Long-term character Harold Bishop returned in a full episode of Australian soap opera, Neighbours on 6 June 2011, the start of a six-week stint. Harold has been called to the rescue of his old friend Toadie, who Harold has known since he was a school kid being fostered by Carl and Susan Kennedy.
UK television viewers could hardly fail to notice that veteran actor and scriptwriter Ian Smith has been appearing on a lot of popular shows lately, including at least one talent show, and this is what it's all about. Smith first appeared in Neighbours in 1987 and has continued an on-off relationship with it ever since.
Harold to Rescue Toadie?
Suite101 happened to be "sticky-beaking" (good old Neighbours word) at the end of Ramsay Street just as Ian Smith was rehearsing and filming his first day back on the set of the show in suburban Melbourne, Australia in March. His character, Harold Bishop, was reuniting with old friend Toadie, (Jarrod Vincenzo "Toadfish" Rebecchi) played by Ryan Maloney, who calls Harold in for his sage advice.
Relationships have never been Toadie's strong point, and he is thoroughly mired in the complexities of his current one with reformed addict, Sonja, but now there's a child in the mix. Harold was always a favourite with teenage fans, not least as a bit of an old duffer. This time he's been called in especially because of his outstanding busy-body skills, but it looks like it's his experience that will do the trick.
Youth and Age Formula Works
The longest running show on Australian television, this soap opera has run on UK television since 1985, when Michael Grade realised its potential at drawing the secondary school audience to the BBC. When ratings dropped, however, after a few worn-out strategies at rejuvenating the show (including letting go the then seventy-one year old Smith), they axed the show.
Taken up by UK Channel Five to increasing success, the Neighbours audience has revived with a bit of tweaking, and it is currently recording six episodes a week. It has a new catchy signature tune and each episode is split into three punchy sections, with a preview ending to tempt viewers back tomorrow.
The demographic of viewers is still young, judging by the British fans that Suite101 observed on the Neighbours Tour in Melbourne recently. Often accused of ageism, what are the odds that the BBC will be regretting not retaining Harold and the whole Neighbours phenomenon?
Valerie Williamson - Dr. Val Williamson is a freelance journalist and academic specialising in historical and popular culture topics.
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