Are the current producers ruining Home and Away?

[Gerard]

It's frustrating to me when people claim that something is the "best ever" with only a limited knowledge.

That's a fair point. I would have thought that many people who liked the River Boys era over any other probably started watching within the past 5 years. I would hazard a guess that people who would want to relive the Sutherlands started watching around 2000, and those of us who wish Pippa was back were watching in the '80s and '90s. I, and I'm sure plenty of others here, have watched H&A since it began, so when we talk about the series being good or bad, are drawing on nearly 30 years of history, but that doesn't mean that those who have watched for only a few years don't have as valid an opinion. But there has to be some kind of middle ground general concensus of the overall success of H&A.

From this topic and various others, you could draw the conclusion that H&A is a shadow of its former self, and that opinion seems to be shared on other forums too, but it's entirely possible that most current H&A viewers love the River Boys, and it's the rest of us who are out of step.

ETA:

One good thing about Lucy is she is not retconning the history of the show or bringing in endless forced refs to the past and possibly the refs not tallying with the original storyline or backstory. In Neighbours these refs have increased but there are some inaccuracies as a result. Lucy Robinson saying she barely knew her mother when her mum died in childbirth and she would not have known her at all.

References are good and bad. They have to be accurate, and are rewarding to long term viewers when done properly. I noticed the Lucy Robinson "slip" myself, which was disappointing as I thought they have been pretty good with long-term continuity recently. Anyway H&A has always been very good with continuity, but I do recall one glaring slip once, when Don Fisher announced he was an "only child" - this is despite his sister Mary being in the series for weeks, and his niece Lucinda being a main character (also his nephew played by Guy Pearce). Hardly a forgotten "minor detail", but I guess the occasional slip-up is inevitable.

[Homeandawayfan.]

It's frustrating to me when people claim that something is the "best ever" with only a limited knowledge.

That's a fair point. I would have thought that many people who liked the River Boys era over any other probably started watching within the past 5 years. I would hazard a guess that people who would want to relive the Sutherlands started watching around 2000, and those of us who wish Pippa was back were watching in the '80s and '90s. I, and I'm sure plenty of other here, have watched H&A since it began, so when we talk about the series being good or bad, are drawning on nearly 30 years of history, but that doesn't mean that those who have watched for only a few years don't have as valid an opinion. But there has to be some kind of middle ground general concensus of the overall success of H&A.

From this topic and various others, you could draw the conclusion that H&A is a shadow of its former self, and that opinion seems to be shared on other forums too, but it's entirely possible that most current H&A viewers love the River Boys, and it's the rest of us who are out of step.

ETA:

One good thing about Lucy is she is not retconning the history of the show or bringing in endless forced refs to the past and possibly the refs not tallying with the original storyline or backstory. In Neighbours these refs have increased but there are some inaccuracies as a result. Lucy Robinson saying she barely knew her mother when her mum died in childbirth and she would not have known her at all.

References are good and bad. They have to be accurate, and are rewarding to long term viewers when done properly. I noticed the Lucy Robinson "slip" myself, which was disappointing as I thought they have been pretty good with long-term continuity recently. Anyway H&A has always been very good with continuity, but I do recall one glaring slip once, when Don Fisher announced he was an "only child" - this is despite his sister Mary being in the series for weeks, and his niece Lucinda being a main character (also his nephew played by Guy Pearce). Hardly a forgotten "minor detail", but I guess the occasional slip-up is inevitable.

That thing about Don being an only child is a major continuity error then, he had a brother Clive in 1988 and his sister Mary Croft nee Fisher and his niece and nephew.

[kmp1963]

I haven't watched the show for 20 something years but I do resent the suggestions that I am therefore LESS of a fan

I watched religiously for several years prior to the arrival of the Braxtons. The changes their arrival brought with them turned me from an addicted fan to a very angry one.

The last three seasons I have watched only occasionally and most of the time I found myself snarling at the screen. Not really conducive to enjoyment.

However my former love for the show, brought me back this season after hearing and reading of all the changes both onscreen and behind the scenes.

At this point however I am not sure if I will continue watching. The quality of both characters and scripts is (in my opinion) still sadly lacking.

Continuity is also poor, but I think that is a longtime problem not just a recent one.

[c120701]

The continuity of the continuity is good on soaps, they're fairly consistent at getting things wrong.

[joany208121]

I haven't watched the show for 20 something years but I do resent the suggestions that I am therefore LESS of a fan

I watched religiously for several years prior to the arrival of the Braxtons. The changes their arrival brought with them turned me from an addicted fan to a very angry one.

The last three seasons I have watched only occasionally and most of the time I found myself snarling at the screen. Not really conducive to enjoyment.

However my former love for the show, brought me back this season after hearing and reading of all the changes both onscreen and behind the scenes.

At this point however I am not sure if I will continue watching. The quality of both characters and scripts is (in my opinion) still sadly lacking.

Continuity is also poor, but I think that is a longtime problem not just a recent one.

I am not saying that you are less of a fan, or that viewers who have become avid watchers are less intitled to an opinion, I was just stating it is confusing and frustrating that people do not put their opinions and knowledge of the show in context.

I also agree with the continuity, it has always been an issue, less so because TPTB aren't referencing a lot of history. Hopefully when they do in the future they research or at least ask the characters and actors for Imput to avoid similar mistakes to Don and Lucy.

[Homeandawayfan.]

I do feel that if I say the writing is bad and the producers need to go, then I may get accused of being a Braxton hater, or showing dislike towards the producers. I dont want to blow my own trumpet and feel like Harold Bishop lol but I have often posted excellent threads about character birthdays and other H&A tidbits from my quarter of a century of watching the show.

It is not so much the Braxtons, it is just the way they have been given many crime stories when they can be given a different format to them.

[CaptainHulk]

We're most, if not all, in agreement a change needs to happen, sooner rather than later.

[Jacklost]

I do feel that if I say the writing is bad and the producers need to go, then I may get accused of being a Braxton hater, or showing dislike towards the producers. I dont want to blow my own trumpet and feel like Harold Bishop lol but I have often posted excellent threads about character birthdays and other H&A tidbits from my quarter of a century of watching the show.

It is not so much the Braxtons, it is just the way they have been given many crime stories when they can be given a different format to them.

You know, i am actually starting to get a bit tired of the Braxton´s. It´s just not the same without Casey ):

[greg098]

I do not enjoy this show anymore. The writers have made this show really boring. There is nothing exciting and its rather depressing watching it so why bother? I believe they need to get rid of most of the younger cast and replace them. Get rid of the braxtons and everyone relating to them, except Ricky. Bring in totally new cast and bring back the centre of the show to families and fostering. not about drugs, killing and fights.

[pembie]

I do think they will need to have a clear out of all the characters relating to the Braxtons The writers are trying to keep them alive with Ash Ricky, Andy But I think once Brax goes it will be wise just to let the Braxton era go. Just let Brax Heath and Casey go down in the show's history they were good characters Kyle not so much. I think Kyle would of worked better for me if he wasn't made to be one of the brothers.