The dog days of summer are approaching Ambridge. Freddy’s being hounded and Brian is in the dog house - can Jenny take the ruff with the smooth?

[PseudoBadger]

Thanks to all for the dog ideas, and special mention to Ppeatfruit.

Discuss the Archers here!

It was pretty poor, wasn't it? I wasn't listening with full attention at all.

Completely agree on that, Minimammoth.

Which unlucky SW got to write that terrible filler episode?

It was rubbish wasn't it? I kept waiting for it to get to the point.

I'm not getting any hints of Phoebe being pregnant. She turned down a massage. I would too. I'd hate it. I hate being touched. And a massage from Kate would be a nightmare.

Which unlucky SW got to write that terrible filler episode?

Salvaged from John Finnemore's waste paper basket ? A failed "Archers for people who only listen to the Archers by accident" sketch?


I hardly dare think this, but, could Phoebe and Kate BOTH have pregnancy scares?

But Phoebe's already had one and she's supposed to be all sensible surely?
Pip's already down as a contraception failure, surely Phoebe can't also be. Kate could be any number of reasons from "I stopped the pill as it was interfering with my karma and anyway I'm going through the menopause I can just FEEL it in my aura" but Phoebe? Nah.

(still, better scares than actual pregnancy, although I do like listening to Kate so probably wouldn't mind if she were pregnant)

If I ever get to be Queen of Everything, I am going to ban the phrases “She’s got a lot on her plate” and “health-giving properties” from The Archers. Top of my to-do list

And just for once, can an Archers woman not in a long term relationship have sex without it becoming a Warning to Others..

If (when) I’m Queen of The Archers I will intermittently have episodes voiced by all the invisible Ambridge residents who go about their lives without terrible decisions, dire consequences, and an overwhelming sense of lack of self determination.

Omnibus would be narrated by Maurice and Jazzer.

I suspect we're meant to be having a bit of a compare and contrast at the moment in terms of supportive siblings - contrast Helen and Tom supporting each other with Josh and Pip. The trouble is we're back to seeing it through David and Ruth's eyes, with Pip as a living saint and Josh the uncaring bastard for daring to run his own successful business and prioritising it occasionally.

Pip was always horrible to Josh. I don't remember David or Ruth pulling her up on it.

Are they getting anyone in for Pip's maternity leave?

If I ever get to be Queen of Everything, I am going to ban the phrases “She’s got a lot on her plate” and “health-giving properties” from The Archers. Top of my to-do list

Closely followed by "Don't be silly". It's universal on TA and bloody rude when you think about it. It negates the feelings and intentions of the "patient". Sounds polite, but actually isn't.

If I was Queen of Everything I'd bring in a few new characters with real jobs. E.g. surely someone in the village does childminding or runs a pre-school nursery? Would be brilliant for inside info on the behaviour of our younger characters and their parents. There must be a home-hairdresser as well - they can't all go to Fabrice.

I'd also have a Christmas special where the characters like the various Tuckers get together and we can hear their news.

Having said that I do enjoy the silent characters.

@PseudoBadger - are you there? we are going to need a new thread in the next few days.

Anyone got a good thread title suggestion? It will be thread 90, and will probably last to around when Pip pops.

Found Lillian and Jennifer's chat about the affordable homes rather distasteful. Looking down on Pat almost implying it's her fault for believing Justin, and only using affordable homes to ease her sell out's conscience.

Made my blood boil a bit actually. If Pat's conscience should need easing what does that say about Justin, aye Lillian? Mind you, she loves shacking up with nasty crooks.

I've never had less sympathy for a pregnant person than Pip. (Fancy?) She's so rude. Hope they're not expecting Josh to pick up her workload, as much as they'd enjoy sabotaging his business some more.

On a lighter note Jazzer narrating the omnibus would be most enjoyable.

When will Pip pop? When will Brian go bust? Did Justin dupe Pat? Will Ed'n'Em ever escape the eternal angst?

Might be a start ...

Also, whilst it is sloppy of Kate not to read the contract, it was a deal made with her father and family. I think a lot of people wouldn't scrutinise it the same and trust the word of their father.

Whilst she is vexing in many ways, she has a legitimate right to feel angry that her business is being sacrificed to protect the others. Having a building site or goodness knows what next to her yurts will be the final nail in the coffin for SH and it's pretty nasty of Brian not to sympathise with that, even if it is the only and best course of action.

Are they getting anyone in for Pip's maternity leave?

The seem to be assuming that Josh and Ben will pick up the slack.

I find the trivialising and dismissal of Josh's business really irritating. David knows that farm is not going to support more than one child+family, they make it plain in every sentence that Pip is that child. They should be encouraging Josh to build up his own income stream and independence rather than expecting him to put it down ever five minutes to prop up Pip's future.

Considering her own share of cock-ups (not least the escaping cows and costs) Josh's business errors have been trivial.

Next thread title:

Pip Pops a Pup in time for Pets Parade, Jill jumps for joy, will Josh jumps ship?

Because I am wondering if the attitudes to Josh are precursor of a Kenton scenario where Josh leaves to branch out on his own, leaving GoldenPips to the farm.

whilst it is sloppy of Kate not to read the contract, it was a deal made with her father and family. I think a lot of people wouldn't scrutinise it the same and trust the word of their father.

But she had a business. Presumably she never took legal advice when setting up the subcompany either? I assume it is partly separated from the farm business if only for the protection of the farm.

Much as l agree with the above comments about Josh, l do wonder if he now pays his parents for board and lodgings. If at 20 or so with a steady income, he should either contribute something or pay in kind with an agreed amount of farm work. I have no big concern his business will struggle as he does prioritise that over farm work but they all need a tidier arrangement.

Pip will expect Toby to follow her around to be the pair of hands whenever she needs them. All farming activities will be Pip, Tobes and babe being handed between them, her saying well you wanted to be hands on.

Pip is expecting EVERYONE to look after her and the baby, especially Jill. And to be grateful for the opportunity.

Well I'd like to see how much rent Pip pays for a house that had previously accommodated a rent-paying family. That and all of the flapjacks and casseroles she swipes from Jill.