Curious under the stars - will it ever end?

[thislido]

Is it just me? It feels like it’s been on forever. And that somehow it’s in a slot that doesn’t normally have a long running thing? In fact two slots, because somehow I have the misfortune to catch the same episode twice.

[KirstenBlest]

Tracks

[Footle]

What's the name of the weirdly irritating one with a small child called Frances and her mother who either is or isn't terminally ill, but is anyway terminally pissed off? Scientist. Freddy. North Pole?

[KirstenBlest]

Good news indeed. I actually half-listened but it didn't make any sense.
I can't listen to The Pursuits of Darleen Fyles.

[nauticant]

On Radio 4 just now: "The last ever episode of Curious Under the Stars".

Finally some good news in 2020.

[Cedilla]

Very entertaining thread! I've generally managed to avoid CUTS although it always seems to be there iyswim.

The Pursuits of Darleen Fyles is the one that has me shouting at the radio. I know I'm supposed to be in stitches and find it heartwarming etc etc but I just feel despair at the 'hilarious' misadventures of Darleen and her family.

[ILoveShula]

The writer of the original series of Curious Under the Stairs has passed away.
He was the actor who played DC Jones in Minder.

I used to switch CUTD off but now I actively avoid it.

[greygirl]

but sounds like it might be coming to an end....

I liked tumenbay but seems to have gone on a bit too long
I loved pilgrim if they ever play that again so i would have thought I would like curious under the stars but i find it's not quite the same.

[WheresThatCatGoneNow]

As if we haven't endured enough this year...

It's back again!

[terryleather]

And I'm pretty certain the comeuppance won't actually happen...

[terryleather]

I'd agree some of the writing is poor - Lady Olinska's dialogue/behaviour during the trial had me

I don't know if it's the frustration of lockdown but I'm finding The Corrupted to be a really difficult listen this time - I want Olinska to get his comeuppance so badly I can hardly stand to listen to it!

[PerditaProvokesEnmity]

I'm willing to admit that the substantive story in this series of Stars is just about tolerable. Still no idea about the ghostly voice(s).

Have worked out what's wrong with The Corrupted! Reasonably compelling story but some painfully stilted dialogue and horrendously poor direction. The ex-wife in particular (who should be a wholly sympathetic character) sounds as if she's reading aloud from a piece of paper she's only just seen. But her script is awful.

[TheLidoOfThighs]

Heard the trailer earlier and thought of you all!

(I was the OP. Don’t get back here often.)

They’ve waited until we’re all housebound. Gudrun is inevitable.

[terryleather]

I like The Pillow Book - soothing is a good description of it, and there's nothing wrong with that.

[PerditaProvokesEnmity]

The Pillow Book, polyhymnia?

I remember the earliest episodes had some plot and tension to them - but now it's just words, soothingly recited - not sure they're really attempting to portray any inherent drama.

I do find the whole enterprise a little odd - but need to read this epic work before I can reach any definitive judgment on the radio adaptation.

[polyhymnia]

Under the Stars
Mayflower
Gudrun
Milkmaid and Tracks unplaced as I haven’t heard - mercifully it seems
There is also a Japanese historic crime one that pops up quite often, but I find that tolerable.

Agree afternoon plays vary wildly in quality, from the excellent to the utterly feeble.

[terryleather]

Thanks for finding it, what a shame it's not on Sounds...chances are it'll get repeated at some point, possibly sooner rather than later due to our current situation...

[PerditaProvokesEnmity]

Found it!

Unfortunately not available to listen to.

[terryleather]

Hmmm will have to do a bit of online digging and see if I can work out what that was, sounds interesting...

[PerditaProvokesEnmity]

I missed that.

Can never remember the title of an outstanding, stupendous 2.15pm R4 drama about a Russian cosmonaut in the minutes before his death in space. One of the very best things I've ever heard ...

[terryleather]

Phew not quite the flaming I was expecting...!

I think Radio4 drama's always been a strange thing - much of it is meh, some is excruciating and then there's some real gems.

I enjoyed The Kubrick Test which was on a couple of weeks ago...what would be your recommendations Perdita ?

[PerditaProvokesEnmity]

Quite like Tumanbay - though it never seems to amount to anything. It's reasonably entertaining while it's on - silly accents and grisly deaths.

The Corrupted - I desperately want to like this. (Toby Jones worshipper.) Just can't quite seem to get a handle on it.

[terryleather]

Oh Perdita I have to disagree, I love Tracks!

Granted I think the quality has declined the more it's gone on, but I thought the first series was one of the best things I'd heard on Radio4.

If we're now talking afternoon dramas, I also love Tumanbay and The Corrupted - I think there might be a new series of that about to start..?

Anyway I await my flaming...sorry not sorry

[PerditaProvokesEnmity]

Tracks ...





My God - that really is unending ...

[terryleather]

We could do a poll, put them in order - first is your most hated, second not so bad, third not so bad again...I'll start:

Gudrun
Curious Under The Stars
Ye Olde London Milkmaid one..

I'm sure there's more...

[PerditaProvokesEnmity]

No, it was, unfortunately, nothing to do with Hardy. Can't decide whether milkmaid or stars was worse ...