Neighbors’ fans ‘suffered grief as if they lost a loved one’ when the TV soap ended, an investigation has found

By William On Jun 12, 2024

Neighbors’ fans suffered ‘strong sadness’ and feelings akin to the loss of a loved one when the TV soap was cancelled, new research has found.

Some viewers of the long-running Aussie series couldn’t accept it was ending after 37 years, scientists say.

Their emotional grief was the equivalent of losing a loved one or breaking up a relationship, according to findings published in the journal PLoS One.

Neighbors, which returned to streaming service Freevee last September 14 months after the ‘final’ was shown on Britain’s Channel 5, provided a springboard to fame for stars including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Margot Robbie and Natalie Imbruglia.

Researchers found that when the show’s cancellation was announced in March 2022, fans experienced a lot of sadness, loss and sometimes a lack of closure – implying that strong ‘parasocial’ relationships connect TV viewers and their favorite shows.

Neighbors’ fans suffered ‘strong sadness’ and feelings akin to the loss of a loved one when the TV soap was cancelled, new research shows (stock image)

Neighbours, which returned to streaming service Freevee last September 14 months after the ‘final’ was shown on Channel 5 in Britain, provided a springboard to fame for stars including Kylie Minogue (pictured in final episode), Jason Donovan (pictured), Margot Robbie and Natalie Imbruglia

They explained that parasocial relationships are one-sided relationships, where one person expends emotional energy, interest, and time, while the other party is completely unaware of the other’s existence.

More than 1,200 Neighbors fans in the UK, Ireland and Australia, more than 500 of whom had watched the show for its entire 37-year run since it first aired in 1985, completed an online survey shortly after the finale was shown in July 2022.

Research author Doctor Adam Gerace said: ‘The conclusion of Neighbors provided a rare and timely opportunity to explore fans’ experiences of grief following the end of potentially highly established parasocial relationships.

‘It made it possible to investigate which factors predict more or less grief and loss reactions from fans.

“Greater responses to grief and loss were experienced by fans whose motives for watching included enjoyment and exposure to different lifestyles, who felt a stronger fan connection to the series, and who formed stronger parasocial empathetic relationships with their favorite character.”

Dr. Gerace, senior lecturer in the College of Psychology at CQ University, Australia, said: ‘The celebration of the series and the recognition of its importance to fans was evident in the months leading up to the final episode.

‘The ninety-minute finale of Neighbors attracted a large audience. The finale was praised by fans as a fitting conclusion to the series and a farewell to both current and realigning characters.

The series’ theme song ends for the entire series with the refrain “that’s when good neighbors become good friends” – reflecting how understanding and being there for each other are key ingredients in fostering intimacy between people living in a nearby suburb.

‘Based on fan reactions, it seemed the audience was saying goodbye to the fictional people of Ramsay Street, who had become very good friends indeed.

‘Fan reactions to Neighbors’ conclusion suggested that they were coming to terms with both the ending of the television series and their relationships with the characters.

‘In doing so, they showed grief responses similar to those associated with ending relationships in real life, including negative emotions and cognitions, attempts at closure, and gratitude for what they had experienced during these relationships.

‘Experiences of grief and loss were greater among viewers who used the series for entertainment, exposure to lifestyles and experiences, and community, but not to pass time; identified themselves as big fans of the series and felt part of the fandom; and reported having stronger parasocial empathic relationships with characters.

Margot Robbie, now one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood, first rose to fame as Donna Freedman in Neighbors

‘Less closure was associated with being female, older and using the series for entertainment to a greater extent, and using it less to pass the time.’

According to the findings, fans’ reactions were accompanied by significant emotions, feelings of disbelief and perceptions of loss.

Dr. Gerace said: ‘Fans seemed to experience quite a strong sadness, reflecting the importance of the series and character relationships to their lives and a sense of parasocial rupture or loss.

“The strength of these responses, such as anger and sadness, less acceptance and less closure, suggest that fans were at an earlier stage of processing their grief responses, which makes sense given the time the survey was distributed.

‘Nevertheless, fans indicated that they were grateful that the series had been in their lives.

“This may indicate that while the ending of the series was shocking for fans, between the announcement in March and the screening of the final episode in July 2022, they had time to reflect on, celebrate and celebrate the series. to commemorate, and to take stock. of what the series had given them.”

He added: ‘The research found that fans can experience significant feelings of sadness at the end of a series, with fans’ responses influenced by the series’ place in their lives and the relationships they have formed with characters .

“While different from real-world social interactions, these parasocial relationships are taken seriously by fans and are important to them.

‘In this way they should be honored with more research attention.

‘As a postscript, in November 2022, after data collection had stopped, it was announced that the series would be revived. The series was relaunched in September 2023.

‘While fans were very pleased with this result and fan reactions to the end of the series – and the finale ratings – likely played a role, there was no indication at the time of the finale screening and data collection that this would happen .

‘Therefore, the responses collected in this study of a single series termination were unique and are unlikely to be repeated in the literature for some time to come.

“Future research into fans’ re-engagement with the series, including exploration of their joy and satisfaction with the continuation of the story and their connections with returning and new characters, is warranted.”