Scott Robinson (Neighbours)
Scott Robinson | |||||||
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Neighbours character | |||||||
Portrayed by | Darius Perkins (1985) Jason Donovan (1986–2022) | ||||||
Duration | 1985–1989, 2022 | ||||||
First appearance | 18 March 1985 | ||||||
Last appearance | 28 July 2022 | ||||||
Classification | Former; regular | ||||||
Created by | Reg Watson | ||||||
Introduced by | Reg Watson (1985) Jason Herbison (1989) | ||||||
Darius Perkins as Scott Robinson (1985) | |||||||
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Scott Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera
At the beginning of Neighbours, Scott is a 16 year old high school student, living at home with his father, grandmother, and three siblings. Scott is shown to be close with his father, whom he respects. He is initially characterised as a normal, happy teenager, with an increasing interest in girls as he becomes an adolescent. His best friend was neighbour
Creation and casting
Scott is one of the twelve original characters conceived by the creator and then executive producer of
After concerns over Perkins' reliability and a series of rows, producers decided to recast the role of Scott when production moved to
In an October 1988 interview with TV Week's Leigh Reinhold, Perkins addressed the rumours that he was fired from Neighbours for a drug problem, calling them "invented stories".
Development
Characterisation and early storylines
As the serial begins, Scott is a 16 year old high school student, living at home with his widowed father
After Donovan took over the role, Kingsley branded Scott "the star schoolboy of Neighbours and described him as "polite, perceptive, neat and nice."[18] She thought it was likely he folded his own clothes too, making him stand out among the teenagers of the time.[18] Although Scott was involved in "the occasional teenage hiccup" he was both "likeable" and "hard working".[22] Donovan shared some similarities to Scott, including being raised by a single parent.[23] Donovan stated "I've done most of the things Scott's done – school exams and things like that – so I don't really have to go too far to understand his character."[24] The actor admitted to not being happy with Scott's attitude, calling him "very moody and a bit hard to play sometimes".[23] He tried to bring as much comedy and lightness to the role that he could, as he believed Neighbours should have light characters and not "always heavy drama."[23] The character soon became the show's male "pin up".[25] Writer Josephine Monroe observed that Donovan turned Scott into "every girl's dream date".[26] He was perceived as being cute, as well as "witty and charming".[26] He continued to be close to his father, whom he respected and looked up to, while he was also protective of younger sister Lucy.[26] After leaving school, the character's ambition was to become a journalist.[26]
Relationship with Charlene Mitchell
In April 1986,
Kelly Bourne from
Scott "storms away", but when he hears Charlene calling out to him, he sees that she is trapped by a ring of petrol headed towards the barbecue. Unbeknownst to Charlene, arsonist
Just three months after their wedding, producers decided to throw temptation at the couple to keep their relationship interesting.
Following Charlene's move to Brisbane, where the couple have a new house courtesy of Charlene's grandfather, Scott remains behind for work.
Departure and return
In May 1988, David Brown of TV Week reported Minogue had quit Neighbours in order to pursue a music career and was due to film her final scenes in June.[42] After months of speculation that Donovan would also leave the soap, he signed a new contract and said the show was still important to him.[42] He told Brown: "I'm happy doing the show because I want to keep learning. I've got this real bug about Neighbours at the moment and it's something I just want to keep doing and get better at. I don't think I'd be doing myself justice if I took the big plunge to get out to try and do other things. I'm still learning and there are good storylines coming up that I can tackle."[42] Brown reported that many people believed Donovan would leave the show to work in London because of the success of the show in the UK. Donovan said that he was happy working in Australia and admitted that he had not really thought about leaving the serial at the time.[42] He continued: "There was the speculation, but none of that was happening in my mind. The past couple of years has taken me by surprise, so I had a lot to think about. You don't just rush out and sign a contract. So in those terms, yes I've taken my time. Network Ten and Grundys have been so good to me. They've been helping me and nurturing me, so why should I want to leave?"[42] Donovan also denied that he was "jumping on the Kylie bandwagon" by recording and releasing an album, saying that he always had an interest in music.[42]
On-screen, Charlene moves to Brisbane and Scott promises to follow her, but only if he can secure a journalism job like the one has in Erinsborough.
In 2009, Donovan revealed that he had been asked to return to the show for the 25th anniversary celebrations. He could not return due to work commitments, but he said that he was "very proud" of having been in Neighbours.[46] Donovan was invited to return for the 30th anniversary celebrations in 2015, but he declined the offer, commenting "it's just not something I want to do."[47] However, he agreed to take part in the documentary special Neighbours 30th: The Stars Reunite, which aired in Australia and the UK in March 2015.[48][49]
In March 2022, Fiona Byrne of the Herald Sun reported on 1 May that both Donovan and Minogue were set to reprise their roles. Byrne believed Donovan and Minogue had filmed a guest appearance on Pin Oak Court, the outdoor location for Ramsay Street, during the previous week.[50] Later on the same day, the return of Donovan and Minogue was confirmed on Neighbours' social media accounts. Executive producer Jason Herbison stated: "Scott and Charlene are the ultimate Neighbours couple and it would not feel right to end the show without them. We are thrilled that Jason and Kylie have come home to play a very special part in our series finale. It has been an emotional experience for them, for us and I'm sure it will be for our viewers."[51] They appeared in was believed (at the time) to be the show's final ever episode.[1][2] Subsequently, Amazon announced that they had picked up the series for their Freevee streaming service, and Amazon started filming the revived series in April 2023.[3][4]
Storylines
Scott lives on
When Scott is late back from a school trip, Jim and Helen worry and further grief comes when the police find a body of a 16-year-old boy in the river, with Scott's wallet. Jim goes to identify the body and is relieved it is not Scott. Scott (now Donovan) phones from a country hospital and explains he ran away from the school trip after being accused of rape and tried to hitch a lift but was mugged in the process. Soon after, Scott notices someone breaking into Number 24, the house next door to his. On challenging the intruder, he receives a punch for his troubles. Madge Mitchell arrives on the scene to discover it is her daughter Charlene, who has not seen Scott since they were children.
Scott befriends Mike Young. Scott and Charlene begin dating and go through teething problems. Scott proposes and Charlene accepts. Jim and Madge are against the engagement. Helen acts as a mediator and points out that Jim and Anne were roughly Scott and Charlene's age when they got married. Scott and Charlene marry and soon move into Number 24 together. Their marriage's first test comes when Jane Harris starts to help Scott with his HSC retakes, they become close and kiss. Charlene wants nothing to do with either of them upon finding out. Jane eventually convinces Charlene to give Scott another chance. Scott and Charlene's marriage undergoes another test when
Charlene is offered a mechanic apprenticeship in Brisbane and is forced to make the difficult choice of leaving Erinsborough and the couple share an emotional farewell. Scott stays on at Number 24, but visits her frequently. During Charlene's absence, Scott fights off the affections of Sylvie Latham and later Poppy Skouros, before moving to Brisbane for good. Scott and Charlene later have two children, a son
Thirty-three years following his departure, Scott returns to Ramsay Street with Charlene after being invited by Charlene's cousin Shane Ramsay (Peter O'Brien). Scott and Charlene find that no one is home, so they go to Number 24 and reminisce over when they first met. During a Ramsay Street party, Scott and Charlene are reunited with Jane and Mike. Scott also sees Paul and Harold Bishop (Ian Smith), and they continue partying.
Reception
For his portrayal of Scott, Donovan won Most Popular New Talent at the 1987 Logie Awards.[52] A year later, he won the Logie Award for Most Popular Actor and was nominated for the Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television.[53][54] Donovan was again nominated for the Gold Logie in his final year on Neighbours in 1989.[55]
When the role was recast from Perkins to Donovan, some viewers protested the change.
In her book Soap opera, Dorothy Hobson praised Scott's on-screen relationship with Charlene, branding them positive, immense images for young people.
Scott and Charlene's wedding was seen by 20 million viewers in the United Kingdom and was voted the "Most Romantic TV Nuptials of all Time".
In 2022, Kate Randall from Heat stated that Scott and Charlene were "arguably the show's most iconic characters with their wedding attracting more than 20 million viewers."[71] Scott was placed at number nine on the Huffpost's "35 greatest Neighbours characters of all time" feature. Journalist Adam Beresford described him as a "nice guy" and one half of "the Neighbours golden couple".[72] He stated that viewers "all soon became obsessed by their suburban Romeo & Juliet relationship." He called him one of the show's original male pin-ups and their charm "reflected a more innocent time."[72] In a feature profiling the "top 12 iconic Neighbours characters", critic Sheena McGinley of the Irish Independent placed Scott as her seventh choice. She said that despite being played by two actors, "when it comes to Scott Robinson, there's only one face everyone remembers — that being a mini-mulleted Jason Donovan."[73] Lorna White from Yours profiled the magazine's "favourite Neighbours characters of all time". Scott was included in the list and White stated that the Scott and Charlene relationship boosted ratings.[74] A reporter from The Scotsman included Scott and Charlene's wedding as one of the show's top five moments in its entire history.[75] Sam Strutt of The Guardian compiled a feature counting down the top ten most memorable moments from Neighbours. Strutt listed Scott and Charlene's wedding as number one. [76]
See also
References
- ^ a b Murray, Tom (29 July 2022). "Kylie Minogue says a 'heartfelt' email from Jason Donovan convinced her to return for the Neighbours finale". The Independent. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
- ^ a b Spackman, Maisie (29 July 2022). "Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan reveal all on final Neighbours episode". Metro. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
- ^ a b "Neighbours' next chapter begins filming next month: 'Feels real now'".
- ^ a b "'Neighbours' Begins Filming New Episodes For Amazon Freevee | TV News | Geektown".
- ^
- ^ Oram, 1988, p.41.
- ^ a b c d e f Fidgeon, Patrice (23 February 1985). "Another door opens for Darius". TV Week. pp. 82–83.
- ^ "Coronation Street – Aussie style". TV Week. 26 January 1985. p. 30.
- ^ Richards, Holly (16 August 2010). "Neighbours: Where are they now?". The West Australian. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
- ^ a b Wallis; Hogan 1989, pp.67–68.
- ^ Mercado 2004, pp.205–206.
- ^ a b c d Power, Eithne (16–22 July 1988). "Golden Boy". Radio Times. p. 9.
- ^ Oram, 1988, pp.83–86.
- ^ Monroe 1996, p.97.
- ^ a b c d e f Reinhold, Leigh (22 October 1988). "Darius slams drug rumors". TV Week. p. 33.
- ^ a b c d e Kingsley 1988, pp.378–379.
- ^ a b Koppe, Margaret (16–22 March 1985). "Getting to know the neighbors". TV Radio Extra. Vol. 5, no. 226. pp. 14–15.
- ^ "Neighbours where are they now?". Inside Soap. No. 4. December 1992. pp. 8–9.
- ^ Power, Eithne (14–20 February 1987). "Love these Neighbours!". Radio Times. p. 23.
- ^ Apsley; Hopwood; Pemberton 1988, p.8.
- ^ a b c Bibby, Deborah (1 April 1989). "Hero!". TV Guide. No. 2. p. 46.
- ^ Apsley; Hopwood; Pemberton 1988, pp.16–17.
- ^ Wallis; Hogan 1989, p.67.
- ^ a b c d Monroe 1996, p.98.
- ^ a b c Mercado 2004, pp.207–208.
- ^ a b c Foster, Mark (1988). "Jason Donovan". Neighbours Who's Who – The Stars of Neighbours. No. 2. pp. 5–7.
- Times Newspapers. News UK. pp. 4, 5.
- ^ Bourne, Kelly (18 April 1987). "Kylie's winning ways". TV Week. pp. 4–5.
- ^ a b c d e f g Bourne, Kelly (16 May 1987). "The romance that rocks Ramsay St". TV Week. p. 4.
- ^ a b c d e Cook, Stephen (23 May 1987). "Fiery affair!". TV Week. p. 50.
- ^ a b c d Bourne, Kelly (13 June 1987). "Marry me!". TV Week. pp. 4–5.
- ^ Blackman, Guy (8 October 2006). "Kylietown". The Age. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
- ^ Kingsley 1988, p.372.
- ^ Mercado 2004, p.211.
- ^ a b c d Fidgeon, Patrice (24 October 1987). "Is the honeymoon over?". TV Week. pp. 2–3.
- ^ Monroe 1996, p.30.
- ^ a b Mercado 2004, p.214.
- ^ a b c d e f g O'Connor, Coral (28 September 1989). "We're after Jason!". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 28 May 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ a b c d e f Brown, David (21 May 1988). "It's official! Jason signs on, Kylie's out". TV Week. p. 11.
- ^ a b c d e "Star to quit 'Neighbours'". The Canberra Times. 7 March 1989. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
- ^ Evening Herald. 7 March 1989. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
- ^ Simpson, Oli (10 November 2009). "'Neighbours' asked Jason Donovan to return". Digital Spy. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (5 January 2015). "Jason Donovan: 'Neighbours return is not something I want to do'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
- ^ Knox, David (28 February 2015). "Airdate: Neighbours 30th: The Stars Reunite". TV Tonight. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (4 March 2015). "Neighbours 30th anniversary schedule confirmed by Channel 5". Digital Spy. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
- ^ Byrne, Fiona (1 May 2022). "Fairytale ending for Neighbours as beloved couple reunites". Herald Sun. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
- ^ Anderton, Joe (1 May 2022). "Neighbours confirms Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan's return for finale". Digital Spy. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
- ^ "Who'll grab the Gold?". TV Week. 18 March 1989. p. 1.
- ^ Apsley; Hopwood; Pemberton 1988, p.22.
- ^ Jackson, Kate; Wallis, Sara (3 March 2007). "Whatever Happened To Alan's Neighbours?". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
- ^ Heath, Sue (19 October 2005). "Neighbours (BBC 1)". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- ^ "10 stars we wish would come back". Inside Soap. No. 102. 30 May – 12 June 1998. pp. 28–29.
- Reading Evening Post. Retrieved 13 June 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ Hobson 2003, p.16.
- ^ a b c Deller, Ruth (23 July 2009). "A guide to recognising your Ramsays and Robinsons". Lowculture. Archived from the original on 29 August 2010. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
- ^ BSkyB. 2010. Archived from the originalon 23 March 2010. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
- ^ Hilton, Beth (15 October 2007). "Kylie and Jason: A History". Digital Spy. Retrieved 12 April 2010.
- Independent News and Media. 27 June 2008. Retrieved 12 April 2010.
- ^ Dunn, Emily; Coleman, Kerry (21 November 2007). "Rewind Kylie and Jason". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 April 2010.
- ^ "Look at us – on a stamp!". The Age. 12 September 2006. Retrieved 12 April 2010.
- ^ Mercado 2004, p.209.
- Channel 5.
- ^ Randall, Kate (19–25 February 2022). "Only Kylie can save Neighbours". Heat. No. 1179. pp. 16–17.
- ^ a b Beresford, Adam (16 March 2020). "The Definitive Ranking Of The 35 Greatest Neighbours Characters Of All Time: #10-1". HuffPost. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
- Independent News & Media). Retrieved 19 March 2022.
- ^ White, Lorna (3 March 2022). "Neighbours cast from the past and present". Yours. (Bauer Media Group). Retrieved 19 March 2022.
- JPIMedia). 3 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
- ^ Strutt, Sam (3 March 2022). "Neighbours: the 10 best memories, from Scott and Charlene to Madge's ghost". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
Bibliography
- Apsley, Brenda; Hopwood, Clive; Pemberton, Nick (1988). Neighbours Annual 1989. World International Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7235-6841-4.
- Hobson, Dorothy (2003). Soap Opera. ISBN 978-0-7456-2655-0.
- Kingsley, Hilary (1988). Soap Box. ISBN 978-0-333-46949-1.
- Mercado, Andrew (2004). Super Aussie Soaps: Behind the Scenes of Australia's Best Loved TV Shows. Pluto Press Australia. ISBN 978-1-86403-191-1.
- Monroe, Josephine (1996). Neighbours: The First 10 Years. ISBN 978-0-7181-4212-4.
- Oram, James (1988). Neighbours: Behind the Scenes. ISBN 978-0-207-16075-2.
- Wallis, Neil; Hogan, Dave (1989). The Neighbours Factfile. ISBN 978-0-207-16382-1.