💥 Archers thread #118: Back in time for The Archers - catch up with the catch up until the scriptwriters catch up! Discuss The Archers here.

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Thank you, @PseudoBadger, for kicking off this long, long series of Archers threads.

All views on The Archers welcome here! New blood welcomed. We don't all agree on all points and most of us are posting tongue in cheek a lot of the time, so don't worry about revealing that you think Philip Moss is in line for Employer of the Year, or other unusual views.

Spoilers: OK, there aren't likely to be many for the foreseeable future, but when we do have some, not on this thread, please. We don't wait for the omnibus to discuss the weeknight episodes, but we do try our best to avoid cross-contamination from www.mumsnet.com/Talk/radio_addicts/3853783--The-Archers-spoilers-thread-5-Cant-wait-for-7-02pm-Join-us-here, where spoilers are positively welcomed!

For newer listeners, lurkers or those who just have no idea what we're talking about, @DadDadDad has created this useful thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/radio_addicts/3557323-For-Archers-fans-a-guide-to-acronyms-on-the-long-running-discussion-threads-and-any-other-meta-thread-questions-you-may-have - BOOP point for him! (See thread for explanation.)

Thanks to @LillianGish for the title! This thread starts at a very odd time for The Archers, longest-running soap opera in the world. No new episodes expected till late May , and when we do get them they're not going to sound like normal, as the actors are recording separately at home and the BBC is attempting to cobble it all together. Tough times for the sound effects team!

The BBC is filling the gap by repeating key episodes from the last 20 years. Some of us here will have heard them before, but not all, by any means, so if you want background on what you hear this is the place to ask.

Over to you! I must try to catch up with the repeats at some point today.

Oh my goodness - Susan!

Call me Karen !

I vote that the whole of Ambridge joins a Silent Order apart from the two Horrobin sisters. They have been the best by miles. Granted that they have had better scripts than others, but they have brought some much-needed life to the place.

Soosan was completely right for this format because she always sounds like she's speaking to an audience rather than anyone else, normally. That worked really well.

Dare we wonder what her revelation was?!!

Stroke of genius whoever thought of turning Radio Carter into actual Radio Carter.

Absolutely! In a different league to all the other monologue pieces. Even while I was thinking 'This could never happen, no radio show would hand over their airwaves to a random (prizewinning) listener' I was listening with horrified attention.

Dare we wonder what her revelation was?!!

Well ... Bedroom issues seemed to be the theme of the evening (poor Ed, Emma's clearly on a mission!) so I imagine chilli might have been involved in Susan's ramblings.

Yes, I was assuming chilli-related. Totally agree we should have mostly Susan and Tracy to see us through lockdown!

I like listening to Ed - but wish they'd given him something less superficial to be thinking about.

Judging by last night's script he should be worrying about how he's going to afford the inevitable Little Grange forever home baby ...

Loved loved loved Susan! Boopity BOOP

If any of them can carry off talking non-stop it is Susan. Giving her a radio show is inspired. Now, someone could call in to her show and they can talk, surely?

And Susan mentioned shop workers' tabards

I like listening to Ed - but wish they'd given him something less superficial to be thinking about

This is Ed and "thinking"...

I've missed quite a few of the monologues after catching the first one and finding it dreadful (David always sounds as if he is reading his script and a bit bored to me). I probably will go back to listening to them properly on headphones.

I think the scriptwriters were instructed to keep things as simple as possible at the outset, but I am sure they will be able to get more interaction between characters once they decide who can reliably record at similar levels.

As the monologues progress I expect to be surprised by the character's inner thoughts. I'd love to know why Joy is in Ambridge, and yes a monologue from Robin Fairbrother would be fabulous. Although she annoys me, I would like to know why Phoebe never bothered to get a job.

I am a little hesitant to have the kitchen radio on tonight for Susan's revelation!

MereDintofPandiculation I cannot tell you how much I love the fact that you googled to find rough approximation of said table and then provide the link. This is why follow this thread. Thank you.

That reminds me to thank @AnneKipanki for the macaroni pie illustration. They look completely evil.

"I am sure they will be able to get more interaction between characters once they decide who can reliably record at similar levels."

I think it would be more to the point for them to work out that they can use a video conference for timing. Sound levels on several different tracks really ought not to be difficult to adjust to each other if you are a professional sound engineer.

What did Susan do?!

Oh, I thoroughly enjoyed that one!

Chili con carnal goes viral

Etinox

Susan broadcast a programme on Radio Borsetshire - she had a couple of drinks for Dutch courage and got a bit indiscreet!

That was last night. Today was the follow-up.

And chilli for tea means Neil is on a winner...

Glorious.

Radio Carter could be a regular show.

Only come on to polish my previous post.

Chilli for dinner means Neil's on a winner.

@TheSparklyPussycat

Only come on to polish my previous post.

Chilli for dinner means Neil's on a winner.

I think Susan would definitely like to use that phrase in her show if you'd let her, TheSparklyPussycat. I was overjoyed by the reference to tabards too - I loved Susan telling Lynda she had to wear one.

I'd never heard of honey rum, nor macaroni cheese pie before. My culinary horizons are widening!

Gosh, it must be lovely to be locked down at Lower Loxley. (Apart from worries over potential business collapse.) I wonder if Elizabeth has had to furlough all her staff. And whether Lily is finding life bearable when she can't escape to her call centre job.