The TV Week Logie Awards have been chastised for omitting to recognise the demise of Neighbours, Australia’s longest-running television series.
After 37 years on the air, Neighbours will shortly come to an end, and top industry writer David Knox of TV Tonight believes the actors should have been called on stage to take a bow at the on-screen homage.
Mr Knox commented after the ceremony, “Only a week ago the play wrapped 37 years of production, unequalled in Australian theatre history.”
He went on to say, ‘That cast should have been on stage and taken a bow.’
‘They would have received a standing ovation from the entire room.’ On the night, their biggest admirers would have been the Home and Away teams.’
Neighbours was cancelled because Channel 5 in the United Kingdom opted not to renew its contract with Fremantle Productions to finance and broadcast the series in March.
A highlight video of Neighbours’ most memorable moments, including fan favourites Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan, ran during the Logies’ tribute.
Dan MacPherson, 42, and Natalie Bassingthwaighte, 46, both of Neighbours, then took to the stage to present the award for Most Popular New Talent.
Both actors began their careers in the soap series 10 Peach.
Bassingthwaighte commented, “I have so many beautiful recollections of my time on the show.”
Jackie Woodburne, Alan Fletcher, Stefan Dennis, and Ian Smith, all of whom have worked on Neighbours, have been her’mentors’ in the industry.
According to TV Tonight, cast members from Neighbours, including Dennis and Ryan Moloney, were forced to watch the homage from tables with TV cameras covering their view during the ceremony.
In March, Neighbours announced on Twitter that the long-running soap would be ending production.
‘After over 37 years and approximately 9,000 episodes broadcast, we regret to inform you that Neighbours will be ending production in June,’ the programme wrote.
Craig McLachlan, who won three Logies for his role as Scott and Charlene on Neighbours between 1987 and 1999, music diva Delta Goodrem, and, of course, Jason and Kylie, who played Scott and Charlene, are among the talents who started their careers on the show.
On August 1, the final episode of Neighbours will premiere in Australia and the United Kingdom.