Pip’s Guide To The New Puberty Blues

(The original Puberty Blues starred Nell Schofield (top right) as Debbie and Jad Capelja as Sue.  They were ace weren’t they? Have you seen the original? It is cringey-great. You can buy it here (sadly it’s not on iTunes!))

In the 2012 PB, we excitingly have Claudia Karvan as Judy Vickers, Debbie’s mum. Susie Porter plays Sue’s mum, Pam Knight.  There’s a great cast : Rodger Corser (Underbelly, Rush), Dan Wylie (Tangle, Love My Way), Katie Wall (Love My Way, The Secret Life of Us) and other rad peeps.  (Click here to see the full cast.)

This latest version, filmed in Sydney’s now infamous The Shire, is produced by John Edwards and Imogen Banks, the ace team behind Offspring, Tangle and Paper Giants to name but a few. (John is also behind The Secret Life of Us, Love My Way and the upcoming drama about Kerry Packer, Howzat!)

 

Behind the camera are ace people like:Director Emma Freeman (read her blog here, she’s worked on all our FAVE shows plus videos for the likes of CocoRosie)Cinematographer John Brawley (his blog is here) andDirector Glendyn Ivin (read his amazing-great blog here : there are LOTS of Puberty Blues photos : so rad : he seems like such a nice dude!)

 

(You really need to go visit the behind-the-scenes blogs! They are jam packed with great photos and things!)

 

There seems to be a pretty hilarious soundtrack to the new PB.  I do remember the wafty, wobbly, surf ditty that Jenny Morris sang for the original. I think that the bits and pieces of kitschy nostalgia I’ve heard in the promos sound WAY better, don’t you? That song was kinda naff, right?!

 

I’m really busting to see this, can you tell?!! I remember watching the movie about 100 times with my besty, sometime with my hands over my eyes, cringing at the matter-of-fact sex scenes and the way the kids talked to each other.  BUT I think it is a totally accurate reflection of how some kids grew up.  And kids can be scarily matter-of-fact, right?!  (Do not mention the Vaseline!)(Kind of annoying there is no eBook version of Puberty Blues. And every bookshop I go into says ‘Not in stock, sorry’, when I ask for a copy of the book. What is THAT all about?!)

Are you going to watch?!  Are you excited? Or are you nervous that this might replace the sentimental place the old Puberty Blues has in your heart?  Are you feeling nostalgic for the Nell and Jad version?  I totally AM. But I am totally excited that this will be reinvented for a whole new generation and spark a thousand tweets and chats about love, sex, growing up, parenting, friendship, Countdown, tape decks, America’s Top 40, communication, fried food, fashion, decor and language. Those are really great discussions to be sparking, right?!

So : Let’s do that! Let’s have a chat about Puberty Blues.  Three questions for you,  if you grew up in Australia…

1. Would you/have you ever eaten a Chiko Roll?

2. Would you/have you ever called anyone a ‘Mole/Moll’?

3. Would you/have you ever taped a video from Countdown or a song from the radio?!

 

Please share you stories. If you are old enough. <— See what I did there?!  I am totes funny, no?

 

xx Pip

 

PS : Not a sponsored post. Just a fan girl post!

 

This post was originally published on Pip’s blog Meet Me at Mike’s

• http://twitter.com/heyLisaWarren Lisa Warren

  OMG…yes to all of the above…and I grew up in the Shire! Puberty Blues was very, very real to me. I’m so looking forward to the new series.

  As for taping songs…I used to sit there every Sunday night waiting for the Top 40…finger poised above the record button. I used to get really cranky when the DJ would talk over the top!

  • http://www.justbaustralia.com.au/ Pip @ JustB

    Me too! Kasey Kasem was the WORST! (Is that how you spell his name?!) He always BLABBED through the start of the songs. Darn him! xx

• Cara Nokes

  Yes to all the above and I was born in 86!! I truly think I should have been born 15 years earlier, I am an 80′s tragic. Interesting point… when I marry my partner in a few months my surname will be Mowle (pron Mole) my friends have started calling me Kylie …..

• Kay

  “Kind of annoying there is no eBook version of Puberty Blues”
  Ebook will be released on Aug 15 from Random House Australia
  ISBN: 9781742759296

  • http://www.justbaustralia.com.au/ Pip @ JustB

    Oh that’s GREAT to hear! Thank you for the update! I know lots of people have been on the lookout for that. x