Dan Bennett quits

[Matt]

17 minutes ago, c120701 said:

Dan was prior to that, he was during the bomb and scary Mary (Rowena Wallace) era. He was hired to turn the show into another Home and Away.

Dan Bennett is credited as the Drama Executive between Ep#5171 (19th March 2007) and Ep#5460 (23rd May 2008). In his 14 months in the lead position, he was calling the shots on storylines such as Mary Casey, Karl and Susan in England, Susan's MS diagnosis, the return of Libby Kennedy and Lyn Scully, the introduction of the Parker family, Rosie and Frazer's wedding and the subsequent bus crash and the roof collapse. He's also the man who single-handedly crafted the Sam/Dan/Libby love triangle, which, in my opinion, is one of the best storylines to ever hit Ramsay Street.

As for the bomb in question, I can't recall any such storyline in his time as Drama Executive.

It's a bit of a generalisation to say he was hired to turn Neighbours into another Home and Away. The two shows were treated rather differently.

[Homeandawayfan.]

H&A has always been the more dramatic of the 2 soaps, the darker one and probably the more story driven. But the thing is the warmth and charm was there for years. When Dan Bennett returned he turned the show around and reinstalled that but now unfortunately he has walked. Such a shame, and I wonder who his replacement will be. I hope Bevan Lee returns but it is unlikely.

[Light of the Bay]

34 minutes ago, Homeandawayfan. said:

H&A has always been the more dramatic of the 2 soaps, the darker one and probably the more story driven. But the thing is the warmth and charm was there for years. When Dan Bennett returned he turned the show around and reinstalled that but now unfortunately he has walked. Such a shame, and I wonder who his replacement will be. I hope Bevan Lee returns but it is unlikely.

I don't think Bevan Lee would see any point in returning. I mean, he's come in to save the show in the past and turn it around and once he leaves it in good shape for his successor they practically undo all of his good work and foundations.

Worst case scenario is they bring back Louise Bowes or Faith McKinnon or promote a writer who is currently working on the show. I would love for Coral Drouyn to come back and work her magic. She modernised the show without stripping it of its heart and warmth. 

 

As has been mentioned, I think the show's producers either should quit or be forced out in order for the show to truly move on. It's clear Lucy Addario has an infatuation with Brax a

Spoiler

nd also the three brothers set-up since there are three brothers joining the cast. 

 

[cadyctslover]

48 minutes ago, Matt said:

Dan Bennett is credited as the Drama Executive between Ep#5171 (19th March 2007) and Ep#5460 (23rd May 2008). In his 14 months in the lead position, he was calling the shots on storylines such as Mary Casey, Karl and Susan in England, Susan's MS diagnosis, the return of Libby Kennedy and Lyn Scully, the introduction of the Parker family, Rosie and Frazer's wedding and the subsequent bus crash and the roof collapse. He's also the man who single-handedly crafted the Sam/Dan/Libby love triangle, which, in my opinion, is one of the best storylines to ever hit Ramsay Street.

Very interesting, thanks for the info. I actually really enjoyed this period of Neighbours. It followed the stupid OTT 'fun-bus' era from 2005-2006, and precedes the coma-inducing, Susan Bower era storylines.

I hope we don't see a similar pattern with H&A now, with a further fall from grace after such promise.

[Homeandawayfan.]

The last half of 2015 has been great. I worry that the show will return to default 2009-first half of 2015 nonsense. Hopefully not. I was hoping that in a couple of years Dan Bennett would become the next producer of the show. I doubt Louise Bowes will return as she has moved onto other projects, which is good, she cannot come back an damage the show even further.

[Matt]

35 minutes ago, Light of the Bay said:

I don't think Bevan Lee would see any point in returning. I mean, he's come in to save the show in the past and turn it around and once he leaves it in good shape for his successor they practically undo all of his good work and foundations.

Worst case scenario is they bring back Louise Bowes or Faith McKinnon or promote a writer who is currently working on the show. I would love for Coral Drouyn to come back and work her magic. She modernised the show without stripping it of its heart and warmth. 

 

As has been mentioned, I think the show's producers either should quit or be forced out in order for the show to truly move on. It's clear Lucy Addario has an infatuation with Brax a

  Hide contents

nd also the three brothers set-up since there are three brothers joining the cast. 

 

Firstly, there are a few generalisations here. Bevan's work was never "undone" - Dan Bennett's first round as Script Producer thrived off the roots left by Bevan. The Summer Bay Stalker, for instance. Couldn't have worked without Bevan (and Coral, for that matter) and their planning of the Sarah Lewis hostage storyline.

Secondly, Louise Bowes is now the Network Script Executive, meaning she is the overseer of every drama series on Channel 7, except Home and Away, which has its own Script Executive (Dan's now-former position). Faith McKinnon is currently the story consultant, which could very well see her return to the Script Executive position, however she was credited as Script Producer (alongside Phil Lloyd and James Walker) between Ep#4651 (2nd June 2008) and Ep#4995 (27th November 2009). She was responsible for storylines including the people smugglers, Charlie/Joey, the cancer cluster/development site, the Miles/Kirsty/Kane love triangle and Aden's sexual abuse.

Another likely candidate is Sarah Walker, who has written for the series since 2000 and is credited as Script Producer between Ep#4441 (18th June 2007) and Ep#4560 (30th November 2007) as well as Story Producer, alongside Louise Bowes as Script Producer, in 2011/12. She is the mastermind behind Alf running over Pippa, the Campbell siblings, Brad and Sally's ill-fated wedding and Milco's return (very much with the help of Bevan Lee). She also wrote An Eye for an Eye.

I've been told that Coral Drouyn no longer works in television.

As for whether Lucy Addario, or any of the producers, are doing their jobs right, the dedicated thread is here.

Spoiler

Discussion about the Morgan foursome (three brothers and a sister) can continue here.

 

[Light of the Bay]

2 hours ago, Matt said:

Firstly, there are a few generalisations here. Bevan's work was never "undone" - Dan Bennett's first round as Script Producer thrived off the roots left by Bevan. The Summer Bay Stalker, for instance. Couldn't have worked without Bevan (and Coral, for that matter) and their planning of the Sarah Lewis hostage storyline.

Secondly, Louise Bowes is now the Network Script Executive, meaning she is the overseer of every drama series on Channel 7, except Home and Away, which has its own Script Executive (Dan's now-former position). Faith McKinnon is currently the story consultant, which could very well see her return to the Script Executive position, however she was credited as Script Producer (alongside Phil Lloyd and James Walker) between Ep#4651 (2nd June 2008) and Ep#4995 (27th November 2009). She was responsible for storylines including the people smugglers, Charlie/Joey, the cancer cluster/development site, the Miles/Kirsty/Kane love triangle and Aden's sexual abuse.

Another likely candidate is Sarah Walker, who has written for the series since 2000 and is credited as Script Producer between Ep#4441 (18th June 2007) and Ep#4560 (30th November 2007) as well as Story Producer, alongside Louise Bowes as Script Producer, in 2011/12. She is the mastermind behind Alf running over Pippa, the Campbell siblings, Brad and Sally's ill-fated wedding and Milco's return (very much with the help of Bevan Lee). She also wrote An Eye for an Eye.

I've been told that Coral Drouyn no longer works in television.

As for whether Lucy Addario, or any of the producers, are doing their jobs right, the dedicated thread is here.

  Reveal hidden contents

Discussion about the Morgan foursome (three brothers and a sister) can continue here.

 

Sorry, I should have made myself clearer here. I was more referring to Bevan's 2008 stint. He left the show in a very healthy state and had re-established the fostering theme into the show. His successor could've built on this and really told some great stories but sadly it wasn't to be and we had to endure destructive and plot-driven story lines from which the show has never truly recovered until we were getting into Dan Bennett's work. I thought Coral's reign from 2002-2004 was excellent as we had some really dramatic story lines that focused on the characters and were never rushed or done insensitively. She modernised the show and gave it a much needed kick without getting carried away. Bevan continued this and gave us one of the very best season finales we've ever had. None of that 'movie style' nonsense with gun waving and unnecessary angst. 

What a shame that Coral no longer works in television as her writing style is very much missed and the show could do with someone like her at the helm of story telling. 

[Matt]

9 minutes ago, Light of the Bay said:

Sorry, I should have made myself clearer here. I was more referring to Bevan's 2008 stint. He left the show in a very healthy state and had re-established the fostering theme into the show. His successor could've built on this and really told some great stories but sadly it wasn't to be and we had to endure destructive and plot-driven story lines from which the show has never truly recovered until we were getting into Dan Bennett's work. I thought Coral's reign from 2002-2004 was excellent as we had some really dramatic story lines that focused on the characters and were never rushed or done insensitively. She modernised the show and gave it a much needed kick without getting carried away. Bevan continued this and gave us one of the very best season finales we've ever had. None of that 'movie style' nonsense with gun waving and unnecessary angst. 

What a shame that Coral no longer works in television as her writing style is very much missed and the show could do with someone like her at the helm of story telling. 

Very much agree with everything you have said here! And if you didn't get what I was referring to, although Alan Hardy was at the helm for the week after Bevan Lee's stint finished, Faith McKinnon is the "successor" - she was the Script Producer - who you are referring to

[dee123]

On 3/1/2016 at 11:39 AM, Matt said:

2007/2008. He was behind the arrivals of Rebecca and the Parker family.

He created Bridget???

OH. NO. POOR. LIBBY.

[hward]

Damn, just when I was starting to enjoy Home And Away again...very worrying news.  It does seem a bit odd that he's left so soon after returning.  The latter half of the year has really been very good - Irene's storyline is outstanding - but now I fear that unless they get another decent person in it'll revert back to the drudge that has been on screen for the last few years.