b2sb09 Posted January 27, 2015 Report Posted January 27, 2015 This era of H&A has overtaken Susan Bower's contempt filled era of Neighbours as the worst period in the shows history. That's true. Some of Susan Bower's efforts were so dire, I almost reached for the off switch, and H&A these days feels a lot like that. There is still some good stuff going on in H&A, but it is overshadowed by much of the OTT antics of certain characters who seem to dominate screen time. I'm not that interested these days that I care to know what's coming up, but from the bits and pieces I've seen, it feels like business as usual. It looks like H&A will be stuck in its current rut for some time yet. I agree that H&A is not all bad, whereas Neighbours really did hit the skids from 09-12. The difference today is that H&A is still pulling decent numbers and is being artificially propped up by the shows around it. During the dark Subo era, Neighbours didn't have the luxury of being on a #1 network with strong shows on either side. It's easy for the audience to keep watching H&A regardless of the dip in content - they just hang around for MKR or XFactor or the show that comes after. But the minute Neighbours went bad, there wasn't enough happening on the network so viewers abandoned it. It does seem that Home and Away benefits from the success of the show after it. I have noticed that if the 7.30 show is 1.4 million+, then H&A tends to rate the higher 900s, but if the show after doesn't rate so well, then H&A drops below 900 and even <800s, which it is starting to do on a more regular basis. XFactor didn't rate as well this year and H&A figures reflected that. Also suspect that is why H&A never finishes on time, it's to encourage people to either stick with 7 from the news or to turn over early so they don't miss the start of MKR (which IMO, is pretty much just a continuation of the OTT, staged drama and unlikeable characters of H&A ). It's not like H&A has any real competition in that time slot either these days, but last years ratings were definitely the lowest and only really big storylines seem to rate near or over the million, but only for an episode or two, before dropping again. It's no wonder they continue with the OTT storylines and big disasters, but that is a short term solution and people do eventually tire of it. Channel 7 remains the number one channel and people will continue to watch their shows, but I do wonder what will happen if TPTB on H&A continue to only listen to those who pat them on the back and say good job, keep it up, because every year, the ratings are dropping. Might be time to start thinking of a revamp, but the current lot seem incapable of fresh ideas, so a revamp would first need a change behind the scenes as well or at least put someone in who can actually be bothered to take on board the views of all viewers. I don't follow the UK soaps, but Jason Herbison and Richard Jasek (Neighbours) often do/did interviews with Digital Spy and other magazines and as far as I know, welcome questions from the fans. I guess doing interviews with TV Week is the "safe option" because she knows how much they love the Braxtons. TV Week has shown itself to be little more than a Channel 7 promotional tool, especially with their over exposure of the Braxton Show. They're all about selling copies, so I understand their reasoning, but with their utter hero worshipping of the Braxtons who can do no wrong in their eyes, then it is no wonder Lucy chooses this mag as the safe option for her interviews. Interviews which all basically say the same thing - more weddings/break up drama and even more never ending River Boys drama, because this is how she sees H&A. Under Lucy, Summer Bay has become a cold, depressing, violent town without warmth or heart, where infidelity, crime and even murder is so commonplace it's become the norm. It really is a place you would not want to go to, yet with the way the people don't seem that affected by all the death,drugs and destruction, I'm not sure Lucy is even aware of what a crappy and dangerous town Summer Bay has become or how far down the rabbit hole she had taken this show or how much of it's identity she has stripped away from it, not that she seems willing to listen to viewers like me anyway. I used to find some of Cam Welsh's answers to questions rather condescending (eg. fobbing off viewers with Charlie is happy with cop killer or thug boy, so no need to discuss her being bisexual at this time, so just shut up about the damn gay storyline, it's gone, forgotten, we'll never go again), but at least he answered the questions. Lucy just spruiks the official line without offering much at all and even if she was given a bunch of fan questions, I bet she'd only choose to answer those that are positive to how she's run the show, while ignoring questions from those who are critical of the direction she has taken the show in. If you don't agree with her and love the River Boys, you're not a real fan of the show. Shame, because I loved Home and Away, but I just find the Braxton Show tedious, predictable and repetitively shallow nonsense, which unfortunately, makes me one of those Lucy and co will ignore.
adam436 Posted January 27, 2015 Report Posted January 27, 2015 Yes, I personally feel she is relieved by the fact that being interviewed by TV Week guarantees praise of the Braxtons and what they have apparently brought to the show. They are a joke as a magazine, when was the last time Neighbours (great show these days) graced the front cover? It's had less coverage in TV Week since the move to Channel 11, so it was definitely before that, but I can't even think of their last front cover on Channel 10? I think it must have been Ringo's death... the one before that... I've no idea.
pembie Posted January 27, 2015 Report Posted January 27, 2015 I watched one episode the other day and there was a total of 4 scenes that weren't about the Braxtons or the Sophie/Nate story Haha you must have watched it in about two minutes. I don't think I would bother or I think i would just forget to watch only four scenes of a show The Maddy and Oscar stuff is quite good at the moment
CaptainHulk Posted January 27, 2015 Report Posted January 27, 2015 Yes, I personally feel she is relieved by the fact that being interviewed by TV Week guarantees praise of the Braxtons and what they have apparently brought to the show. They are a joke as a magazine, when was the last time Neighbours (great show these days) graced the front cover? It's had less coverage in TV Week since the move to Channel 11, so it was definitely before that, but I can't even think of their last front cover on Channel 10? I think it must have been Ringo's death... the one before that... I've no idea. Neighbours' true fan base has always been the UK and Belgium, on a smaller scale
gutterboy Posted January 27, 2015 Report Posted January 27, 2015 Another TV Week interview with Lucy Addario. Why won't she actually do an interview with Digital Spy? Is she that concerned about being asked real questions? I don't know why, but I had higher hopes for this year than that...... does that sound like a snorefest or what!? Btw.... you should note there are some spoilers at that link. ;)
Homeandawayfan. Posted January 28, 2015 Report Posted January 28, 2015 They just recycle the same phrases she said a few years ago that irritating "light and shade" comment and "lives will hang in the balance" for the next season premiere. Lucy has been at the helm for almost 3 years now. Even during meh periods like 1997-1999 and 2012-2014, H&A just has always had this intriguing and compelling thing that Neighbours has never had. Todays H&A is marmite, love it or hate it and I am both ATM. I love half and hate the other half.
CaptainHulk Posted January 28, 2015 Report Posted January 28, 2015 They just recycle the same phrases she said a few years ago that irritating "light and shade" comment and "lives will hang in the balance" for the next season premiere. Lucy has been at the helm for almost 3 years now. Even during meh periods like 1997-1999 and 2012-2014, H&A just has always had this intriguing and compelling thing that Neighbours has never had. Todays H&A is marmite, love it or hate it and I am both ATM. I love half and hate the other half. 2009-10 felt like a chore to watch in places. Usually down to Marthamania.
Jacklost Posted January 31, 2015 Report Posted January 31, 2015 I think the show is good as it is now
cadyctslover Posted January 31, 2015 Report Posted January 31, 2015 I like rainbows. I'm not going to tell you why.
christine king Posted February 1, 2015 Report Posted February 1, 2015 The last season of home and away that was good in my opinion was 2011, the last 3 years have been the worst I've ever seen of the show. I can't invest in any couples because they break-up every 5 minutes or friendships because they are usually forced and become best friends in record time after a few scenes together. The story-lines are dull and boring and repetitive and its nothing like the good old home and away that I feel in love with. The only reason I am still watching is the hope that it will become good again and just know I will be watching after the Braxtons are gone like I was doing before they arrived.
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