I am thinking the same as others, in that Gav is going to try + break Kirsty + Philip up. If that is his plan, he has underestimated them, as the more I listen to them, the more I realise how suited they are. I have changed my thoughts.
One other thought, is about Neil. I think he should stay at Berrow Farm in the short term. Neil will be doing what he knows best, outdoor rearing and then passes these onto Hannah, for the indoor finishing. There will be a direct comparison between them and pig care, but I am not sure if this will be relevant. I think Neil has to give it a chance esp. when Hannah starts throwing her wieght around.
I don’t think I have ever heard Peggy putting on that horrible ‘poor me’ whiney voice before. Thought she was tougher than that! And as for Kate - how could any boyfriend put up with such a selfish, demanding girlfriend. Hope the boiler gets fixed soon so Justin and Jakob can get rid of the pair of them! π
I think I was on Peggy's side about leaving a cat and kittens in a cold unheated house overnight. Kate is her usual self - unsufferable indeed. It's nice to hear Susan saying she just wants Neil to be happy and not to worry about his salary.
Well better late than never Susan nice to hear your love and concern for Neil - ππ» keep it up. Kate π‘ is she making it up about the repair taking sometime or even needing repair at all? I would show her the door poste haste Jakob.
Kate gets it from her grandmother - they were being equally unlikeable last night - while Susan was showing the unwavering concern and commitment to her family which is one of her most admirable traits.
✔️✔️ That’s exactly what I meant when I said I hadn’t that tone of voice from her before. Poor LilIan is going to get more and more of the emotional blackmail Γ la Steptoe I think. Won’t be long before she’s pleading ‘I’m 96 you know’ like an irascible old man of my acquaintance, who knows exactly how to twist the heart strings to get what he wants!
JACOB. Ditch Kate. PRONTO. Jacob don’t trust a woman who is dithering and interfering with a baby (not hers) when she has abandoned her own and left them scattered across the π globe. Poor Ruby, having to live with HO and her kittens. Peggy needs to join her friend at the Laurels never to be heard from again. Is Susan cooking πΆ chilli a euphemism for something else? A magic moment?
Both Kate and Peggy showing their true colours. Self seeking to the core the pair of them. Peggy ,who has elevated herself from land girl to self appointed Lady of the Manor, is a ghastly old termagant. Both of them should disappear. Their storylines are unimportant script padding and a waste of time. I hope Neil enjoyed his chilli.
Peggy was never a land girl according to my book. She was a stores orderly in the ATS at the end of the war when she met and married Jack Archer and he brought her back with him to Ambridge. (Land Girl wasn’t associated with the “lower classes’ like hop picking - a lot of landgirls were middle or upper class.) I think it”s inaccurateto describe her as self appointed Lady of the Manor - family matriarch is the most she would claim and who could deny her that?
Sorry to have overestimated Peggy's origins. However I still feel she loves to lord it because of the status she has attained by marriage. She is still a selfish old Biddy.
Agree with you Stasia about Jacob. Kate is a pain in the backside. She needs someone to take her down a peg or two and weak Jakob isn’t that person. Don’t agree with you and others about Peggy though. I wouldn’t leave our cats. Mind you I wouldn’t want to move in with Lilian either. Stick it out,Peggy . Stay with the cats. It won’t be for ever. I cannot agree that she is a selfish old biddy. Selfish old biddies care only for themselves. She was very solicitous to whinger Christine. She cares about her animals. She is 90+ years of age so give her a bit of slack.
Sorry Lanjan. I wouldn’t take my cats and their kittens to a house with an incumbent dog and Justin Elliot. I wouldn’t leave them behind either, but they could survive without the heating for a little while. Peggy does behave like a matriarch and is very controlling.
Sort of reluctantly agree with you, Lanjan, about giving Peggy some slack, given her age & game attitude to being independent as far as she can, only reluctantly because I can't abide Peggy ! She is far too sure she's always right, despite ignorance in many areas, she is critical & opinionated with her family, & tests their patience time & again.
Er, why do her cats take precedence over the resident dog, Ruby ? Cats are hardier than people, have a permanent fur coat, & should be ok in a cold house, with the doors closed, blankets to snuggle on, plenty of food, maybe a kind neighbour or Kate(ha, ha) popping in to feed & water them.
I admire Peggy. She was a loving caring wife to Jack with his dementia, gave a home to Christine when she needed it, and is now putting Kate up. Any cat owner knows, that they are such as loving as dogs and also form a strong bond with their owners. I wouldn't leave my pusscat in a house with no heating. I am sure Lilan has a utility room in the Dower House, where HO + kittens, could stay, so separate from Ruby. It is an agree or disagree subject.
A small point about Peggy “ putting.Kate up “ - she charges Kate rent and negotated. for Kate to do household tasks as well, which I think is appropriate but demonstrates a hard head rather than a kind heart.
Probably a generational thing on Peggy's part. Working children who were living at home were expected to contribute to the household...."dig money" it was called for their bed and board...I don't know if they still do it
I should jolly well hope so! I have my Mum ‘housekeeping’ as soon as I got my first job . I hope all these ‘returners to the nest’ do the same and don’t expect their older relatives to provide bed, board, electricity, council tax etc etc for nothing!
Me too. On returning to the hotel of "Mum + Dad" after attaining my degree and whilst sorting my future out, I paid my way. Does Kate do this - I thought her contribution was housework + care.
They could have 'expected' as much as they liked, but she had no means, aside from a bit of rent from some cottage she'd been given by them & Spiritual Homes was just a plan at that stage ( not that it is a big earner even now, some clients, but then she has to employ properly trained people to do the treatments, apart from the odd massage which she does, sometimes ineptlly - burning Usha once, I recall !)
Stasia . I would stay in the cold house with the cats We did it over the New Year here -for a week. There is no way I would have moved them anywhere. I am with you ,Miriam on this. (I stayed up - this is late for me- to celebrate Liverpool’s 19 year olds and even younger lads win a replay . I am drinking a 26 year old Arran malt. Perhaps overdone it. Percy (cat) is in “my” chair and I don't care. I am seated elsewhere.)
I'm wondering what's happened to tonight's episode. Is it part of the BBC cuts? I very much doubt it as it seemed to me that the enjoyable Tracy Horrobin's talk might be an attempt to woo over a younger audience. I can think of no other reason for this light-hearted romp through some Archers' history. I don't think Peggy is an old biddy. She's just bad tempered because she's cold and, given her age ,needs to stay warm. Once you're into your nineties I think you should be able to say what you think and many people do this regardless of their age. She's not perfect but who is?
Ah ha! Just got last nights episode on Sounds @ 6am this morning - and what a hoot! Lynda operating a ´Mission Impossible’ with Bert Fry as Napoleon Solo and Jazzer as his wingman. It would have been a very funny ep. were it not for the overacting by Lilian (again) and Jill’s strange, over-emphasised-in-the-wrong-places delivery. But it didn’t work and the B@Ambridge seemed to have won.
As for Neil, I can’t quite the decision he’s made and Hannah is already being snide.
Neil is becoming paranoid about Hannah which doesn’t bode well for the future he has inexplicably decided on - apparently he was swayed by Jill's remark about the devil you know, so who or what was the devil he didn’t know? But it was in keeping with the general silliness of the episode, though satisfying to hear about the huge success of T❤️O❤️B❤️Y’s cocktails. Was Jill in the pub on her own? Where was Lovely Len?
I liked the beginning of the episode, although a bit silly, signalled a light hearted one but then I thought it descended into farce. Like Maryellen I wondered what Jill was doing in the pub by herself. Had she just been visiting her son I wouldn't have thought she would be sitting alone at a table? Does Neil have a cunning plan to deal with Hannah and make a roaring success of the outside rearing? Finally have the S/Ws forgotten Neil gave up working outside because he was laid up for weeks and decided he was too old for the outside work?
Re the Neil v Hannah storyline, I'm just wondering whether the 'devil you know' remark may have suggested to Neil that there is a possibility of Hannah's faults becoming a lot more obvious once she doesn't have Neil for a scapegoat during one of Justin's periodic reviews.
Look like Neil is moving to Justin’s job offer of outdoor rearing. Smug Hannah gets what was in effect Neils job! Let’s hope she makes a π Pigs Ear Of IT.
Thinking again about Neils conversation with Hannah, when she said she’d accepted the new job and Neil said he had too - there was something in his tone of voice that made me think he’s got something up his sleeve. As Suz said, he might think she’s going to be hoist with her own petard and be found out making mistakes. I really didn’t like the way she was already goading Neil with a comment about only accepting his weaners if they were good enough. Nasty woman, hardly the way to get a new working relationship off to a smooth start.
Agree Archer. When Hannah makes a balls up I do hope no pigs will be hurt as a result. As I don’t eat pork I shall certainly be affected and will expect the BBC to open a help line to get me through it all.
Archerphile - she was joking! It’s good that Johnny understands her and they get along so well they are happy to continue being house mates. I guess his house sharing skills have improved tremendously since he first moved in with Tom!
Regardless of other's thoughts - I still admire Peggy + Jill. Where is Carole T. as she has not appeared for a while, and she along with her herbal remedies, have not been mentioned, for a while. I think that it is time, she departed Glebe Cottage. This could be ideal resident for another Ambridge resident, but whom?
No she is just an Ambridge resident, who cannot understand (like me) why the name of the pub, needs to be changed. As I have said before, the business can change, but why the name?
Freddie is extremely lucky, if the weights had fallen on his head he might have ended up with impaired cognitive difficulties. Or has that happened already.ππ»π️♂️
Oh dear! Is there any Ambridge character that we ALL like and enjoy hearing these days? Nominations, please, for the most normal, pleasant, kind, non-irritating, non-annoying person in the village. I’ll start with Oliver. (Might of been Jill, but for her increasingly peculiar vocal delivery)
I've got a list of characters I like. Usually the ones I don't like are the snooty self indulgent smart aleck young uns who think the world owes them something. Top of my list is .......wait for it.....Brian...I just love way he wangles out of things.. and what a sense of humour. Considering his family the man should be up for a sainthood.
Then of course The usual suspects...Tracy, Neil, Jazzer, Johnny..and Susan..yes you heard me.....Susan!
I love Susan, but she is a gossip and a "stirrer". I bet her wooden spoon is quite large, but is it the same one she stirs The Chilli with? Sorry - π€£ Just being silly - π
I am liking Freddie at the moment and also Johnny. Rex seems to have a low-profile at the moment. I wonder if this will change, as to how the onging Neil S/L will evolve.
Gosh Archerphile your not asking for much. If any of the Archer characters met with your criteria I suspect most of us wouldn’t listen. If they were “normal” etc, and just like us normal bloggers, the programme would be dull and dreary. I like them to be abnormal, irritating and occasionally unpleasant. Just like Kate (at the moment) who is throughly obnoxious. These qualities provide us with plenty of material to chatter about. But my favourite character is the wonderful Tracey, Horribin by name and receptionist extraordinaire.
Well, I’m not asking for all of them to be ‘normal’, just one or two that we can all agree are actually likeable.
We all seem to like and dislike different characters and I was wondering if there was a consensus, either way. I’m not really counting the temporary blow-in characters like Vince, Tim, Fiona or Carol, but the really long-term ones we have come to know well over the years M’y most disliked long-term character is Susan, who I have hated since she first joined the programme years and years ago, but a lot of other people do like her. My favourites, who I would happily spend a day or evening with are, as said, Oliver, but also Brian, Jim or Clarrie, (and most definitely would have been Caroline) Bet that’s set the cat amongst the pigeons!!
Most normal can also be defined as most boring..Oliver is a kind and caring person but utterly boring...I t would rather spend an evening with someone who has a little more chutzpah.
Hear ,hear yet again,Stasia. Agree with all you wrote. Tracey is great. She is my number one. Johnny is number 2 Oliver is very kind but a tad boring. I can understand you liking Brian Autumn leaves and Miriam I also like it when Susan is in an episode. I definitely dislike more than I like. The normal ones are too boring. I like someone with a bit of character. As for the one I dislike most ,well that changes almost daily. It was Gavin but last night it was Kate.
Back to Tracey. I hope she and the pop star (forgotten his name) make a go of it. I wonder where her children are? I expect they might have fled the nest.
What happened to all those who on the BBC site formed a fan club for Jill?
And what about Jennifer..its been quite a while since we've heard from her. Now she's a character..someone we all love to hate because of her snobbishness..but isn't there a little bit of Jennifer in all of usπππ
It is far easier to say the characters I just don't like at this time in TA. These are, in no particular order:- Hannah, Jakob, Kate, Justin, Harrison, Natasha, Gavin, Vince, Chris T (as so long absent), Jenny "dahling", Toby, Pip, Pheoebe, and last but not least, Helen. I think, that I also, have put the cat (HOπΈ) amongst the pigeons.
And let's not forget "Le Grande Dame" of them all Lynda Snell. With her "je ne sais pas" f rancais and "chi se ne frega" D olce vita Italian... Don't you just love the Archers πππππ
Love Neil Hate Lillian Like Jim and Jazzer and more and more Alistair, yes Tracy is growing on me too and agree Oliver is boring but also kind and thoughtful. Brian is entertaining. Like Robert and Clarrie and really do enjoy Susan. I also rather like Rex and so hope he grows in character. Despite him growing grumpier and grumpier as he ages I will always love David Archer. The only person I consistently dislike is Lillian.
I like Jim, Lynda, Jazzer, Neil, Alistair, Robert, Clarrie, Bert, Tracey, Susan. Lilian is irritating and fake. Kate is obnoxious. Jennifer is such a snob but has shown strength of character in the past. Shula is so sincere but clueless too.
Is Josh profoundly dense or something ? Of course, Rex doesn't want to go anywhere near his so called business again ! Pip doesn't get it either at all, but at least she attempted to be supportive of her brother for once.
Well done, Jill. Lynda has gone too far; does she really want to ruin Ambridge's local ?
I’m getting quite concerned about Paddy Greene who plays Jill. I know she is suffering from macular degeneration which means she has to learn her scripts off by heart instead of reading them at the microphone. I expect this is what makes her delivery a bit disjointed, but the past couple of days it has been dreadful and makes her sound like a very peculiar old lady. Perhaps it is time for her to become one of the ‘silents’ - still with us but spoken of, rather than heard. And yes LanJan, I was a member of the Jill fan club on the BBC blogs!
Archerphile I’m sure I read that Paddy has a script but with many more pages as the writing has to be large so she has more page turning to do to keep up with her part maybe that’s what makes her sound slightly manic/stilted - just a thought. May well appear in the cast less frequently going forward π€
I too was a member of the JAFC and confessed, way back, that when I was first married (1971) she was my inspiration to be a 'domestic goddess!' I hadn't heard her speak for a while. I usually read comments and synopses nowadays to find out if I really want to listen as I am not interested at the moment in some of the silly s/ls, over the top dramatics, changing of the characters personalities and sometimes just rank bad acting! However tonight I was concerned with the strange way 'Jill's' voice kept changing pitch and none of the 'warmth' came through. She always had a 'depth' and sounded affectionate when speaking but it verged on shrieking tonight Imho. Not very well explained I'm afraid! π
Paddy Green is an old lady now. Her voice might well have changed. Jill Archer is also an old lady now. Her voice seems to have changed.
I notice some changes in my delivery, but of course I am not a radio actor.
Personally I see no reason why the changing, or ageing voice of a character, Jill Archer, should not be accepted by the audience of The Archers. Some of us remember Jill as a young woman when we ourselves were young women. Now we and she are old. I do not have any problem in accepting that fact. I hope that Paddy Green is the one to decide when it is time to put down her scripts and retire from her profession and in the meantime I'm quite happy to hear an eccentric voice pattern change with time.
Jill did sound a bit like her granddaughter last night but she’s had a lot of scenes recently in which her character has been quite worried about her family. When she talks to Leonard she tends to sound calmer.
I agree Mrs P, that our voices change over time, becoming quieter or quaky or something. I wanted to say that I hadn't noticed it before. I suspect Paddy Greene, being such a professional, will know if, and when, it is time to retire. :)
Of course, I wasn’t meaning that Paddy should be ‘forced to retire’ by TA management but am hoping that she herself would realise when it is perhaps time to step back. Though it has obviously been a life’s work, bringing Jill to life and would be a big loss for her.
June Spencer, on the other hand, is even older than Paddy Greene, yet I haven’t noticed such a noticeable change in her voice or acting - just a maturing into a bit of a matriarch, and recently, wily old woman, determined to get her own way. But that is down to the SWs rather than the actress.
We hear very little of the third elderly actress, Lesley Saweard (Christine.) I wonder if it is her choice to step back into only occasional appearances or because the SWs feel Christine is no longer an interesting character to write about. I think I’d hate to be an elderly actress, especially one in a long running drama, seeing her carefully crafted character declining into obscurity. But, of course, as in real life, it has to happen.
I would think a casting director should have the skills necessary to tell an actor when it’s time to think of retiring, assuming the actor hasn’t worked it out for her or his self. ‘Jill’ is doing her character no favours.
Well Pippy Proops is at it again, what ever your problem she can provide counselling and enable you to confront your anxieties. Get your free advice and help by contacting, Agony Aunt PP @ Rewilding Ambridge.org. uK But be warned she might take you to the Bull/B@A and accuse you of stealing Rosie’s rabbit.
Me too Stasia Notes to self : 1)Be more succinct! 2)Be more to the point - don’t ramble. 3)Post a bit less often, people must be sick of seeing your name so often!
Not being deliberately contrary, but I thought Jill was fine last night. She sounded forceful & intense because she wanted the family to support Kenton & Jolene, fair enough. It's awful that Lynda is threatening their business by her protests, just over a silly name.
I'm certainly not a member of the Jill fan club, but recognize her good points. When her voice bothers me is when it soars, as if in great surprise over something utterly trivial & not that surprising. Even then she kind of gets away with it as an actress, given her fictional character has evidently led a narrow, sheltered life.
I suspect 'Peggy' & 'Jill' have been in the acting game so long that they're pretty robust in the face of retirement, & don't need directors to tread on eggshells round them. They know they'll either be killed off in the drama, or they'll voluntarily decide to leave.
I hope they both keep going, as they are both part of the "backbone" of TA. I am sure that if medical advice says "No More", then this advice will be taken. Remember Edward Kelsey, who went on until shortly before his sad demise. It some-how was relevant to TA.with his character of Joe. As such I hope the same for Peggy, Jill, Bert, Jim, Oliver and even the mention of Neville Booth. I just hope that they can all still frequent "The Bull".
Archerphile. 12.53pm It is not usually “normal for me to be succinct. Gary is much better at the one liners. Parsley is also good at making a point, and she can do in French. I love long rambles, maybe because I love books and try to do a bit of reading, when I can. When I see you have posted I know it will be an enjoyable read. In fact I love all the comments posted here. Even carolyns at 3.27 pm when she was being contrary. π€
I would far rather listen to Jill than listen to either Lilian or J’lene. In fact I can add to that. Don’t like the way Pip speaks either or Kate or Alice I don’t think it is only Jill who seems to stress the wrong word or syllable either . I often say out loud. “Well you said that one wrongly ,Sunshine” (Had I been P tb Y I possibly would have said “wrong “ in stead of wrongly . Yorkshire folk don’t do adverbs! Remember Fred Trueman and Sir Geoffrey ,Archerphile and Spicycushion who would say something like “The lad bowled quick”?
Dentist went very well! “Emergency” tooth was skilfully resurrected and the other planned front filling also completed. No need for any injections Karen is a superb dentist - no pain (except when paying the bill π€£) Sorry so full of myself I’ve posted on the wrong blog π€ π
My dentist told me a story of a an elderly patient he had who needed extensive work . As a precaution he recommended that she have a heart check up with her GP to make sure that she would be up to the treatment. This feisty woman replied to the dentist...."listen Doctor if I can survive the shock of your estimate then I can survive anything.
Us northerners don’t take offence at snide remarks.......but what the hell is an adverb???
I have nearly finished my Friday evening homemade (out of what I could find) cocktail whilst watching real housewives of New Jersey whilst Mr P... is out at pub!!!
In fact you could say anything about northerners at the mo and I wouldn’t give a stufff. Whoops. Bit eager with the effs!! ππΈπ€
I don’t somehow think that Jakob will be delighted! Worse still given Kate’s track record he may be left holding the How nasty of her that she has done this behind his back and sobearly in the relationship. Think she will come a cropper this time though.ππ€
Kate really takes the biscuit! I fear Jackob will be anything but pleased. I suspect he will suggest a termination which will not go down well. I am surprised he has relied on Kate to take precautions,although since she is over 40 he may have assumed (wrongly) that contraception was not an issue.
Hopefully Gavin is becoming a more sympathetic character, time will tell.
I thought it was dreadful news. Kate has abandoned three children. Jakob is not going to be thrilled. Horrible storyline. Also who threw the good fairy dust over Gavin? Does this mean he is a changed character? What a load of rubbish.
Absolutely Lanjan. Just what I said earlier. The characters' personalities change at the drop of a hat to suit the storyline! It's not Gavin's mood about being dumped which made him so shouty at both Kirsty and Philip because he was really nasty to her before the break up. It was his personality but now she's a mate! I could hardly hear the astounding news about Kate as I was dividing basic Strogonoff sauce to make Beef for son and Mushroom for me so I missed the answer to 'How far gone are you?' I really hope it's a mistake with the kit or nature having a 'blip' prior to early menopause. Next week listen out for the Helpline number!
Oh and by the way I can't understand why Peggy had to move out whilst boiler being fixed. Most Gas suppliers have elderly people on priority register even without service contracts. I haven't had to wait longer than next day for my repair! And it's rubbish to suggest that a cat couldn't cope with being in an unheated house for a couple of days! It would find a blanket, cupboard or cardboard box and sleep!
What a scheming minx Kate is, getting herself pregnant to trap her man. This time, it can't work or can it? Still, she can always go back to The Lodge, where she + new baby will, at least have a good home.
Ah, so kirsty has brought out the side of Gav who is not a boorish lout ! Surprisingly, I found I could believe this. There is hope !
Yes, I bet Jakob will want a termination, KPnuts, & won't hesitate to say, even if he knows nothing of her track record on breeding & abandoning, which I suspect he doesn't.
Jakob needs to get down The B@ ......... and have a drink with Roy. Come to think of it, we haven't heard from Roy for a while. Perhaps when he re surfaces and hears Kate's latest ' triumph ' he will seek Jakob out.
OMG NOOOOO Kate! Let’s hope it turns out to be the change instead (of personality as well wouldn’t go amiss π€£) When she accuses other people of certain behaviour she is in fact describing herself! What of mum and dad by the way? Should they not be getting ready to move about now?
So the Gavin / Phillip SL continues. Kirsty should be awarded a medal for her patience. I still think Gavin wonder if Gavin is looking to split K & P up π€
Oh how much more ghastly are they going to make Kate. She is awful. What a horrible trick to play on Jakob. I hope it's a mistake and she is not expecting. Gavin may turn out to be nicer than he seemed - let's hope so. BTW why does his name have to be shortened to Gav? It's only two syllables.
Er, how long before Kate abandons her fourth child, as she did the other three? Jakob could be left holding the baby, just as Roy was. Thinks: has Kate actually done a pregnancy test ? Or could it be an early menopause, as suggested by Lady R?
Archerphile. Kate doesn’t do science, it’s all intuitive and done in conjunction with a full moon. The astrological signs have to be right, along with a proper bed to facilitate conception. His ying and her yang were in proper alinement for correct social intercourse.
Too much Kate can have a detrimental effect on one’s psychological ‘wellness’. One can end up talking utter rubbish.
Spot on again Stasia! I have read what you wrote us and never have I laughed so many since I were a small children. Kate truly is a blot on the landscape.
You capture Kate perfectly, Stasia ! If you can keep a staight face - bet you can - she would think she'd met a kindred spirit, as you talk the talk & she'd never suspect you were sending her up rotten ( given she has no sense of humour or irony)
(Trouble is, she gives any alternative/natural practitioner a bad name...but worth the risk, as it's all so entertaining)
They've explored all other options so to me it's obvious: late motherhood with all the dangers involved. Kate is 43, the same age as Jennifer when she had Alice. They also had their first child out of wedlock. Some wanted Bethany to stay but I wish Kate's baby all the best.
Perimenopause storyline? Hope so - I don't think I could listen to any more people in Ambridge banging on about actual babies!
And I really hope that loveable Johnny isn't being lined up for a complete change of character caused by body image problems, steroid abuse followed up by a couple of months of becoming increasingly psychotic- all ending up in his suicide. Please no!
Love your comments ,Stasia Have you ever thought of doing the Edinburgh Fringe ? Perhaps you have. I wonder if secretly you are already a well known comedienne Perhaps you are really famous! Wow .
I don’t want Kate to have a miscarriage but I don’t want her to have a baby so I hope that she has just made a mistake and she really isn’t pregnant. I wonder why her younger sister whose character has changed for the worse in the last few years doesn’t want a child yet? Perhaps she can’t conceive and doesn’t want to admit it. I hope she doesn’t end up adopting Kate’s baby . A plot line too far.
Well, I think Ambridge needs all the babies it can get, to balance its increasingly aged population and provide the generation needed to take TA into the later decades of this century. Like Basia, I wish baby (and mother) well. It will have Rosie and Xander as playmates for starters, not to mention Big (Half) Sister Phoebe.
We had the first indication that Kate wanted a baby when Xander miraculously became quiet in Jakob's arms. The whole boiler episode was conceived so that Kate could do just that, even though it may not add up. Kate was very shifty to Peggy as to when the engineer would come. In spite of her grumpiness Peggy was still able to point out that Xander may not want have his wishes read out to him over the years. Jakob liked a picture of a cute baby so Kate will talk him round. Kate said that he'd been very attentive, all I heard was him trying to push her out. What is she going to do with the new bed? The Archers is a welcome distraction from real life as it bears no resemblance.
I think it bore resemblance to real life when handling the topic of coercive control, for instance. It’s the ‘must find a dory for x’, character led storylines that tend to get unreal.
I am just a “normal” person. Other people may have different views, some think I’m barmy because I listen to, ‘The Archers, an every day tale of dysfunctional folk’. The first thing I thought about last nights episode was, is Kirsty going to make ManChild Gavin’s breakfast every morning? Milk , sugar, cereal Gavin, I thought Arsenic Gavin?? They are roughly the same age and she has already become a boring stepmother. Grrrr.
Surely, we are all, just that, normal people - who just happen to perceive TA differently. This is normal in my mind. I like the differing thoughts + ideas. It would be so boring, if we all agreed all the time.
Back to Jakob. He is not ready to commit to a relationship, let alone becoming a father, particulary with Kate.
I am getting very confused with the Philip/Kirsty/Gavin triangle..which can only end up with Kirsty being heartbroken again.
What's happened to Jennifer + Brian, as to their moving from Willow Cottage. They have been there for a year now and they still have furniture + chattels, stored in a barn. Will these still be dry, free from rodents, and suitable for elsewhere? Could it be that they end up in Philip + Kirsty's house. Barmy + Silly....Yes I agree, but it is a possibilty though not a probability.
I go off line at about 7.00pm to then join in again, 4.00pm the next day. I skim + speed read posts, due to time constraints, so I must miss comments. I must try harder so as not to miss very valid thoughts re TA and Ambridge.
And there's me thinking he's turned from lout to man-child, seeking maternal style comfort.....how naive can one get ! Horrified, she'll reject him, of course, but that creates such a torturous situation for her, concealing the incident from Philip ( because TA characters always agonise, never tell), Gav will revert to ugly natured lout again, having been rejected...oh, yes, most convincing Pierre, we've a juicy, tangled SL unfolding hereππ
I was suspicious when he turned up unanounced a couple of weeks ago when Alistair was having a bath (why didn't he go to Shula's and why bath and not a quick shower), anyway I digress. No one and I mean no one has the right to walk into someone's house far less bedroom without announcing themselves. That could have been Kirsty in the bath. He wants to break them up and what better way than to make out that Kirsty has come on to him...Come on Kirsty you're more intelligent that that.
I am thinking the same as others, in that Gav is going to try + break Kirsty + Philip up.
ReplyDeleteIf that is his plan, he has underestimated them, as the more I listen to them, the more I realise how suited they are.
I have changed my thoughts.
One other thought, is about Neil. I think he should stay at Berrow Farm in the short term.
ReplyDeleteNeil will be doing what he knows best, outdoor rearing and then passes these onto Hannah, for the indoor finishing. There will be a direct comparison between them and pig care, but I am not sure if this will be relevant.
I think Neil has to give it a chance esp. when Hannah starts throwing her wieght around.
Welcome back from your break Gary! Goodness, we did go on and on without you, but pleased you have now opened us a new blog. How was the weekend?
ReplyDeleteIndeed Gary (and your son’s unexpected visit Archerphile π€)
ReplyDeleteSuper to see him Lady R & he could stay all day Sat before visiting his sister in Whitchurch, so the whole family was included.
Deleteπ€ π ❤️
DeleteI don’t think I have ever heard Peggy putting on that horrible ‘poor me’ whiney voice before. Thought she was tougher than that!
ReplyDeleteAnd as for Kate - how could any boyfriend put up with such a selfish, demanding girlfriend.
Hope the boiler gets fixed soon so Justin and Jakob can get rid of the pair of them! π
I agree that Peggy sounded frail and wondered if she was putting it on, especially in combination with her overt emotional blackmailing of Lillian.
ReplyDeleteKate was insufferable, how Lon will Jackob put up with her.
I think I was on Peggy's side about leaving a cat and kittens in a cold unheated house overnight.
ReplyDeleteKate is her usual self - unsufferable indeed.
It's nice to hear Susan saying she just wants Neil to be happy and not to worry about his salary.
Well better late than never Susan nice to hear your love and concern for Neil - ππ» keep it up.
ReplyDeleteKate π‘ is she making it up about the repair taking sometime or even needing repair at all? I would show her the door poste haste Jakob.
Kate gets it from her grandmother - they were being equally unlikeable last night - while Susan was showing the unwavering concern and commitment to her family which is one of her most admirable traits.
ReplyDeletePeggy has morphed into old Albert Steptoe using emotional blackmail to get her own way...shame on you Peggy
ReplyDelete✔️✔️ That’s exactly what I meant when I said I hadn’t that tone of voice from her before. Poor LilIan is going to get more and more of the emotional blackmail Γ la Steptoe I think. Won’t be long before she’s pleading ‘I’m 96 you know’ like an irascible old man of my acquaintance, who knows exactly how to twist the heart strings to get what he wants!
DeleteJACOB. Ditch Kate. PRONTO.
ReplyDeleteJacob don’t trust a woman who is dithering and interfering with a baby (not hers) when she has abandoned her own and left them scattered across the π globe.
Poor Ruby, having to live with HO and her kittens.
Peggy needs to join her friend at the Laurels never to be heard from again.
Is Susan cooking πΆ chilli a euphemism for something else?
A magic moment?
Both Kate and Peggy showing their true colours. Self seeking to the core the pair of them.
ReplyDeletePeggy ,who has elevated herself from land girl to self appointed Lady of the Manor, is a ghastly old termagant.
Both of them should disappear. Their storylines are unimportant script padding and a waste of time.
I hope Neil enjoyed his chilli.
Here here Pierre! On all counts!
DeletePeggy was never a land girl according to my book. She was a stores orderly in the ATS at the end of the war when she met and married Jack Archer and he brought her back with him to Ambridge. (Land Girl wasn’t associated with the “lower classes’ like hop picking - a lot of landgirls were middle or upper class.) I think it”s inaccurateto describe her as self appointed Lady of the Manor - family matriarch is the most she would claim and who could deny her that?
DeleteSorry to have overestimated Peggy's origins. However I still feel she loves to lord it because of the status she has attained by marriage. She is still a selfish old Biddy.
DeleteShe IS a selfish old biddy ! Always strives to have her own way, regardless of what is going on in her children's lives, any pressures on them.
DeleteAgree with you Stasia about Jacob.
ReplyDeleteKate is a pain in the backside.
She needs someone to take her down a peg or two and weak Jakob isn’t that person.
Don’t agree with you and others about Peggy though.
I wouldn’t leave our cats.
Mind you I wouldn’t want to move in with Lilian either.
Stick it out,Peggy .
Stay with the cats.
It won’t be for ever.
I cannot agree that she is a selfish old biddy.
Selfish old biddies care only for themselves.
She was very solicitous to whinger Christine.
She cares about her animals.
She is 90+ years of age so give her a bit of slack.
I concur with your post. It is exactly how I feel. π
DeleteNeil πΆ️πΆ️πΆ️!
ReplyDeleteSorry Lanjan. I wouldn’t take my cats and their kittens to a house with an incumbent dog and Justin Elliot. I wouldn’t leave them behind either, but they could survive without the heating for a little while.
ReplyDeletePeggy does behave like a matriarch and is very controlling.
Sort of reluctantly agree with you, Lanjan, about giving Peggy some slack, given her age & game attitude to being independent as far as she can, only reluctantly because I can't abide Peggy ! She is far too sure she's always right, despite ignorance in many areas, she is critical & opinionated with her family, & tests their patience time & again.
ReplyDeleteEr, why do her cats take precedence over the resident dog, Ruby ? Cats are hardier than people, have a permanent fur coat, & should be ok in a cold house, with the doors closed, blankets to snuggle on, plenty of food, maybe a kind neighbour or Kate(ha, ha) popping in to feed & water them.
Miriam (5.02pm), you must have been listening to an alternative version of TA - don't recognize Peggy from what you write !
DeleteI admire Peggy. She was a loving caring wife to Jack with his dementia, gave a home to Christine when she needed it, and is now putting Kate up.
ReplyDeleteAny cat owner knows, that they are such as loving as dogs and also form a strong bond with their owners.
I wouldn't leave my pusscat in a house with no heating.
I am sure Lilan has a utility room in the Dower House, where HO + kittens, could stay, so separate from Ruby.
It is an agree or disagree subject.
What's the betting the boiler situation shows up other problems in The Lodge?
DeleteA small point about Peggy “ putting.Kate up “ - she charges Kate rent and negotated. for Kate to do household tasks as well, which I think is appropriate but demonstrates a hard head rather than a kind heart.
DeleteProbably a generational thing on Peggy's part. Working children who were living at home were expected to contribute to the household...."dig money" it was called for their bed and board...I don't know if they still do it
DeleteI should jolly well hope so! I have my Mum ‘housekeeping’ as soon as I got my first job . I hope all these ‘returners to the nest’ do the same and don’t expect their older relatives to provide bed, board, electricity, council tax etc etc for nothing!
Delete‘Gave my Mum’
DeleteMe too. On returning to the hotel of "Mum + Dad" after attaining my degree and whilst sorting my future out, I paid my way.
DeleteDoes Kate do this - I thought her contribution was housework + care.
I don’t think the Aldridges expected Kate to pay them when she was living at home.
DeleteThey could have 'expected' as much as they liked, but she had no means, aside from a bit of rent from some cottage she'd been given by them & Spiritual Homes was just a plan at that stage ( not that it is a big earner even now, some clients, but then she has to employ properly trained people to do the treatments, apart from the odd massage which she does, sometimes ineptlly - burning Usha once, I recall !)
DeleteWhich is why Kate is the way she is.
ReplyDeleteOh bother!!
ReplyDeleteI can’t hear tonight’s episode, it’s not on Sounds or podcast yet and it’s almost 10pm.
The BBC have let me down π‘
Not reading any comments yet as I just went onto Sounds to catch up and it’s the only prog not downloaded as yet π‘ and it’s 10.45pm!
ReplyDeleteStasia .
ReplyDeleteI would stay in the cold house with the cats
We did it over the New Year here -for a week.
There is no way I would have moved them anywhere.
I am with you ,Miriam on this.
(I stayed up - this is late for me- to celebrate Liverpool’s 19 year olds and even younger lads win a replay .
I am drinking a 26 year old Arran malt.
Perhaps overdone it.
Percy (cat) is in “my” chair and I don't care.
I am seated elsewhere.)
No I am not.
ReplyDeleteThe malt is but 16years old
As no Archers to catch up on have listened to 2 episodes of 24 Kildare Road which started last night at 7.15pm and I am enjoying it π€
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering what's happened to tonight's episode. Is it part of the BBC cuts? I very much doubt it as it seemed to me that the enjoyable Tracy Horrobin's talk might be an attempt to woo over a younger audience. I can think of no other reason for this light-hearted romp through some Archers' history.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Peggy is an old biddy. She's just bad tempered because she's cold and, given her age ,needs to stay warm. Once you're into your nineties I think you should be able to say what you think and many people do this regardless of their age. She's not perfect but who is?
Hear, Hear Anneveggie.
ReplyDeleteAh ha! Just got last nights episode on Sounds @ 6am this morning - and what a hoot!
ReplyDeleteLynda operating a ´Mission Impossible’ with Bert Fry as Napoleon Solo and Jazzer as his wingman.
It would have been a very funny ep. were it not for the overacting by Lilian (again) and Jill’s strange, over-emphasised-in-the-wrong-places delivery.
But it didn’t work and the B@Ambridge seemed to have won.
As for Neil, I can’t quite the decision he’s made and Hannah is already being snide.
´quite understand’
DeleteNeil is becoming paranoid about Hannah which doesn’t bode well for the future he has inexplicably decided on - apparently he was swayed by Jill's remark about the devil you know, so who or what was the devil he didn’t know? But it was in keeping with the general silliness of the episode, though satisfying to hear about the huge success of T❤️O❤️B❤️Y’s cocktails. Was Jill in the pub on her own? Where was Lovely Len?
ReplyDeleteLoved it! Made a great change. It was lovely to hear Bert. Jill does speak really weirdly. I’m sure she’s getting worse.
ReplyDeleteI liked the beginning of the episode, although a bit silly, signalled a light hearted one but then I thought it descended into farce.
ReplyDeleteLike Maryellen I wondered what Jill was doing in the pub by herself. Had she just been visiting her son I wouldn't have thought she would be sitting alone at a table?
Does Neil have a cunning plan to deal with Hannah and make a roaring success of the outside rearing?
Finally have the S/Ws forgotten Neil gave up working outside because he was laid up for weeks and decided he was too old for the outside work?
Re the Neil v Hannah storyline, I'm just wondering whether the 'devil you know' remark may have suggested to Neil that there is a possibility of Hannah's faults becoming a lot more obvious once she doesn't have Neil for a scapegoat during one of Justin's periodic reviews.
ReplyDeleteI agree Suz and hope that Neil is correct and vindicated.
DeleteIt would be nice if Hannah’s management costs Justin a bob or two.
I agree with both of you, Suz and Pierre.
DeleteSpicycushion, I too thought that Neil had a lightbulb moment when talking to Jill about taking the job.
Look like Neil is moving to Justin’s job offer of outdoor rearing. Smug Hannah gets what was in effect Neils job! Let’s hope she makes a π Pigs Ear Of IT.
ReplyDeleteπππ
DeleteThinking again about Neils conversation with Hannah, when she said she’d accepted the new job and Neil said he had too - there was something in his tone of voice that made me think he’s got something up his sleeve. As Suz said, he might think she’s going to be hoist with her own petard and be found out making mistakes.
ReplyDeleteI really didn’t like the way she was already goading Neil with a comment about only accepting his weaners if they were good enough.
Nasty woman, hardly the way to get a new working relationship off to a smooth start.
Agree Archer. When Hannah makes a balls up I do hope no pigs will be hurt as a result. As I don’t eat pork I shall certainly be affected and will expect the BBC to open a help line to get me through it all.
DeleteArcherphile - she was joking! It’s good that Johnny understands her and they get along so well they are happy to continue being house mates. I guess his house sharing skills have improved tremendously since he first moved in with Tom!
DeleteI expect you are right Maryellen. I find it difficult to tell when Hannah is joking and when she’s not!
DeleteI don’t think Hannah is joking she is just a nasty piece of work!
DeleteJohnny evidently doesn’t think so and I trust him on this one!
DeleteπππStasia
ReplyDeleteRegardless of other's thoughts - I still admire Peggy + Jill.
ReplyDeleteWhere is Carole T. as she has not appeared for a while, and she along with her herbal remedies, have not been mentioned, for a while.
I think that it is time, she departed Glebe Cottage.
This could be ideal resident for another Ambridge resident, but whom?
meant...residence + a home...
DeleteLynda must have had a dose of the Harry Limes, was she meant to be the Third Man/woman?
ReplyDeleteNo she is just an Ambridge resident, who cannot understand (like me) why the name of the pub, needs to be changed. As I have said before, the business can change, but why the name?
DeleteI don’t know how much more of Kate I can stand! Wish Jakob had had the guts to just chuck her out!
ReplyDeleteπ¬
Absolutely AP I was pleading with Jackob to do just that π‘
DeleteI think Jakob will Reform Kate - just give him time!
DeleteHe did try, but she's a roller coaster.
ReplyDeleteAnd horrible with it.
Kate, is that you? is "Spiritual Home" branching out...?
ReplyDeleteShumail needs to see a psychiatrist. What a load of drivel, just like Kate.
ReplyDeleteI have met Shumail, perhaps after being sectioned and taken off to a locked intensive care unit. A course of antipsychotics might help.
ReplyDeleteFreddie is extremely lucky, if the weights had fallen on his head he might have ended up with impaired cognitive difficulties. Or has that happened already.ππ»π️♂️
ReplyDeleteAnother bufoon!
DeleteWhat a bufoon!
ReplyDeleteOh dear!
ReplyDeleteIs there any Ambridge character that we ALL like and enjoy hearing these days?
Nominations, please, for the most normal, pleasant, kind, non-irritating, non-annoying person in the village.
I’ll start with Oliver.
(Might of been Jill, but for her increasingly peculiar vocal delivery)
My suggestions are;-
DeleteJazzer, with Fallon a close second.
I've got a list of characters I like. Usually the ones I don't like are the snooty self indulgent smart aleck young uns who think the world owes them something.
DeleteTop of my list is .......wait for it.....Brian...I just love way he wangles out of things.. and what a sense of humour. Considering his family the man should be up for a sainthood.
Then of course The usual suspects...Tracy, Neil, Jazzer, Johnny..and Susan..yes you heard me.....Susan!
I love Susan, but she is a gossip and a "stirrer". I bet her wooden spoon is quite large, but is it the same one she stirs The Chilli with?
DeleteSorry - π€£ Just being silly - π
Neil for me. It’s just a pity he comes with Hannah in tow these days. Likewise Johnny.
ReplyDeleteWorried about Freddie. He seems a bit manic at the moment, just like when he was on the drugs.
I am liking Freddie at the moment and also Johnny.
DeleteRex seems to have a low-profile at the moment. I wonder if this will change, as to how the onging Neil S/L will evolve.
Gosh Archerphile your not asking for much.
ReplyDeleteIf any of the Archer characters met with your criteria I suspect most of us wouldn’t listen.
If they were “normal” etc, and just like us normal bloggers, the programme would be dull and dreary.
I like them to be abnormal, irritating and occasionally unpleasant. Just like Kate (at the moment) who is throughly obnoxious.
These qualities provide us with plenty of material to chatter about.
But my favourite character is the wonderful Tracey, Horribin by name and receptionist extraordinaire.
Well, I’m not asking for all of them to be ‘normal’, just one or two that we can all agree are actually likeable.
DeleteWe all seem to like and dislike different characters and I was wondering if there was a consensus, either way.
I’m not really counting the temporary blow-in characters like Vince, Tim, Fiona or Carol, but the really long-term ones we have come to know well over the years
M’y most disliked long-term character is Susan, who I have hated since she first joined the programme years and years ago, but a lot of other people do like her.
My favourites, who I would happily spend a day or evening with are, as said, Oliver, but also Brian, Jim or Clarrie, (and most definitely would have been Caroline)
Bet that’s set the cat amongst the pigeons!!
Most normal can also be defined as most boring..Oliver is a kind and caring person but utterly boring...I t would rather spend an evening with someone who has a little more chutzpah.
DeleteJazzer is my definative #No.1
ReplyDeleteHe is my π and I just love his relationships with both Webster and "The Prof".
...not forgetting Alistair.
DeleteHear ,hear yet again,Stasia.
ReplyDeleteAgree with all you wrote.
Tracey is great.
She is my number one.
Johnny is number 2
Oliver is very kind but a tad boring.
I can understand you liking Brian Autumn leaves and Miriam I also like it when Susan is in an episode.
I definitely dislike more than I like.
The normal ones are too boring.
I like someone with a bit of character.
As for the one I dislike most ,well that changes almost daily.
It was Gavin but last night it was Kate.
Back to Tracey.
I hope she and the pop star (forgotten his name) make a go of it.
I wonder where her children are?
I expect they might have fled the nest.
What happened to all those who on the BBC site formed a fan club for Jill?
And what about Jennifer..its been quite a while since we've heard from her. Now she's a character..someone we all love to hate because of her snobbishness..but isn't there a little bit of Jennifer in all of usπππ
ReplyDeleteIt is far easier to say the characters I just don't like at this time in TA.
ReplyDeleteThese are, in no particular order:-
Hannah, Jakob, Kate, Justin, Harrison, Natasha, Gavin, Vince, Chris T (as so long absent), Jenny "dahling",
Toby, Pip, Pheoebe, and last but not least, Helen.
I think, that I also, have put the cat (HOπΈ) amongst the pigeons.
And let's not forget "Le Grande Dame" of them all Lynda Snell.
ReplyDeleteWith her "je ne sais pas" f rancais and "chi se ne frega" D olce vita Italian...
Don't you just love the Archers πππππ
I LOVE Lynda ππ
DeleteI think I am a kindred spirit..π
Love Neil
ReplyDeleteHate Lillian
Like Jim and Jazzer and more and more Alistair, yes Tracy is growing on me too and agree Oliver is boring but also kind and thoughtful. Brian is entertaining. Like Robert and Clarrie and really do enjoy Susan. I also rather like Rex and so hope he grows in character. Despite him growing grumpier and grumpier as he ages I will always love David Archer.
The only person I consistently dislike is Lillian.
Lillian has become a pantomime dame....oh no she hasn't. .oh yes she hasππ
Deleteπππ
DeleteI like Jim, Lynda, Jazzer, Neil, Alistair, Robert, Clarrie, Bert, Tracey, Susan.
DeleteLilian is irritating and fake. Kate is obnoxious. Jennifer is such a snob but has shown strength of character in the past. Shula is so sincere but clueless too.
Well all I can say is.
ReplyDeleteGood on you Rex!
Is Josh profoundly dense or something ? Of course, Rex doesn't want to go anywhere near his so called business again ! Pip doesn't get it either at all, but at least she attempted to be supportive of her brother for once.
ReplyDeleteWell done, Jill. Lynda has gone too far; does she really want to ruin Ambridge's local ?
I’m getting quite concerned about Paddy Greene who plays Jill.
ReplyDeleteI know she is suffering from macular degeneration which means she has to learn her scripts off by heart instead of reading them at the microphone.
I expect this is what makes her delivery a bit disjointed, but the past couple of days it has been dreadful and makes her sound like a very peculiar old lady. Perhaps it is time for her to become one of the ‘silents’ - still with us but spoken of, rather than heard.
And yes LanJan, I was a member of the Jill fan club on the BBC blogs!
Archerphile I’m sure I read that Paddy has a script but with many more pages as the writing has to be large so she has more page turning to do to keep up with her part maybe that’s what makes her sound slightly manic/stilted - just a thought. May well appear in the cast less frequently going forward π€
DeleteI too was a member of the JAFC and confessed, way back, that when I was first married (1971) she was my inspiration to be a 'domestic goddess!'
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard her speak for a while. I usually read comments and synopses nowadays to find out if I really want to listen as I am not interested at the moment in some of the silly s/ls, over the top dramatics, changing of the characters personalities and sometimes just rank bad acting!
However tonight I was concerned with the strange way 'Jill's' voice kept changing pitch and none of the 'warmth' came through. She always had a 'depth' and sounded affectionate when speaking but it verged on shrieking tonight Imho. Not very well explained I'm afraid! π
Paddy Green is an old lady now.
ReplyDeleteHer voice might well have changed.
Jill Archer is also an old lady now.
Her voice seems to have changed.
I notice some changes in my delivery, but of course I am not a radio actor.
Personally I see no reason why the changing, or ageing voice of a character, Jill Archer, should not be accepted by the audience of The Archers. Some of us remember Jill as a young woman when we ourselves were young women. Now we and she are old.
I do not have any problem in accepting that fact.
I hope that Paddy Green is the one to decide when it is time to put down her scripts and retire from her profession and in the meantime I'm quite happy to hear an eccentric voice pattern change with time.
I agree, Mrs P.
DeleteJill did sound a bit like her granddaughter last night but she’s had a lot of scenes recently in which her character has been quite worried about her family. When she talks to Leonard she tends to sound calmer.
I agree Mrs P, that our voices change over time, becoming quieter or quaky or something. I wanted to say that I hadn't noticed it before.
DeleteI suspect Paddy Greene, being such a professional, will know if, and when, it is time to retire. :)
Of course, I wasn’t meaning that Paddy should be ‘forced to retire’ by TA management but am hoping that she herself would realise when it is perhaps time to step back. Though it has obviously been a life’s work, bringing Jill to life and would be a big loss for her.
DeleteJune Spencer, on the other hand, is even older than Paddy Greene, yet I haven’t noticed such a noticeable change in her voice or acting - just a maturing into a bit of a matriarch, and recently, wily old woman, determined to get her own way. But that is down to the SWs rather than the actress.
We hear very little of the third elderly actress, Lesley Saweard (Christine.) I wonder if it is her choice to step back into only occasional appearances or because the SWs feel Christine is no longer an interesting character to write about.
I think I’d hate to be an elderly actress, especially one in a long running drama, seeing her carefully crafted character declining into obscurity. But, of course, as in real life, it has to happen.
I would think a casting director should have the skills necessary to tell an actor when it’s time to think of retiring, assuming the actor hasn’t worked it out for her or his self. ‘Jill’ is doing her character no favours.
DeleteWell Pippy Proops is at it again, what ever your problem she can provide counselling and enable you to confront your anxieties.
ReplyDeleteGet your free advice and help by contacting, Agony Aunt PP @ Rewilding Ambridge.org. uK
But be warned she might take you to the Bull/B@A and accuse you of stealing Rosie’s rabbit.
Well said Stasia. Succinct, accurate and very amusing post. I wish I’d written it.
DeleteThank you Pierre. I aim to please.
DeleteMe too Stasia
DeleteNotes to self :
1)Be more succinct!
2)Be more to the point - don’t ramble.
3)Post a bit less often, people must be sick of seeing your name so often!
3) Not so on either blog π€
DeleteππStasia π
DeleteNot being deliberately contrary, but I thought Jill was fine last night. She sounded forceful & intense because she wanted the family to support Kenton & Jolene, fair enough. It's awful that Lynda is threatening their business by her protests, just over a silly name.
ReplyDeleteI'm certainly not a member of the Jill fan club, but recognize her good points. When her voice bothers me is when it soars, as if in great surprise over something utterly trivial & not that surprising. Even then she kind of gets away with it as an actress, given her fictional character has evidently led a narrow, sheltered life.
I suspect 'Peggy' & 'Jill' have been in the acting game so long that they're pretty robust in the face of retirement, & don't need directors to tread on eggshells round them. They know they'll either be killed off in the drama, or they'll voluntarily decide to leave.
I hope they both keep going, as they are both part of the "backbone" of TA. I am sure that if medical advice says "No More", then this advice will be taken.
DeleteRemember Edward Kelsey, who went on until shortly before his sad demise.
It some-how was relevant to TA.with his character of Joe. As such I hope the same for Peggy, Jill, Bert, Jim, Oliver and even the mention of Neville Booth. I just hope that they can all still frequent "The Bull".
Archerphile. 12.53pm It is not usually “normal for me to be succinct. Gary is much better at the one liners. Parsley is also good at making a point, and she can do in French.
ReplyDeleteI love long rambles, maybe because I love books and try to do a bit of reading, when I can.
When I see you have posted I know it will be an enjoyable read.
In fact I love all the comments posted here.
Even carolyns at 3.27 pm when she was being contrary. π€
I would far rather listen to Jill than listen to either Lilian or J’lene.
ReplyDeleteIn fact I can add to that.
Don’t like the way Pip speaks either or Kate or Alice
I don’t think it is only Jill who seems to stress the wrong word or syllable either .
I often say out loud.
“Well you said that one wrongly ,Sunshine”
(Had I been P tb Y I possibly would have said “wrong “ in stead of wrongly .
Yorkshire folk don’t do adverbs!
Remember Fred Trueman and Sir Geoffrey ,Archerphile and Spicycushion who would say something like “The lad bowled quick”?
Dentist went very well! “Emergency” tooth was skilfully resurrected and the other planned front filling also completed. No need for any injections Karen is a superb dentist - no pain (except when paying the bill π€£)
ReplyDeleteSorry so full of myself I’ve posted on the wrong blog π€ π
My dentist told me a story of a an elderly patient he had who needed extensive work . As a precaution he recommended that she have a heart check up with her GP to make sure that she would be up to the treatment.
ReplyDeleteThis feisty woman replied to the dentist...."listen Doctor if I can survive the shock of your estimate then I can survive anything.
What a corker Autumnleaves Mr R and I have just enjoyed a good laugh π so thank you!
DeleteAlso a very true comment though π± π€£
LANjan. 5.23.
ReplyDeleteUs northerners don’t take offence at snide remarks.......but what the hell is an adverb???
I have nearly finished my Friday evening homemade (out of what I could find) cocktail whilst watching real housewives of New Jersey whilst Mr P... is out at pub!!!
In fact you could say anything about northerners at the mo and I wouldn’t give a stufff. Whoops. Bit eager with the effs!! ππΈπ€
I sitting here with a π₯ whiskey. Enjoy.
DeleteStasia....see other blog.
DeleteI don’t somehow think that Jakob will be delighted! Worse still given Kate’s track record he may be left holding the How nasty of her that she has done this behind his back and sobearly in the relationship. Think she will come a cropper this time though.ππ€
ReplyDeleteSo early!
ReplyDeleteHolding the baby! Will have to stop having the g & t!
ReplyDeleteThe scriptwriters clearly have a whale of a time writing Kate’s script and the actor does them proud! More, please!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, great entertainment ! And the actor is having such fun with the ghastly Kate. I envy her.
DeleteKate really takes the biscuit! I fear Jackob will be anything but pleased. I suspect he will suggest a termination which will not go down well. I am surprised he has relied on Kate to take precautions,although since she is over 40 he may have assumed (wrongly) that contraception was not an issue.
ReplyDeleteHopefully Gavin is becoming a more sympathetic character, time will tell.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was dreadful news.
Kate has abandoned three children.
Jakob is not going to be thrilled.
Horrible storyline.
Also who threw the good fairy dust over Gavin?
Does this mean he is a changed character?
What a load of rubbish.
Absolutely Lanjan. Just what I said earlier. The characters' personalities change at the drop of a hat to suit the storyline!
DeleteIt's not Gavin's mood about being dumped which made him so shouty at both Kirsty and Philip because he was really nasty to her before the break up. It was his personality but now she's a mate!
I could hardly hear the astounding news about Kate as I was dividing basic Strogonoff sauce to make Beef for son and Mushroom for me so I missed the answer to 'How far gone are you?' I really hope it's a mistake with the kit or nature having a 'blip' prior to early menopause.
Next week listen out for the Helpline number!
Oh and by the way I can't understand why Peggy had to move out whilst boiler being fixed. Most Gas suppliers have elderly people on priority register even without service contracts. I haven't had to wait longer than next day for my repair! And it's rubbish to suggest that a cat couldn't cope with being in an unheated house for a couple of days!
It would find a blanket, cupboard or cardboard box and sleep!
What a scheming minx Kate is,
ReplyDeletegetting herself pregnant to trap her man.
This time, it can't work or can it?
Still, she can always go back to The Lodge, where she + new baby will, at least have a good home.
I wonder how Jennifer + Brian will react, when they hear that their latest grandchild is on it's way.
DeleteAh, so kirsty has brought out the side of Gav who is not a boorish lout ! Surprisingly, I found I could believe this. There is hope !
ReplyDeleteYes, I bet Jakob will want a termination, KPnuts, & won't hesitate to say, even if he knows nothing of her track record on breeding & abandoning, which I suspect he doesn't.
Jakob needs to get down The B@ ......... and have a drink with Roy.
ReplyDeleteCome to think of it, we haven't heard from Roy for a while.
Perhaps when he re surfaces and hears Kate's latest ' triumph ' he will seek Jakob out.
OMG NOOOOO Kate! Let’s hope it turns out to be the change instead (of personality as well wouldn’t go amiss π€£)
ReplyDeleteWhen she accuses other people of certain behaviour she is in fact describing herself!
What of mum and dad by the way? Should they not be getting ready to move about now?
So the Gavin / Phillip SL continues. Kirsty should be awarded a medal for her patience. I still think Gavin wonder if Gavin is looking to split K & P up π€
Cut out “think Gavin” π and I’ve not even been on the bottle - like some π€π€£ π· π₯ πΈ πΉ(always tomorrow though!)
DeleteOh how much more ghastly are they going to make Kate. She is awful. What a horrible trick to play on Jakob. I hope it's a mistake and she is not expecting.
ReplyDeleteGavin may turn out to be nicer than he seemed - let's hope so. BTW why does his name have to be shortened to Gav? It's only two syllables.
Er, how long before Kate abandons her fourth child, as she did the other three?
ReplyDeleteJakob could be left holding the baby, just as Roy was.
Thinks: has Kate actually done a pregnancy test ? Or could it be an early menopause, as suggested by Lady R?
I hope so!
ReplyDeleteArcherphile. Kate doesn’t do science, it’s all intuitive and done in conjunction with a full moon.
DeleteThe astrological signs have to be right, along with a proper bed to facilitate conception.
His ying and her yang were in proper alinement for correct social intercourse.
Too much Kate can have a detrimental effect on one’s psychological ‘wellness’.
One can end up talking utter rubbish.
π
Deleteπππ✔️✔️✔️
DeleteSpot on again Stasia!
DeleteI have read what you wrote us and never have I laughed so many since I were a small children.
Kate truly is a blot on the landscape.
You capture Kate perfectly, Stasia ! If you can keep a staight face - bet you can - she would think she'd met a kindred spirit, as you talk the talk & she'd never suspect you were sending her up rotten ( given she has no sense of humour or irony)
Delete(Trouble is, she gives any alternative/natural practitioner a bad name...but worth the risk, as it's all so entertaining)
They've explored all other options so to me it's obvious: late motherhood with all the dangers involved. Kate is 43, the same age as Jennifer when she had Alice. They also had their first child out of wedlock. Some wanted Bethany to stay but I wish Kate's baby all the best.
ReplyDeletePerimenopause storyline? Hope so - I don't think I could listen to any more people in Ambridge banging on about actual babies!
ReplyDeleteAnd I really hope that loveable Johnny isn't being lined up for a complete change of character caused by body image problems, steroid abuse followed up by a couple of months of becoming increasingly psychotic- all ending up in his suicide. Please no!
Love your comments ,Stasia
ReplyDeleteHave you ever thought of doing the Edinburgh Fringe ?
Perhaps you have.
I wonder if secretly you are already a well known comedienne
Perhaps you are really famous!
Wow .
I don’t want Kate to have a miscarriage but I don’t want her to have a baby so I hope that she has just made a mistake and she really isn’t pregnant.
ReplyDeleteI wonder why her younger sister whose character has changed for the worse in the last few years doesn’t want a child yet?
Perhaps she can’t conceive and doesn’t want to admit it.
I hope she doesn’t end up adopting Kate’s baby .
A plot line too far.
Well, I think Ambridge needs all the babies it can get, to balance its increasingly aged population and provide the generation needed to take TA into the later decades of this century. Like Basia, I wish baby (and mother) well. It will have Rosie and Xander as playmates for starters, not to mention Big (Half) Sister Phoebe.
ReplyDeleteGary 1147, you have too vivid an imagination and you should be one of the scriptwriters! π ππ§
ReplyDeleteWe had the first indication that Kate wanted a baby when Xander miraculously became quiet in Jakob's arms. The whole boiler episode was conceived so that Kate could do just that, even though it may not add up. Kate was very shifty to Peggy as to when the engineer would come. In spite of her grumpiness Peggy was still able to point out that Xander may not want have his wishes read out to him over the years. Jakob liked a picture of a cute baby so Kate will talk him round. Kate said that he'd been very attentive, all I heard was him trying to push her out. What is she going to do with the new bed? The Archers is a welcome distraction from real life as it bears no resemblance.
ReplyDeleteI think it bore resemblance to real life when handling the topic of coercive control, for instance. It’s the ‘must find a dory for x’, character led storylines that tend to get unreal.
DeleteBoiler conceived, baby conceived, exactly Basia.
ReplyDeleteLanjan. 11.49am.
ReplyDeleteI am just a “normal” person. Other people may have different views, some think I’m barmy because I listen to, ‘The Archers, an every day tale of dysfunctional folk’.
The first thing I thought about last nights episode was, is Kirsty going to make ManChild Gavin’s breakfast every morning? Milk , sugar, cereal Gavin, I thought Arsenic Gavin??
They are roughly the same age and she has already become a boring stepmother. Grrrr.
Surely, we are all, just that, normal people - who just happen to perceive TA differently.
ReplyDeleteThis is normal in my mind.
I like the differing thoughts + ideas. It would be so boring, if we all agreed all the time.
Back to Jakob. He is not ready to commit to a relationship, let alone becoming a father, particulary with Kate.
I am getting very confused with the Philip/Kirsty/Gavin triangle..which can only end up with Kirsty being heartbroken again.
My thoughts only, as a normal person, which, I know, others will disagree with. This I accept. ππ
DeleteNormal? ππ
DeleteMy closest friend gave me a T-shirt last Christmas with the slogan across the front
" I tried being normal. Worse two minutes of my life!" ππ
Love it. π
Deleteπππ
DeleteMy slogan has to be:-
ReplyDelete"Carry On - Regardless"
What's happened to Jennifer + Brian, as to their moving from Willow Cottage. They have been there for a year now and they still have furniture + chattels, stored in a barn. Will these still be dry, free from rodents, and suitable for elsewhere?
Could it be that they end up in Philip + Kirsty's house.
Barmy + Silly....Yes I agree, but it is a possibilty though not a probability.
I was querying exactly this yesterday Miriam π€
DeleteSorry π³π΅ to have missed that Lady R.
DeleteI obviously, did not see your posts. π£π’
I so apologise, to all, for being repetative.
Note to self - read back more!
I go off line at about 7.00pm to then join in again, 4.00pm the next day. I skim + speed read posts, due to time constraints, so I must miss comments. I must try harder so as not to miss very valid thoughts re TA and Ambridge.
DeleteNot to worry, Miriam - people who have been repeated can always comfort themselves with the thought that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!
DeleteAm I the only one suspecting that the "refomed" Gavin will shortly make an attempt to seduce Kirsty?
ReplyDeleteI'm counting on it Pierre!
DeleteAnd there's me thinking he's turned from lout to man-child, seeking maternal style comfort.....how naive can one get !
DeleteHorrified, she'll reject him, of course, but that creates such a torturous situation for her, concealing the incident from Philip ( because TA characters always agonise, never tell), Gav will revert to ugly natured lout again, having been rejected...oh, yes, most convincing Pierre, we've a juicy, tangled SL unfolding hereππ
I was suspicious when he turned up unanounced a couple of weeks ago when Alistair was having a bath (why didn't he go to Shula's and why bath and not a quick shower), anyway I digress. No one and I mean no one has the right to walk into someone's house far less bedroom without announcing themselves. That could have been Kirsty in the bath. He wants to break them up and what better way than to make out that Kirsty has come on to him...Come on Kirsty you're more intelligent that that.
Delete