We all know that Neighbours is in a bad shape ratings wise, but still quality wise the show is leaps and bounds over some of the soaps competition such as All My Children and Days of our Lives. But hey no one ever said ratings made sense, so what would I do to save Neighbours?
(Please take into note that I am keeping the current comings and goings in mind while I am writing this, that is why you will not see axings for characters that have already left, or long stories that would be amazing for those that have already said "SEEYA!")
Well first thing first I would get back to basics. It is time to let the axe fall and say good-bye to some local residence. The first people that I would axe are the poor unfortunate Williams family. This is not a slam directly upon them. I don't mind either actor as much as the Queen of Denial Island (Brooke), but I don't really see the need for the characters at this moment unless I really sit down and create a long story that would in someway salvage the storyline and make me care about what is going to happen next.
Next on the chopping block is 50% of the recurring cast- this includes- Kyle Canning
Melissa Evans , Doug Harris, Nick Nixon, and Mark Brennan.
Melissa Evans , Doug Harris, Nick Nixon, and Mark Brennan.
*sigh* Okay I know all of these characters have had their little plot points that have made the little town of Erinsborough seem real...but it's time to hit the road. Kyle has no real connection to the show, nor does he need one. Melissa bless her little heart was a plot device to give Zeke a job and that's about it so see-ya. Dr. Doug was good-ol Susan B's breakout plan to hook Libby up with a gigantic plot device to make the fallout from Steph's secret hurt just 'that' much more.... but he served his purpose, and is no longer needed. I am sorry yes Neighbours needs diversity, but how about we get it with some better characters. Then we have Nick whose purpose will be served by the end of the year and he can vanish off into the sunset, and lastly Mark.... I have to admit he is the only one who I could see keeping around if I took Neighbours in a more 2007-2009 Home and Away direction, but that is not the case, thus it is time for Mark to go away as well.
So with that said there is now room for some casting upgrades and movement, who's going to be moved around? Well first Chris Pappas is given a contract. He will play a vital part in my 2011 storyline. Some additional casting includes a new male for Kate, a new girl who will play a vital role in the rebuilding of the Kennedy's as well as Andrew/Summer's storyline, and a new boy-toy for Chris..
Unfortunately the boy-toy is a plot-device, but he will be a well fleshed out plotdevice!
Now that's out of the way let's talk storylines-
Chris - To the brink of death-
It is the time of Chris's life, he has just found his first boyfriend, he is friends once again with Andrew and Summer, and people have finally began to accept him for the guy that he is. That is until he and his boyfriend (Max) are caught kissing by one of Chris's schoolmates. From that point on his entire life starts to spiral out of control. His parents who thought they were 'okay' with their son's sexuality cannot stand to see their boy with another guy ( Chris can initially overhear a conversation and then later confront them both which is when their 'true' feelings come out), and then the classmate that took the photo will plaster it all over the campus with some homophobic slur written all across it. As a result homophones will start to pick on him, way past the point of it being 'alright'. That is when Chris finally decides to end it all. But before he could do it he writes a letter explaining everything to his friends, and most importantly Max, only Summer comes in and saves the day. It is at that point that everything changes, and we see Chris get the help he needs to overcome the bullying.
The storyline would be socially relevant, controversial, and most of all talk worthy.
Rebuilding The Kennedy's -
As the Williams family exits, the local school board goes berserk, they simply cannot keep anyone in as Principle, and they do not feel that Libby is up for that type of responsibility / role. So who do they turn to? Former school Principle Susan Kennedy. The school board explains that it is only a temporary move until they can find someone more permanent, so Susan takes the job.
While acting as school principle Susan meets Carly, a wise cracking teenager whom everyone thinks is bad news...everyone except Susan that is. When Carly gets in serious trouble Susan sticks her neck out on the line to protect her, it is then that she finds out that Carly is homeless, and has been living on the streets for the past few months. Having an empty house at home Susan impulsively ask Carly to move in.
Karl initially is furious, but later comes around when Carly shows her good side. However, when her dark streak comes out Karl attempts to throw her out of the house. "After EVERYTHING we have done for you, you do this to us?". It is Susan however that reminds Karl that they took in Carly for the good and the bad, and they cannot let the girl go now, not after all the hard work they have done so far. So Carly eventually makes her way back to the Kennedy's household.
But due to all of the stress as returning school principle and the Carly struggle Susan's MS flares up, temporarily crippling her. Susan then is forced to resign as acting principle, right after having been handed a two year contract.
It is then that Libby seriously goes after the job, and is finally given it.
The Ramsey's / The Robinson's -
After weeks of deliberating, Kate finally agree's to move in with Paul, and allow him to help raise Sophie and be a part of her life. Andrew instinctively is against it, "Why take in these strays so they can take away part of my inheritance?" but he nevertheless gets over it and moves on.
Kate eventually meets Joshua, a teen father who is attending EU with her. The two find they have a lot in common and begin to date. Now depending on a few variables the story can go in a few different directions, but the one I love the most is taking it towards domestic abuse-
After falling madly in love and having an instant wedding, Kate finds out that Joshua has a dark side as she finds a huge bruise on Mandy's back. When she questions Mandy about it she says "daddy did it to me". Shocked Kate confronts him, he says he will handle his daughter how he sees fit. Kate says this is wrong, this isn't how he should treat another human benign, so Joshua slaps her across the face. This starts a long domestic abuse plotline that will play out for a long period of time.
Now there are obviously other things that can be done such as rebuilding the Scully's, repairing the Ramsey's, and Robinsons, and creating a new family to come and take the place of the Williams and Napier's, but these are the initial changes that I would make to revamp and save Neighbours.
So what do you think? Do you like my ideas? Or do you disagree? Let's hear what you would do to save this struggling show in the comments below.
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