You won't believe this strange fan theory about annual 'disaster' storylines in Home and Away and Neighbours!
- Replies 9
The world of TV soaps has its fair share of gossip and intrigue on set and off. But sometimes, the fans come up with exciting discussions and theories that keep us hooked on our favourite soaps like Home and Away and Neighbours. These iconic Australian shows have been part of our lives for decades, and their dramatic storylines are just one of the many reasons we tune in every week.
Now a strange fan theory has emerged that may explain why these famous soaps seem to be drawn to their annual 'disaster' storylines. Every ratings season, it appears that good old Summer Bay faces a new catastrophe, and the fans have a hunch about why this keeps happening.
In a post on the popular industry blog Media Spy, an eagle-eyed fan said that soap producers might very well be inventing these 'disaster' storylines to justify giving their sets a makeover.
'All soapies have these dodgy storylines every year in order to have a new set built,' the fan said. 'I think they all have a set designer on the payroll.'
The clever fan theory continues: 'They're there to build sets. Hence why we have a school fire and a pub fire every few years in order to redo the pub and the school scenes. And every 10 years during any soapie revamp, is when the big storm/earthquake/bomb etc. to redo more than one set.'
The fan in question also referred to Neighbours' notorious 'tornado' storyline back in 2014, where the fictional Melbourne suburb found itself at the mercy of a ferocious storm.
Of course, theories being theories, another fan decided to laugh at the expense of the original idea and jokingly commented on how Home and Away consistently promotes its attractive male cast members.
'You forgot the biggest repeated dramatic storyline,' they began: 'three new shirtless brothers every three years!'
Whether these outrageous fan theories hold any truth or are just a bit of fun, there's no denying that Home and Away and Neighbours have captivated us with wild, suspenseful scenarios for years.
Since 1988, Home and Away has entertained viewers with no less than 23 murders in the otherwise idyllic Summer Bay, a small neighbourhood with a population of under 400. That's an astonishingly high homicide rate! The town has also faced pyromaniacs, cyclones, and various other disasters.
So, why have soaps maintained such a stronghold in our homes and hearts? It turns out, an untold truth is that much of the popularity of soaps is due to clever ratings strategies and carefully crafted storylines catered to the changing needs and expectations of the audience.
Producers have long tweaked the formats of soaps by introducing recurring villains, classic showdowns and overly dramatic storylines just in time for the ratings season—and this isn’t a new phenomenon.
Network executives have since discovered the perfect formula to capture the attention of their audience—thrilling storylines featuring classic elements that viewers have come to expect. As audiences have grown and changed over the years, so have the storylines. Producers have responded to this and are now able to tailor storylines to current trends and changes in society.
It's evident that as long as soaps continue to deliver intriguing, sensational, and drama-filled storylines, our television screens will undoubtedly witness a growing affinity for them.
So, as we delve into the intriguing realm of soap operas, we'd love to hear your perspective. What are your thoughts? Do you believe soap producers intentionally leverage annual catastrophes to add excitement to their sets, or do you think it's primarily the necessary drama that keeps us, the viewers, engrossed in the shows? Share your opinion with us—we're eager to hear your take on it!
Now a strange fan theory has emerged that may explain why these famous soaps seem to be drawn to their annual 'disaster' storylines. Every ratings season, it appears that good old Summer Bay faces a new catastrophe, and the fans have a hunch about why this keeps happening.
In a post on the popular industry blog Media Spy, an eagle-eyed fan said that soap producers might very well be inventing these 'disaster' storylines to justify giving their sets a makeover.
A fan theory explains why soaps like Home and Away and Neighbours embrace their 'disaster' storylines. Here's a scene from the new season of Home and Away. Source: Apple TV
'All soapies have these dodgy storylines every year in order to have a new set built,' the fan said. 'I think they all have a set designer on the payroll.'
The clever fan theory continues: 'They're there to build sets. Hence why we have a school fire and a pub fire every few years in order to redo the pub and the school scenes. And every 10 years during any soapie revamp, is when the big storm/earthquake/bomb etc. to redo more than one set.'
The fan in question also referred to Neighbours' notorious 'tornado' storyline back in 2014, where the fictional Melbourne suburb found itself at the mercy of a ferocious storm.
Of course, theories being theories, another fan decided to laugh at the expense of the original idea and jokingly commented on how Home and Away consistently promotes its attractive male cast members.
'You forgot the biggest repeated dramatic storyline,' they began: 'three new shirtless brothers every three years!'
Whether these outrageous fan theories hold any truth or are just a bit of fun, there's no denying that Home and Away and Neighbours have captivated us with wild, suspenseful scenarios for years.
Since 1988, Home and Away has entertained viewers with no less than 23 murders in the otherwise idyllic Summer Bay, a small neighbourhood with a population of under 400. That's an astonishingly high homicide rate! The town has also faced pyromaniacs, cyclones, and various other disasters.
A Look Into TV Ratings and Audience Expectations
Home and Away and Neighbours have both been on air for over 30 years and have become ingrained in Australian culture—a cultural phenomenon that continues to captivate audiences around the world. And despite the ever changing face of entertainment, both soaps are still going strong.So, why have soaps maintained such a stronghold in our homes and hearts? It turns out, an untold truth is that much of the popularity of soaps is due to clever ratings strategies and carefully crafted storylines catered to the changing needs and expectations of the audience.
Producers have long tweaked the formats of soaps by introducing recurring villains, classic showdowns and overly dramatic storylines just in time for the ratings season—and this isn’t a new phenomenon.
Network executives have since discovered the perfect formula to capture the attention of their audience—thrilling storylines featuring classic elements that viewers have come to expect. As audiences have grown and changed over the years, so have the storylines. Producers have responded to this and are now able to tailor storylines to current trends and changes in society.
It's evident that as long as soaps continue to deliver intriguing, sensational, and drama-filled storylines, our television screens will undoubtedly witness a growing affinity for them.
So, as we delve into the intriguing realm of soap operas, we'd love to hear your perspective. What are your thoughts? Do you believe soap producers intentionally leverage annual catastrophes to add excitement to their sets, or do you think it's primarily the necessary drama that keeps us, the viewers, engrossed in the shows? Share your opinion with us—we're eager to hear your take on it!
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