Ok, so I’ve already briefly mentioned one of the great dramas to emerge from Australian TV but there has been a significant omission that needs no introduction. Australians are often baffled by the English and their apparent obsession with Ramsey Street. Healthy admiration not obsession, that’s what I say. But Karl Kennedy touring British Universities with his band, televising Neighbours twice a day as well as an omnibus just doesn’t make sense to most Australians.
In a desperate bid to fit in as much Melbourne time as possible before I head back home I flew into the Victorian capital for a few days, squeezing in a couple of nights out, shopping in Brunswick Street, an AFL game (Essendon got absolutely thrashed unfortunately – but you know…good game…), visit to Melbourne Museum and finally the Monday evening at the infamous “Neighbours night”. I met up with Nixie who is currently on exchange from Edinburgh to Melbourne Uni, she organised the tickets etc and I crashed on her floor that night.
For $40 a pop, you turn up at this “traditional English pub”, get yourself one free drink, find a space somewhere…anywhere…and prepare yourself for the evening’s activities. The place is absolutely packed and the host identifies the two token Australian’s in an ocean of British back packers. On in the background is a massive to screening old episodes of Neighbours, so funny! Immediately conversations erupt over the scandal that unfolded at that time, the person that left because of an affair with them, or when they killed her because he had a car crash with that person etc, glimpse of old hotties brought memories of teenage crushes right back, particularly Billy Kennedy. It is definitely an evening tailored to the commodity of the “traveller” with the embarrassing things the host makes people do for vouchers and prizes (kissing strangers, dance offs, singing the national anthem – you see my point).
People get into groups for a mass pub quiz which has general knowledge questions and then a lot of Neighbours specific questions, the prize was $500 – that would have been nice. And then they bring out “the stars”. That night we were able to meet Karl Kennedy (standard…I think he’s there every week), Stu Parker (so hot), Connor and Janel. A pretty good line up I would say and they were all pretty funny and banterful on the ole mic, god knows how many times they’ve done it though! Fair go though, they went round absolutely everyone, and that place was PACKED, had a chat with people and everyone who wanted a photo got one, smiles and kisses galore.
And then the end of the night…Alan Fletcher and the waiting room…I’m not gonna lie…it’s like watching your dad singing The Killers when you see Dr Kennedy up there “rocking out.” It’s cheesy, cringey but bloody brilliant especially when you hear the chorus of “Susan…Susan…Who the f#*k is Susan?” and even more so when you have a few beverages down you. It’s such a fun night, something to do on a Monday night and embrace fully the Australian drama that has brought us Kylie, Delta and ahem…Holly Valence? Hmmm. Maybe just stick to Kylie.
