Neighbours TV reboot bumped to earlier time slot after ratings slump

Neighbours’ TV reboot has been bumped in favour of a US soap after Channel 10 bowed to ratings pressure. See what it means for fans.

Bold and the Beautiful fans will be celebrating with the news that their beloved US soap will return to its original 4.30pm slot after Channel 10 gave into ratings pressure after just three weeks of the highly promoted revival of Neighbours.

The decision comes after the reboot of the much-loved Aussie soap has failed to attract huge viewers.

The premiere of Neighbours on Monday August 18th September – which ended with the shock wedding of Toadie and Terese – saw a total national audience of 244,000.

Neighbours’ TV reboot has been bumped back to a 4pm timeslot. Picture: Ten

Recent episodes of Neighbours have experienced a significant audience decline which has put additional pressure on the networks 5pm News bulletins.

From Monday, Neighbours will move to the earlier 4pm timeslot, with an encore screening at 6:30pm on 10Peach.

A spokesperson for Channel 10 confirmed the switch saying:

“We have listened to the demand from our loyal viewers to return The Bold & Beautiful to its original time slot.”

NEIGHBOURS REBOOT SPARKS FURY

Neighbours’ TV reboot has been met with outrage from some fans over the shock nuptials of Toadie and Terese.

The closing minutes of the iconic soap’s new chapter saw Rebekah Elmagloglou’s character Terese walk down the aisle to Ryan Moloney’s Toadie, not her on-again, off-again soulmate Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis), in a twist which left many heartbroken.

Viewers flocked to Elmaloglou’s Instagram post to pour out their sadness. And shock.

“What in the name of Ramsay Street was that?,” one wrote.

While many speculated it was a potential dream sequence, or a part of Harold’s obvious memory problems.

One wrote: “Please tell me that ending was just a bad dream or something! Terese belongs with Paul.”

Terese (Rebekah Elmaloglou) and Toadie (Ryan Moloney) get married in the first episode of the new chapter of Neighbours. Picture: Network 10

Most were just heartbroken, one posting: “Amazing to have neighbours and to see you back on screen where you belong! First episode was great despite my poor heart breaking at the end. Will always be a Praise fan though I’m afraid! T&T are not for me but I’m sure there will be a lot that like it, so good luck with the episodes ahead!, from another.”

“I literally just cried at the ending because it feels so wrong .Must have been a massive shock for you when you received the script,” posted another.

“My heart is actually hurting right now at the thought of Paul and Terese being apart! We saw Toadie and Melanie together, didn’t we? Discussing wedding presents for the happy couple. And Melanie said the groom had been married 6 times, so it just doesn’t make sense! Paul and Terese HAVE to be together. They just have to be!,” another pleaded.

There were a few appreciative viewers who loved the freshened up soap, which was thrown a lifeline by Amazon in November.

“Great writing. Keep it up and it’ll be a smash. Loved the plot twist. Didn’t see it coming at all – great work,” wrote one.

FIRST REVIEW OF NEIGHBOURS REBOOT

Shut the Kennedy’s much-used and loved front door. Toadie and Terese were the loved-up pair to get married in the first episode of Neighbours’ new chapter.

The clues strewn throughout the episode, back on its original home of Ten, took viewers all over the place.

First up, Mike (Guy Pearce) Facetiming Jane (Annie Jones) saying “we found a date in the calendar and we went for it”.

Then Paul being asked by his sister Lucy (guest star Melissa Bell) “you’re not having second thoughts, are you Paul?”

“I’m a very lucky man – why would I have second thoughts?,” he replies.

The next shot is of Terese (Rebekah Elmaloglou) admiring her dress, chatting with her children, also proclaiming she has no doubts whatsoever – so it’s got to be Paul and Terese, right?

So, it is a truly jaw-dropping moment – when Terese walks past Paul and the camera pans to Toadie (Ryan Moloney) standing at end of the aisle, in the episode’s shock wedding reveal.

It’s a bold, bold move by production, giving both Terese and Toadie new love interests. And one they probably had to make.

The moment that stunned viewers. Picture: Supplied

When the Aussie institution “ended” after 37 years last July, it was given the chance to nicely tie up every loose end, and celebrate its long history too. Kylie and Jason returned. Guy Pearce’s Mike declared his undying love for Jane. Some 1.5 million viewers tuned in to the last-ever episode, and just about everyone agreed it was perfect.

Then Amazon stepped in to save the show, several months later. And the problem became when every character has been given the perfect farewell – where do you go to from there?

Do you return to Ramsay Street, as normal and pretend nothing happened. Or was it all a dream? Or do you try some bold twists and mix it up?

Executive producer Jason Herbison – who penned both the final episode and this first episode has gone with a mix of both.

Guy Pearce and Annie Jones will resolve their storyline as the series progresses. Picture: Network 10

Set two years after the finale, the producers have neatly avoided having to explain all the things. Children have been recast and in good old soap trope fashion also aged a decade.

But, look, we could all do with some flashback sequences to truly explain what has happened and why? Perhaps that will play out as the series goes on.

It’s much discussed how the writers would deal with Pearce’s Mike who decided to buy a house on Ramsay St to live out his days with Plain Jane Superbrain.

You’d have to be confident that Pearce is not going to quit his Hollywood day job for Erinsborough.

And given he spends much of his time in this first episode on FaceTime from the UK, we’re definitely right on that one.

All the kudos though to Pearce for returning to Erinsborough once again to tie things up nicely.

Alan Fletcher (as Karl Kennedy), Annie Jones (as Jane Harris), Ian Smith (as Harold Bishop) arrive at the wedding. Picture: Network 10

It’s a joy to see the heritage four of Susan and Karl Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne and Alan Fletcher), loveable Toadie and the villainous (but obviously a little heartbroken) Paul Robinson.

Old fuddy-duddy Harold Bishop (Ian Smith) and his local history book help connect to the show’s past. Although there’s hints of a poignant storyline for him.

Mischa Barton’s mysterious Reece is a nice touch and will draw in The O.C fans, not just in the US, but likely here in Australia too.

What’s truly fabulous is this new chapter continuing to embrace Neighbours’ storeyed tradition of being at the forefront of diverse representation on our screens with the Varga-Murphy family moving in.

Susan says at the beginning “we’re the perfect blend”. I’d say – just like its theme tune which has new feel thanks to 2020 voice winner Chris Sebastian – this new chapter of Neighbours is the right blend of familiarity mixed in with a fresh look.

Neighbours, Monday-Thursday 4.30pm, Ten (encore 6.30pm).