H & A Needs To Move Into The 21st Century

[Red Ranger 1]

I remember one of Sally's boyfriends using a variation of "bitch"(in reference to Pippa, of all people). It's one of those words that I'm afraid I've stopped noticing so I'm not sure if they still do it.

They clearly haven't relaxed the "rape" embargo.This year Aden's abuse and Melody's assault were both discussed in very vague terms and when we were told what Henk did to Rachel there was a word missing.I remember I genuinely didn't know Chloe had been raped back in the day, I assumed she'd got away from him because I thought if she had been they'd have said so.It wasn't until the Dani/Kane storyline that I realised they wouldn't.It was ironic that at the time Channel 5 were partnering the show with Family Affairs which brilliantly mocked such sanitised euphemisms:"I wasn't attacked, I was raped.It doesn't make it any better if you don't say it."

The first time I raised an eyebrow at a bedroom scene was Kirsty and Kane after the recommitment ceremony:I think it was the first time I'd seen two characters in "modesty clothing".I got used to it after that.At least until we saw Cassie and Macca sharing a bath.

Same sex relationships:That's something else they've never got right.Even when Gypsy kissed another girl the camera cut away.And then we had Lucas deciding Dean was gay because he saw him hugging another boy.Yeah, cos no-one else in Summer Bay is that tactile.If they are going to have another go, I hope they do it right rather than it just being tokenism.

They did actually have a black regular back in the 90s although she wasn't there for long and they ended up killing her.And significantly, she wasn't Australian.Had a couple of disabled guest characters. Actually, the black girl ended up dating a guy in a wheelchair.Now there's an equal opportunities relationship...

[Laura]

Same sex relationships:That's something else they've never got right.Even when Gypsy kissed another girl the camera cut away.And then we had Lucas deciding Dean was gay because he saw him hugging another boy.Yeah, cos no-one else in Summer Bay is that tactile.If they are going to have another go, I hope they do it right rather than it just being tokenism.

I know Shannon had a relationship with Mandy back in 1997/1998 something like that but I never watched it then so I don't know if it was shown that they kissed. Can anyone tell me if they saw them kiss or didn't they show that?

[solaris]

Running with the same-sex storyline is...to be expected - pressure/anti-discrimination groups anyone?

That said, they are going to have to be very careful in how they do any 'intimate' scenes (including an obvious kiss) otherwise they may run into broadcast issues (in the UK, H&A isn't just shown in a PG time slot, it also has a midday slot and a morning/early afternoon omnibus on the w/e - I'm not sure if this is the case in Oz). There are enough people with very traditional views who watch the show to kick up a stink, if this issue is given the same clarity as a boy/girl relationship.

[Red Ranger 1]

Same sex relationships:That's something else they've never got right.Even when Gypsy kissed another girl the camera cut away.And then we had Lucas deciding Dean was gay because he saw him hugging another boy.Yeah, cos no-one else in Summer Bay is that tactile.If they are going to have another go, I hope they do it right rather than it just being tokenism.

I know Shannon had a relationship with Mandy back in 1997/1998 something like that but I never watched it then so I don't know if it was shown that they kissed. Can anyone tell me if they saw them kiss or didn't they show that?

No, we didn't see them kiss.In fact, we were never even told they were in a relationship, it was all implied.It's possible ITV edited it, they used to do it in those days, but from what I hear it wasn't much better in Australia.The closest we got was Shannon admitting she used to have "a bit of a crush" on Mandy.

Regarding the timeslot in the UK, we've had same sex kisses in Neighbours and the UK soaps have omnibus screenings at all hours of the day and no-one feels the need to cut anything out.

[solaris]

Edited out...I'm in a lousy mood but that diatribe wasn't fair.

[Red Ranger 1]

Um, sorry, if I in any way contributed to your bad mood or said anything you felt worthy of a diatribe.I can be a bit too flippant for my own and other people's good at times.

[solaris]

Um, sorry, if I in any way contributed to your bad mood or said anything you felt worthy of a diatribe.I can be a bit too flippant for my own and other people's good at times.

You weren't responsible...that crown goes to my new office mate (see have a moan section)

[Psychic Wombat]

They did actually have a black regular back in the 90s although she wasn't there for long and they ended up killing her.And significantly, she wasn't Australian.

lol. Well, that must have put the equal rights struggle back several years!

Hmm, actually I don't think the word bitch is a bad word, when I was a kid the vet used to refer to our family dog as a bitch. I think kids hear much worse in the playground (well they do here in the UK at any rate). Most soaps have a gay character who usually makes a huge issue of his sexuality like he's the only one in the world. I'm glad HA in avoiding this stereotyping, it gets really tedious after a while. Lets keep the show firmly in the 70's which judging by the clothing it firmly is :-)

[alexx]

Yeah but was your family dog a female?

They used to have a recurring/guest Aboriginal character in the early 90's, and I dont think there was a stereotyping at all.

They also had the Aboriginal teacher in 1999, and imo it was a really bittersweet storyline, focusing on the 'stolen generation' issue - the show handled it really sensitively and it was quite an emotional storyline. It had Carter, the investigator of the day facing up to apart of his past he wasn't proud of, taking the teacher (when he was a kid) away from his mother on the beach, including flashback sequences! Hayley started off racist towards him until Irene screamed at her never to call him an ''Abo'' in this house ever again.

I think I said it earlier, but I would love the show to have a permanent Aboriginal character!

[thejefferies]

They need better student storylines more than anything, all we've been getting is repeat's of Ric Dalby and other bullies. Other than that, it's just tests. They need a couple of kids to join the footy team, cause something positive to happen.