🍾 Archers thread 123: Goodbye & good riddance to 2020 – to Philip too? The Archers is 70 on New Year’s Day – celebrate or vent about it 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 wish we heard more from Shula, or other unusual views.

Spoilers: 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.)

So! 2021 beckons. Big anniversary next Friday, 1.1.21 (and to mark that we have episodes Tuesday-Friday next week). What would we like to see happen? I may be in a minority of one, but I'd like a nice gentle character-driven episode. I don't think we'll get that, but I really, really hope they don't kill someone else off, just for the headlines.

[Title edited by MNHQ at OP'S request]

I think of Jenny darling as strawberry blonde.

Kirsty is a healthy weight who wears a lot of outdoor warehouse (hiking boots, fleeces and waterproof trousers).

Helen has a Bob.

Ruth is wiry.

Lillian blonde and lots of expensive animal print and bright pinks.

I agree Linda would wear appropriate seasonal colours.

Agree with cameocat. I know Jenny doesn't like us to think about her age but when you get to your 70s, having colouring your hair dark brown or black is a bit unforgiving on your complexion.

John Lewis do some own brand clothes but have lots of concessions meredintofpandiculation. I am relying on my memory of shopping in the Oxford Street store which seems like a lifetime ago. It's quite middle market in terms of style. Obviously Jenny and Lilian buy most of their clothes in Underwoods but make regular forays into designer boutiques in Borsetshire and the Cotswolds.

Kirsty is definitely not plump with a bob, or at least not the graduated bob, or bob with fringe. She has mid-brown hair.
She's about 5'5", and has shoulder length hair with a natural wave, not straightened.

Helen also has brown hair, layered, shortish. She is about 5'7" and a size 8 or 10, a bit gaunt.

Fallon is a size 12-14, and has reddish brown hair. She's stockier than Kirsty and Alice, but not plump.

Alice has long blonde straightened highlighted hair. Debbie used to have a mid brown fringed bob, but now has greying shorter layered hair. Kate dyes her hair with natural dyes, and is naturally mousy.

Pip has long hair tied back in a ponytail. She used to be a natural brunette but is now naturally fair haired.

Lily is blonde but Freddie darker hairer, because he doesn't get his hair done.

Nobody in the Aldridge/Archer family shop at John Lewis. They shop at Underwoods, or in Ruth's case, the Farming C-operative.

Emma’s teeth let her down. She refused to wear her brace when she was younger (in my head) and has a significant gap.

So I guess all his avid fans are currently listening to Roger Allam on Private Passions, R3?

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b078wr8m

Gorgeous so far ...

(TA connection? 6.30pm.)

I certainly am! Did you catch David Olusoga on Desert Island Discs this morning? Also wonderful listening.

A guest spot on TA for Roger Allam would be absolutely marvellous.

Did you catch David Olusoga on Desert Island Discs this morning? Also wonderful listening

My life would be better if I was married to David Olusoga.

I'm struggling to think of anyone in Ambridge with sufficient wit and humour to deserve an injection of Roger Allam into their life ...

Who amongst them might listen to Cabin Pressure? Only Elizabeth, perhaps. But, as we know, she prefers her men crunchy rather than smooth.

@Roysnewshirt

Also Lynda, though that might cause some sort of collapse of the space/time continuum, as she's such a Radio 4 'type' already.

Maybe he could be Shula's love interest.

A real smoothie, who would be perfect for Widderbeth, but slightly too smooth.

He might be Mr Gill.

My God, I'm loving the way he's so completely immersed in the music he's talking about. It's incredibly sexy.

Roger Allam* for Mr Gill! If he and Stephanie Cole could team up to be the Gills, I would be extremely happy. Imagine the noses they could put out of joint!

Thank you for the R3 link, PPE. I've realised my (moderately musical) brother must have been at school with him.

*It is worth seeking out his audiobooks narrations (infinitely more pleasant to listen to than Tim Bentinck's).

Sorry to leap back to Shula when the chat has moved on, but I've only just listened, and found not only her panic at the phone call and refusal to answer quite shameful, but also her questioning Alan about praying for sinners and forgiving people! I would have thought those were some of the defining features of being a practising Christian, let alone being an Anglican priest! How far through the selection process is she?

I agree, Flos. Very poor behaviour from an aspiring minister of religion.

I agree, Flos. Very poor behaviour from an aspiring minister of religion

May be they are laying the foundations for her to fail in the next selection round - and then that SL will be quietly dropped...

She'll give it all up when she is led astray by Douglas Gill, and caught al flagrante by his wife Carolyn.

Or maybe a fling with Robin Fairbrother.
Bring me the voice of Anthony Head.

in not al.

Where is Usha?

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000dgy5 Don't know how I missed this before. Roger Allam and Joanna Lumley.

I've been listening to it, Gasp0de! I may have assumed everyone on this thread was, too.

Found it mildly entertaining - two lovely voices - and perfectly well written, but it does sound scripted. Artificial.

Yes, I agree, but it's passing the time while I cook and do odds and ends this afternoon. Mind you, he could be reading the telephone directory and I'd listen.