NAME: Kaz aka Pancakes. Aka Dave!
AGE: 45
FROM: Earth
LIVES: Earth
OCCUPATION: Annoying Family and Friends (she's not joking!)
FAVE PASTIME:
Stitching and Reading (and annoying family and friends!)
We're all gearing ourselves up for when that final episode of Neighbours airs, and for those of us who have been watching Neighbours from the time it began, it's going to be like saying goodbye to an old friend. Don't be surprised if you visit the supermarket and discover that they're all out of tissues. No, it's not panic-buying because there's another world pandemic... it's all due to the ending of a thirty seven year love affair with a soap opera!
So for this A Slice of Pie With... feature, we thought we'd share happy Neighbours memories with someone who's been a fan of the show since it began and remembers Neighbours mania as it really was - Angel's bestie, Kaz also known as Pancakes (although Angel calls her Dave. Long story!) When Angel lived in London, she and Kaz were always meeting up for cake, coffee and a natter. Now that they've got this big whopping ocean between them, this is the closest they're going to get to that!
Everyone who knows Pancakes knows she's a nut! And those of us who know her best know that she's a nostalgia nut, and everything you'd expect from a seventies' baby, an eighties' child and a nineties teen growing up in Britain. Pancakes grew up during a time when it was posters on the bedroom wall; Listening to the Top Forty every Sunday; Viennetta was considered a posh dessert; Top of the Pops was must-see TV on a Thursday night... and Neighbours just had to be watched after school every weekday. Pancakes gets all nostalgic on us as she remembers those early years of Neighbours...
Help yourself to a slice of pie and a drink. What are you having?
Going to be honest, I don’t eat pie! Drink would be hot chocolate with either chocolate cake or Victoria sponge.
At the moment I am just chillaxing and watching the best of Saturday Live Kitchen best bites.
You don't like pie? Always knew there was something wrong with you! Tell us a bit about yourself.
Well I was born and bred on Earth; the youngest of seven children; I work in the community and have a degree in psychology (20+ years ago and nope I can’t read minds... I can’t even remember half the stuff I learnt!) I love reading murder mystery books (locked room mystery is my thing at the moment). And I also love cross stitching while watching crime shows.
Just like I enjoy crocheting and watching Midsomer Murders! What would you define as ‘your era’ and why?
I really don’t have 'an era' but I guess every era (I've lived through) is my era as I've learnt something from each of them. Child of the 70/80s; teenager of the 90s (NKOTB & love of books – remember puffin/penguin book club) and an adult of the noughties to date!
Although, I do believe music was better in the 80s/90s. Much more meaningful lyrics. TV was better too (but every generation says that right?).
They certainly do. I know I do! When did you first start watching Neighbours?
Since it was on BBC1 and I was 9. I remember the Des and Daphne scene, when they first met. Can’t remember much else in that episode apart from that. I just thought Des was funny.
As someone who was around in the eighties and nineties, you will remember Neighbours in its hey day. What can you recall about Neighbours mania?
Our after school, younger days TV consisted of the BBC Broom Cupboard shows, Neighbours, Home & Away, EastEnders and The Bill! So Neighbours was never missed! Practically everyone I knew watched it. The whole of Ramsey Street was one big happy, sad, dysfunctional family.
Who were your favourite characters and who were you not so crazy about?
Fav characters Charlene, Scott, Jane, Mike, Henry, Des, Daphne, Sky, Harold, Joe and a few others.
Least Favourite – Paul Robinson such a horrible and self centered character.
I'm also a big fan of the original Erinsborough High gang! What were your favourite storylines and why?
‘The wedding’ – Charlene and Scott...do I need to say why! The whole world was invited to the wedding.
Not a favourite but I also still remember when Daphne died! I cried!
I think a lot of people's hearts broke when Daphne died. Why do you think that Neighbours was such a phenomenal success in Britain?
Let’s face it we only had four TV channels to choose from, so BBC had a number of good shows at that time. Also, Neighbours was a good family show. It had something for all ages.
It’s been said that nostalgia is one of the key reasons why Neighbours has lasted so long. What would you say about that?
It’s part of our childhoods and brings back good memories for a lot of people, especially those aged forty and above. It’s an escape route to remember the good old times. The family around the TV. Nowadays, everyone is watching their own shows on different apps etc.
Aren't they just! My mum always complains about that. What do you think about the decision to pull the plug on this long-running TV show that has lasted a whopping 37 years?
Sometimes, it is good to leave on a high note.
True... But it doesn't mean we have to be pleased about it! There have been reboots of defunct soaps such as Crossroads, Dynasty and Dallas. Could a Neighbours reboot work years from now?
No, leave it!
Totally agree with you there. What special Neighbours’ memories will you be taking with you when the show ends?
The weddings, the arguments, the theme tune, the song. The actors, we will see on other shows/movies but the characters they created will be with us forever. I mean we all know a neighbour that acts like ‘Mrs Mangel’.
This or That:
⦁ 1980s or 1990s?
Both
⦁ Pizza Hut or Deep Pan?
Pizza Hut
⦁ New Kids or Take That?
New Kids (good answer!)
⦁ Neighbours or Home and Away?
Both
⦁ Coffee Republic or My Old Dutch?
Lol MOD
⦁ Pancakes or waffles?
Pancakes
⦁ Romcom or action?
Action
⦁ Kylie or Dannii?
Kylie
⦁ Museum or art gallery?
Museum
⦁ Neons or pastels?
Neons
And Finally…
You’ve bought yourself a time machine. Where would you go in it and why?
Back to uni, I would need to go back and give a particular mate a map of London, so in the future she would not get lost in a city she was born and bred in!
Dave mate, it's been a pleasure! x
Photos: YouTube, Pixabay and Angel's own
Blog graphics: Angel Noire