🏏Archers thread #136: Howzat! Oliver’s bowled a googly, Kathy’s out, Grey Gables left with nightwatchman. Tracy knocked for six. Is Ambridge on a sticky wicket? 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 are entranced by new character Adil, 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/4197199--The-Archers-spoilers-thread-6-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.)

Apologies if anybody made a thread title suggestion and I missed it. I decided to mark the start of the cricket season in the hope that things will take a turn for the better for poor Tracy.

It feels like months since the last new thread, which was just after Phoebe departed for Scotland. Has she been mentioned since? I can't recall. Not greatly missed, by me, at any rate. Her fish gifts didn't last long.

I can't shake off the feeling that The Archers is going through a long dull patch. I don't feel greatly engaged by anything that's happening at the moment other than Tracy's plight. Such a good actor, which helps, of course.

What's keeping you listening? Habit? Genuinely enjoying it? Over to you!

(PS In the process of starting this thread, I've discovered that our custom-made Archers emoji has gone. You used to get it by typing . Not any more.)

@CloseYourEyesAndSee fair enough! It is very odd how benefits are not mentioned.

Just catching up....Fallon sounded so flustered and out of character with her inexplicable quiche distress. Unless she had mistaken daffodils bulbs for onions, or poppy seeds for foxglove seeds, ( I've nearly done both of those) I can't see a problem!

Why was Lily approaching Shula to warn Alistair that Jazzer might lose his job? I couldn't work out who was speaking ( or why) for ages.

Bacause Jim and Alastair were teasing him I think

Tonight's episode has to be one of the dimmest ever .

Although well done Shula.

Yeah I was v confused with the voices, thought Shula was playing Lily's manager or something. Or maybe Stella!

And presumably the kitchen company has never, ever thought of setting up any checks on fake bookings?

Just curious but has anyone ever bought a new kitchen after being cold called?

Lily approached Shula because she referred Jazza to the job so will get a cut if his commission. He's just not got any. He will also lose his job, but she was definitely not so motivated by that. Also Shula's her aunty and a martyr so a more likely candidate for her to approach than Jim or Alistair.

Total drivel though.

It doesn't seem to have occurred to them that they were being pretty mean wasting the unfortunate saleswoman's time. Presumably she's missed out on commission which she might have earned selling to genuine buyers.

Especially bookings made to visit THE HOME ADDRESS of the person who made the cold call.

utter nonsense.

Just curious but has anyone ever bought a new kitchen after being cold called? - or even been cold called about buying a new kitchen? Am I alone in actually quite enjoying last night's episode (though I did have to restart the podcast as I couldn't work out was happening to begin with)? I liked the idea of Jim and Alistair trying to help Jazzer - in spite of them being the least likely candidates for a new kitchen as well as being utterly clueless about all things kitchen related (and the same must go for Jazzer - which makes him the least likely person to be a successful candidate for a job with a kitchen sales team). I even liked Shula's intervention - bringing up an actual incident of Alistair's uselessness with surprises (I think). And I liked Tracy reminding Freddie of his privilege (and him reminding her that he's only in that position because his father died - though to be fair he'd still be in a privileged position if his father were alive). All of it was more convincing and well acted than anything in the ridiculous pantomime of Kathy's departure last week.

Was Jazzer made redundant from Berrow? I didn't think he was.

I agree that Jazzer as sales person is implausible. ( I can't get past Jazzer as sleazy sex pest)

I liked the idea of Jim and Alistair trying to help Jazzer - in spite of them being the least likely candidates for a new kitchen

Would Jim have agreed to do something dishonest? I'm not sure he would.

I thought the episode was much better than the usual attempts at comedy.

I hold my hands up to getting a kitchen after being cold called. I was recovering from a hysterectomy and still a bit foggy. I was already planning to get a kitchen but couldn't summon up the energy to look so it seemed like a good idea. The kitchen I ended up with was nice but the workmen behaved like a bunch of cowboys so I refused to recommend the company when they wanted feedback.

That’s a really good point about Jazzer still having his job at Berrow!

I gave up listening (for a lifetime) after the awful Tracey/Jazzer shag-at-GG episode… which was the last straw after lots of other rubbish.

Turned the radio on at 7pm yesterday and it didn’t change my mind. What a load of drivel.

Would Jim have agreed to do something dishonest? I'm not sure he would. I think dishonest is a bit strong. After all, if the sales rep had been any good and had actually shown them how they could improve their kitchen at a reasonable price instead of insincerely wittering on about what fabulous interior design taste they'd shown in the rest of the house he might even have been talked into buying one (which in many ways would have been a funnier outcome that what actually happened).

Maybe JD could do with a new kitchen

Not while they are still (unaccountably) renting.

They could have a salesperson visit

But they wouldn't be able to buy one.

Depends on the tenancy agreement but probably not
But Jazzer would get his commission, wouldn't he

A visit to Jazzer's home address would have been a bit obvious though

Yes, I'm surprised she didn't realise that.