Archers - It's time to put it down like a TB riddled badger

[NigellaTufnel]

I have been a devoted listener for a fair few years. I have cried, cheered, and giggled through various ups and downs.
But I am now finding it so depressing. With the current episodic storylines - which are all quite unpleasant - you no longer get that lovely feeling that you are eavesdropping on a community that you would quite like to live in.
It just feels a bit nasty. It also feels a bit like Eastenders.

It feels ridiculous to be sad, but the good people of Ambridge have been my companions all the way through having very young children. They felt like friends when I hadn't had. Grown up conversation all day.

Hopefully this will pass and I can come back when they' ve finished mucking it up.

I don't know what to add; you've said it all. My DC grew up being told "Not now - The Archers is on. Talk to me at 7:15." Now I can not tune in for days in a row and not care, I don't even bother with Listen Again. Sometimes I catch the omnibus but a solid hour-and-a-quarter of that only emphasises what a difficult listen it is these days.

It's not The Archers any more. They are not the people that I have known for the last 30+ years. Since we lost Phil and Nigel, and Jill has gone mute, the heart has gone out of it. As you say, they are no longer my community, my companions - they are cardboard-cutouts (with ishoos) that I have little interest in.

Absolutely. I still listen though :(

I came so close to giving up TA this summer, when all the main story lines were being driven by completely new characters, but they drew it back a bit.

But I agree, it's just so bloody depressing ATM and I understand that there's going to be another big bust up in the Archer family - so we can look forward to another miserable Christmas...

Why is Will so bloody miserable?!?

I can't understand why this has happened. There must have been an editorial meeting that decided to trash it!

I don't want just happy storylines, but the Ed and Emma poverty storyline and Will being an arse and getting away with it is not what I want to listen to as I'm tidying the kitchen and sorting the kids out. Day after day.

And there is no real relief. Even the comedy of James and Leoni is tempered by listening to Matt and Lillian's relationship combusting.

And what's happening with Vicki? Do we just stop caring?

They have tried to enforce a structure that does not work, and taken away the joy.

I WANT MY AMBRIDGE BACK!

And soon we're going to get a Will/Nic infertility story too I reckon...

Oh yes, Nic & Will infertility storyline - possibly juxtaposed with Emmur getting pg by accident whilst in dire financial straits...

Oh god- can you imqgine having sex with Will................

BUT Nic to the rescue (if anyone can control Will she can). How can get we through to the S.W.s that we don't want unremitting misery in TA? Anyone follow someone on Twitter?

Will and Nic could purchase Emma's unplanned baby for a small fee :o

Oh fgs not more misery of the unplanned baby 'shall I have it or not?' type; esp. with Emmur who's getting on my thrupennies now. Has the actress who plays Clarrie left already or are they going to write her out with another terrible death story I LIKE Clarrie

I was listening to the Ominbus today. Comes to something when Ruth is the cheeriest character around.

I want the proper Lillian back - I cannot not remember the last acid line she said, morbid morbid morbid boring.

{SIOB} Do we know Clarrie is leaving?!?

I agree on the episodic storylines. It's like listening to Ambridge Extra. It's not right for the Archers, which as you say, should be a bit of a nosy into everyone's business.
But I am still listening. Was very relieved to hear Nic tell Will off the other night. He is such a twat. Now someone needs to grab Tom by the ears and shake him vigorously.

yes Olivia I read it on TA R4 fan page

I thought that the Clarrie-actress was leaving, not Clarrie herself, and they were looking for a replacement. IIRC, the current actress is not the original; she is a replacement for the previous one who took umbrage at the treatment of a fellow actor (can't remember who at the moment).

Yes I think Clarrie is staying, it's just the actress who is leaving and being replaced.

Oh that's better than being killed off then. I noticed that 'Clarrie was upstairs' quite recently at the Grundy's.

It must be difficult to find an actress who talks EXACTLY like the old one but I must admit I didn't notice when the original actress was replaced so maybe I don't listen as closely as I think I do!

And Hayley was replaced as the original Hayley was Dawn from The Office. I would never know the difference now.

No it's probably why they choose actors with accents so you can 'hang on' to that and not notice the timbre of the voice.

And Emma!

And Lillian.... Anyone else been replaced?

I didn't know Emma had been replaced.Lilian's character had been 'away' for so long I don't reckon anyone would've remembered her before (i'm happy to be corrected though)

Emma used to be played by Felicity Jones, who now does film and tv stuff. She's now played by Emerald O'Hanrahan, who I think sounds more like Susan, but I did prefer Felicity's voice.