Customer Reviews

Super Aussie Soaps: Behind the Scenes of Australia's Best Loved TV Shows

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Although not officially available in the UK yet, this book is an absolute must for anybody who has enjoyed the mass raft of Australian soaps & drama's that have been screened in the UK, as well as all the one's that never quite made it over here! Indeed, as an Australian book, it covers all the soaps produced from the 50's the first being 'Autumn Affair', through to the present day, where hits such as 'Kath & Kim' and 'The Secret Life of Us' are also included.
However, the real interest for me here are the Aussie soaps produced in the 70's and 80's where Andrew Mercado gives a quirky, detailed analysis of the biggies such as Prisoner, The Young Doctors, Sons and Daughters, Neighbours, Home and Away, E Street and A Country Practice. Furthermore, even the big soap 'flops' make it into the book, creating an even more fascinating insight into why certain genre's of Aussie soap failed - obviously, the idea's behind Holiday Island, Taurus Rising, Possession, Prime Time, Waterloo Station, Starting Out, Richmond Hill all looked good on paper, but when it came to capturing a devoted audience, they all flopped spectacularly and here, Mercado offers his opinion's as to why. Also, the less successful 90's soaps such as cult favourite Chances, the dismall Paradise Beach, Echo Point and Breakers all get the Mercado over view.
With never-seen-before behind the scenes pictures and quotes, this book will keep you entertained for hours, making you wish that all these soaps will one day, get a repeat run so we can all enjoy the camp camadarie of the unique world of Aussie soaps!