Don’t leave me hanging: 30 years of Shortland Street Christmas cliffhangers

30 Years of Shortland Street Christmas Cliffhangers

Since its debut 30 years ago, Shortland Street has captivated audiences with its unexpected season-ending cliffhangers.

A New Zealand Television Tradition

Shortland Street’s Christmas cliffhangers have become a staple of New Zealand television. These suspenseful episodes are designed to keep viewers engaged over the summer break, with several key storylines reaching a climax in the final episode of the year. Producers often include major, unexpected events such as explosions, plane crashes, or boat accidents for the grand finale.

Early Years and Evolution

Initially, Shortland Street aired without a break over Christmas. However, in recent years, the show typically takes a short hiatus during the holiday season.

Memorable Cliffhangers

• 1992: The first year ended with Chris discovering Alison’s pregnancy and the nurses going on strike. Chris and Alison, who had been briefly engaged earlier in the year, eventually reconciled and planned their wedding.
• 1995: This year saw a truck crash into the hospital, leading to Carmen’s tragic death on Christmas Day. Other dramatic events included Johnny kissing Ramona behind Ellen’s back and Kirsty’s amnesia causing her to forget her love for Lionel.
• 1997: The tradition of Christmas cliffhangers was firmly established. Key events included Nick discovering Jenny’s husband Ian was untrustworthy, Donna and Rangi finding out they were half-siblings, and a plane crash involving Kirsty and Lionel.
• 2001: This year featured an attempt on Chris Warner’s life, a kidnapping, and a drug lab explosion at Barb’s Christmas party.
• 2007: One of the biggest cliffhangers in the show’s history revealed Joey Henderson as the Ferndale Serial Killer. Meanwhile, Chris tracked down his wife Toni, only to face a tragic car accident.
• 2013: Dr. Josh Gallagher’s Hero Complex led him to create dangerous situations to play the hero. The year ended with an explosion at the Warner bach and Vasa becoming the prime suspect in her ex-husband’s murder.
• 2015: A 90-minute finale featured an armed gunman holding hostages at the hospital cafeteria during a children’s Christmas party. The episode ended with a mysterious second gunman shooting Dr. Drew McCaskill.

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