high, very high for a show which is over 26 years old... So they are not the only ones to blame... The viewers are to blame too. People are less critical to "sloppy" storylines than they used to be. There are more competition between a lager amount of channels, and that has made writers and producers in the tv business to use cheap ways to catch the viewers attention, some more than others. And the viewers are following the most hyped storylines and series. Unfortunately.

Competetion has in general lead to less quality in tv- series and programs, not only on H&A.

[Homeandawayfan.]

Sometime I hope there is such a drop in ratings, it may help change the direction and even secure H&A's future in the long run, less competition, and so what if it has to rely on overseas audiences. Neighbours has the mwah factor now, good quality due to being out of the ratings war, it can do what it wants. It rates well in the UK and that helps keep it afloat. H&A is in no danger of ending anytime soon as it still rates well in Oz and I can see it reaching 30 in 3 years time and beyond.

[jodlebirger]

Sometime I hope there is such a drop in ratings, it may help change the direction and even secure H&A's future in the long run, less competition, and so what if it has to rely on overseas audiences. Neighbours has the mwah factor now, good quality due to being out of the ratings war, it can do what it wants. It rates well in the UK and that helps keep it afloat. H&A is in no danger of ending anytime soon as it still rates well in Oz and I can see it reaching 30 in 3 years time and beyond.

Yes, I have hoped that too. But the show did have a rating drop in 2010, but I don't think the show got much better after that... The show is to stiff, they are thinking about what is grabbing the viewers attention (no matter if it's long time characters returns or the Braxtons), rather than thinking about the storylines alone.

I want more attention to the storylines, and the process of making good character development and development of storylines over time.

[Homeandawayfan.]

That is what I fear about the show now, that this is how the show is going to be from now on, crime stories and bed hopping, a way to keep pandering to the teenage girls who drool over the Braxtons. I dont think Lucy and Louise understand what Home And Away is supposed to be. But as long as it has good ratings the bosses at Channel 7 dont care. Neighbours has the wow factor and is everything Home And Away used to be up until 2 or 3 years ago. Jason Herbison understands Neighbours.

[Gerard]

As someone who's seen nearly every episode of H&A from the start, I'm becoming more and more apathetic about the show as time goes on. Everyone has their favourite time of the show, and I think H&A peaked in the mid 1990s when the cast was so strong and there were so many exciting, but not sensational, storylines going on, and some laugh-out-loud humour. In the early 2000's when the show drifted from the "foster family" format and started to bring in sensational plots, coupled with a less humour, I did come close to switching off, but I stuck with it and it improved again, with Sally and Flynn at the forefront.

Since then it's struggling to find a format that works, wavering between "love stories" and criminality. There is a strong older cast, even if some are underused (Irene), and I am glad Marilyn is still around to add much warmth and humour. But on the reverse side we have a number of unlikeable or bland characters who just seem to jump from one love triangle to the next, and whom I find it hard to really care about. At times I lose track of who's with who, and the fortnightly "who's life is on the line now" plots gets less and less effective as time goes on. If I don't really care for the characters, why would it bother me if they were in danger? In the H&A audience of 2014, there can't be too many people left who would even remember the days of Tom & Pippa etc. Times change, and I guess if we accept H&A is more of a crime and teen angst show than the warm family drama it once was, that's OK.

[sindikatas]

One of the reasons I'm upset with current format is because some members make really interesting posts about the early years and I know I won't find them in current episodes discussion threads because they don't watch current show.

[Homeandawayfan.]

I think while Lucy is at the helm she will keep up the Braxton/Barrett presence and all the other characters are surplus to requirements.