Super Aussie Soaps: Behind the Scenes of Australia's Best Loved TV Shows

by Andrew Mercado

In the lead up to the 50th anniversary of television in Australia, Pluto Press is publishing the definitive history of Australian soaps. Author Andrew Mercado has spent years researching Aussie Soaps, interviewing the stars and producers for a behind the scenes look at one of Australia's most important export and cultural businesses.

SUPER AUSSIE SOAPS contains the history of every Australian television serial, in chronological order from 1958 to the present including such-loved classics as Bellbird, Number 96, The Sullivans, Prisoner, Sons and Daughters, Neighbours and Home and Away.

Australian soaps are watched and loved by audiences all over the world, particularly the phenomenally popular Prisoner, Neighbours and Home and Away.

But Aussies have been watching soaps since 1958 and while some of the early shows may not be familiar to overseas audiences, each one of them led to the later successes.

From the innocent charms of the 50s and 60s, to the sex n' sin sagas of the 70s, through to the decadent 80s until everything was thrown on its head with the unbelievable success of the suburban Neighbours, every soap, in its own way, led to the later successes.

Now, for the first time, the complete history of all these shows is told, in chronological order from1958 to the present.

- which soap had a visit from the then-Australian Prime Minister?
- which soap had questions asked about it in Moscow parliament?
- which soap featured a cameo from Olivia Newton-John?
- which soap featured an early performance from Nicole Kidman?
- which soap was originally pitched as being about an undercover nun?

415 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2004

Reviews

[Loop · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book, I generally dont like soap operas but this book contains all the best parts without the other stuff. Contains stories on every Australian Soap, along with the actors, and the best storylines from the shows.