Neighbors
Sex: a crazy history
What is the connection between Frank Sinatra, Status Quo and Melbourne’s Ramsay Street? Answer: We wished them all a fond farewell and a happy retirement, but discovered they were only going away for a weekend.
Neighbors (Amazon Freevee) returned yesterday, just over a year after its supposed last-ever episode, with tantalizing hints of drama and a daring surprise at the end.
If you haven’t checked out Amazon’s free streaming channel yet, here’s a spoiler warning. The twist is worth the wait, if only for the sheer cheek. Read on at your own risk.
Neighbors (Amazon Freevee) returned yesterday, just over a year after its supposed last-ever episode
Jackie Woodburne (as Susan Kennedy) in the revival of Australian soap Neighbours, which launched with a host of famous faces
For our first glimpse of the new Byron Stone (Big Brother Australia star Xavier Molyneux replaces Joe Klocek), the camera actually lingered over his hotel name badge. He is pictured with Mischa Barton as Reece Sinclair.
If you haven’t yet watched Neighbors on Amazon’s free streaming channel, here’s a spoiler warning. The twist is worth the wait, if only for sheer cheek (pictured features Annie Jones as Jane Harris and Guy Pearce as Mike Young)
For new viewers, the show went to great lengths to introduce the characters.
“Can I have a little more of my sister,” said hotelier Paul Robinson, when Lucy Robinson first appeared, “and a little less of the head of Lassiters Worldwide.”
For our first glimpse of the new Byron Stone (Big Brother Australia star Xavier Molyneux replaces Joe Klocek), the camera actually lingered over his hotel name badge.
He was immediately immersed in a promising storyline. Asked to show a glamorous new guest named Reece to her room, Byron offered a very personal line in room service.
But what is Reece actually doing in Erinsborough, which is hardly a tourist attraction? And why was she so reluctant to take a call from her father?
There’s also a mysterious new family in Ramsay Street, the Varga-Murphys, whose son JJ seems extremely interested in the area’s history.
But the big storyline was the wedding. We were sure Terese was the bride, but she clearly had doubts. Paul didn’t seem too sure about the wedding either as he kept staring off into space, always a giveaway on soaps.
So it seemed that Paul and Terese, who had previously been married, would be reunited: until Toadie took his place next to the bride. Yes, the same Toadie who married Melanie in that famous final episode. It’s clearly been a busy time on Ramsay Street.
Never has a show been more appropriately named than Sex: A Bonkers History (Sky History).
Crazy? It was completely doolally.
One moment, presenter Amanda Holden was peeking through a keyhole and imagining Henry VIII enjoying an intimate moment.
The next moment she was taking a bath dressed as Cleopatra, or throwing a javelin into the Crystal Palace athletics stadium while dressed as a Spartan girl (who were considered attractive if they could strangle a bull).
There were naughty jokes about cucumbers and carrots, and a version of Blind Date with lecherous Roman emperors. It was like watching a Carry On film produced by the Horrible Histories team.
Never has a show been more appropriately named than Sex: A Bonkers History (Sky History). Crazy? It was completely doolally
The next moment she was taking a bath dressed as Cleopatra, or throwing a javelin into the Crystal Palace athletics stadium while dressed as a Spartan girl (who were considered attractive if they could strangle a bull).
Gladiators were apparently the super hunks of ancient Rome. “You’re talking about super-polished, athletically elite, fighting half-naked in a ring,” says historian Kate Lister. “It’s all a bit woo-hoo-hoo.” That must be Latin for ‘phwoar!’
To find out if gladiators might appeal to modern women, Amanda went to a gym to watch two shapely, buff boxers hold each other. Was this an impetus? Apparently not. Amanda’s heart rate even dropped.
The big surprise, considering how much naked flesh you can see elsewhere on television, was that the show drew the line at actual, lifelike intercourse.
A couple who were to demonstrate tantric sex were fully clothed. I don’t claim to be an expert, but I’m pretty sure this can’t be right.
Christopher Stevens is gone.
