Joe Mangel: Difference between revisions

Little has branded Joe as a "massive character" within the serial, also stating that viewers still have enormous affection for him due to his storylines.<ref name="scots"/> In an interview with the newspaper ''[[Derby Telegraph]]'', Little described his persona and links to the British public stating: "He was a single dad, struggling to get along, a bit of a battler. He appealed to the English psyche and became a bit of a folk hero."<ref name="derby"/> He also spoke about Joe still representing the old Australian arch-type when he returned in 2005.<ref name="derby"/> Little described this change stating: "Joe is like one of a dying breed – I don't know if there are really too many Joe Mangels left. He was a genuine, easy bloke that is dying out. He knew the language. He could have been one of the last Australians!"<ref name="old">{{cite web|title='Joe Mangel will never leave me'|url=http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/lifestyle/culture_2_1843/joe_mangel_will_never_leave_me_1_69881|work=[[Peterborough Evening Telegraph]]|publisher=([[Johnston Press]])|accessdate=27 June 2010|date=27 June 2010<!-- |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5vwXDyGPk?url=http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/lifestyle/culture_2_1843/joe_mangel_will_never_leave_me_1_69881|url-status=live|archivedate=23 January 2011-->}}</ref>

In 2005, Little agreed to reprise his role as Joe in a four-month guest capacity, as part of ''Neighbours<nowiki>'</nowiki>'' twentieth anniversary celebrations.<ref name="derby">{{cite web|title='Joe Mangel' now true Brit|url=http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/Joe-Mangel-true-Brit/article-1963772-detail/article.html|work=[[Derby Telegraph]]|publisher=([[Northcliffe Media]])|accessdate=27 June 2010|date=2 April 2010<!-- |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5vwXKlZOT?url=http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/Joe-Mangel-true-Brit/article-1963772-detail/article.html|url-status=dead|archivedate=23 January 2011-->}}</ref> Little said that he was not sure if it was a mistake as he felt that Joe no longer fitted in because of Australia's change in culture.<ref name="derby"/> The character had changed and Little believed Joe living in the countryside contributed to this. Once "a very suburban" character Joe returns as a "bushie" after living on a cattle station. He added that his character does not blend back into his former lifestyle.<ref>{{cite journal|title=A little different|journal=[[Inside Soap]]|date=21–27 May 2005|issue=20|pages=13|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi UK]]}}</ref> In 2008, Little said it was unlikely he would ever return to the show again, describing Joe as "just a fond memory".<ref>{{cite web|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|title=Little rules out Ramsay Street return|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s14/neighbours/news/a133687/little-rules-out-ramsay-street-return.html|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=([[Hachette Filipacchi Médias|Hachette Filipacchi UK]])|accessdate=26 June 2010|date=25 October 2008}}</ref> In 2010, former co-star [[Janet Andrewartha]] (who plays [[Lyn Scully]]) called for Joe to return for Lyn, also wanting to work with Little again.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|title='Neighbours' Lyn 'wants Joe Mangel back'|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s14/neighbours/news/a204760/neighbours-lyn-wants-joe-mangel-back.html|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=([[Hachette Filipacchi Médias|Hachette Filipacchi UK]])|accessdate=26 June 2010|date=23 February 2010}}</ref> However, Little gave confirmation that he would not return again because he felt that Joe has "had his time".<ref name="scots">{{cite web|last=Flockhart|first=Gary|title=Interview: Mark Little, former Neighbours star|url=http://living.scotsman.com/comedy/Interview-Mark-Little-former-Neighbours.6150129.jp|work=[[The Scotsman]]|publisher=([[Johnston Press]])|accessdate=27 June 2010|date=12 March 2010<!-- |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5vwXI7ZWj?url=http://living.scotsman.com/comedy/Interview-Mark-Little-former-Neighbours.6150129.jp|url-status=live|archivedate=23 January 2011-->}}</ref>

In 2010 to celebrate ''Neighbours<nowiki>'</nowiki>'' 25th anniversary ''[[British Sky Broadcasting|Sky]]'', a British [[satellite broadcasting|satellite broadcasting company]] profiled 25 characters whom they believed were the most memorable in the series history.<ref name="a">{{cite news|url=http://tv.sky.com/neighbours |title=Neighbours: 25 Top Characters |publisher=[[British Sky Broadcasting|Sky]] |year=2010 |accessdate=26 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323092809/http://tv.sky.com/neighbours |archivedate=23 March 2010 |df= }}</ref> Joe is in the list and describing him they brand him as the series' first 'easygoing Aussie' to be featured, stating: "For an Australian soap, Neighbours has surprisingly few blokey blokes. Perhaps that's because few were going to out-bloke Joe Mangel after he left – with a stubby in hand and probably some shrimp on the barbie, Joe was the originally easygoing Aussie. That provided a useful breath of fresh air to all the grown-ups who've tried to make him behave himself over the years, including nan Mrs Mangel, guardian of his son Dorothy, and father-in-law Harold. While not exactly dependable, he stayed on hand to support step-daughter Sky after the plane crash of 2005."<ref name="a"/> Editor of [[MSN|MSN TV]], Lorna Cooper branded Joe as one of the legendary characters of the series, despite his short duration.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tv.uk.msn.com/photos/photos.aspx?cp-documentid=149729015&page=35|title=TV's Neighbours: where are they now?|publisher=[[MSN]]|author=Cooper, Lorna|date=17 March 2010|accessdate=27 June 2010<!-- |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5vwX2EQK1?url=http://tv.uk.msn.com/photos/photos.aspx?cp-documentid%3D149729015%26page%3D35|url-status=live|archivedate=23 January 2011-->}}</ref>

Joe became popular in the UK due to his personality.<ref name="derby"/> The ''[[Peterborough Evening Telegraph]]'' brand Joe as the serial's "likeable rogue".<ref name="old"/> Each of the ''[[Daily Mirror]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s columnists were asked to choose their favourite soap opera character, Polly Hudson chose Joe. She cited his "Funny, sweet and ute-obsessed" personality and the comedy moments he provided as her reasons for choosing him.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hudson|first=Polly|title=Vote for your favourite soap star in the new Mirror Soap Awards|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2009/08/03/vote-for-your-favourite-soap-star-in-the-new-mirror-soap-awards-115875-21566830/|work=[[Daily Mirror]]|publisher=([[Trinity Mirror]])|accessdate=27 June 2010|date=3 August 2009<!-- |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5vwWyyyFG?url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2009/08/03/vote-for-your-favourite-soap-star-in-the-new-mirror-soap-awards-115875-21566830/|url-status=live|archivedate=23 January 2011-->}}</ref> [[Orange UK]] agree with Joe's loveable larrikin status adding it was his style and state he is famous for his relationship with Bouncer, referring to it as touching.<ref name=ora>{{cite web|title=Neighbours stars – where are they now?|url=http://www.orange.co.uk/entertainment/television/pics/2345_3.htm|work=[[Orange UK]]|publisher=([[Orange (telecommunications)|Orange]])|accessdate=23 January 2011<!-- |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5vwWHcd3u?url=http://www.orange.co.uk/entertainment/television/pics/2345_3.htm|url-status=live|archivedate=23 January 2011-->}}</ref> Sue Heath from ''[[The Northern Echo]]'' said that commented on his return, opining that he "waltzed back into Erinsborough with a cheery 'Good day, chuck' as though he'd never been away"<ref>{{cite web|last=Heath|first=Sue|title=Neighbours (BBC 1)|url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/archive/2005/10/19/The+North+East+Archive/7147827.On_TV/|work=[[The Northern Echo]]|publisher=([[Newsquest]])|accessdate=5 December 2011|date=19 October 2005}}</ref>