Are the current producers ruining Home and Away?

[TelephotoMarigold]

Of course you disagree.

[jodlebirger]

Cameron Welsh first introduced the River Boys but it was under Lucy Addario and Louise Bowes that they obtained dominance. We have no idea what direction Cameroon would have taken them.

I disagree.Things were far worse under Cameron Welsh.Maybe not in terms of the amount of publicity and storylines the characters got, that was about the same, but in terms of the type of storyline.Under Lucy Addario, the River Boys have pretty much gone.The endless stream of interchangeable henchmen that we had in 2011 were gone by the middle of 2012.Over the last two years, I think the show has done a good job on pulling back certain elements and reducing the drugs, gangs and revenge storylines...until they completely undid all the work with a horribly conceived storyline that threw away years of character development and made it seem like 2011 never ended.I am beginning to suspect that this is a case of wanting to revisit a past storyline before characters leave but if so it's a badly misjudged one, same as undoing two years of character development on Aden by giving him abuse issues again before he left or thinking that bringing back Johnny Cooper gave Sally a fitting send-off.

Factions of fans claiming ownership of the show and trying to force people to make it the way they want is not a good route to go down.Everyone has different ideas on what makes shows good and it's reminiscent of the Doctor Who fans of the 80s who went from hailing a new producer like the saviour to publishing hate pamphlets.(Yes, people were saying that Cameron Welsh was ruining the show.And Dan Bennett before him.)As far as I can see the choices fans dissatisfied with the current show are decide they don't like it anymore and stop watching; keep watching it in the hope it will get better; or accept the show's changed and find something to enjoy in the way it is now.

everyone has different ideas how this show should be...

But the show has become more violent since 2005, and even more since 2010. The writing isn't that deep anymore, the characters change personality all the time, it is impossible to see the difference in the storylines for the young ones and the older ones, it's all about the same. The casting of actors is all over the place, hopeless decisions. The storylines have big holes and no follow ups.

Some people like it, but it is not difficult to see that this is not exactly good quality. And the people who likes this style would have liked better writing too, they wouldn't have turned off if they had watched better character development and better follow ups to storylines. It is not a question about changing it back to the 1988 format, because that would never had worked now. It is just a question about better quality of the characters and storylines.

I certainly think it's high time that the producers really take a deep look at their show and find out what kind of show they want it to be. It is also about time that Australian media take some responsibility and do what media is supposed to do, and being critical and analyze what is said by critics (including earlier employees) and stop being that steered of channel 7. Remember that H&A is Australias most "exported" show and is shown in a lot of countries. A good show is giving the country good reputation. And it is not only the amount of viewers that counts.

And why isn't that much violence causing some critics in Australia, I have even seen comments that people are watching this with their relative small children down to 6 years old... I find that weird.

I don't think they will take a step back and think about their show, until their get some massive criticism. We saw that the show changed in 2010 and not because of low ratings, but because of the bad press it got in 2009, but unfortunately most of it was just gossip and not constructive criticism at all. The criticism only made the show far worse.

I don't think writing letters to the channel will help. They will brush it off with the statement that the show is rating very well.. and it is.

I don't think that complaining on this site will help either... And I don't think that complaints from foreigners will help either. This is an Australian show, and the australians must complain..

The only thing that will help is either a huge dip (and that will not happen soon) or massive criticism in the media. But the media won't care until they have a lot of things to write about. One or two letters or complaints will not help, because they are too much controlled of the channel, I think. But huge Facebook campaigns with their own Facebook sites will probably catch the medias attention.

[Blaxland 89]

Yes I agree. Although people have different ideas I think its fair to say that most people in this discussion and loyal fans want pretty much the same thing.

Better scripts, follow up on stories, character driven show, more original ideas, better casting, variety in characters and actors, more light hearted moments and better continuity. Sorry if ive left anything out. All in all, a more credible show. Surely, none off the above would put off the new viewer like the lack of them is putting the older ones off.

[greg098]

Neighbours is so much a better show then Home and Away is at the moment. I find the storyline and characters on the show at the moment to be boring and offer no reason to watch them.

This is my list of all of the current characters and what I think about them. It's very brutal

Andy Barrett: A character brought into the show to seek revenge against Braxton (one of the many). He has anger problems, does drugs and is always getting into trouble. What does he actually offer to the show now his revenge against Braxton storyline is over? NOTHING so why is he still here?

Josh Barrett: Brother of Andy Barrett. He also has anger problems, probably done drugs and is always getting into trouble. This character is not interesting.

Sasha Bezmel: I like this character because she is unique (similar to Marilyn). She has her own style but her storylines (mainly always involving jumping from guy to guy) is unoriginal and boring.

Darryl 'Brax' Braxton: This character was meant to be a bad guy of the show. He was a criminal. He even forced Angelo out of his restaurant yet now hes like a 'god' of Summer Bay. Everyone likes him, even though he does so many bad things. He's even been to jail yet thats swept under the rug and everyone in Summer Bay think hes a great guy. 10 years ago, this would of not happened in Summer Bay. The show seems to be centered around this character and every new character that comes into the show seems to have something to do with Braxton. Even Sally got 'saved' by Braxton. Very stupid and unrealistic!

Kyle Braxton: A lost Braxtons brother? Because we really needed another Braxton in the show... This character has anger problems, probably done drugs and is always getting into trouble. The only unique thing about this character is that he can sing and play guitar.

Marilyn Chambers: I am a big fan of Marilyn. She makes this show hers and has been on this show almost as long as Alf. I think Emily's protray of Marilyn is excellent and she makes this character.

Nate Cooper: This character offers nothing to the show. Apart from being way too good looking, he is boring and lacks any personality. He seems to be a super hero of the hospital, being able to do EVERYTHING.

Spencer Harrington: Another character that is way too good looking and gives nothing to the show apart from this good looks. This character HAD potential with his bi-polar storyline but it seems like that is completely forgotten and swept under the rug. Who knew an illness like that could be ignored and not worried about at all.

Chris Harrington: A popular singer/actor brought into the show probably to increase ratings. Another good looking star that offers nothing to the show apart from trying to hook up with everyone.

Jett James: I like this character because I think its a good fit for Marilyn and John as the show is about Fostering children.

Evelyn MacGuire: Boring meanless character. I can't see what she offers to the show. She is always getting angry over things.

Oscar MacGuire: I suspect this character was a 'replacement' for Dexter as they have similar qualities. Both nerdy and not buff but this character is boring. Dexter had an unique side. Oscar does not.

Zac MacGuire: Why is this character in the show? He seems to drift. It seems like his storyline with Leah was forced, just to give Zac a storyline. This character also has anger problems and also a drinking problem (like many of the other characters in this show).

Phoebe Nicholson: Apart from Kyles boyfriend, why does Phoebe offer to the show? NOTHING

Maddy Osborne: How many guys has Maddy been with? She seems to always be crying or complaining about something. She seems very bitter and her character is not enjoyable to watch.

I hope her pregnancy storyline is at least interesting.

John Palmer: This character was brought into the show as a bad guy but over time, they have changed him into a nice guy. I think this is good writing and a good portrayal of character progression. This is something that lacks very much at the moment. His relationship with Marilyn is what makes this character interesting.

VJ Patterson: This character had potential,

but was ruined when they recasted him... with Daniel Ewing's (Heath) nephew. Just another example of people getting roles based on who they know. Isn't Steve Peacocke's girlfriend currently in the show as well? Hmmm VJ should be 14 yet he magically is older now? People arent stupid.

Leah Patterson-Baker: An underused character where she just stands in the diner and offers nothing to the show. So what do they do? Zac is doing nothing, just put them together for storylines. I like the Leah character but they do her no justice. She is also working at the school now yet I don't remember her studying for very long...

Irene Roberts: This character is so underused that I feel sorry for her. This character was amazing to watch in the early years. She could bring so much to the show yet she just stands in the diner and does nothing. Her cancer storyline felt very rushed and means nothing. It's forgotten about. She use to have a very close friendship with Marilyn. They lived together, yet that isn't really ever mentioned.

Ricky Sharpe: Another character only here because of the Braxtons. How many times is she going to be hurt by Brax and yet she is so dumb and still loves him? The only thing i like about this character is that she isn't perfect thin. She is more of a real woman.

Alf Stewart: Alf doesn't really do anything in the show apart from telling people off. I think Alf needs a romantic interest that actually sticks around as its been too long since Alisa.

Ruth Stewart: I like this character but I sometimes feel that all she does is complain...like ALL the time.

Hannah Wilson: This character is boring. She isnt interesting and if she was to leave, I would forget about her so quickly. Her character means nothing.

[pembie]

I agree with most of what you have said I do like Oscar and Pheobe and Maddy for some reason though Oh and Chris and sometimes the Palmers.

Oscar because for me his the most interesting of his family I liked his dark self image storyline But that seems to have vanished now though.

Pheobe because she doesn't just go along with what the Braxtons want. She also makes Kyle and Matt quite interesting. Well interesting with their music sides anyway.

Chris because mostly he is a funny character but can also be serious when needed too

John, Marilyn and Jett yes they can be amusing but I think they are over used sightly with no real story just misunderstandings which do tend to grow boring

VJ I do find funny now but for the wrong reasons

Matt Little isnt at all convincing in the role. He looks very much like he could of been cast as another Braxton to be honest.

Brax now needs to go

I think without Heath and Casey

he feels abit pointless even with Ricky there. Nate can get with Ricky they were much better than her and Brax.

[jodlebirger]

I do agree that many of the characters lacks purpose, but it is the writing of the show as a whole that is wrong.

And the show is not Marilyn's bay... it has never been and shouldn't be like that either. It is just the same as it shouldn't be the Braxton bay or Irene... the show should be about all it's characters and the community.

Marilyn is far from perfect, she is very cartoonish and has always been but she is far worse now than earlier. At least she used to be funny sometimes and her behaviour suited her young age earlier on in the nineties. But now the constant nonsense misunderstandings between her and John are hopeless and boring and I feel they have no substance. They are just like what Harvey and Roo were in 2011 and 2012, very cartoonish without depth.

To be honest, I think this feeling of a divided show between the elder character and the younger ones, started when Marilyn returned. And she probably returned because of some criticism in 2009. The older characters became divided from the younger ones from that time. And I also think all the characters became more "cartoon" like or one sided from that time, it is like they are only there for one purpose and don't feel like normal people with different sides and depth like the generations before them did.

But it doesn't have to be this way.

I think there are some potential in every character, and they would have been great if they were written differently. I think there are some glimpse here and there how the characters could have been written. For example Zac, he was great when he first arrived. But his suddenly change in personality every now and then is destroying him. And I think the storyline about ethan didn't do this character good either.

Hannah had some potential too, but she is written horribly and inconsistent and she is a miscast (the actress is far too young looking) and she ended up to be an another version of the teens. She is far away from being that concerned aunt that arrived last year.

The Braxtons could have been good if the writers had focused more on the family and less on the strange enemies and violence.

Marilyn/John could have had less misunderstandings and so called funny scenes (only irritating), but more deeper storylines.

and so on...

[Pacer]

When the Braxton's leave they will be replaced with similar characters because of their popularity with a certain demographic of fans.

They've already been replaced. Andy and Josh were obviously designed 'River Boy' replacements as soon as they entered the Bay, they are their contingency plan. That's why they Barretted Casey, to align them with the Braxtons and cement their status. It's like they took the worst traits of Brax and Heath and stuck them in Andy, and Casey's worst traits ended up as Josh. I actually love the Braxton's unlike most here in this thread but I would appreciate fresh meat instead of recycling similar characters, let them stand on their own two feet. I find Andy and Josh to be poorer characters because of it.

As Emmasi asked recently in the episode thread, are there any River Boys left in Mangrove River?

In terms of the question about repeating storylines. I have no issue with this and would expect a show that has been running for over 20 years to keep touching on similar topics that have been touched on before. I think it's a major issue when they rehash the same thing that was done the year before, or bring in a new characters very similar to one still there. As long as it's done well I don't think many would care how many storms, murders, marriages, cults, explosions etc occur. As long as it's done well and not too soon after the previous storyline/character. But then as Telephoto pointed out, why would they fix what isn't broken? I think it's a shame to get bogged down and to keep around a similar characters and rehash the same storylines just because it's currently popular. They need to mix it up, take chances and keep moving forward. If they hadn't taken a chance with the River Boys they wouldn't have had that surge of popularity they saw during the heights of the Braxton era. Although I may have enjoyed it even I can only take so much, and now we're in the twilight of that era we're piling in new River Boys to take up the load. It's time to move onwards.

That said I still think it's main issues are lack of continuity, rushed storylines and lack of community/friendship.

[LondonF4]

When H&A first began it was a breath of fresh air and due to the location, had many more location scenes than Neighbours did and more locations were featured, it had a much sunnier feel to it than Neighbours which was still a bit twee. In 1988 H&A had a great location and good quality, in 2014 the quality is low even if the nice location is there. I think Neighbours is now out of the ratings battle so can do what it likes whereas H&A relies on big ratings and has to have high drama. I think they may bring in a new criminal family when the Braxton domination dies down, perhaps as a rival to Andy or something.

Why do people think Neighbours is out of the ratings battle? I know its not on a major TV channel any more down under but it's surely very much in the ratings battle on Five. If you keep up with the ratings published on digital spy it's doing so much better than H&A with the gap widening. Surely that must tell H&A something. Or is it that the Braxton's work on one side of the world and not the other and it's only Australia that matters to them?

[gutterboy]

Factions of fans claiming ownership of the show and trying to force people to make it the way they want is not a good route to go down.Everyone has different ideas on what makes shows good and it's reminiscent of the Doctor Who fans of the 80s who went from hailing a new producer like the saviour to publishing hate pamphlets.(Yes, people were saying that Cameron Welsh was ruining the show.And Dan Bennett before him.)As far as I can see the choices fans dissatisfied with the current show are decide they don't like it anymore and stop watching; keep watching it in the hope it will get better; or accept the show's changed and find something to enjoy in the way it is now.

We aren't just making up any ol ideas for what we want the show to be like and then getting annoyed when it doesn't happen........ we just want our show back, what it was before the current excuse for a show it has become.

Not sure if he is a permanent character or not, but looks like the bad boy trend isn't stopping with two of the river boys having left and now surprise surprise another one enters the bay.

[Homeandawayfan.]

Home And Away is 27 in January 2015, then it is just 3 years from reaching its 30th birthday. It has one of the richest histories of any soap and I find the shows history very compelling even under its more dire moments like it has been in the past 4/5 years. But many people now are very unhappy with the way the show is going. I still watch casually and it actually does have some episodes where nothing much happens and focuses on characters like Palmer, Marilyn, Irene, Alf and Roo. But when it has a Braxton centric ep or a MacGuire episode it is doom and gloom and sloppy writing. And I agree about lack of character development especially with Nate, Oscar, Josh, Andy etc.