Am I the only person under 40 who listens to the Archers?

[Emsiewill]

Feeling inspired tonight (nothing too deep, though!). Anyway, I often wonder, on a Sunday morning when listening to the omnibus edition of the Archers, if I am the only one of my generation (30-ish) who listens. I love it, and have been listening for 15 years, since I lived in France, and was missing Corrie, Eastenders etc. It was the only soap available to me (well, in English, anyway!). My mum used to listen, but now she's gone, I have no-one to gossip about it with, and that's half the fun of soaps - talking about them at work the next day. I think if I went into work and said "Ruth's pregnant, isn't it great!" I'd get some funny looks.
I'm hoping to find someone here who listens.

No need for an omnibus or website - I can catch up with what's going on in the Archers right here ! While reading the food monthly magazine (my favourite bit) and wishing Boden made their adult range larger for grown (quite literally) ups. And was it just me or did anyone else pick up on David saying a few weeks ago (after he and oh no Ruth had been discussing brian and infidelity) "I'd never have an affair" .... my heart sank - is this not classic soap opera cliche meaning "I'll be having an affair before the year's out"

Oooh, tomps, I think what he actually said was along the lines of "I'll never tell you I'm having an affair" which is even more dodgy!

If you visit emsiewill's link there is a Q & A with Tim Bentinck (David A) in which he hints that he would love it if David had an exciting affair. So you never know.

(You can also have a printed synopsis sent to your email address every day, it has no dialogue so it keeps you up to date but doesn't spoil the omnibus for you.)

Oooooooh, nooooooo!!! Not deeeeeeeeeviiiiid!
Interesting idea, tomps, but I'm afraid I can't imagine it without some kind of improbable character volte face or an obliging Hereford. o:

Frieda! A Hereford??? That is a disgusting suggestion!!!

I agree, how dreadful,

Now I can see him going for a Gloucester Old Spot....

I don't think I fit into any of those categories, never read a Trollope, don't buy a Sunday paper and left university in the 90's (actually I never really left university as I'm still stuck in one now). I'm just a soap addict who doesn't have a television so had to make do with the radio instead. Surely it will be Adam who actually does have AIDS since he keeps referring to a mystery relationship that went wrong, and thats why he was so keen for Debbie to get tested. I have to admit to finding Elizabeth far more annoying and 'perfect' than Ruth. And how can Kenton and Debbie comtemplate a relationship aren't they related? Surely the Archers aren't going to wander into incest, homosexuality and a token ethinic minority were fairly progressive! Very sad, missed a couple this week so will have to tune into the omnibus

Debbie and Kenton are cousins, and there is no legal prohibition to their getting married. Debbie's Mother is Jeniffer, and Jennifer's father was Jack Archer, who is Phil Archers ner do well brother. So I think that makes them first cousins , once removed. Mind you , I think it would be a bad idea genetically! Imagine how awful the offspring could be?!

I can't believe I just sad down, and typed that out! I must get a life.

I guess its not illegal, just that I could never even imagine getting together with a member of the family. I know its normal in some cultures, and Ambridge is some kind of culture that is completely novel to me as a townie (maybe thats why I find it so fascinating)

Don't you think that David and Debbie have seemed rather pally in the past?. Agree about Adam and AIDS.

Hi.
I'm no longer under 40 I know, but I have been listening to The Archers for 60 years. I'm now 70, and was a 10 old kid, forced to listen to it by my Grandad when he was looking after me when Mum was at work. I think he did it just to shut me up, but I loved it! It's become such a part of my life now I can't imagine life without it.
I don't know anyone in real life who listens tbough, apart from my sister.
Having said that it often irritates me so much. Does anyone else find some of the female characters unbearable sometimes?
People like Ruth and Natasha. Maybe we have a misoginistic writer.

Don't get me started on Kate and Susan Carter. Can't bear either!!

@Clarich007 this was the first ever thread about the Archers on mumsnet, I started it 20 years ago and no-one has posted on it for about 18 years (until now!)

There is now a long running series of threads about the Archers, you can find the latest one here.

(and I'm well over 40 now!)