Why is Lillian allowing this to happen?

[PseudoBadger]

FFS Lil, he's just a bit on the side. If he pisses you off just bin him. Don't start sounding so downtrodden.

Psuedo They could always use some 'crowd' sound effects though couldn't they? Hands off Alan I LiKE him (I'm not a churchgoer either) but if he were our vicar I might change.....

I don't understand why they can't afford the actors ATM. They have no other expenses! It's not like they need props or cars or beautiful houses

Well I am presuming that cost is a factor. But can see no other reason why they'd run a family party of established characters with none of them there!!
I know there is a theory that the BBC are trying to make TA so shot that no one will mind when they axe it....

*shit :o

If they hadn't persisted with the ludicrous Ambridge Extra, they would have had more dosh to spend on TA.

And possibly also been able to keep the Messageboard

Anyway - am fully expecting Jazzer to be recruited as Church Organist next

I think the message board was to do with website costs rather then archers costs. Different budget I imagine.

Maybe so, but I'm still bitter!

Why dont they employ the MN posse to do the church sound effects?

I'll be "Old Woman with a Hacking Cough"

PsuedoBadger can be "Person overcome with laughter at the Gospel reading"

PPeatFruit can be "Person swooning at Alan in his vestments"

I think they should employ us to write the scripts too. at least we would get the pregnancy facts right, and the wondrous Henry wouldn't be having conversations about breeds of ducks at 18 months old

'I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue' did an Archers parody in the last series - with Victoria Wood playing all the female members of the cast. It was genius.

Oh, and a friend of a friend of a friend who knows things about what happens behind the scenes says that they do actually have a limit on the number of characters appearing in each episode. I'm sure that in the past there would be loads - now you really notice how few people crop up in each one.

There's always been a weekly limit on the number of characters who could speak. If the scriptwriter has a two-hander one night s/he can splash out and have a crowd (by TA standards) on another night.

I'd love to write the scripts. 'Pip! Pip! Don't walk so close to the slurry pit while you're checking your phone.... oh. Too late.'

You know how there's an agricultural advisor? Could we not be the pregnancy, parenting and personal relationship advisors?

I can! My DS is the same age as Henry, and my EDD is the same as Nics!

Oh, but I've never shagged my husband's brother. I'm out :(

I couldn't quite work out why the promo for Brian Aldridge the despoiler of the countryside (though i liked the comment that the factory dairy was giving the cows all they need "except green grass blue skies and sun") .

I hate the new fashion for "single episode" characters, for example the Borsetshire Life Editor had a long conversation with "squire brian" this week, but will probably never be heard again, or might pop up in 3 years time with a new voice.

In recent times, I can recall the Bridge Farm slurry-pit expert, the new market expert, Elizabeth meeting the bank manager. All of them with huge amounts of script, just the once.

In the olden days you knew where you were with the Archers.

choccyI DO remember that editor having a discussion with Lindy when she was writing for the magazine and he seemed a lot more 'airheady' than the manipulative type the SWs made him into with Brine. I suppose it gives work to actors. Yes I agree that TA is not what it was (i still listen though).

Don't forget Maurice the comedy scouse sausage expert...

Talking of comedy what was going on with today's homage to Lady Bracknell? It really does feel like the SW are mucking about, testing to see how far they can go before they get their knuckles rapped.

I haven't heard it yet. But over on the new Mustardland they have ideas for the future:

Lilian: "Where shall I go? What shall I do?"
Matt: "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" :o

TallGiraffe Yes, Maurice the comedy scouse...previously known as maurice the compulsive gambler.

But at least he is a part of the village, works for Tom, gets mentioned occasionally, but these others are just "randoms" (to use the current vernacular)

Isn't Maurice the comedy Brummie?

Why TF doesn't Matt. actually say he knows ? Lil can't be as thick as all that can she? with the huge clanging hints he's giving her.

Anyone reckon they're setting the scene for Jack's death?

Matt has his pride.
He's figuring out the situation, is Lil being used or is she just using Matt, how does she really feel about Matt, what kind of man is Paul, etc.

Aha! He's figured it out.

Patio time !