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The creators of Seven’s hit drama Packed to the Rafters, which follows the trials and tribulations of the fictional Rafter family, have been stung by criticism of recent risque plotlines.
Viewers are angry that the Rafters have lost the squeaky-clean image they once shared with the Waltons, the Sullivans and the Neighbours. After all, one doesn’t imagine Dr Karl Neighbour (Alan Fletcher) ever jerks off. He’s too busy specialising in every single branch of medicine.
Creator Bevan Lee has defended a scene containing masturbation references, telling The Daily Telegraph that the show tackles a range of issues confronting families. The episode ended with a phone number that families affected by masturbation could call for support.
In the wake of the masturbation scene, actor Angus McLaren was nominated for the Best Hand Job Logie, but is likely to be beaten by last year’s winner, MediaWatch’s Jonathan Holmes.
Packed to the Rafters premiered in 2008 as part of Seven’s efforts to cash in on the then popularity of tennis legend Pat Rafter. The show is a historical counter-factual that considers what life would be like if the former world number-one had been called Dave and was not on the ATP tour and was additionally somewhat older.
Packed to the Rafters won that year’s Logie award for cleverest title, edging out rival Nine drama Stuffed to the Gunwales. The decision was to be expected: most viewers found the Gunwales family difficult to relate to because Mrs Gunwales in particular comes across as a complete bitch.
Also beaten was the SBS sitcom Chok-a-bloc!, which is about the Chok family. Or possibly the Bloc family. I mean, who actually watches any of this shit?
In recognition of his awareness-raising work on Packed to the Rafters, actor Angus McLaren was nominated for the Best Hand Job Logie.
