Home and Away or Neighbours?

[Ross]

It goes without saying that I prefer Home and Away because I'm here!

I think that what many of you have said is a really key point - you can go weeks without watching Neighbours and go back to it without any problems. With Home and Away though, I feel that every episode is significant, as there is so much packed into each week, so missing one can sometimes put you really behind. With Neighbours, there are a lot of 'filling in' episodes (my technical terminology ) where you're basically seeing the everyday lives of the residents but by the end of it, you haven't learnt anything new, nothing much has happened and there doesn't seem to have been a point to the episode.

Also, Home and Away is forever changing, forever coming up with interesting storylines and forever introducing interesting characters. Not to say that they don't mess some things up - for example, Zoe '06 was a huge disappointment, but before you get a chance to complain, you're then thrown into the helicopter accident and finding the missing passengers. And even when there's not a dramatic storyline around the corner, it is the fantastic acting which keeps you tuned in, most notably Kate Ritchie and Amy Mathews IMO.

The other thing I am loving with the show is how it has really gone back to its roots in the sense that Sally is in the Van Park House and taking in kids in the same way that Pippa used to. I also love how they have moved Alf, Morag and Martha in as well so we have the extended Flecher/Stewart family. This may only be a minor point, but the family feel and the interaction between them, especially the way that Alf is always there for Sally is heart-warming, a sentimental feel that I don't get from Neighbours, even when it's at its best.

[carmelle]

I don't really think that you can compare the two but me being here obviously shows that I prefer Home and Away, whereas most of my friends seem to prefer Neighbours, and I can't understand why.

I watched Neighbours today for the first time in weeks and I found that I hadn't missed that much, whereas I find that by missing just a day of Home and Away means that im missing something very significant.

To me Home and Away moves as a faster pace and is more action packed and full of suspense and offers something for viewers of all ages, whether they are long time viewers or newbies. Home and Away also seems to have had a "basic theme" running since the first episode (well it has from the very first episode i watched when i was younger) and it's now a part of the show's history. That's something i can't see with Neighbours.

The characters in Home and Away are more intriguing and the locations are beautiful and IMO there has never been a boring episode, although that's not to say there hasn't been any boring storlines. Compared to Neighbours, Home and Away has had more dramatic and emotional storylines that just make watching it more enojoyable. It has everything that a good show needs.

When I watch Neighbours I find that i'm usually watching it to kill time and for 6 O clock to roll around so that I can switch to Home and Away.

I think the channels that show the programs and the times they are shown at also impact people's opinions on them, which is a shame but understandable. However i'm sure that if Home and Away was shown at a slightly later time there would be more viewers and less editing taking place as well.

IMO Home and Away wins hands down!!!

[Inactive User]

I think Home and Away is better than Neighbours. My two favourite Aussie TV shows are Home and Away, McLeod's Daughters.

I don't watch much of Neighbours. I love Home and Away best because it's really interesting!

[Furzie]

When I read some of the comments of people on this thread about Neighbours I have reallly got a clue who or what they are talking about!

As far as I can remember, the last time I watched neighbours was when Harold came back from a chopper crash or something years after it happened and Helen Daniels had broke her leg or something? Anyone about to find out what year that was?

Think it could be early or mid 90's...

After that I just lost all interest and never began to miss the programme! I did however watch an episode when I had a day off work, in lunchtime aring at 1.40 on BBC1, only because daytime TV is so bad and there was nothing else. When watching it didnt do anything to make me want to watch again....even know this was the first time I had watched in years! (The credits and theme song are so bad)

HAA is by far the better programme, well scripted, acted, good storylines (most of the time) and all in all for me addictive! I also think HAA uses a lot of outdoor locations, that makes it seem more real and not false looking studios and props.

I suppose its what the individual likes, but for me HAA come out on top, even when compared to all the other British soaps I watch Haa religiously. Its kind of obivious that the only reason why Neighbours is still in production is because of the BBC and Britsh public, I fail to see its appeal, but as I have already said, if thats what you like then keep watching!

[alexx]

^^^^ Yeah that was 1996!

I used to really like Neighbours, and it has had some fantastic characters. I think some of you who haven’t seen it and don’t like it at all now, would enjoy it back in the early 90’s especially, and the 80’s. I think my fav era was 1990-1994 - it was much darker, serious, classier and adult.

It used to have a recurring theme, sorta, with the Robinsons and Ramsey’s, but once the Martin’s left it became a totally different kinda show… which, in a show about neighbours in a suburban street, is inevitable.

It’s moved with the times (but not in a positive way I don’t think), at a very slow pace, though that’s not very hard as it’s pretty basic. But these days I’ve just found myself really not bothered at all, I’ve lost interest in characters, the pace, and I just don’t like the way it’s being produced now in regards to its direction. I also don’t like how adult characters aren’t explored to their full potential – however, they seem to focus on them more than H&A does currently, which is a big up on H&A.

I have recently started watching again though, its ok, but nothing special. Considering I used to tape every episode back pre-1995, I can hardly believe it’s the same show at times. But there ‘disasters’ in recent years are terrible, and the acting is wooden – the sets are horrible, everyone looks really orange because the lighting is unrealistic and it all looks really ‘warehouse’ like – like you can tell its all shot in a studio…whereas H&A’s sets look like they are actually the inside of the exterior shots.

Having said all that, I always preferred Home and Away, and have remained constantly loyal to it – because it’s never bored me enough to switch off. Of course I get bored with certain storylines and episodes, and characters…but all in all, I watch because they always surprise me and it just generally has a much better format, that it is able to evolve as time goes by, and it does. I like the warmth from H&A, and it’s a lot more sentimental.

I don’t think you can compare Neighbours to H&A anyway, as they are two totally different kinda shows, that focus on really different storytelling and the direction is completely different. H&A is to be taken more seriously, and probably takes itself more seriously than Neighbours does (that’s the way it seems anyway), what with the music and all…I think its a much more emotional kinda show, whereas Neighbours is more easy-going and fake.

[Tony Fan]

I am from the UK and i used to totally love Neighbours but lately it has gone a little boring to many new characters.I totally love Home and Away it has everything for a soap opera it is on top form at the moment and from what i have read in the spoilers that is not going to change anytime soon.

[burr]

Karl had lice tonight. It was the funniest thing (partly for personal reasons ) The kids reaction was so spot on. Little gems like that are why I occasionally switch onto Neighbours; you never know what you might get.

[emmasi]

^The chicken's been entertaining me for weeks

[Shaun.]

Neighbours used to be my favourite out of the two, but now it's not. I love the storylines in H&A and the characters. At times Neighbours can be really boring. I also think Summer Bay is a lot nicer to look at than Ramsey Street.

[alexx]

Haha yeah I really liked the Lice storyline. It also reiterated to me how much screen time the adults do get, in their own right, in comparison to H&A. Karl and Susan especially have been written consistently well, even when the show has been more focused on the teens, they are my two favs in the show.