News
Australian Soap "Neighbours" Set To Debut In U.S. Via Hulu!
The long-running and ever popular Aussie soap opera Neighbours is coming to audiences in the U.S via a new online distribution deal via its new platform Hulu and Hulu Plus starting on Monday, July 14th. In its new home, new episodes will post Monday through Friday and will air four weeks after their initial Australian broadcast. Neighbours follows the residents of Ramsay Street in the fictional borough of Erinsborough, who deal with the challenges and issues that ordinary people face every day.
The U.S. premiere week will include a guest appearance by actress and singer Paula Abdul. In the Friday, July 18th episode, Abdul visits Ramsay Street to drop in on Doctor Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher), who admits to a crush on the former American Idol judge – much to the surprise of his wife, Susan (Jackie Woodburne).
“Neighbours provides a delicious daily dose of Australian sunshine to soap-opera fans, and thanks to Hulu, we’re coming to the U.S. at a perfect entry point for first-time viewers,” said Jeff Siegel, VP Digital Distribution and Home Entertainment at FremantleMedia. “The drama, the excitement and the intrigue are all wonderfully accessible to anyone eager to get hooked on the compelling storylines of Australia’s longest-running scripted television series.”
Neighbours was first broadcast in Australia in 1985 and has since had over 6,900 episodes produced. The series is produced by FremantleMedia Australia and distributed globally by FremantleMedia International.
Watch the new Hulu major promo teaser for Neighbours after the jump! Will Neighbours be a success five days a week, after Prospect Park’s All My Children and One Life to Live tried to do so and then pulled back on their daily episodes ? Are you excited that Hulu is adding another soap to its line-up? Have you always wanted to check out Neighbours and looking forward to checking it out? Let us know!
Heres where soapnet made a mistake…they or another cable channel like tvgn should show these foriegn soaps…im addicted to Coronation Street…the characters are down to earth working class people who look and act just like your own family, friends and neighbors(ok, that can be a bit scarey at times…lol) but they have intelligent character driven plots we all can relate to where no one comes back from the dead or vistited by aliens or possessed by the devil…more lifelike but still fun and entertaining escapism!!!
THIS! Coronation Street is in another league from our U.S. soaps. No repetitive storylines, no absurd soap cliches, and the stories actually MOVE…what a concept! They have no qualms about major characters being killed off, or making them the “bad guy” and sending them off to prison for their crimes. It keeps the story fresh to turn over the cast this way, rather than “killing” characters on U.S. soaps only to have them return from the dead at some point, making a throwaway fringe character the culprit in murders etc., and/or never having characters pay for their crimes (Sonny, anyone?). It’s refreshing to watch quick moving character driven stories rather than an endless marathon of plot points strung together with no regard for character history, etc. Thankfully, Corrie has pretty much ruined U.S. soaps for me, so I’m looking forward to checking out Neighbours.
Coronation Street is my no.1 soap…
@Jimh(leave it to beaver)…I was joking around with you on your other post and posted what I thought about this under a GH post so now i’ll say it again. I wholeheartedly agree with you on this one. Once cable really got rolling and BBC America and PBS gave us EastEnders not long after it’s debut and gave it to us for years and years I fell in love with the realistic take on soaps from the Brits. Then came HollyOaks, Waterloo Road, Coronation Street and I haven’t stopped since. The past year into this year was block busters for Emmerdale with Cameron killing two major characters and holding the Woolpak hostage and finally Marlon,Debbie and Chas. EastEnders with the most powerful performances from Ian EVER finding out Lucy had been murdered. These shows are so addicting year after year and had Ellen Wheeler truly been allowed to work out her vision in the last years of GL I really feel it would have usurped Y&R. But people will always love cheesy sets and fake weather and over the top stories for whatever reason. That being said…Neighbors can be a bit slow and plodding at too many times so I wish they had brought of the two Aussie soaps..Home and Away. Which played here and hooked me but it was snatched off the air after a while. Still a great show. Why on earth are they giving us the show that gave us the Colleen Carlton replacement of Tammin Sursok and now the Kate character most recently killed off to be a new character on B&B?? That’s too bad because this show does NOT stack up to Corrie and HollyOaks and actually makes you WANT our more over the top shows. Down in the dumps Sue Kennedy??? For real HULU??? I don’t know.
Yes, Ellen Wheeler needed more time with GL…it slowly started to feel like those British soaps and had it been given another year or two it wouldve hit no.1 of all U.S. soaps…i started to watch again and had high hopes for it…but now i have Corrie and never miss an episode!!!
Ellen needed a good head writer. Her vision for GL would never be realized, otherwise, and it wasn’t in the time she had. I could say more, but I won’t. In the end, GL had good, even some great characters, but no really great stories IMO. If the stories had been really good (not even great), I could have looked past everything else that was a bit off. I’ll just say I believe Ellen had good intentions.
Aside from Jonathan and Tammy (esp her untimely and tragic death), there’s not one SL I remember from GL during this time, except the ending. Even when stories seemed promising, they just went nowhere . . . Sadly, I believe it could have worked if it had been written so well that it was mind-blowingly good.
I have to kick myself. I must be exhausted from work! Otalia! I did enjoy them and they will ALWAYS be memorable. I agree with Jimh and others in thinking that if GL had embraced storytelling more like Brit soaps (or Aussie), it may have had a real chance at surviving cancellation. Now I need a rest! Bye guys!
Yay! This is great news. I love Neighbours. Too bad they can’t make the entire series available. Helen Daniels and all were so much fun in the beginning. I have been watching the soap from the episode one, but I will watch concurrent with the new episodes. I hope they’ll get Home & Away, too. Sons and Daughters and Prisoner would be awesome additions as well. A Country Practice is quirky but fun. I own about 200 episodes of Number 96 (I wish there were more that survived, not sure there were). I also love Coronation Street and Hollyoaks (both on Hulu). Eastenders is also great; it appears on PBS in the States. Jimh is right. Foreign soaps are awesome. Hulu is becoming THE place for soaps! I had been waiting for this news; I have been telling others Hulu should be getting Neighbours and/or Home & Away. Just great!
Good to hear another Corrie fan…i love the humor of Steve, Norris, Mary, David, Roy,…the gang at the factor, Rovers Return, and Streetcars…i love everything about this show and the realism in its storylines…the funerals are grim and realistic they make you want to cry along with the characters…and the dead stay dead…great mix of young and old characters who are always interesting everyday i look forward to Rita, Dennis(who i hear is leaving again, Gail, David, Kylie, Nick, Fiz, Deidre…the list goes on…i know Rob and Peter are leaving at the end of the year but Ken is returning…the great stories of serial killer Richard Hillman who tried to drown wife Gail and her children by driving the car in the canal to the shows 50th anniversary with the club explosion and tram crash to Tinas murder(i will miss that character)…i cant praise this show enough…ITS THE BEST…wish American soaps took lessons from the British on how to produce and write a great soap!!!
I hated that Tina was killed. I really liked her, esp when she supported Ty and Fiz during Kirstie’s going off the rails. She was a great friend. Guess the writers had run out of SL for her. BTW I have been watching Corrie for years. I bought several of the box sets years ago and watched episodes from the beginning. My favorite era is late 1970s (considered a Golden Era) and early 1980s (although they lost greats like Pat Phoenix among many others during that time.) I loved Elsie; Hilda is one of my all-time fave soap characters; Annie Walker could shred you with just a few words; Bet Lynch was always a hoot and quite the diva. I loved when she and Lucy put on the shows at the Rovers! If you care to share, what other International soaps do you watch? Any I listed. Eastenders is amazing. I also watch New Zealand soap Shortland Street.
@MattsPlace how how how could you even not MENTION ENA SHARPLES and that iron helmet hair net. A poor Phoebe Tyler. LOL.
LMAO…Milk stout…Iron hairnet..and scathing words…Now see here Ellllseh Tannuh…LOL
Some of those characters like Bet and Hilda…i loved those too…Ena Sharples was also fun to watch as well as Curly, The Duckworths…Ashley Peackcock..i miss hearing his voice…i remember Brian and his mother and Brians shocking murder outside some club…John Stape was also an interesting character and i liked him with Fiz…hope they dont kill off Tyrone…hear he is in some sort of accident…enjoyed the Dennis, Rita and Gloria triangle…wish Stella was still around…i dont think they ran out of story for Tina…what ive heared the actress wanted to quit but i do miss her …enjoy David in scenes with Gail…David is still a brat…i watched Corrie from the 80s but briefly stopped in 1997 after my mother and so many other family members and friends passed away then during the late 99 started to watch again…and more regularly during the Richard Hillman storyline…the show helped me cope as i continue to loose so many family members and friends…didnt mean to talk about it but sometimes it helps…now i hear Rob is leaving and i hate to see him go…Rob and Tracy are soooooo perfect together…well, as for other foreign soaps, the only one i get in my area is Corrie…years ago someone showed Eastenders and i liked it before it disappeared from my viewing area…Prisoner Cell Block H is a good serialized series about a womans prison i watched back in the 80s…for the last few months ive caught episodes online of the others you mention and i liked them but n i havent really followed them as id like too at the moment…ive been writing to several cable cos to pick them up…but i guess hulu is the only place for them at the moment…i wish some cable channel would air them so others can enjoy them and see how wonderful they are!!!
@jimh, I didn’t know the actress wanted out. Too bad. I’ll miss her, too. Prisoner is fantastic. Sons and Daughters is online, too. Check it out. You may like it, if you haven’t seen it. SAD (as it’s known) is cnsidered one of the best soaps ever, it has a classic setup if families, one working class, one wealthy and both connected forever. Great stuff. I also watch Crossroads, but I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Corrie is the Grande Dame of Soaps, Eastenders is close behind. Pauline and Dot are classic! I’ll watch Neighbours (already watch classic episodes).
@ dav, I didn’t forget Ena Sharples. There are just too many to mention. Ena is truly unforgettable!!! Rita’s always a fave, too, loved her sparring with the very conservative (but involved with a married man) Mavis (enjoy the actress on the sitcom Dinnerladies, too.) BTW When Annie Walker gave Bet some of “her” clothes after Bet was burgled, I thought I’d split my sides laughing!
@jimh, I will forever be surprised at how Vera Duckworth grew on me over many, many episodes and I just loved watching her. No offense to the actress, but the “clown” wig (I sincerely hope that wasn’t her real hair!) was a bit off putting at first, but her personality and skill as an actress made her real and comical beyond the “wig”! Jack was a hoot, too. I really enjoyed them separately and as a couple.
Loved your replies especially about Vera…and your right about her hair…whats funny and ironic about that i just recently had a garage sale with a box of Halloween costumes and several wigs…one looked like Vera’s hair now that you mention it except for it was red…kind of wish now that i kept it!!! As, for Ena Sharples, i had always wished Coronation Street had done a spinoff period drama about Coronation Street in the early 1900s and featured Ena in her youth…i wouldve loved that!!!
You’re right about the period drama. I concur. As for Vera, she was interesting, a real character, the type of character(s) American soaps have been trying to get away from for years. Not many “realistic” characters on American soaps but lots of model types. I enjoy seeing people who look like they could be real people who live next door or down the street. BTW the way, Jimh, I’m glad you tossed that wig! LOL If you get a chance, do check out Sons and Daughters on the Y channel, it’s a rare gem. Dinnerladies is a hoot! (a younger Sunita and several Corrie actresses were in that). Great sitcom. Catch you later.
Foreign soaps are much more real. American soaps have gone way off the rails and that’s why there are only four left. Even the actors are having a hard time delivering the drivel they are forced to spout. When an actor uses the same tone of voice whether he is saying “My wife who was in a coma for 20 years is alive.” Or saying “Hi how are you?” There is a big problem.
YEP…
I’m excited about this; I like that the U.S. are getting more international soap operas. I hope this partnership works out!
Sorry, but Neighbours is awful, in the 80’s it was superb, now it’s just crap.
News
Nathan Fillion Recalls Best Advice for a Soap Opera Tag on ‘What What Happens Live’ with Andy Cohen
Nathan Fillion, who stars on ABC’s The Rookie, which was officially renewed for its ninth season, and who began his television career on One Life to Live as Joey Buchanan from 1994-1997 was the guest along with actress Geena Davis on Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live on Bravo.
During their conversation, Cohen who is a big fan of soap operas himself, especially All My Children asked Fillion about the incredible pace of acting on a soap. Fillion reflected, “It is extreme acting at a pace that you cannot fathom, and I’m told even since then it’s gotten faster and faster.” The Llanview alum added, “There are very soap operas left. I was in it just as they were starting to decline.”
However, in the buzzworthy moment that has made it to social media, Fillion shared, “I learned one very important thing. We were talking about that slow closeup at the end of a scene,” also referred to as the tag. So, “I complained about how long that closeup was like, “What am I supposed to do?”

Photo: ABC
THREE FACES OF A SOAP OPERA TAG
Fillion recalled, “A lovely man named Michael Knight (ex-Tad Martin) from All My Children (now Martin Grey on GH), I complained about (it to and) how long that closeup was, like, ‘What am I supposed to do?’ He said, ‘You need to make three faces.” Now Fillion made the faces associated with these thoughts in front of Cohen and Geena Davis, while looking straight to the camera. “They are: ‘Did I leave the stove on?’ ‘I did leave the stove on!’ ‘No, I turned the stove off.’ Works for every scene!”

Photo: ABC
ONE LIFE TO LIVE LEADING LADIES
Later, Cohen asked about the leading ladies he got the opportunity to work with on One Life to Live, and mentioned, then Nathan’s on-screen mother, Erika Slezak (Viki), and then Nathan’s on-screen lover Robin Strasser (Dorian).
Nathan explained, “I was in between Erika Slezak and Robin Strasser – the matriarch of the show, the villain of the show, I was torn between them. It was the perfect position to be in. I had a fantastic time.”
You can catch the moments where Nathan and Andy talk about Fillion’s time as Joey Buchanan on One Life to Live below beginning at the 3:08 mark.
So, what did you think of advice Michael Knight gave to Nathan to help him cue into the looks of a soap opera tag at the end of a scene? Did you love the story which saw Joey torn between the love for his mother, and the passionate affair with an older woman, Viki’s nemesis, Dorian Lord? Let us know via the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Knew He Hit the ‘Jackpot’ With New Role as Joe Fitzpatrick
First-look photos of Jonathan Bennett’s new General Hospital role of PCPD officer Joe Fitzpatrick have been released, given GH fans a glimpse of what’s to come when the character makes his debut on Monday’s upcoming May 18 episode.
Bennett is coming home to ABC soap operas, after beginning his career as All My Children’s JR Chandler some 25 years ago. The actor/host/producer shared that returning to the rigors of a daytime drama was not on his “bingo” card. However, the minute he heard about the role, there was no question in his mind, he was going to go in, read for it, and make it his!
In preview of his upcoming debut, Jonathan spoke with TV Insider, where he detailed his feelings on playing Joe, “I feel like I hit the jackpot when this opportunity came because the character is something that I really wanted to play. I’ve never read something where I was like, ‘I have to do it,’ and when I read this, I called my agent and said, ‘I’m playing this character.’”
KNEW THIS ROLE WAS FOR ME
Confident that he would nab the role, he clearly was the choice of GH executive producer Frank Valentini too, with whom, Bennett shared is one of the reasons he couldn’t wait to step into the world of Port Charles, “I was very excited to work with the best of the best, like Frank Valentini. He’s a legend.”
The Hallmark Channel and Food Network staple also shared that once his casting was announced, the reaction he received, doubled-down his decision that being on General Hospital and playing Joe Fitzpatrick was the right move at this time in his career and his life.
“The outpouring of love from just the announcement made me really emotional. I was driving home, talking to my husband, and I started having tears roll down my face. It just feels so good to go somewhere where you’re so loved and you feel so supported before you even start. It felt like a weight was taken off my shoulders. I just was like, ‘Oh, this is exactly where I’m supposed to be.’”

Courtesy/ABC
PREVIEW CLIP
In an exclusive clip released to PEOPLE.com on Friday, May 15, GH fans can get their first real glimpse of Bennett in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick. In the scene at the PCPD, Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna) asks, “Hey, dispatcher. What’s the story with this arrest?” To which Joe responds, “A call came in from the maître d’ at the Metro Court and he said there was some sort of argument, scuffle happening in the gardens and was concerned things were going to escalate and patrons would get injured. When we got there, it was obvious, things had escalated.”
That exchange leaves General Hospital fans wondering who was in the scuffle? Stay tuned.
So, will Dante put Joe on the case to help keep his son Rocco remain in the clear from shooting Cullum? Will Joe be a good guy, or could he be implanted at the PCPD by Sidwell or Cullum? What about the role that Jonathan Bennett read initially, do you think made it something that he really wanted to play? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.
News
B&B Alum Lisa Yamada in Production on New Film, ‘My Boyfriend Is A Demon’
On recent episodes of The Bold and the Beautiful, Dylan (Sydney Bullock) gave herself and the audience quite a scare when it seemed like Luna had popped out from behind the clothing rack and revealed herself to be alive. Only it was a fakeout to B&B viewers, when it turned out not to be Luna, but Remy Pryce (Christian Weissmann) donning a long black wig.
However, there is news about the actress who played the real Luna, Lisa Yamada. The Daytime Emmy winner is busy shooting another film role and this time the movie is already in production,
Yamada is part of the ensemble cast of My Boyfriend Is A Demon that also features notable and newcomers including: Mattias Ferrell (A Very Jonas Christmas Movie), Bailey Sloan (Ragamuffin), Jack Champion (Avatar), Ever Anderson (Peter Pan & Wendy), Vinnie Hacker (Euphoria), Josephine Reitman, David Arquette (Scream), Rosanna Arquette (The Moment), Coco Arquette (Cougar Town), Savannah Lee Smith (Tinsel Town), and Ty Law (Friday Night Lights).

Photo: LYamadaIG
My Boyfriend Is A Demon is written and directed by mishka. In the story, Mary, a lonely, small-town girl who, in an effort to gain the acceptance and friendship of her peers, creates a ‘finsta’ account for a nonexistent, seemingly perfect guy, appearing to be her boyfriend. After apparently manifesting a little too hard, her new beau suddenly shows up at her door. The film is executive produced by Verdi Productions. Ketchup Entertainment and Kinolime.
In a statement, Verdi Productions’ President, Chad A. Verdi, shared with Deadline, “This cast is a perfect balance of veterans from major studio franchises such as Scream and Avatar alongside exciting emerging talent poised to become the next generation of movie stars. mishka’s script connects with young audiences in a way that feels fresh, authentic, and culturally relevant. From the cast to the department heads, there’s been a real sense of fearlessness and creative energy throughout production — the kind of collaboration you always hope to find on a film like this.”
If and when Luna ever returns to The Bold and the Beautiful alive and well remains to be seen. But. as discussed in Michael Fairman TV’s recent interview with Yamada on the red carpet at the BBTV app launch party, Lisa will soon be seen in this summer’s highly-anticipated Prime Video Legally Blonde prequel Elle. Lisa touted My Boyfriend Is a Demon on her Instagram Story.
So, intrigued to see Lisa in My Boyfriend Is A Demon when it’s released? Do you think at some point soon, Luna will for sure pop up and be alive and well and planning revenge on the Spencers and Dylan? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
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