Bouncer's dream and gorillagrams: an oral history of Neighbours – the world's silliest, sunniest show

As the Australian soap reaches 35 years old, the cast and programme makers talk about the outlandish storylines, the phenomenal success and the show’s agenda of social activism

On 18 March 1985, Australian TV viewers got their first glimpse of the sun-soaked cul de sac of Ramsay Street, in a fictional suburb of Melbourne, Australia. Its inhabitants were a convivial, nosy bunch particularly prone to romantic affairs and, increasingly, bouts of personality disorder, amnesia and violence. The confines of Erinsborough provided a moral utopia – no matter how much soapy drama poured forth, the barbies, bikinis and banter would soon return.

First broadcast in the UK in October 1986 on BBC One, the show was a symbol of exotic aspirationalism amid the gloom of Thatcherite politics and the continual shuttering of industry. The teatime drama drew in 20 million viewers when Kylie Minogue (as Charlene) married Jason Donovan (Scott) in 1988.

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from Culture | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2WTErGw