👩‍🌾 The Archers spoilers thread #5: Can't wait for 7.02pm? Join us here!

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Spoiler thread for The Archers. Please keep all spoiler-related discussion in this thread and do not spill the beans on the main Archers Thread. Last thread here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/radio_addicts/3439443-keep-it-to-yourself-the-archers-spoilers-thread-4

Thanks for that, Asking, interesting read.

Thanks for link to the Keri Davies interview Asking. Thanks to Brillig for the sound explanations. I mistakenly thanked you on the other thread because I’d read them both together. I don’t think Phillip will be unmasked this week either - I suspect the storyline was going to run for a bit longer before events intervened.

That interview with Kerri Davies was extremely interesting. It missed out the changes of the 'timbre' of TA, she wasn't asked about the 'dramatics' that are much more "conjured up" IMO now. Or is it me?

The 'humour' is also unkinder now, for instance, why is Rory laughed at for wearing a purple shirt ? Or Lilian for wearing her feathered dog walking hat? Ha ..ha..ha.

ppeat, Keri Davies is a man.

Thanks Mike that says a lot !

Keri is one of the longest established scriptwriters now. He was senior producer on TA for many years before he switched to writing, and used to oversee the BBC's Archers website, including its luridly hued messageboard (Mustardland). To avoid the inevitable confusion over his (Welsh) name, some took to calling him Mr Keri. One of his sons played Dan Archer for a time when he was a child.

I don't feel there's been a change in tone when it comes to humour. It's always been hit and miss. There was that dreadful storyline years back when Jill inexplicably started spying on competitors in the run up to the Flower and Produce show. I've wiped the details from my mind mostly - did it involve gnomes? Anyway, it was awful.

But not cruel and personal like laughing in someones' face abput the colour of their car or shirt. Competitors in Flower Shows have been known to get stupidly obsessive. Wasn't it Joe or Bert who was spying on other people's gardens? I can't remember exactly.

Laughing at Johnny's hair was not something middle aged men would do to a 21 yr old, IMO. Not funny.

One of his sons played Dan Archer for a time when he was a child.

And he took it personally when the child was nicknamed FatDan didn't he? Went ballistic on the boards

I remember Fat Dan.

That's true Mike that particular story line isn't funny at all, I was wondering if it's supposed to be? If it is then it's scraping the barrel.

People being cruel and unpleasant for no particular reason is happening more often in TA than it did ten or fifteen years ago. I don't know whether this reflects how the editors' and scriptwriters' acquaintance behave, or what.

Yes exactly Asking Since it's been termed a 'drama' (I noticed that in the Radio Times ) it's no longer "An everyday story of country folk". There has to be a permanent type of jeopardy in it .

IMO some producers think that's what 'young' listeners want, it's like that a lot on R4 now.

They still don't seem to realise that people 'get' R4 when they become more mature. In pandering to youth they drive most of the older listeners away.

I've been a r4 listener most of my life. I listened for things like Farming Today, the Today Programme, The Shipping Forecast, The Westminster Hour, the comedy, drama.
I'm now roughly in the target audience age group.
I switch off quite often now. I don't know if it is just me, but I've felt that there has been a tendency to focus on a few issues or topics. Stats might say otherwise but if you happen to hear the second or third airing it is too much.

I found myself chuckling at Sketchables last night. Some of the late night comedy is excellent.

I'm turning into a grumpy old person. I get irritated by yoof-speak. They could shave minutes from some programmes by removing 'So', 'like' and 'really, really' from them.

I liked the idea of a Britbit.

Sketchtopia not Sketchables

No it's not just you Mike I prefer 4Ex now (not all the time of course) I like music the 40s Radio Station is fun . It's not so much that I hate the yoof speak on R4, it's the interminable 'Readings' of sometimes totally unsuitable subjects for daytime, of books etc.

Eg. I used to like You and Yours but have to listen to a miserable,violent book before it begins, they seem to deliberately put it in before a programme that IS popular. If I don't want to hear miserablness ALL the time then why should I be made to ?

The BBC site has provided some nice little summaries of the coming archive broadcasts.

I only wish they were presenting them in chronological order (albeit themed). It will surely be puzzling and difficult to get into for any new listeners who stumble upon them.

Heard a trailer yesterday - some of the voices sound so different to now!

I listen to iPlayer a lot (WFH) so use the Schedule.
You and Yours is reassuringly dull. Worth a listen and I like Winifred Robertson's voice and accent. I'd say the same about Jane Garvey, but I don't normally listen to Wimmin Sour.

Thanks Perdita I'll give Kirstie and Tom's non marriage a miss though!

Mike You might get a negative reaction for disparaging WH, watch it!

(I don''t listen to it either) Well only occasionally when they have something on about cooking, knitting and sewing

WH is very informative, ppeat. I find JM slightly patronising in her tone, and she says impact on when she means affect so choose not to listen.

Lowfield has summaries for all the "new" old episodes, too. I can put those up along with the actual cast (rather than the entire week provided by the BBC for the first one) and crew for each day, if people would like that.

Oh at last a pleasant episode!! I got something in my eye (just listened to yesterday's) Ed and Em are back together for the lockdown!!!! Hooraay!!!!

Back to old days of caravan living. Sweeeet. Clarrie will be thrilled. I hope the actor is ok, we haven't heard from her for while.

Are we predicting a January Grundy baby?

Due January, arrives on December 25th?

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