Can someone give me an Archers lesson please?

[Mrsemcgregor]

I want to start listening to The Archers, what do I need to know not to be lost?

I listened for the first time today (it was yesterday's episode). Is there a thread or website somewhere that will give me a who's who?

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qpgr

Scroll down to "New to The Archers"

Oooo thank you!

I've been listening for about 30 years and I still don't have a clue who's who.

That must make for infuriating listening Snickers!

Well I'm only half listen as it's on when I'm cooking dinner. I generally know what's happening but I get confused about people's relationship to each other.

Hello Mrsemmcgregor, I started listening about 3 years ago and love the Archers!

I found it difficult at first to tell one person from another, so I listened to it online after it had aired, keeping the Lowfields summaries open on my screen so I could follow who it was who was saying what. Click on This Week for current summaries.

I found that very helpful and hope you soon get into the Archers, it's very addictive.

Thank you Apples!

I have been studying the website and looking into some past stories to try and build up a picture, I have tried several times to listen and I am determined to get into it!

Place marking as I was thinking of posting a similar thread. Thanks to respondents for pointers.

Excellent post op.

what do I need to know not to be lost?

I'm no expert on Soaps but it seems to me that most TV soaps are based on location - Albert Square, Coronation Street, etc - but TA is based on a family - the Archers, of course. Get them sorted and you are away (the Who's Who is a god-send).
There is a wiki page for a quick overview.

We have a long-running series of threads on here and posters like to show off our accumulated knowledge are helpful. There is really only one rule : NO SPOILERS, or face the wrath of MNHQ. There's a separate thread for spoiler-people and they are very considerate about not messing up the main thread.

It was all the publicity surrounding the DA storyline and the trial that got me interested. I am currently reading through the BBCs run down of that and listening to clips, it's really excellent!

It was all the publicity surrounding the DA storyline and the trial that got me interested.

Ah, see, you've said the wrong thing there. Us old-timers didn't like all that histrionics. That was done by an extremely unpopular Editor who was, finally, sent packing off to Walford. EE have recently seen the error of their ways and have also sent him packing.
We much prefer a story about a minor infraction of the rules at the Flower & Produce Show or an argument about the cricket team. We like it when nothing much happens.

Really R4? I had no idea! Sorry for any offence caused. I merely meant it had brought the show to my attention again. I remember getting briefly hooked when the flood happened a few years ago (I had been caught up in the flooding and was interested in the parallels).

Don't worry, I am not all about the dramatics. One reason I don't watch soaps on TV, much prefer my DVDs of Lark Rise to Candleford. I am all about the gentle stories

Don't look at the website! You'll see the actors faces and will imagine the characters to look like that, and they clearly don't!

I imagine Lillian to look a bit like Lesley Joseph but the actress absolutely does not

I imagine Lillian to be Honour Blackman!

I only started a few months ago. I can't tell who half of them are and got confused with the Rory plot so had to ask my mum. Have referred to the website for some character profiles.

I don't know much other than Pip annoys me

ApplesinmyPocket thanks for the link! It might help me figure it all out x

I've been listening for just over a year but always half-listened as a child. I was surprised that Joe Grundy was still alive!

Awww that's OK, MiddleClassProblem! I really hope you and Mrsemcgregor get into the Archers! - I've found it much more to my taste lately than the edgy strife and strop of TV soaps - I get quite lost in Ambridge, it's very believable to me, and comforting.

I have listened to the archers forever and love the archers thread on here. However last week I realised that one of the main characters is the daughter of another character, it was complete news to me. I can never ever admit to this failing on the archers thread So I wouldn't worry too much, just enjoy.

Yes, I've given up with all but Neighbours. I have been listening to the archers omnibus in the gym as it's like eaves dropping and distracts me from watching how long I've been going etc.

C'mon birds fess up! Who were they? It took me years (pre-internet) to work out Shula and Peggy - Shula used to call her "Aunty Peggy" but I didn't understand why.

I started listening 6 years ago, listening to the downloaded podcast whilst walking. I am totally addicted now and lose myself in ambridge life.
I got up to date by visiting the website on the BBC and reading about the families and their stories.

I also just realised the other day that Fallon is Joleen's daughter, I've been tuning in since Rob n Helen.

I've been listening for about 25 years, knowing all the history makes it even better.

Same as mumble, it was Fallon and Jolene. You are not allowed to mention it on the other thread r4, I will be shunned