Editorial: 20 years of Shorty worth cheering

Love it or hate it, Shorty Street is as Kiwi as pavlova, kiwifruit, the All Blacks and No8 fencing wire all rolled into one. In fact, I suspect all of those have featured in it at some point.

Even New Zealanders who scoff at our iconic medical drama will know exactly what you are talking about if you utter the immortal words, "You are not in Guatemala now, Dr Ropata!" Nobody has totally escaped its influence.

I remember watching the first episode in 1992. I quickly weaned myself off Neighbours and became an unashamed Shortland Street addict. I followed the continuing saga of Dr Chris Warner's love life, watched the likes of Nick, Rachael and Stuart grow up on screen and thanked my lucky stars it was so far removed from reality.

Who would ever want to be admitted to a hospital where staff are more focused on romantic dalliances, family dramas and serial killers than on the patients?

But the programme has also made the effort to keep abreast of social issues - from drugs, Aids, and family violence to teen pregnancy and gay and lesbian relationships - Dr Meredith Baxter was at it long before Maya and Nicole were on the scene.

Actors such as Martin Henderson, Karl Urban and Rotorua's own Temuera Morrison have gone on to bigger and better things in the United States and Australia.

Like it or not, Shorty is part of the New Zealand culture and I'm sure the discussion we had here in The Daily Post newsroom about the most romantic wedding, dastardly villain, memorable cliffhanger and spectacular death is no different from conversations around the country as it celebrates its 20th anniversary.

I was overseas when Shortland Street celebrated its 15th anniversary and my mother sent me the commemorative first episode DVD and magazine.

It was hilarious! But it was also an episode of home.

Whether you are an addict, an occasional indulger or a detractor, you have to admit Shortland Street has become part of what it is to be Kiwi, so don't fight it. Tune in and become part of the conversation about whether Ula will get back with Evan, Chris goes to prison for murder or Callum's career really is over this time.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

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