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10 planning big Neighbours wrap

Filming ends in a week, and a big wrap party is in the planning -but there's also a dispute behind the scenes.

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Will 10 screen the Neighbours finale on its primary channel instead of 10 Peach?

That was a question I posed to 10 honchos this week.

After all, we’re wrapping up 37 years of history here folks, and a finale with Kylie & Jason returning to Ramsay Street would be an absolute drawcard for fans young and old, when it screens on August 1st.

10 was coy on their plans but acknowledged, “We would love to see a portion of it get to the biggest, broadest audience. We’re not quite there with what we can do, but we’re certainly weighing up all the options.”

The final day of filming is now just a week away: Friday June 10, but TV Tonight understands a giant wrap party is scheduled in a few weeks’ time.

Personally I’d like to see a primetime special, looking back on the show’s legacy -similar to one that 10 gave to Young Talent Time‘s 50th. A quick look at those Hey Hey specials suggests there is also a big audience to be had in nostalgia.

On the night of the finale, I reckon the special should air on 10 then cut to a trimmed down Project with the panel + guests reacting to the show’s last ever episode.

“Sounds like a great plan,” 10 said to that suggestion.

Update:

Finale airs 7:30pm Thursday July 28 on 10 / 10 Peach.

Meanwhile Guardian Australia reports on a dispute over Fremantle Australia refusing redundanciesfor crew including casting directors, costume designers, directors, location managers, makeup artists, researchers, screenwriters, set designers and producers.

Union sources say Fremantle maintains the workers are not employees but contractors so aren’t entitled to the usual employee standards, even though their contracts have been rolled over annually for years on end.

“Fremantle is trying to avoid payment to crew who have been loyal to the production, in some cases for decades, under the cover of rolling ‘fixed-term’ contracts,” the union told members in a bulletin after the show was axed.

“The company has responded by extending a deadline it had put to crew to accept lower payments to allow time for negotiation. Members will continue to work together over the coming weeks to ensure they are paid their entitlements.”

TV Tonight understands most crew were on yearly contracts of around 40 weeks per year.

Paul Stanley, an organiser with the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance union, told Guardian, “They were initially offered a four-week ‘special leave termination’ if they’d been there more than 12 months on top of long-service leave and their annual leave paid out,.

“We had a meeting with Fremantle and we got it up to eight weeks for some people, which helps. Employees of nine years are entitled to 16 weeks’ redundancy, but they’re offering them eight.”

While some staff have accepted the deal, others have held out, saying “it’s not fair, it’s not right”, Stanley said. “They want to see that film crews in the industry get treated better.”

Meanwhile UK Metro has confirmed Guy Pearce is returning for the finale.

Guy Pearce, said: “It is very exciting and surreal at the same time being back on set again, however it feels like coming home.

“It’s where it all started for me professionally. I’ve been asked to come back on occasions over the years and wondered if it was the right thing to do, but once I knew the show was finishing, I knew I had to do it.

“While I’ve caught up with many of the cast I worked with on the show over the years, there is nothing like being here all together again.”

Jason Herbison, Neighbours’ Executive Producer, said: “I’m incredibly honoured that Guy is returning to the show for a very special story arc.

“Having him back on set has been poignant for him and for us. He’s been very involved in the storyline, and I can’t wait to finally answer the question for viewers – who is Mike Young today?”

32 Responses

  1. I am quite sure the final episode….and possibly the final week will be screened on 10’s main channel. The final episode is set for August 1 apparently, which is infact the 58th birthday of Channel 10. Ten’s Melbourne Nunawading studios officially opened on on August 1 in 1964. (Sydney in 1965) And given Neighbours will probably be the last production at the studios, I think it will be quote a big week for 10.

    1. The 1st August is a Monday, so it would be hard for them to work around The Project for 5 days (Monday-Thursday and then Monday), especially when it would be double episodes of Neighbours and they would probably would have started another reality show after Masterchef. Unless they hold-off on another one, maybe Neighbours could be back on 10’s main channel from the time Masterchef finishes to the 1st August, but it would be at 7.30pm. People may not be happy with that as they would normally eat Dinner watching it. To change the screening of The Project they would have to be in agreement with Roving Enterprises as 10 doesn’t own The Project.

  2. Apologies if this has been answered elsewhere; but I I have two questions.
    Was Neighbours the only show still using the old Channel 10 studios in Nunawading?
    What will happen to the old studios? (Or has it already been deicded to sell it off for housing, with plans already well underway?).

    1. Fremantle did shoot Better Man there but that was a while ago now. There’s a heritage listing on the building’s exterior, it won an architecture award in the ’60s, but it’s something I’d need to look into.

      1. It’s such a fantastic studio complex I hope it stays. We’ve already lost the famous Channel 9 Bendigo st. Studios, and ABC Elsternwick. So sad if it goes I’ve spent so many great times there as an extra on Neighbours many many times over the years.

  3. Upcoming TV guide snippets reveal who dies in a couple of weeks time. I won’t mention by name for those who wish to avoid spillers.

    I was hoping for a bigger character tbh, but somehow also think that this may not be the last character death we see, but maybe it will be. I’m
    Still adamant Paul will die (simply because so much of his family is returning).

    Intrigued how they will get all these characters back without it appearing messy, but I guess that’s all part of it.

  4. I probably will shed a tear or tear when it ends. I remember bawling my eyes out when Blue Heelers ended. Sadly not too many home grown shows get me to tears anymore. I hope TVWeek does a farewell feature when last eps/ are broadcast. I feel for the cast longest on the show. They now have to look for other work. After over 25 and 37 years. Would also love a dream sequence of Paul remembering dad Jim. Sad that Jemma Donovan has now left. Would have loved seeing a scene with her as Harlow meeting her (2nd??)cousin Scott played by her real life father, Jason. That would have been an absolute hoot. Imagine the ratings just for that scene?? Unfortunately not to be.

    It would be nice if 10 Prime returned the show for its final eps. Believe it when I/we see it.

      1. Jemma Donovan has already finished filming more than a week ago. She left around the time Jason and Kylie filmed their scenes. So it is still a chance Jemma and Jason could share scenes. Even though Jason and Kylie have already filmed their scenes, they apparently won’t be shown until toward the end of the show. It has been reported that Jason and Kylie have filmed a larger role than previously reported. It has been said they would only be in the last scene but the Executive Producer said it is more than that. They do film scenes out of order so there is a small chance Jemma and Jason could be in it together.

  5. I will be very sad when it finishes. I first watched it in the beginning but stopped because of character of Paul.. I only got back into it around 4? years ago just prior to Sonya dying of cancer. The promo got me. I like the Sonya mural on the bench for Nell to visit (and any one else). I hope to see a dream sequence of Toadie and Nell with Sonyas first born reminiscing of Sonya. I also would like all storylines ended on a good note, and not on a question mark. I also hope its Paul who dies. He deserves it. Suspects are half the characters. And hopefully including Lucy when she finally realises what Paul has done ie damage to Lassisters. Hope the death isnt Harlow. The man on left of promo could be Robert Robinson. So im thinking its either Paul or Harlow. Hope it isnt Hendrix. Think it also a hoot if Pauls daughter Amy returned. . . Two Amys. . . . hilarious. Look forward to seeing return of Mike Pearce too. Like to see Jane and Clive marry. Hope end is good.

  7. For the Finale to screen on 10 it would probably depend on what reality show is on then. Masterchef would have finished by then. It may be “The Amazing Race” and it could have a double episode on the Tuesday or screen after Neighbours / The Project. I like the idea of Neighbours and then a special project discussing the show – like Whovians.

  8. We all know that if it screens on the main channel it will get a bigger audience for it to be hidden on channel 11 or Peach would not be a good send off.Screen it on 10 will actually get it a send off it deserves and be screened in HD.I can’t see them creating a new show either just be more repeats of friends etc

  9. Definitely should be on the main channel. On Sunday, neighbours special. Monday a special on the project, followed by the finale.
    The sad think is, seven and nine will do everything in their power to ruin the farewell.

    1. I’m not so sure. It’s not that much of a threat and they’ve given it plenty of coverage in their showbiz sections and Interviews. Including sharing on twitter an interview with Kylie talking about her return.

    2. Networks won’t be out to kill a Neighbours send off. Despite what you think they aren’t that vindictive, in my experience. Sure they may run their own race and be competitive, but they all respect a 37 year legacy in the Australian industry.

  10. If 10 does air the final episode on the main channel, they must allow the closing credits to play out in full – uninterrupted. So many eyes will have tears as the theme plays out.

  11. We know that 10 has been a little slack with the show over the years with not much fanfare and advertisement, but they have done well so far this year with the promotion (like Neighbours week on Studio 10; and actually advertising the show is on 10Peach etc).

    I do hope that Neighbours is on 10 for the Finale to draw a bigger audience. The final is set to air on Monday 1 August. The Project “Neighbours Special” could air at 6.30pm. The final episode of Neighbours to follow at 7.30pm. With a special at 8pm. Milk the crap out of it and hope viewers young and old tune in for the night.

      1. Thanks. I didn’t know that.

        The 90 min should still air on 10. Id still show The Project/special before hand then. And then air the final episode.

      2. That surely confirms it’ll be on Ten then as they can’t possibly run a 30 minute or even 60 minute show at 7.30pm any more.

        If it was on 10Peach I think they’d rather split it out over three nights, or at most run the finale for an hour so it is done in time for whatever 10 has on air at 7.30pm

    2. Better late than never I guess. They should have promoted the show on 10 since 2011 when it moved; and never stopped. Didn’t help the ratings. I think the show would rate pretty well, but the way they do the ratings doesn’t really work. Maybe not many people with the ratings box watch Neighbours so the rating will show as being low. But with all the discussion online. The show is still popular in Australia. Ratings need to be done in another way like surveys. I am not sure if the last episode will be 90 minutes. It is double episodes from the 13th June, but that may end on Thursday 28th July. Meaning the finale will be 60 minutes.

      1. 10 Peach will catch up on that Thursday, but then the UK will step ahead an episode again on the Friday. 10 Peach (currently) will show that episode on the Monday, followed by the 1 hour finale.

        1. Are you sure? I was thinking the 2nd episode on Thursday 28th July would be the episode then screened in the UK on Friday 29th July. But, have you worked it out or heard from somewhere that it would be 90 minutes on 1st August?

  12. Yeah C’mon 10 give Neighbours the decency to be back on the main channel again.

    Also just heard Guy Pearce (Mike young) is returning to Neighbours which is great!

    1. Like many, I loved Neighbours growing up. I’ve started watching it again after it was annoucned it was finishing for the first time in about 15 years and am quite enjoying it. I’m so excited for Scott, Charlene, Mike and ‘Plain Jane Super Brain’ being back together again!

  14. A Neighbours night for the finale would be a great idea.
    Also I am hoping that at least the last week or 2 could be on the main channel.
    I would still like to see Neighbours return as a weekly drama on 10. Maybe Karl & Susan or another long term character can move to a new suburb or an apartment complex

    1. I’ve said all along I’d love for this to book end the history of icons such as Scott Charlene, Mike etc. neighbours to be reborn in 2023 as a 1 or 2 night hour drama similar to ACP. Let it get to 40 years. They could keep legacy characters like Paul Therese, Susan and Karl, Jane, Clive and newer characters like Chloe and Nicolette, David and Aaron and recast where needed. It could be a spin off called Erinsborough so it’s not localised to Ramsay Street .

        1. I think they are keeping it to the 1st of August so it is in line with the UK screening.
          That’s why we are going to double episodes from 13th June so we will be
          up to date with the UK by the 1st of August.

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