Ambridge Extra - SPOILER ALERT FOR MAIN ARCHERS AND AMEX

[JessieMcJessie]

OK, hopefully I have flagged up the spoiler enough, but what on EARTH are the producers/writers doing by using AMEX for the scene where Lilian finds out that Matt has known for a long time about the affair?

How can this possibly run independently of the main programme? And what an insult to main programme listeners to deny them this key plot development.

Amex is quite fun, I do listen to it because I listen to all my Archers online anyway, so it's just an extra podcast for me, but I know I am in the minority. It is NOT the same programme and they can't just expect everyone to listen to both- the writing is different, there are too many peripheral characters and there's not enough variety of regulars. It's fine when it can be separated entirely from the main plot developments (Daniel/Alastair and the schoolgirl temptress and Kenton & Jolene's NZ trip were OK, the the Alice/Chas story and Phoebe's experience in SA when she discovered Kate's affair and were pushing it).

I am of course going to keep listening but I feel that the whole premise of TA is being eroded and I don't like it.

[JessieMcJessie]

Oh, I should also add that my general feeling about Amex is that it's a bit shit - to me that is because it isn't on Radio 4 so lacks the right production values. Case in point with this recent episode - as they are freed from Radio 4 pre-watershed constraints they were able to be explicit about sex and use words like "screwing", so the writers can be much lazier and it all gets a bit too soapy. Part of the fun of TA is what can't be said and how they work round that/let the listener's imagination fill in the blanks.

[R4]

Radio 4 doesn't have a watershed, as they are fond of reminding us when there are complaints after they air something a bit too graphic on Woman's Hour during holidays/half term (which they do, frequently: we can only presume that the production staff do not have children).

I feel that the whole premise of TA is being eroded and I don't like it.

YY.
I really don't understand AmEx; it seems to be a massive miscalculation. I don't 'do' soaps. If I did, I would be watching EE, Corrie, etc. I listen to TA because, until recently, it was an everyday tale of everyday folk. I don't want crashing trains, falling planes and other such DRAMA. The whole point of TA is that not much happens.

Now, I can understand that if the BBC want to bring in younger audiences then they start a more racy version but ...

1. what is 4extra all about? Is it supposed to be cutting edge and down with da yoof or is it full of repeats of things that your grandparents listened to? (Navy Lark, Round the Horne, etc)
   
2. If AmEx is supposed to be youthful and edgy, what on earth are they doing having Kenton/Jolene or Matt/Lillian on there?
   
   AmEx is certainly not luring me to 4Extra. If anything, it's putting me off.

[Panzee]

I don't like it either. I was really looking forward to listening to Lil finding out that Matt knew all along. But I don't listen to Amex, I've barely time for The Archers. They have ruined it.

[BoreOfWhabylon]

I think it was supposed to be a device for luring Da Yoof into TA but really it's just a self-indulgent exercise for the scriptwriters/editor. Or possibly a device to get R4 listeners into R4 Extra.

[HomelessAngua]

TA have really lost the plot haven't they? Was listening at lunch time for Lilo Bapper tido and ..... zilch..

If TA can't be bothered to deal with storylines properly I can't be othered to listen. I am probably the wrong kind of listener tho.

[BoreOfWhabylon]

Hi Angua! Lovely to see you here!

RocknRollNerd has started an AmEx thread and has undertaken to post synopsisises - the first one is superb.

There's a lot of general TA pisstaking discussion on the 'Lilian' thread too (and you may recognise some of the posters)

[HomelessAngua]

Woo hooo!

[Somethingyesterday]

or possibly a device to get R4 listeners into R4 Extra.....

Or probably part of a long term plan to move TA over to R4 Extra.

If, in the next few months, all the important stories start on R4 but end elsewhere what choice will we have - other than to stop listening altogether?

[R4]

what choice will we have - other than ...

... marching on Downing Street?

[minkembernard]

jessie Kate had an affair? i wondered what had happened when phoebe came home...there were dark mutterings but i never realised...what happened?

I listen to Amex podcast when I know it is on but it is easy to miss.
I suppose the reasoning for having the big denouement in Amex is that when Lillian comes back no one in ambridge knows what has happened. so it is to keep listeners in the same level of darkness as it were and presumably there will be another denouement.

[minkembernard]

I wonder what would happen if Lillian had a thread on MN detailing her affair and the Monte Negro he won't come home/ I always loved you Matt

[ppeatfruit]

The SWs must have been swayed by everyone's and our complaints because yesterdays Amex was broadcast as TA WTF?????

[JessieMcJessie]

Delighted to hear on Feedback that man many listeners are as outraged as I am. However Roger Boulton missed one major point about the complaints- it's not just that the Dramatic Scene was broadcast on 4 Extra at a weird time, it's tat it was part of a programme that has a completely different tone and feel to the one where the plot has developed up until now. Like waking up to find they changed all your cotton bedclothes to polyester and telling you that you can't complain because they still cover you up at night.

[ppeatfruit]

minkembernard kate was feeling unappreciated and fell for the uni lothario who took the piss basically. She and hubby (sorry forgotten his name!) made it all up eventually AAh.

[HomelessAngua]

Have given up on both programmes now...

[Somethingyesterday]

HomelessAngua Don't give up!

It needs people shouting from the rooftops to keep it going good.

[ppeatfruit]

No Homeless NOOOOO don't give it up ! Though I agree sometimes it does seem to have a split personality. It's still the best we've got IMO!