Ambridge is in the doldrums. When will Pip pop? Does anybody even care? And Anisha’s off, leaving Rex in the (pig) trough? Discuss the Archers here.

[PseudoBadger]

Sorry about the title, nothing particularly inspiring in the storylines currently

No spoilers please, there’s a thread for that.

Brine & JD won't move to anywhere unless both actors are leaving, I reckon - or at least becoming part-time silent characters. They couldn't stay part of village life if they were living in a new-build in Loxley Barrett or wherever. No shoots for JD to cater for. No impromptu meals or drinks at the Bull. It would all be desperately contrived. Is there any main character who lives outside Ambridge (Debbie excepted)?

I'm still holding out for a medical emergency or an accident befalling either Brine or JD. More likely JD. Cue huge family shock, no house sale and all rifts healed.

for you, Gruach. Hope the wine/crisp/biscuit treatment has helped.

If the actors who play Brian and Shula (who are married) are 75, I suppose they might be thinking about retirement, but all the actors I know (a few) are keen to keep on working till they physically can't any more, and virtually all the older members of the Archers cast have done that. The original Tony retired because of ill health. I can't offhand think of anyone else who retired.

I agree with whoever it was upthread who said that Kate realising that they really are going to sell will be what halts it. She'll suddenly discover the perfect location elsewhere, quite possibly at Loxley Barrett, B&J will discover that the land the yurts are on is worth exactly the sum that they need, and it will be back to normal.

I used to be an Archers addict but stopped listening around the Rob Titchner time, went cold turkey.
Best thing I have ever done as it started to get nasty and rediculas and not nice to listen to, rejoice I am free now.

Not as free as you'd like if you're commenting on an archers thread 😀 (meant tongue in cheek)

The spoiler is not too bad, just a character who should visit the area as their Grandchild is born is given a voice. I think other developments are pure speculation. Especially as the other character may well have other things on their mind.

Pipistrella. Bats like her mum.

Not as free as you'd like if you're commenting on an archers thread

Particularly not when it’s the second time commenting on this thread. You must be very concerned for our freedom Vicky!

I’m a sporadic listener. It’s surprisingly easy to pick up even if you don’t listen for a while.

So Pip is popping. Still don't care.

Pipistrella. Bats like her mum

Al seeing to Lavinia's schnauzer again!

Confess I'm a little disappointed that we didn't get to hear Froof slap Pip on the rump while bellowing "Easy girl!"

The schnauzer line was brilliant - up there with Brian's beardy weirdies. And I know we're meant to think the Dopeys are dopey but come on, not picking up that your child is having contractions whilst in conversation with them is ridiculous. Half the village was at the fete, if she couldn't get through to her mum's phone, Pip just had to call Emma, Lillian, Alistair et al to find her. I'm dreading hearing Pip in labour tomorrow. I think I'll deliberately not listen.

I'm dreading hearing Pip in labour tomorrow. I think I'll deliberately not listen.

I wondered (hoped) whether the reason for this scene being right at the end was so that the actual labour can be done off- scene and be magically over by tomorrow (it's not unheard of to have a quick labour, even in a first pregnancy, much as I envy the women to whom it happens after my epic struggle). Perhaps even the scriptwriters realised that Pip-actor's skills wouldn't stretch to a realistic impersonation of a woman in labour so wisely decided to skip directly to Dopeys congratulating each other whilst lamenting that they hadn't been there when Pip needed them although she's such a brilliant golden girl that of course she managed wonderfully all by herself.

Wishful thinking, I know.

I am still hoping that Pip dies in childbirth.

I am too. The Pipette can pull through. He or she will be silent for years.

Given how much Roooth fusses about everything it's pretty unrealistic she didn't spot something was up.

I'm dreading hearing Pip in labour tomorrow. I think I'll deliberately not listen

Use the iPlayer and catch up. You can fast forward on 20 second burts.

So is bibesia going to win the guess the birthdate competition...

I don't think I am! I guessed Thursday this week and I can't see the SWs dragging the labour out that long.

Bore, I was hoping for 'Gwan, Pip!'

Actually, I've just remembered the horror which is Ruth's little awestruck voice for emotional moments like the birth of a baby. It's like nails on a blackboard to me and we're bound to get it soon.

We’ve just been discussing my first birth and if Pip’s popping is anything like mine there won’t be a birth before Wednesday. I hope she just won’t have it portrayed. They could just announce the news and leave it all to our imaginations- of course there will be a badly written and badly acted scene. Aargh!

BTW actors who have retired from TA .... definitely Betty Tucker. She had grandchildren in NZ and wanted to move there so they dreaded Betty. I think Sid Perks’ actor wanted out - maybe he was ill though. I can’t remember.

I think one of Bert’s actors had a stroke and had to be replaced. But that’s not a retirement from choice.

So Pip will have to call Rex of course. Or maybe he will wander past and hear the screams.

Thanks for reminding me

Thanks, that is, to Gaspode

Just one of those stupid Archers things. Why isn’t she ringing Emma or Jill or any of the eleventy million people currently within 10 yards of Ruth? And an ambulance?

Was about to say something flippant about Rex - and realised I couldn’t remember much, if anything, about the care of pigs in Ambridge during farrowing. Which led me to this delightful article.

It’s clear to me that pigs don’t get enough time on TA ...

Yes, Biking, the Sid actor was ill and unfortunately died not too long after leaving the cast, iirc.

I'm flabbergasted that Pip, the awesome golden child, the uber-capable, can-do-anything wunderkind, couldn't work out that a phone call to ANYONE in the village - most of which she's related to in one way or another - would bring everyone running. But then.....this is Pip. 'Nuff said.