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Digital Spy article:
Neighbours brings back Courtney Act for multi-episode guest stint
She'll be in Erinsborough this time.
https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/nei...ey-act-return/
Neighbours is welcoming back Courtney Act for a longer guest stint.
The drag queen and Celebrity Big Brother winner, also known as Shane Jenek, revealed to TV Tonight she will be back on the Australian soap following a Mardi Gras-themed cameo last month.
And it sounds like Courtney's return will be more substantial, as she's swinging by Erinsborough.
"I'm filming a multi-episodic arc," she shared. "Courtney Act is coming to Lassiter's Pride, which is very exciting. But while I'm in town, I'll be tending to some other business.
"I'm in as Shane and Courtney."
Courtney added, joking: "There's still a storyline open for me to be Scott and Charlene's love child, but nobody has said yes to that!"
Courtney's cameo in February aired when David and Aaron travelled to Sydney to enjoy the Mardi Gras parade. David and Aaron bumped into not only the drag queen but also Scissor Sisters (and The Masked Singer) star Jake Shears.
Meanwhile, Russell Brand was confirmed to have filmed a cameo of his own on the show. April Rose Pengilly, who plays Chloe Brennan, revealed that the comedian visited the set for a scene.
The show will be airing its 35th anniversary episodes from Monday (March 16) – and it looks like it will be a week to remember, with three deaths and five weddings in store.
Neighbours airs weekdays at 1.45pm and 5.30pm on Channel 5 (UK) and 6.30pm on 10 Peach (Australia).
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Tvtonight.com.au article. Neighbours to suspend production -but only until next week. But no interruption to the on-air or delivery schedule (at this stage).
https://tvtonight.com.au/2020/03/nei...t-filming.html
Neighbours to halt filming.
On their 35th anniversary -to the day- Neighbours has announced it will suspend production -but only until next week- while it assesses filming procedures.
Producers, cast and crew hope to come up with a workable solution, such as smaller crews, to resume work next week.
Network 10 and Fremantle said in a statement, “Neighbours has decided to take a short break this week to ensure the production model in place can withstand any potential impact of the current COVID-19 situation. Today, all cast and crew met to discuss this issue as a result of a specific concern about the pandemic.
“Production will resume on Monday as planned with no interruption to the on-air or delivery schedule. The health and well-being of everyone on the set of Neighbours will always be our priority.”
And from dailytelegraph.com.au:
"Neighbours shut down
TV soap Neighbours has shut down due to COVID-19.
The decision was made to close the Melbourne set of the long running Channel 10 drama after a meeting of production staff, actors and crew today.
It is understood someone working on the show has come into contact with a person who has tested positive to Coronavirus.
“Neighbours has decided to take a short break this week to ensure the production model in place can withstand any potential impact of the current COVID-19 situation,” a Network Ten and Fremantlemedia spokeswoman said.
“Today, all cast and crew met to discuss this issue as a result of a specific concern about the pandemic. Production will resume on Monday as planned with no interruption to the on-air or delivery schedule. The health and well-being of everyone on the set of Neighbours will always be our priority.”
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Digital Spy article:
Neighbours gave Kylie Minogue a role in the 35th anniversary – but did you spot it?
Charlene's back... sort of.
https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/nei...h-anniversary/
Neighbours has dropped another nifty Easter egg to mark its 35th anniversary, this time nodding to one of its most iconic stars.
As the show marks the big milestone this week, today's (March 20) daytime episode saw classic characters Jane Harris and Des Clarke tie the knot.
And as their wedding took place, Kylie Minogue's 'Golden' played in the background – giving us a nod back to Kylie's time on the soap.
The star famously played Charlene Robinson on the soap between 1986 and 1988 before becoming a global pop icon.
One of the soap's most memorable moments was Charlene's wedding to Scott Robinson (Jason Donovan), so, of course, hearing Kylie now play during another wedding seems appropriate.
Fans were naturally delighted by the reference, one writing on Twitter: "Did they just play Kylie at Jane’s wedding? That’s perfect, really, Paul and Des and Jane and Charlene in the background…".
Another added: "Kylie's 'Golden' playing on #Neighbours made this special anniversary week perfect!"
Neighbours also made a reference to another alumni-turned-pop star earlier this week.
That time, Ned Willis suggested that Paige Smith play classic pop hit 'Torn' at her own wedding to Mark Brennan.
Ned then tells a confused Yashvi Rebecchi: "My mum used to sing it all the time," a reference to on-screen mother Beth Brennan, who was played by 'Torn' singer Natalie Imbruglia.
There are plenty more Easter eggs you can dive into right here.
Neighbours airs weekdays at 1.45pm and 5.30pm on Channel 5 (UK) and 6.30pm on 10 Peach (Australia).
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also, when Paige was going through the playlist for the wedding she was listing Aussie icons and mentioned Nina Tucker.
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Radiotimes.com article:
Neighbours preview: 8 huge post-anniversary spoilers
Producer Jason Herbison exclusively teases the months ahead in Ramsay Street
https://www.radiotimes.com/news/soap...sary-spoilers/
Neighbours delivered a truly explosive 35th anniversary week, but the drama doesn’t stop now the Lassiters wedding expo and doomed island mini-break are over.
In an exclusive interview with RadioTimes.com, the Aussie soap’s executive producer Jason Herbison provides a sneak preview of how life will change forever on Ramsay Street in the coming months following the deaths of Finn Kelly, Gary Canning and Prue Wallace – and teases some more huge Neighbours storylines on the horizon…
1. Elly jailed for Finn’s murder?
Fiendish Finn’s gruesome demise after his reign of terror will have “massive implications,” says Herbison. “In the ultimate tragic irony, Elly ends up in the frame for murder, despite the terrible things he did. Elly will have a fight on her hands to prove her innocence and keep custody of her daughter Aster. Jodi Anasta is leaving the show and we are entering a final, intense chapter for Elly. It remains to be seen if there can be any happiness around her departure.”
2. Susan V Sheila
Susan continues to feel huge guilt over everything that’s happened,” he continues. “Sheila is devastated over losing Gary and will channel all her anger at Susan for bringing Finn into their lives, despite the fact Susan is already blaming herself. It will be a very long road to them getting a friendship back on track. Brace yourselves for some amazing Colette Mann and Jackie Woodburne scenes. Bea, on the other hand, will be the strong one – she makes a conscious decision not to be a victim any more.”
3. New Canning
The Canning house will be a quieter place without Gary, but there are plans to populate the place with another member of the family soon. “With three characters gone we do have some new ones coming in, including the introduction of a new Canning.” Herbison wouldn’t be drawn on their identity but it sounds like someone we’ve yet to meet as opposed to a recast Xanthe or Naomi. Although Sheila’s other grandsons, Dane and Harley, were seen in brief guest appearances almost a decade ago, could one of them fill the gap left by Gary and give Sheila someone to mollycoddle?
4. An old face is back for good
It was a coup to get so many ex-characters back for the anniversary and fans lapped up seeing the likes of Sky Mangel, Mark Brennan, Lucy Robinson and Des Clarke again. Could any of them move back to Ramsay Street in the future? “Just about every single one of them told me they are open to it,” he smiles. “At this stage one of them will be coming back on a permanent basis – perhaps more in the future. They’ll have another new character connected to them when they return…” We’re hoping for golden era faves Jane Harris and Des Clarke…
5. Dee AND Andrea both back
Talking of comebacks, later this year Madeleine West reprises her dual roles of Toadie’s wife who faked her death and the deceitful doppelgänger who turned out to be her long-lost twin. “It will be double trouble! It’s a massive storyline for Toadie. With the Dee/Andrea story arc, we are now well beyond what we originally planned and it’s the gift that keeps on giving. This might upset a few purists but I just love Andrea, there is so much scope with her and she will always be connected to Toadie because of Hugo – which means she can always come back, same as Dee.”
6. Another fan favourite returns
The comebacks just keep on coming as Herbison told us plans for more blasts from the past are afoot, seemingly unconnected to the anniversary returns, and there is one in particular who will please the audience. “Yes, we have another returnee who I’m very excited about it,” he divulges. “She is a fan favourite and lights up every room she enters.” Who could it be? Susan’s flaky sister Liz? Terese’s daughter Imogen?
7. Dipi and Shane’s marriage on the rocks
It’s not been an easy year for Shane and Dipi Rebecchi, once regarded as Erinsborough’s perfect couple. Family ructions and indiscretions with Roxy Willis and Gary Canning put the twosome to the test, and there are more challenges ahead: “Dipi and Shane will be facing huge marital challenges which impact several households.” Can they come through more obstacles?
8. More late night specials
Post-watershed anniversary spin-off ‘End Game’ was a triumph, giving an extra episode in a 10pm slot across the week injected with a darker, grittier tone. “It’s part of our desire to keep Neighbours contemporary and move with the times,” admits Herbison. “We purposefully kept the daytime anniversary shows warm and nostalgic and gave ourselves license to go darker at 10pm. I’m hugely proud of what we achieved and relieved with the audience response.” Are more late-night specials on the cards? “We plan them one at a time but yes, I’m certainly thinking about what we are going to do next. There’s actually a playing area of the show that is featured heavily in the coming months that could warrant a spin-off.
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Digital Spy article:
Neighbours brings forward filming break as coronavirus pandemic causes more disruption
The Aussie soap was originally halting filming from next Friday (April 3).
https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/nei...irus-pandemic/
And:
Neighbours stars share touching video message for fans amid coronavirus pandemic
"Stay at home as much as you can. We're all in this together."
https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/nei...s-coronavirus/
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'Fortunately, it doesn't appear that the early break will have an impact on Neighbours' airing schedule, so fans won't have to wait to catch up with the residents of Ramsay Street.'
Wasn't it going to air just twice a week? Mon and Fri. They didn't mention that last night though, and you'd think they would.
Edit: Just for Channel 5, it seems. That will mean the UK is behind Australia again.
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Like it mentions in the article below, at this stage, Neighbours is continuing to air 5 days a week in Australia. The two week production break they are now taking is the normal/scheduled Easter break just being brought forward a couple of weeks. However, I imagine that if they end up stopping production beyond the 2 weeks ie for an extended period, then they may look at changing the Aust schedule. We will see. Again, like the article says, they will let us know if/when things change 'so keep checking back'.
Digital Spy article:
Neighbours' Channel 5 broadcasts look set to fall behind Australia for first time in four years
The soap's Aussie network is continuing its usual schedule.
https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/nei...ind-australia/
The broadcast of Neighbours in the UK looks set to fall behind Australia for the first time since 2016.
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, the strategy of many UK broadcasters (ITV, BBC and Channel 5) going forward has been to reduce the number of weekly soap episodes airing, in order to preserve a steady stream until filming can safely resume.
But although Neighbours has been brought down to two episodes per week on Channel 5, the show's Australian broadcaster 10 Peach is continuing its normal schedule.
A spokesperson recently confirmed (via TV Tonight): "Neighbours will continue to give viewers fresh entertainment while they are at home – five nights a week on 10 Peach."
While this may discomfort the equilibrium of some UK viewers, the pandemic is an incredibly fast-moving situation and schedules are changing all the time at the moment.
We'll let you know if things change so keep checking back.
Neighbours airs on Channel 5 in the UK and on 10 Peach in Australia.
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I wasn't sure where to post this, so I have put it under this thread for now.
An Instagram post by Hugh Jackman showing his wife (who is directing a Neighbours storyline) on set with Kerry Armstrong & also Alyce Platt, who will be playing the role of Olivia Bell (who I understand is supposed to have dated Karl back in the day):
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9jco6RH...ource=ig_embed