j.laur5

I hated how producers didn’t bring back Pippa's parents for an episode as it just shows how the PTB at the time had little interest in older characters.

Sally had three weddings but two ended at the altar.!

I actually like Pippa most durning 1996-1998 as we just seemed to really get in touch with Pippa character in her unhappiness in Bay and still trying to be best mum she can be to kids and I am not saying I like Pippa being unhappy and she wasn’t unhappy whole time after Michael death but just made Pippa such real character in being fed with life in Bay. But I do hate to think how fed up Pippa would be if she stayed other ten or twenty. But unfortunately her last episode was badly written as we didn’t even get proper goodbye screen with Sally and all we got was Pippa given Sally kiss as if she would be back in couple days. I think we very lucky Pippa came back many times and I can understand why she’s hasn’t returned since her main reason for returning was due to Sally and if Sally had stayed I think she would kept on returning more and if Sally had left earlier we probably wouldn’t of had as many Pippa returns.

Only people that seemed to not get annoyed with Colleen were Ailsa, Max and Leah in early days.

Colleen is a character thats grown on me over years as one those characters gives show are big influence like all other mainstay characters despite not getting lot huge storylines as used be rather indifferent too Colleen. I think Colleen could better written character if PTB had put more effort into her character as unfortunately her character was just too silly and even more silly form around 2004. Lyn Collingwood i think was fine actress when she was given something decent to work with like her breast cancer storyline and her long lost daughter and episode when they thought Alf and Colleen were getting married was one of most funny episodes ever and i really think actors were generally laughing in episode. Colleen was decent lady deep down but she had her manly flaws such as Colleen could be bully at times giving people hard time like Gypsy and Marilyn in 2010 and not caring about people feelings and spreading rumors about people.

Rachel and Leah always were suppose to be childhood best friends and yet is so funny on how Leah never mention her on screen before Rachel arrive and Leah already be on show for six years before Rachel arrive and Leah never mention her again in ten years since she left. I remember Leah talking to Rachel in her first episode about Vinnie being in witness protection as thought they only just sure each other yesterday. Okay in fairness i guest most characters are not normally mention ever again once they leave and it wasn't really need plot wise for Leah to mention her friends before she moved to bay.

But thing is if everything was fine with Bella and Colby could cope then there wouldn’t be storyline’!.

I hope Martha gets some scenes away from Alf and her own storyline’s .

I think if Celia had stayed long term they probably would have made her a more well rounded character and taken in couple teens and I think if she was still around in 1999 they probably would not bought back Colleen as regular as you really only need have one those type of characters as regular. But unfortunately I think reason why producers were more interested in younger characters in 90s was because they thought more younger people would watch it as you just had to look at what made Neighbours such great ratings winner once it move ten was teenage couple Scott and Charlene and I guess they thought if want to be ratings winner we need to do same at that’s why moved most of tension to younger characters. By no means I am saying older characters were completely annoyed. But I mean Pippa and Michael and Alf and Alisa were relevant as parents characters and then Donald being principal and later Irene would parent character and other home to teens. Whereas characters like Neville and Floss and Morag were axed because they weren’t relevant characters in direction they wanted to take show. And guess that explains why they didn’t replace Celia with a new older female character as at time other older female character wasn’t relevant due to direction show was taken.

But Colby is only young himself and he basically is no more mature than most people his age in real life especially when dealing with a very mentally troubled young girl.

I guess the closest thing Ailsa had to a storyline during 1990-1995 was respecting Alf was having affair at one stage with Meg mum and fighting to stop Morag taking Sam after Bobby death. Closet storyline Celia had after she come back form her holiday in Europe was clearing Morag house and thinking it was hunted after Emma and Viv making it scary and running hot dog stand with Martin and Lance.

In this interview Fiona confirms it was her choice to leave as she wanted to move back to Melbourne after show was going go longer then two years . So sounds like she was only planning on staying for couple of years as they all thought that’s how long it will last. That’s probably why Celia wast given much to do in her last year as they knew Fiona was not going be remaining for too much longer. Its shame as show really was lacking older characters after Celia left. I think they should of gotten other actress who was based in Sydney to play Celia as that way at least we might of Celia had for longer. I know people have said Celia run her course but only reason why she run her course because PTB wouldn’t give her storyline’s or much character development. I truly believe Celia as well as Neville and Floss and Morag has potential to stay longer but unfortunately they just didn’t use them to there full potential or give them proper character development .

Since Carly left episode on Pippa and Michael wedding who was looking after kids while Michael and Pippa were on there honeymoon?.

It's a shame because I would have preferred to keep on to Carly for a couple more years instead of getting Lucinda.

Both Vanessa and Debra did interviews a couple of years ago in New Idea around 30th anniversary and both said they have fond memory of show and both have soft spot for Kate Richie. Given Vanessa has done couple reunions with original cast on tv show where they are now ten years ago and New Idea it sounds like Vanessa still holds something to H&A and Pippa. When comes to acting on TV show and even more so on iconic show that makes you look more fondly to talk about it due to it making you Household name as i say thats what both actress are most know for. Debra said that she would return as guest but not as regular due to living in Melbourne but sadly theres not really lot reason for Pippa to return as most her returns involved Sally. Just like to add Debra said she misses more family stories but she never said she was against more dramatic stories and she understands why show needed to become more dramatic as no one wants to watch anything too simple at 7 pm anymore. But if they were to bring Pippa back in show it no doubt be Debra they asked and fair enough to given she hold role for much longer and its like if they bought back Hayley it be no doubt be Bec that would return and if they bought Alisa back in some way it no doubt be Judy playing her and only way Vanessa would return be ether new character or if they wanted Pippa back full time and Debra declined to return and they asked . Vanessa to return. of course i do realise both actress have move on to other things in life and H&A move on form Pippa days.

It's a shame Vanessa Downing never had a proper interview on her views on H&A, the reasons for leaving, her feeling on being recast after and if she ever was sorry she didn't stay longer. . But when Vanessa has done interviews with reunions with the original cast on TV show where they are now and did interview in new idea with Debra she was not asked any questions on Subject.

Oh did she?.

Same can be said about Summer Bay House as Alf let so many people move in since Sally left.

Were both Carly and Steve axed in 1991?.

That Martha is still alive.

Ruth said to Alf you didn’t stop to think tell Ailsa or one of you sisters and Alf mention that Ruth gave Ailsa hell at first . I think Ailsa probably most mentioned past oringal character.

Yes she has but briefly!.

But you can’t fix someone with Alzheimer’s though so it be hard to keep someone long term with it and not only that but I think Irene too young to get Alzheimer’s.

Finding out her Mum alive and becoming teacher.

Since Marilyn and John broken up it feels much like we have old Marilyn and actually I wouldn’t might it if they broke them up for good as just feels like both characters have more room to spared out there wigs. A year ago Marilyn and John were feeling like Tony and Rachel were ten years ago when fans were saying that it felt like they had run their course.