*The Archers thread

[sparkling]

I had to have a break from the Archers around the time Emma was just about to lose her dream home. I could not stand the unmitigating misery.
Just popped back to hear that mild mannered and very helpful, builder, Philip is really a gang master. He talks about young men as horses and bullies his son to keep his secrets.
I wonder if I came back too soon.

 

[weltweit]

Me I think Kirsty is guilty as sin !!

 

[a_chap]

Keri Davies tweeted this:





This pair of replies genuinely made me laugh out loud:

 

[Chilli.s]

Happy Birthday!

 

[weltweit]

Happy Birthday!

What, you mean the 70th?

 

[two sheds]

Would have been better if Tony Hancock* had written it - I preferred the Bowmans

*ok I admit it actually Simpson and Galton

 

[belboid]

David’s bit about Colston was surprisingly well done.

 

[two sheds]

Modern slavery in The Archers: how credible is its latest shocking plotline?

When Ambridge builder Philip Moss turned out to be a gangmaster – employing homeless Britons as unpaid workers – some thought it a plot twist too far. But the radio soap had done its homework

www.theguardian.com

Is it me or has it been less embarrassing than usual? Freddie's been less whiny than he was for example.

 

[a_chap]

It's another of those little personality-transplants the writers assume listeners won't notice.

 

[wiskey]

Think I've had enough ... It's taken 40 years and I feel like I've been very patient about the absolute mess they made of addressing covid, but the Shula ordination is beyond dull, the modern slavery storyline was kind of ruined by the pandemic shuffling around of episodes and the Alice's baby arc has reached daft-even-for-TA levels (I do feel sorry for the actor who plays Alice because it was clearly going to be a big FAS/drinking storyline which has been messed around with).

I realise it's been harder for TA to work around covid than some other soaps (because so many of the cast are old) but it's radio FFS, if TV soaps can get back and filming and include references to current global events I don't know why TA has suffered so badly.

 

[davesgcr]

Think I've had enough ... It's taken 40 years and I feel like I've been very patient about the absolute mess they made of addressing covid, but the Shula ordination is beyond dull, the modern slavery storyline was kind of ruined by the pandemic shuffling around of episodes and the Alice's baby arc has reached daft-even-for-TA levels (I do feel sorry for the actor who plays Alice because it was clearly going to be a big FAS/drinking storyline which has been messed around with).

I realise it's been harder for TA to work around covid than some other soaps (because so many of the cast are old) but it's radio FFS, if TV soaps can get back and filming and include references to current global events I don't know why TA has suffered so badly.

I agree , it really is a bucket of crap - as if the whole nation is concerned about this obsession with Christmas Panto's and now God forbid a Passion Play - obviously including the usual suspects fighting for prime roles. About in touch with the world as our much loved Royal family and admirers. I give it 2 weeks and then pull the plug.

 

[Elpenor]

I listen but finding enjoyable storylines hard to come by. And complete lack of any sense, e.g. Oliver complaining about staffing costs in the hotel when it's so empty, and he cannot afford to continue much longer - why not use Furlough?

 

[wiskey]

But covid isn't happening in Borsetshire - look at how Alan is allowed to go from a geriatric ward, to the middle of the hospital, and then into NICU .... When not even two parents are allowed into most maternity units. Meanwhile Brian stops for breakfast at someone else's house.

It's never been all that accurate, but it's feeling so out of touch it's insulting.

And as for the play ... They've done it once already FFS.

I only listen because I was brought up on it and it followed some (occasionally) good comedy, but meh.

 

[wiskey]

I may not cancel my subscription if Jazzer retrains as a midwife

 

[two sheds]

Today's prayer was particularly cringemaking though

 

[belboid]

I realise it's been harder for TA to work around covid than some other soaps (because so many of the cast are old) but it's radio FFS, if TV soaps can get back and filming and include references to current global events I don't know why TA has suffered so badly.

for tv soaps it is easier because it is the actors' main job, whereas with TA its a handy little earner, but not the main thing for most people. So they cant bubble in the same way they do for TV. That said, it has attempted to match even vaguely with reality appallingly badly and these latest storylines are pretty rubbish. The last couple of days have been barely listenable in particular.

 

[Elpenor]

I can’t decide if I like that there’s not really any covid in Ambridge or not. I would really like to get back to 6 episodes a week though

 

[kalmatthew]

I can’t decide if I like that there’s not really any covid in Ambridge or not. I would really like to get back to 6 episodes a week though

What u find most frustrating is that there is a lttile bit of covid that pops up every now and then. Ocasioanly they say things like "we can't do that at the moment " and the grandparents not being allowed at the hospital. But then you get things like the Brian thing. I would much prefer they went one way or the other. Either no covid at all or follow the rules much more

 

[two sheds]

Possibly a valid defence in law: "Well they did it in the Archers m'lud, an everyday tale of country folk" "Point taken, Case Dismissed"

 

[belboid]

Topical mentions award! Well, almost, clear hint of Handforth Council going on there - where one of the councillors is a Mr Staples

 

[pennimania]

Well, I'm a lifelong addict who enjoys complaining about it, but it really is a new level of shite these days.

I think ever since Grayson Perry mentioned Lynda's sniff they have over written her. She has become a caricature (sp) of herself. As has Susan. The drama stuff is well past its sell by date.

And, why, oh why even start with the FAS storyline. They couldn't sustain the Bethany Tucker story (which I wish they had and could have been really interesting). If that was too challenging I cannot begin to imagine the difficulty of tackling a fetal alcohol theme, yet if Martha escapes unscathed what was the point of it?

But then, I never get why they do big injury stories (Lynda's burns, Adam's coma, Chris' flail chest, Emma's compartment syndrome, Brian's brain injuries, Tony at death's door (twice) if they snap back to normal in a few months. I liked Brian and Siobhan, the Bridge farm eColi and other more subtly drawn out plot lines.

 

[belboid]

I'd forgotten all about Bethany, we've heard more from Kathy Perks than we have from her.

 

[two sheds]

yes I switched off half way through this morning as a wave of boredom swept over me

 

[davesgcr]

yes I switched off half way through this morning as a wave of boredom swept over me

Me too - utter crap - does anyone in the real world hanker for eternal drivel over plays , and the tedium of Jazzer and so on. What ever happened to the interesting people and stories , died of the unreported Covid plague ?

 

[two sheds]

not listened since wake me up people if it ever gets listenable to again (I nearly said 'interesting' but that's a bit of an ask)

 

[Elpenor]

I personally find the agribusiness storylines fascinating, and the BL meetings are always a hoot. More of them, perhaps as I find Brian amusing

 

[Elpenor]

Alice storyline is getting silly

 

[two sheds]

how? (not been listening) it was pretty silly before though.

 

[davesgcr]

Totally and utterly given upon it.

A shame really after so many years -and despite the COVID crap -who really wants S++t on passion plays and the more uninteresting characters to the fore , compared to the "bright" sparks of Brian and Kenton etc - they might as well scrap it now. About as relevant as .....well think of an example.

 

[planetgeli]

She's the least wino/most whiny alcoholic ever. They should demand she does some method acting. Up the ante a bit like.