You can now text us anonymously to leave feedback, suggest future content or simply hurl abuse at us. We'll read out any texts we receive on the show. Click here to try it out!
Neighbours — Episode 234 (Charlene’s Debut)
We dove back into Ramsay Street for a pure hit of Aussie soap nostalgia: Neighbours ep. 234, a.k.a. the first-ever appearance of Charlene (a tiny, feral Kylie Minogue) breaking into a house and into British hearts.
Why this episode slaps
- Iconic entrance: Scott grabs a “burglar” in the window… hat comes off… “Charlene!” Cue destiny, perms, and pop superstardom.
- Peak mullet era: Two mullets before the first ad break. Oxygen levels dangerously low in those singlets.
- Budget telly charm: Cricket in the yard, sprinklers on, a helicopter shot that looks like a camcorder on a fishing line… and yes, a boom mic cameo at 4:42. Chef’s kiss.
- Daphne’s Café drama: Eviction threats, gender-role argy-bargy, and Shane trying to mansplain her out of a job. Meanwhile Paul Robinson is already scheming, smarming, and hair-gelling.
- Max’s feelings summit: The blokiest man in Erinsborough attempts group therapy (“I read it in an American magazine”), gets laughed out of his own lounge. Bless.
Faces you forgot were here
- Guy Pearce looking about twelve and already magnetic.
- Jason Donovan 2.0 (post–mysterious-riverbed recast).
- The Robinson clan (Helen forever), and an army of future chart acts and horror-movie alumni warming up in the background.
Stats & trivia
- Aired (AU): 17 Apr 1986
- Aired (UK): 28 Sep 1987 (we waited 17 months for Kylie and still turned up in our millions)
- Episodes on IMDb: 9,300+ (and somehow all roads still lead back to Daphne’s espresso machine)
Verdict
Still daft, still cozy, still weirdly gripping. The fashion is a hate crime and the production is held together with gaffer tape, but the charisma-to-cost ratio remains undefeated.
Strong recommend. Now hum the theme tune and pretend you didn’t.
We love to hear from our listeners! By which I mean we tolerate it. If it hasn't been completely destroyed yet you can usually find us on twitter @dads_film, on Facebook Bad Dads Film Review, on email at baddadsjsy@gmail.com or on our website baddadsfilm.com.
Until next time, we remain...
Bad Dads
