Archerphile - December 19, 2020 at 11:46 AM Just seen our Gary profiled as a team member on the Archers website page about the post Christmas Quiz And you can download your own scoresheet to play along, which will be fun. I’m trying to think up a suitable team name for my ‘team’ which will consist of just me......nobody else in the family listens, sadly. Hope we are all going to take part and support Gary (silently) from our homes. Good Luck everyone!
Lady R - December 19, 2020 at 1:30 PM Well I certainly need to do some serious research before then 9/15 for the quiz😱 Here’s hoping for a much better result at the quiz in The Bull with our Gary or I shall be in danger of being expelled from the blog 🤣
Archerphile - December 19, 2020 at 2:42 PM Never Lady R!
Autumnleaves - December 19, 2020 at 12:00 PM The Archers has received fame now in Italy. This morning an article appeared in one of the national newspapers La Repubblica about "the longest running soap in history". There's a pay wall and I don't subscribe to newspapers so I was only able to read the first opening lines. Maybe Gianna or Hillary have read the article and can give us the "low down".
Lady R - December 19, 2020 at 1:02 PM 🤗 ✔️👍
Basia - December 19, 2020 at 1:23 PM There'll be a host of programmes celebrating the 70th anniversary, with Great Pleasure, The Pub Quiz of course, Woman's Hour and more.
Lady R - December 19, 2020 at 2:40 PM Should by rights have a BBC tv slot as well! 101 yr old June Spencer is back on air 👏🏻
Interesting couple of days on Zoom for me. Last night I was invited to DumTeeDum's Christmas Party where the special guess were Susie Riddell who plays Tracey Horrobin and Graeme Seed who played Nigel! She was great fun & I got to thank her "in person" for the amazing message she sent to us at the beginning of the first lockdown. I must admit to getting pretty tipsy and talking a load of b******s!
This morning found me on the Academic Archers regular Saturday Zoom with none other than Kathy Perks (Hedli Niklaus)! She was hysterical - and seemed to be in no great rush to be back on the airwaves!
Lady R - I'm pretty shocked that there's nothing on TV to celebrate the 70th anniversary!
I disagree with Gary and LadyR, The Archers should be loyal to the radio, but perhaps not faithful, so if they stray into television I will not be disgruntled (because I don't have TV). I once watched a play with Lynda and Caroline in it but nothing to do with TA.
The Zoom party sounds wonderful Gary and how great to chat to ‘Tracy’ and dear Graham Seed. And then to see Hedli Nicklaus too, who started Archers Addicts years ago. I’d love to know if she still listens regularly and what she things of the programmes since she left. Elevated circles indeed!
She still listens regularly and thinks that it's lost it's way of late! She would like to hear a bit more comedy and less "issue" driven storylines. I will find the link to the recording of it tonight/tomorrow and post it on here...
I have managed to read the article now by quickly taking screenshots before the article was faded out and replaced by the invitation to subscribe. Some of the article was similar to the Guardian article. They gave the literal translation of “The Archers” without explaining that it is a surname! I will summarise the salient points tomorrow.
Gary 6.17 pm That's interesting about Hedli Nicklaus' views on the current Archers and their 'issue' driven S/Ls. She may have a point and I know I am relieved to hear anything from Jazzer, Tracey, Lynda as they may well be more upbeat (although not always esp. in the case of Lynda but, prior to her injuries, she was light relief a lot).
I do agree with her! Even Joe and his ferrets were a bit of light relief! The days of Nigel being Mr Snowy and getting up to all sorts with his friend whose name I have forgotten were good for a laugh. It’s getting too much like East Enders which I deplore for its dismal stories. The occasional awareness issue is good but interspersed with a bit of light relief please!
The article in the Italian newspaper notes how television did not mean the end of radio and describes R4 as Britain's most cultured channel, with TA attracting 5 million mainly older listeners. Ta offers a relaxing break from the stress of modern life. It compares TA to Brexit, in that Brexit offered the illusion of a return to sovranity and TA the illusion that the countryside is the essence of Britain. It concludes by saying that TA is so well done that it continues to thrive despite the fact that few people would actually choose to go and live in the out of the way village of Ambridge.
Think you might be correct Maryellen. Can't remember another either.
There is evidence that woman can be as evil. Didn't I hear an advertisement for a programme on R4 about female serial killers in the last few days. Rose from Gloucester was mentioned.
The Archers 70th was on TV last week, on Morning Live, with a virtual chat with Ruth. Sadly, it was not long but she came over so well, and with why TA is still so loved.
Is it just me, but has Clarrie been heard from since March? I miss her, along with Roy, Phoebe + Hannah. Also where is Hannah, Leonard and Bert, and what about Bartleby + Gem? It is time, that Tom + Natasha also reappeared again, well to me.
Eddie referred to Clarrie having his guts for garters (or similar expression) a couple of times during his visit to the auction with Oliver, so we know she is still alive.
As I am no longer, a member on this TA site, I wish you all well, but I am not giving up the wonderful TA. This I will still enjoy, regardless. I am looking forward to hearing Gary G. in the New Year Ambridge Quiz. I am looking forward to thia.
Now didn't I say, some months ago, that I could foresee some time in the future, something more than a friendship between Oliver and Tracy. I seem to remember being poo poo'd !
MrsP - Oliver stressed that Tracy was a friend. I'd prefer them to stay friends and I don't think you were the only one to suggest more. Anyway, when rumours about them spread around Ambridge he was very angry and Tracy even called him Mr Sterling until he admitted to being a fool.
Basia, when I wrote my post earlier I struggled with my words. I didn't want to suggest a romantic association between Oliver and Tracey, but I do believe that there is the possibility of a close friendship. Something akin to Kirsty and Roy, which others consider could become something more, but which I'm doubtful about. I think it would be possible for O and T to become romantically attached, despite the class and age differences, but that wasn't what I was suggesting now or in my post in the past. I just feel that they have a connection that could bring them into being closer companions.
I can’t believe how much Tracy has changed over the years since she was first heard. I really disliked her at first; brash, loud, uncouth and an embarrassment at Cricket matches. But she has matured into a really likeable character with a softer side, a real sense of fun and a heart of gold. Oliver was so kind and considerate this evening and it was a lovely thing to do , giving Tracy her hearts desire of a posh Christmas Dinner at Grey Gables. Good for him. I hope the future is bright for each of them, not ‘together’ but as firm friends.
AP, that's almost exactly what I said to Tracy when I "met" her via Zoom the other night. I got the distinct impression that I wasn't the first! (Will try to remember to post the link to the Kathy chit chat tomorrow...)
Basia, I think your right that Freddie will approach Eddy, I couldn’t think who he meant. However I expect Eddy will choose a more populist reading, or maybe “ Christmas Day in the workhouse “ which I think Joe liked to recite. It would be a nice tribute (if I’m right about Joe)
I really like how Tracey’s character has been developed over the last couple of years, she also brings out a more sympathetic side of Susan.
I prefer the Tracey we know today to the Tracey we first encountered. I don't think we know when her marriage came to its sticky end, but I like to think that when we first heard from her she was still feeling raw, worn down and alienated and was projecting those feelings in her course and angry persona. And perhaps too she felt that her ' perfect' sister judged her for her failed marriage. Now after a few years she has become distanced from that time and although still boisterous is able to be a more rounded person comfortable with her place in the community. Still put upon and loudly proclaiming it so, but less shouty. And perhaps Susan is less judgmental now.
No he wasn't, and isn't, Maryellen, but Oliver has other skills. He is kind and understanding towards his staff, and willing to encourage those he sees have talents, and excuse those who make mistakes. And in a crisis those who can take charge and direct others and manage the situation are invariably there, able and ready to do so. And amazingly in my experience others recognise that person with those skills and take directions willingly, grateful that someone else is willing to take charge.
When Ed had his problems way back, Oliver and Caroline were very kind to him and helped him to return to the fold. When the explosion happened I think Oliver was in shock and honestly didn’t know what to do. However he does run GG so well it seems.
MrsP, thank you for developing your thoughts and I'd like Tracy and Oliver to continue in the way you suggest. KPnuts, how clever of you to remember that about Joe, perhaps the reading will be as you suggest.
I would also prefer that Oliver and Tracy remain good friends but that their relationship doesn't develop into something more. Oliver is a kind and gentle man who definitely sees the good in Tracy but surely they'd be worlds apart in other ways.
For anyone wishing to listen to the Hedli Niklaus (Kathy Perks) interview on the Academic Archers podcast - I have tried to post the link on here, but it won't do it properly! You can access it (and previous episodes) by going to academicarchers.net and clicking on "listen to all the podcasts here" which is highlighted in green on the main page...
Fickle person that I am my favourite characters have gone from Pat to Hayley then when she left to Kirsty and then Johnnie and is now firmly with Tracey.. I don't believe that she will have any romantic attachment with Oliver. The Roman getting a job in the Maldives business is a rather daft storyline. I think he will soon be back. I hope so anyway.
Lanjan, I thought the Maldives was to bring Lynda back but now it seems it's to give Freddie a full credit for running the show. I hope Roman comes back, so Tracy can have a life of her own.
Does anyone have an idea for a gift for one of the Archers characters, perhaps given by someone else in the village? My suggestion is for Roy to give Kirsty a beautifully decorated box of tissues and a comforting shoulder to cry on, perhaps just after Christmas. And for Jill to give Leonard vouchers for an Art Course so he can paint her better pictures!
That would be lovely maryellen. I love the idea of re-wilding with native species. A 'zoo' near me has examples of all sorts of native species who (or which?) have died out:European bison, brown bears, wild ponies, beavers, red squirrels etc. I wonder if Pip and co are thinking of animals and insects in their rewilding scheme?
Message to Maryellen (and any other participants who don’t look in to the non-Archers blog)
As you won’t see my message on the ‘other side’, I’d like to wish you a very happy Christmas and a much better, happier, healthier and safer New Year. May we all enjoy listening to The Archers and expressing our varied opinions here. Maryellen, I hope you enjoy all the 70th Anniversary celebrations, Gary’s Quiz and that we’ll have lots to discuss next year. All the very best from Archerphile. 😃🎄
Thanks very much for your lovely message, Archerphile, and for thinking of repeating it here. I’ve been feeling more despondent this week than I have all lockdown, after the news that the virus was hotting up and Tier 4 was being introduced - and your message has really helped to cheer me up. All you wish for me, I wish for you, and for everyone else here. May we (and Ambridge!) have a brighter year ahead! Love to all, Mary Ellenx
I so hope Philip will move to Wales in 2021..so he can then be forgotten about. This is to HMP Wrexham. His name plate "Cartref" will look lovely in his cell. On that note:- Happy Christma to everyone. Stay Safe and Sensible, and enjoy it, with whoever you are with, or just on your own.
Miriam, that is a very clever solution for Philip Moss's future. Do you know something about Wrexham prison that the rest of us do not ? If so... please tell.
Happy Christmas to Maryellen and any others who just read this blog. Some daft farming type jokes. What is a sleeping bull called? A bulldozer. What did the cow say to her calf? It's pasture bedtime. Did you hear about the magic tractor? It turned into a field. Hope 2021 is a happy and healthy year for everyone here.
That’s about my level, Janice! Alternative answer to middle question: Have some consideration for udders! Happy Christmas to you too. I’d have been listening to the Falmouth Docks Choir (as was) today if life had continued as normal.
Love the jokes ,Janice. Like Maryellen I think they are about my level.
Well just in case you didn't read what I wrote last year and the year before at this time......... On a programme called something like "The Secret life of four year olds" a little girl was asked how she thought Mary was feeling when she gave birth to baby Jesus in the stable. Her reply was "Knackered". It brings a smile when I think of it.
So Phillip's justification is that the life he gave 'the lads' was better than on the streets. Somehow I don't think the CPS and the judge will buy that! What a deluded man! After he said 'I did it for us,' if I was Kirsty, I would have kneed him! Good acting tonight.
Well done Kirsty. Someone’s Christmas has just got a whole lot worse. Philip wanted a little place in Wales. HMP Wrexham sounds perfect. Good idea Miriam.
Kirsty’s deductions might have been a bit swift but the end result is what we have all been waiting for. Luckily Roy is at hand to provide support! What will happen to Gavin?
Oh WOW! I didn’t think there was an episode tonight so I didn’t listen when I first came to bed as usual. I fiddled around reading emails, looking at news summaries etc before dropping in here. It was only then I realised I had missed a hugely important episode and immediately went to Sounds. Thank goodness Kirsty has seen the light at last. I must say she was quick to work out exactly what Philip had been doing despite him trying to twist the story to his own advantage. Very glad Roy was the one to come to her aid - wonder if he had that beautifully decorated box of tissues with him that I suggested !
I was going to recommend With Great Pleasure at Christmas on Radio 4 at 7am too, KP. I listened in bed and it was a delightful programme with various cast members speaking about their lives, the Archers and then choosing a favourite poem or piece of music.
I most enjoyed Ryan Kelly (Jazzer) telling us about his life a a totally blind person, his guide dogs and he came to be in TA. Then he sang, acapella, a beautiful version of Auld Lang Syne to its original tune. Beautiful. Do listen in on Sounds if you have time
(The only person I couldn’t understand, very sadly, was Paddy Greene who gabbled through her piece and her reading from Cold Comfort Farm and was barely comprehensible. )
For the 60th anniversary there was a birth and a very contrived death. For the 70th an extreme case of alcoholism and slave labour. Very disheartening if this is the reflection on our society. Yes Soz, Kirsty was very swift, but they just wanted to conclude it before the next episode on Tuesday only. I still think that Philip means what he says in that he loves Kirsty, but it's not enough because as she told Roy she had doubts (like some of us) about his suitability from the start. As an antidote we have another couple renewing their vows after 40 years only thanks to the long suffering wife, not uplifting enough. With Great Pleasure will be on repeat on NYD, so I'll save it till then before some more gloom.
How are J & K going to explain to regulars that they are not required because their places has been taken by two teams of unknowns from a parallel universe in which they and Ambridge are only fictional and a niche interest?
And lucky old Ambridge must still be in Tier 2 as the Bull is allowed to open. But will the visiting teams, including our Gary, have to order a substantial meal of Tom’s black pudding Scotch Eggs in order to take part?
( says she, who now can't even go out to fetch the newspaper she has already paid for, via vouchers which she now can’t use)
I can’t quite make out what the policy is regarding Ambridge and Covid restrictions. Sometimes they are referenced - I’m sure somebody (Freddie?) mentioned he’d had ensured Social Distancing at the LL event. But then the Bull is apparently open and able to host the upcoming Quiz. It doesn’t quite add up.
Tracy nad Jazzer made up socially distanced, I'm not too concerned about Ambridge restrictions, the editor said they wouldn't follow them to the letter.
How far in advance are they recording? It's hard enough to keep up with the tier changes at 8 hours notice, Ambridge residents must struggle when they get minus 8 days' warning!
Masks have been a feature since early lockdown - the Ambridge residents should have caught up with that by now, but it seems not as they have never been mentioned. Slow-witted, or what?
All travel into Borsetshire has been banned for months. The BBC website reports no cases within the county. Therefore, they are officially Tier 0.
The travel ban is no good for Grey Gables but I gather Bridge Fresh is doing a roaring trade. And Eddy has had to start a waiting list for Tumble Tussock.
So presumably no one in Borsetshire will be offered vaccination and that’s another opportunity missed to encourage public awareness. TA’s handling of the coronavirus crisis has exposed the editor’s weakness on all fronts.
I doubt the editor takes any notice of my attempts at humour. He won't deny the Ambridge residents the vaccine just because I've suggested they're in Tier 0.
"The editor, Jeremy Howe, leads a production team and group of writers as they plot the twists and turns of the families in Ambridge, looking ahead months or sometimes years in biannual long-term meetings.
The detailed planning is done at monthly script meetings about two months ahead of transmission, after which five of the writers have to produce a week's worth of scripts each in just 14 days. The episodes are transmitted three to six weeks after recording." As you say there is little chance of the programme to be completely up to date with the latest changes and regulations for varying parts of the country. Never mind it's so nice for us who are stuck indoors to hear of life as it used to be!
Wearing a face mask in shops became compulsory on 24 July which means there has been ample time for the planning team and scriptwriters to introduce them.
It’s my personal opinion that the programme is now living off its past - in general, as well as the current, understandable, emphasis on days of yore evoked by the 70th anniversary. That’s fine for people who like it that way, and in their case, the editor has judged well. But not for me. The programme claims to be contemporary and that’s what I expect. So I find the choice of a ‘coronavirus lite’ treatment (which also happens to be the easy option) when the virus is such a dominant feature of contemporary life, pretty irritating. Given the possibility of pub closures at New Year, the planners could have opted for a Zoom quiz anyway, or avoided the pub scenario altogether and gone for a standard radio/tv quiz format.
But could anyone have envisaged that we would still be being required five months later to be abiding by these rules? To write in scenarios which may be temporary would be a waste of time and/or money. Best to stay with the constants in my view. It is impossible to cater for current news when writing so far in advance. So they write at January's meeting that all over 70 have the vaccine offered to them but by the time the programme is broadcast it will (hopefully) be available to all over 60 years OR some hold up in the factories and all are waiting for the vaccination! No I reckon it is impossible to write a storyline to be accurate and current 12-14 weeks in advance!
They said that at the beginning they tore up a lot of scripts (a waste in my opinion) and started the monologues. I don't know how the TV soaps are incorporating the pandemic.
I am sorry to hear of your fall, Mrs P. What a horrid and very painful jolt that must have been. Thank goodness kind people were there to help you.
Basia, I have very recently started watching Coronation Street. Everyone is wearing masks until they get indoors and they are social distancing - even families so it does look a little odd but it means they have been able to continue filming. My father always watched it so I would watch it with him when I visited and I have two cousins who watch it so I thought I would too.
Thank you Hilary, it must look odd, but then again we see people with masks on all around us. I suppose they have to show it on TV and in Ambridge we can imagine what we want.
I do agree with Maryellen in principle, but at the same time think like Spiceycushion that they would always be behind the curve, or just plain wrong. And that would have looked very silly. I for one did anticipate that we would still be in a difficult situation for a very long time, and still do. But that's not really here nor there. Like ME I'm disappointed that the public message has not been highlighted enough, if at all, but on the whole think they have done their best. Also agree ME that they are resting on their laurels, and sheer ability to keep TA going for seventy years.
Covid is all around us, and getting worse. I am liking that Ambridge is a relatively free zone, and that I can hear some sort of normal life. It is just wonderful escapism to a life, we all once knew, and will do again, whenever. I do not want Ambridge to change. Let it stay as normal, as possible, so we can just enjoy our evening listen. My personal thoughts, only 😣
...and I am so grateful that The Archers is still going forward, to entertain us all. Well Done to all the cast, and all the very many others involved, so that 7.00pm and Dum Te Dum, is still happening, after 70 years.
PS If, The Archers does go off air again, I have one simple wish. This is that, the Philip Moss story, with Kirsty + Gavin, reaches a well deserved and a justified conclusion.🤞
I’m not suggesting that TA can reflect coronavirus restrictions in the Wetst Midlands on a weekly basis, and I doubt-the ability of a production team that notoriously couldn’t do dialogue during lockdown, to cope with topical inserts. But they could do ‘damage limitation’, by using common sense and imagination to avoid scenarios in which restrictions might apply at the time the episode is aired.
We knew in early autumn that a winter spike was expected, so it didn’t take much common sense to anticipate the restrictions to follow, based on what happened last time. So they could have avoided scenes in the Bull altogether, or, as I just suggested, made the quiz a Zoom meeting (which would sound exactly the same to radio listeners). The Christmas show could have been taken outdoors, maybe to people’s doorsteps, as a number of small theatre groups have done. (A lot of the time, you don’t know precisely where you are, indoors or out.)
By avoiding scenes in compromised locations, the team could keep listeners who want the programme to reflect yesterday’s normality happy, whilst not annoying those like me who want today’s/tomorrow’s normality reflected in more than a couple of references to social distancing in private conversation!
I suppose it’s a bit like Ambridge being ‘weather lite’. Despite it being an important factor in rural life, and the British being famous for talking about it so much, weather is very rarely mentioned.
I agree that steps could have been taken to avoid situations that might prove difficult, such as holding the Lower Loxley entertainment outdoors, in different parts of the grounds perhaps. Then if we were still in Covid restrictions, they would have avoided contravening rules that might still be in place. And topical inserts have often been used in the past. I certainly expected a short mention of the new post- EEC agricultural laws that were announced recently. It would surely have been possible for David or Brian to record a couple of sentences about it, even if they had to record at home and send the recording in to the BBC to be inserted.
Perhaps I am being too demanding but I certainly think reference should be made to the current widespread increase in Covid cases due to the new variant and the more stringent restrictions that are coming into force. And most certainly about the residents of The Laurels getting their vaccinations. Of course we are anxious to listen to the Philip Moss outcome and whatever they are doing to celebrate 70 years, but after that I hope the New Year Résolution for the Editor will be “more topicality in 2021”
Okay you have a point both of you but now you tell me what the situationat the end of March 2021 is going to be! The 'new' varient was only broadcast to the nation a matter of a couple of days before Christmas! That's just one week ago! How on earth could they mention that in an episode recorded over three weeks ago? I think you are also ignoring budget constraints. What if, as Basia mentions above, something is inserted in the scripts now which is completely 'wrong' three to four months later? Do they once again bin the lot, re-write, re-record the episodes in a matter of days? Don't forget all the howls and complaints after they had to do that earlier in the year! As to weather I remember all the derision aimed at TA when they had the flood, a year after everyone in the country were flooded or how Ambridge can harvest when there is appalling weather in real life! I like the fact there is an absence of Covid mentions. Perhaps it reflects now that some people accept that we are where we are and the fact that masks and restricted movements are becoming the norm! It is only when someone breaks the 'rules' that it is noticeable?
My coronavirus solution, echoed by Archerphile, gets round all your objections, Spicycushion. Simply avoid or work round situations in which restrictions would make a significant impact. And intoduce retrospective comments on the ongoing aspects, eg. The Laurels and older folk have been done and Neil’s just got his invitation. No budget issues involved. (Is it the case that this editor has a smaller budget than more successful editors had?)
The inept handling of the situation earlier (“we don’t do dialogue”, said when organisations large and small, professional and amateur, proved it was possible) provoked a public apology from a BBC Head. Will we get another over TA’s handling of Covid, I wonder?
Just noticed spelling mistake! I do know really how to spell 'variant!' Semi-interesting article in the Guardian yesterday " https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radi ... untry-folk "
I live on a working dairy farm. About 10.30 every morning, all of us gather round the kitchen table with tea and biscuits. Strangely the conversations haven’t changed that much this year though Covid does get mentioned. There are the usual moans about milk prices and endless paperwork but on the whole the main focus is on local matters: the theft of farm vehicles, the success or failure of ways to deal with the badgers, when’s the next tb test, damage caused by the hunt etc.
Throughout this year, life on the farm has gone on as usual though we have resurrected the veg patch and plan to extend it next year. In some ways we have kept in our bubble - the cows need milking, sheds need cleaning, the beasts need feeding all of this every day. The routine has probably kept us sane.
What I’m trying to say is that the absence of national issues is fairly true to life on a farm.
The Archers was first introduced to educate the nation on things farming. Covid should be mentioned but agree with Soz, it is not the priority subject with farmers.
Only a small percentage of people living in rural areas are actively engaged in farming. I imagine that for teachers, parents, key workers, medics, those who are elderly and vulnerable, Covid and its effects are a daily preoccupation.
We can imagine they have a life between the scenes we hear and may then mention Covid. We certainly don’t dwell on it constantly and I think airing other issues on the program is healthy and realistic.
I am not arguing for Covid to be discussed to the exclusion of other topics (and can’t think how I could have given that impression!) Simply that it should be given due mention a) to give the programme plausibility (though since we’ve had 70 years of an implausible scenario, you could say why am I bothering!) and b) because of its public education remit. I think it’s far healthier to take uncomfortable topics on board than follow the current editorials policy of burying head in sand!
I take on board what Maryellen, Spicycushion, Archerphile AND Soz say and am prepared to be satisfied with what I'm given, something that MrsP often says. OK, I tolerated the dialogues...
Hi, I am losing track of the days over the bank holiday and further thrown by no Archers on a Monday. I had sort of hoped we might get 5 episodes this week as a Christmas present from Auntie Beeb, alas it was not to be, although my hopes were raised when initially checking the Radio Times and seeing there was a program on Friday.
KPnuts, I'm getting serious withdrawal symptoms, they shifted it, so Tue-Fri instead, but as a bonus, the Friday 'revelations' will be followed by the quiz.
The thought that strikes me after reading the straplines is that the 70th anniversary could be an opportunity for one or more of the programme’s long-standing actors to gracefully retire. The characters they play don’t have to come to a sticky end, just move outside the enclave. (I don’t suppose I’m the only listener to have thought this! )🙂
There would be quite a few contenders eligible for retirement (assuming that their actors are ready for retirement too). And as you say, they needn’t be messily killed off but just referred to occasionally in conversations. Must admit , that possibility didn’t occur to me but it seems reasonable enough.
i don’t understand what you mean. How can you retire a character: “ Sorry folks, I’m off to Ambridge’s Silent Care Home. Bye bye “ seems totally unrealistic. I have no problem with characters that are referred to rather than heard because they’re too old or too ill to take an active part in a recording studio. I am happy that we hear Peggy occasionally but whether I hear her or not, she still exists in my mind.
I made a distinction between actors and characters - clearly it’s the actor who retires - and the 70th anniversary would be an opportunity for an actor to retire with a fanfare, rather than sloping off when the casting director or their agent. advises it would be for the best, or they have the self awareness to decide this for themselves. The character can be written out in a variety of ways, or simply fall silent and be referred to occasionally as Archerphile suggests.
As seems to have happened to Kathy! Though I do think it’s time she took retirement from her post at Grey Gables - if it survives Covid restrictions, that is. 🤣
I wonder if we are going to hear the outcome of Philips arrest tonight and what happens to Kirsty? In the past a Friday night cliff hanger was often not referred to during the following episode (I.e. the Sunday one) which I found very frustrating. Hope that’s not the case tonight.
Personally I think it's wonderful that the BBC is still prepared to give a voice to extreme old age in the case of Peggy, and very old characters in TA in the case of Jill Archer. Peggy still has a strong voice, Jill less so, but the strength of voices does diminish with age, unless that muscle is constantly kept oiled and in use. I might site one or two of our illustrious thespian Dames as example. We live in an age increasingly focused on the young. I'd like to shout out for the retention of an older generation who have not yet lost their marbles to continue to be given the opportunity to work, until they themselves feel ready to retire.
I’m not at all sure that either Paddy Greene or June Spencer want to be pensioned off yet. In a way it’s fitting that Edward Kelsey died ‘in harness’ as it made his departure from the Archers very natural.
I agree. Let these two wonderful Matriachs continue, for as long as possible. Brookfield without Jill, and then, Lillian, Tony + Pat without Peggy - is not what I want to hear about, well just yet awhile.
Oh yes retain the older generation for as long as possible in order to reflect the balance of real life. Then it will be over to David etc and especially Eddie who inexplicably turns 70yrs very soon 😱
I didn’t expect Philips mum to commiserate with Kirsty I thought she was going to ask her to stand by her innocent son 🙃 Apply for a divorce Kirsty not for a year yet I’m afraid vows taken and relationship consummated long ago and certainly post marriage- baby on the way now 🤔 shades of Helen and Rob. I understand why she would want to disassociate herself from him but come on let’s have a marriage next time that works for a change. Brian and Jennifer have managed it 🤣 Did either Dan or Doris have an affair or go to prison....
I thought it was his ex wife, Gavin's mum. I shall have to listen again to check.
And what's this about a baby? Have I missed something? I thought Philip said he didn't want any more children. ('Though Kirsty originally hoped otherwise.)
Please not another unplanned/unwanted/unusual conception! It really shouldn't be an annual event! I would think that as they had already discussed having children one or other of them was on something pretty permanent or at least some way of minute chances of something going wrong. Rhiannon is Phillips ex-wife and Gavin's mum. I think you got father and son's names muddled! Divorce - Abysmal decision of our 'wonderful' politicians to have foisted on us. Married for a week or so but must wait a year or even five years to put an end to it!
Like Susan this evening I have recently wondered if a romance might develop between Tracey and Jazzer, I haven’t said anything because I feel it is wrong to assume that everyone needs to be part of a couple. Lady R, I think it was Gavin’s mum, ie Philip’s ex, who rang Kirsty this evening.
Tracy has definitely found more cushions to scatter, unstained by Jazzer's brew and now he's planted it there perhaps they'll put them to use. Roman only mentioned privacy parked up at Lakey Hill.
I do hope that now Gavin has ‘disappeared’ and Philip has been released (on bail, presumably) that it is not going to be a feeble end to their story. I shall be very cross if it is.
We need a proper and realistic conclusion to the events of this year; the Mosses and Victoria all prosecuted for using slave labour, the true events at Grey Gables fully re-investigated by the police with prosecutions for that too, rescue of the 3 poor workers, and a happier future for Kirsty assured.
As Phillip has been bailed and Kirsty 's statement to the police would be hearsay,(?) until the police find evidence of criminal behaviour, I think the Moss storyline has still some miles in it. Or at least as far as the production team are concerned! It's going to be a while before we see the back of Phillip and Gavin even if the police ever find him and the lads while working or having been sold on by 'Victoria.'
A developing romance between Tracey and Jazzer would be lighthearted at least. They have more in common than Tracey and Oliver. Kirsty is sounding strong and not falling to bits and screaming as she could have done when confronted with the truth. She may go from strength to strength and realize what a lucky escape she had.
Can a prosecution against Philip, actualy be proven? I so doubt it. Another one will escape justice, yet again, just like Rob and Matt. As Kirsty is now Mrs Moss, does she have any claim to the Beechwood home, even though as Philip told her, it is mortgaged up to the hilt? Enter Jennifer + Brian, to make it their home, away from Willow Cottage, at last.
I shouldn’t think Kirsty would want to stay in that house, even if she does have a claim to it to it, too many memories of all the lies she was fed. As for prosecuting Philip, yes the charge of using slave Labour could be proven if the 3 lads can be found and are willing to give evidence. (Debatable) Who knows, perhaps Gavin would give evidence against his Dad too. After all, in different ways, he was bullied by Philip too and had come to hate what his father was doing.
By the way, Miriam, are you fully back with us again, or is it just on The Archers blog?
As Kirsty has only been married a week she hasn't any claim to the house. Prior occupation as a 'couple' doesn't count as , contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a 'common law' marriage. Otherwise it's a gold-digger's charter! There probably is no equity in the house to share between the couple anyway but, according to a law website, a marriage less than 5 years is a 'short' marriage. In that case where assets have been brought in solely by one of the couple, at the end of the marriage they will be returned to the provider of the assets in their entirety. I suspect Phillip will be brought to justice but the plot will be milked for as long as possible!
I am not back as such. I am only giving my simplistic thoughts, once a day. I have just not yet found a site to suit me, unlike this one. Thanks GG - as I cannot find a better TA site..
Miriam I speak only for myself, as I always do. I am crotchety but I expect many would be when they are anxiously waiting to be allowed into public in relative safety and others are boasting about how careful they were when they broke the rules. Enough, I've finished and apologise to all for my cussedness! Spicy
If he is convicted the house will be impounded as it is the proceeds from a crime and any victims can be compensated. This is from my legal adviser, Katy!
It was obvious Freddie was winding up Elizabeth about Bernard. In the end the two main participants withdrew in order to give him a chance to exert himself, a bit like making up for his failed LL tour. As for Kirsty, I don't understand why the police rang her to find out about Gavin and especially Philip, they bailed him with a condition not to return to Ambridge, so they must have an address, anyway, that's their job.
Was that another porky-pie from Pip who said she couldn't do anything about Rex being evicted? I seem to remember that she readily agreed with her parents and Josh?
Miriam 8.07 - I do not think any single person on this blog can claim to know "how you all feel". We all give our views as individuals separate from one another.
*** FROM PREVIOUS BLOG ***
ReplyDeleteArcherphile - December 19, 2020 at 11:46 AM
Just seen our Gary profiled as a team member on the Archers website page about the post Christmas Quiz
And you can download your own scoresheet to play along, which will be fun. I’m trying to think up a suitable team name for my ‘team’ which will consist of just me......nobody else in the family listens, sadly. Hope we are all going to take part and support Gary (silently) from our homes.
Good Luck everyone!
Lady R - December 19, 2020 at 1:30 PM
Well I certainly need to do some serious research before then 9/15 for the quiz😱
Here’s hoping for a much better result at the quiz in The Bull with our Gary or I shall be in danger of being expelled from the blog 🤣
Archerphile - December 19, 2020 at 2:42 PM
Never Lady R!
Autumnleaves - December 19, 2020 at 12:00 PM
The Archers has received fame now in Italy. This morning an article appeared in one of the national newspapers La Repubblica about "the longest running soap in history". There's a pay wall and I don't subscribe to newspapers so I was only able to read the first opening lines.
Maybe Gianna or Hillary have read the article and can give us the "low down".
Lady R - December 19, 2020 at 1:02 PM
🤗 ✔️👍
Basia - December 19, 2020 at 1:23 PM
There'll be a host of programmes celebrating the 70th anniversary, with Great Pleasure, The Pub Quiz of course, Woman's Hour and more.
Lady R - December 19, 2020 at 2:40 PM
Should by rights have a BBC tv slot as well!
101 yr old June Spencer is back on air 👏🏻
Interesting couple of days on Zoom for me. Last night I was invited to DumTeeDum's Christmas Party where the special guess were Susie Riddell who plays Tracey Horrobin and Graeme Seed who played Nigel! She was great fun & I got to thank her "in person" for the amazing message she sent to us at the beginning of the first lockdown. I must admit to getting pretty tipsy and talking a load of b******s!
ReplyDeleteThis morning found me on the Academic Archers regular Saturday Zoom with none other than Kathy Perks (Hedli Niklaus)! She was hysterical - and seemed to be in no great rush to be back on the airwaves!
Lady R - I'm pretty shocked that there's nothing on TV to celebrate the 70th anniversary!
Gary, you really are moving in elevated circles now.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations.
I disagree with Gary and LadyR, The Archers should be loyal to the radio, but perhaps not faithful, so if they stray into television I will not be disgruntled (because I don't have TV).
ReplyDeleteI once watched a play with Lynda and Caroline in it but nothing to do with TA.
The Zoom party sounds wonderful Gary and how great to chat to ‘Tracy’ and dear Graham Seed.
ReplyDeleteAnd then to see Hedli Nicklaus too, who started Archers Addicts years ago. I’d love to know if she still listens regularly and what she things of the programmes since she left.
Elevated circles indeed!
She still listens regularly and thinks that it's lost it's way of late! She would like to hear a bit more comedy and less "issue" driven storylines. I will find the link to the recording of it tonight/tomorrow and post it on here...
DeleteThank you Gary, that would be really interesting to listen to.
DeleteAutumnleaves, 12.00: I haven't read La Repubblica article about The Archers. I wonder what they said.
ReplyDeleteI have managed to read the article now by quickly taking screenshots before the article was faded out and replaced by the invitation to subscribe.
DeleteSome of the article was similar to the Guardian article.
They gave the literal translation of “The Archers” without explaining that it is a surname!
I will summarise the salient points tomorrow.
Gary 6.17 pm That's interesting about Hedli Nicklaus' views on the current Archers and their 'issue' driven S/Ls. She may have a point and I know I am relieved to hear anything from Jazzer, Tracey, Lynda as they may well be more upbeat (although not always esp. in the case of Lynda but, prior to her injuries, she was light relief a lot).
ReplyDeleteI do agree with her! Even Joe and his ferrets were a bit of light relief! The days of Nigel being Mr Snowy and getting up to all sorts with his friend whose name I have forgotten were good for a laugh. It’s getting too much like East Enders which I deplore for its
ReplyDeletedismal stories. The occasional awareness issue is good but interspersed with a bit of light relief please!
The article in the Italian newspaper notes how television did not mean the end of radio and describes R4 as Britain's most cultured channel, with TA attracting 5 million mainly older listeners.
ReplyDeleteTa offers a relaxing break from the stress of modern life.
It compares TA to Brexit, in that Brexit offered the illusion of a return to sovranity and TA the illusion that the countryside is the essence of Britain.
It concludes by saying that TA is so well done that it continues to thrive despite the fact that few people would actually choose to go and live in the out of the way village of Ambridge.
Is Victoria the programme’s first female baddie? Hazel Woolley was/is hard nosed unpleasant but not criminal,, and I can’t recall anyone else.
ReplyDeleteThink you might be correct Maryellen.
ReplyDeleteCan't remember another either.
There is evidence that woman can be as evil.
Didn't I hear an advertisement for a programme on R4 about female serial killers in the last few days. Rose from Gloucester was mentioned.
Unless of course, you count Susan, who spent time in jail for perverting the course of justice!
DeleteI’m not counting Susan and Helen who both spent time in prison but were far from being professional criminals!
DeleteWell Done Gary.
ReplyDeleteWhen is your Archers guest appearance, talking to Jim???
That would be the dream! (But would prefer a scene in The Bull with Lilian...😄)
DeleteI wait in eager anticipation..for that time and with whoever you "bump" into, in Ambridge. 😁
DeleteThe Archers 70th was on TV last week, on Morning Live, with a virtual chat with Ruth.
ReplyDeleteSadly, it was not long but she came over so well, and with why TA is still so loved.
Is it just me, but has Clarrie been heard from since March?
ReplyDeleteI miss her, along with Roy, Phoebe + Hannah.
Also where is Hannah, Leonard and Bert, and what about Bartleby + Gem?
It is time, that Tom + Natasha also reappeared again, well to me.
Eddie referred to Clarrie having his guts for garters (or similar expression) a couple of times during his visit to the auction with Oliver, so we know she is still alive.
DeleteAs I am no longer, a member on this TA site, I wish you all well, but I am not giving up the wonderful TA.
ReplyDeleteThis I will still enjoy, regardless.
I am looking forward to hearing Gary G. in the New Year Ambridge Quiz.
I am looking forward to thia.
Take Care All, Good Luck + Goodbye.
To just add - listening to Gary G on New Years Day, will be so brilliant, but the last link to this site
DeleteAs per Looney Tunes - "Thats All folks!"!
Now didn't I say, some months ago, that I could foresee some time in the future, something more than a friendship between Oliver and Tracy.
ReplyDeleteI seem to remember being poo poo'd !
MrsP - Oliver stressed that Tracy was a friend. I'd prefer them to stay friends and I don't think you were the only one to suggest more. Anyway, when rumours about them spread around Ambridge he was very angry and Tracy even called him Mr Sterling until he admitted to being a fool.
DeleteOliver is my hero. He seems such a genuine, kind chap.
DeleteEddie for a Milton reading? Will Freddie grovel?
ReplyDeleteBasia, when I wrote my post earlier I struggled with my words.
ReplyDeleteI didn't want to suggest a romantic association between Oliver and Tracey, but I do believe that there is the possibility of a close friendship. Something akin to Kirsty and Roy, which others consider could become something more, but which I'm doubtful about.
I think it would be possible for O and T to become romantically attached, despite the class and age differences, but that wasn't what I was suggesting now or in my post in the past.
I just feel that they have a connection that could bring them into being closer companions.
I can’t believe how much Tracy has changed over the years since she was first heard.
ReplyDeleteI really disliked her at first; brash, loud, uncouth and an embarrassment at Cricket matches.
But she has matured into a really likeable character with a softer side, a real sense of fun and a heart of gold.
Oliver was so kind and considerate this evening and it was a lovely thing to do , giving Tracy her hearts desire of a posh Christmas Dinner at Grey Gables. Good for him. I hope the future is bright for each of them, not ‘together’ but as firm friends.
AP, that's almost exactly what I said to Tracy when I "met" her via Zoom the other night. I got the distinct impression that I wasn't the first! (Will try to remember to post the link to the Kathy chit chat tomorrow...)
DeleteBasia, I think your right that Freddie will approach Eddy, I couldn’t think who he meant. However I expect Eddy will choose a more populist reading, or maybe “ Christmas Day in the workhouse “ which I think Joe liked to recite. It would be a nice tribute (if I’m right about Joe)
ReplyDeleteI really like how Tracey’s character has been developed over the last couple of years, she also brings out a more sympathetic side of Susan.
I prefer the Tracey we know today to the Tracey we first encountered.
ReplyDeleteI don't think we know when her marriage came to its sticky end, but I like to think that when we first heard from her she was still feeling raw, worn down and alienated and was projecting those feelings in her course and angry persona. And perhaps too she felt that her ' perfect' sister judged her for her failed marriage.
Now after a few years she has become distanced from that time and although still boisterous is able to be a more rounded person comfortable with her place in the community.
Still put upon and loudly proclaiming it so, but less shouty.
And perhaps Susan is less judgmental now.
Tracey is all about Tracey, Susan decenters.
DeleteSecond go 😱
ReplyDeleteAgree KP & Mrs P. Oliver is a giver and loves to be able to lighten others loads whenever he can - but not a soft touch!
No good in a crisis, though!
DeleteNo he wasn't, and isn't, Maryellen, but Oliver has other skills.
DeleteHe is kind and understanding towards his staff, and willing to encourage those he sees have talents, and excuse those who make mistakes.
And in a crisis those who can take charge and direct others and manage the situation are invariably there, able and ready to do so.
And amazingly in my experience others recognise that person with those skills and take directions willingly, grateful that someone else is willing to take charge.
When Ed had his problems way back, Oliver and Caroline were very kind to him and helped him to return to the fold. When the explosion happened I think Oliver was in shock and honestly didn’t know what to do. However he does run GG so well it seems.
DeleteMy point exactly ✔️
DeleteMrsP, thank you for developing your thoughts and I'd like Tracy and Oliver to continue in the way you suggest.
ReplyDeleteKPnuts, how clever of you to remember that about Joe, perhaps the reading will be as you suggest.
To me a clue that Oliver and Tracy will go no further is that he'd not like someone photographing her plate before and after!
DeleteI would also prefer that Oliver and Tracy remain good friends but that their relationship doesn't develop into something more. Oliver is a kind and gentle man who definitely sees the good in Tracy but surely they'd be worlds apart in other ways.
ReplyDeleteFor anyone wishing to listen to the Hedli Niklaus (Kathy Perks) interview on the Academic Archers podcast - I have tried to post the link on here, but it won't do it properly! You can access it (and previous episodes) by going to academicarchers.net and clicking on "listen to all the podcasts here" which is highlighted in green on the main page...
ReplyDeleteThank you Gary, I’ll give that a try.
DeleteFickle person that I am my favourite characters have gone from Pat to Hayley then when she left to Kirsty and then Johnnie and is now firmly with Tracey..
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that she will have any romantic attachment with Oliver.
The Roman getting a job in the Maldives business is a rather daft storyline.
I think he will soon be back.
I hope so anyway.
Lanjan, I thought the Maldives was to bring Lynda back but now it seems it's to give Freddie a full credit for running the show.
DeleteI hope Roman comes back, so Tracy can have a life of her own.
KPnuts, you were so right, it will be a tribute to Joe.
ReplyDeleteAs for Vince seeking David's approval, I found it embarrassing.
So did I
DeleteSo now we’ve got likeable Vince as well as a lovely transformed Tracy. Good to have some mellow episodes once again 🤗
ReplyDeleteHere, here Lady R but I think we’ve got some tough ones to get through over Christmas & New Year!
DeleteDoes anyone have an idea for a gift for one of the Archers characters, perhaps given by someone else in the village?
ReplyDeleteMy suggestion is for Roy to give Kirsty a beautifully decorated box of tissues and a comforting shoulder to cry on, perhaps just after Christmas.
And for Jill to give Leonard vouchers for an Art Course so he can paint her better pictures!
Oliver to buy Poppy her own child sized metal detector, if Eddie hasn't managed to sell the catalytic converter yet.
ReplyDeleteImagine a dinner table at Lower Loxley, with Elizabeth, Vince, Lily, Russ and Freddie - who to pair him off with, one of the Button girls?
ReplyDeleteA bit late in the day Gavin.
ReplyDeleteBut does this mean we will have a denouement before Christmas or will we be left hanging ?
I'm hoping he'll do the right thing and report himself and his Dad to the police.
ReplyDeleteWhatever happens, poor Kirsty's going to have an anxious Christmas.
(What Tier is Borsetshire in? Is Gavin *allowed* to decamp to his Mum's?)
Last week's Dead Ringers on Radio 4 had the answer to that question!
DeleteI think the denouement has begun!
ReplyDeleteThank goodness but I suspect it will be dragged out as was Helen's trial and imprisonment. Maybe by Easter we'll have something different?🤔
DeleteBeavers!
DeleteThat would be lovely maryellen. I love the idea of re-wilding with native species. A 'zoo' near me has examples of all sorts of native species who (or which?) have died out:European bison, brown bears, wild ponies, beavers, red squirrels etc. I wonder if Pip and co are thinking of animals and insects in their rewilding scheme?
DeleteMessage to Maryellen (and any other participants who don’t look in to the non-Archers blog)
ReplyDeleteAs you won’t see my message on the ‘other side’, I’d like to wish you a very happy Christmas and a much better, happier, healthier and safer New Year. May we all enjoy listening to The Archers and expressing our varied opinions here.
Maryellen, I hope you enjoy all the 70th Anniversary celebrations, Gary’s Quiz and that we’ll have lots to discuss next year.
All the very best from Archerphile. 😃🎄
Joyeuses fêtes de fin d'année to you all ! 🥂🎄
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the Quiz!
Thanks very much for your lovely message, Archerphile, and for thinking of repeating it here. I’ve been feeling more despondent this week than I have all lockdown, after the news that the virus was hotting up and Tier 4 was being introduced - and your message has really helped to cheer me up. All you wish for me, I wish for you, and for everyone else here. May we (and Ambridge!) have a brighter year ahead! Love to all, Mary Ellenx
ReplyDelete☺️ 😍 😊
DeleteMerry Christmas and a much better New Year to all on this blog, not forgetting Gary of course.
ReplyDeleteI so hope Philip will move to Wales in 2021..so he can then be forgotten about.
ReplyDeleteThis is to HMP Wrexham. His name plate "Cartref" will look lovely in his cell.
On that note:-
Happy Christma to everyone.
Stay Safe and Sensible, and enjoy it, with whoever you are with, or just on your own.
Miriam - I left you a message on the other blog, to wish you the best for tomorrow.
DeleteAnd.... I would like to add to Archerphiles nice message to Maryellen, happy Christmas to you to M E.
Thanks, Mrs P. You too!
DeleteMiriam, that is a very clever solution for Philip Moss's future.
ReplyDeleteDo you know something about Wrexham prison that the rest of us do not ?
If so... please tell.
Only that both a stepdaughter + stepson, of Big Sis, are both Prisoner Officers there - and will keep him well "in check".🤣
DeleteWell done Kirsty, nothing wrong with her moral compass
ReplyDeleteBravo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBye bye Big Bad Boss
Happy Christmas to Maryellen and any others who just read this blog.
ReplyDeleteSome daft farming type jokes.
What is a sleeping bull called? A bulldozer.
What did the cow say to her calf? It's pasture bedtime.
Did you hear about the magic tractor? It turned into a field.
Hope 2021 is a happy and healthy year for everyone here.
That’s about my level, Janice! Alternative answer to middle question: Have some consideration for udders!
DeleteHappy Christmas to you too. I’d have been listening to the Falmouth Docks Choir (as was) today if life had continued as normal.
What do you call an exploding male cow? Abominable
DeleteLove the jokes ,Janice.
ReplyDeleteLike Maryellen I think they are about my level.
Well just in case you didn't read what I wrote last year and the year before at this time.........
On a programme called something like "The Secret life of four year olds" a little girl was asked how she thought Mary was feeling when she gave birth to baby Jesus in the stable.
Her reply was "Knackered".
It brings a smile when I think of it.
So Phillip's justification is that the life he gave 'the lads' was better than on the streets. Somehow I don't think the CPS and the judge will buy that! What a deluded man! After he said 'I did it for us,' if I was Kirsty, I would have kneed him!
ReplyDeleteGood acting tonight.
✔️✔️✔️
DeleteWell done Kirsty. Someone’s Christmas has just got a whole lot worse. Philip wanted a little place in Wales. HMP Wrexham sounds perfect. Good idea Miriam.
ReplyDeleteKirsty’s deductions might have been a bit swift but the end result is what we have all been waiting for. Luckily Roy is at hand to provide support! What will happen to Gavin?
Oh WOW!
ReplyDeleteI didn’t think there was an episode tonight so I didn’t listen when I first came to bed as usual. I fiddled around reading emails, looking at news summaries etc before dropping in here.
It was only then I realised I had missed a hugely important episode and immediately went to Sounds.
Thank goodness Kirsty has seen the light at last. I must say she was quick to work out exactly
what Philip had been doing despite him trying to twist the story to his own advantage.
Very glad Roy was the one to come to her aid - wonder if he had that beautifully decorated box of tissues with him that I suggested !
Well thank goodness that has happened. Good for Roy too.
ReplyDeleteI hope it means that someone will rescue the Blake and the others now.
ReplyDeleteNobody rescued them before. I think that’s the point of the story - and why it will continue (as I believe was said) into next year.
DeletePS. I think Blake will run away and Gavin will search the streets for him.
DeleteListening to With Great Pleasure from Ambridge this morning,I hadn’t realised the actor who plays Tracey originally played Kate Aldridge aged11-16
ReplyDeleteNeither did I KP!
DeleteI was going to recommend With Great Pleasure at Christmas on Radio 4 at 7am too, KP.
ReplyDeleteI listened in bed and it was a delightful programme with various cast members speaking about their lives, the Archers and then choosing a favourite poem or piece of music.
I most enjoyed Ryan Kelly (Jazzer) telling us about his life a a totally blind person, his guide dogs and he came to be in TA. Then he sang, acapella, a beautiful version of Auld Lang Syne to its original tune. Beautiful.
Do listen in on Sounds if you have time
(The only person I couldn’t understand, very sadly, was Paddy Greene who gabbled through her piece and her reading from Cold Comfort Farm and was barely comprehensible. )
For the 60th anniversary there was a birth and a very contrived death.
ReplyDeleteFor the 70th an extreme case of alcoholism and slave labour.
Very disheartening if this is the reflection on our society.
Yes Soz, Kirsty was very swift, but they just wanted to conclude it before the next episode on Tuesday only.
I still think that Philip means what he says in that he loves Kirsty, but it's not enough because as she told Roy she had doubts (like some of us) about his suitability from the start.
As an antidote we have another couple renewing their vows after 40 years only thanks to the long suffering wife, not uplifting enough.
With Great Pleasure will be on repeat on NYD, so I'll save it till then before some more gloom.
Did everyone else notice the reference to Kenton's quiz at The Bull on New Year's Day?
ReplyDeleteHow are J & K going to explain to regulars that they are not required because their places has been taken by two teams of unknowns from a parallel universe in which they and Ambridge are only fictional and a niche interest?
DeleteI did wonder! Will they be stranded motorists or distant relatives visiting?
DeleteAnd lucky old Ambridge must still be in Tier 2 as the Bull is allowed to open.
DeleteBut will the visiting teams, including our Gary, have to order a substantial meal of Tom’s black pudding Scotch Eggs in order to take part?
( says she, who now can't even go out to fetch the newspaper she has already paid for, via vouchers which she now can’t use)
Chris Aldridge will be welcome as a distant relation...
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteYou mean he is fictional too? Who will be playing him?
DeleteYes, he's fictional and the Archers are real!
DeleteI picture Borsetshire floating in a bubble with the Isles of Scilly safely in tier 1
ReplyDeleteAnd I give them full permission to stay there!
DeleteI can’t quite make out what the policy is regarding Ambridge and Covid restrictions.
ReplyDeleteSometimes they are referenced - I’m sure somebody (Freddie?) mentioned he’d had ensured Social Distancing at the LL event.
But then the Bull is apparently open and able to host the upcoming Quiz. It doesn’t quite add up.
Tracy nad Jazzer made up socially distanced, I'm not too concerned about Ambridge restrictions, the editor said they wouldn't follow them to the letter.
DeleteHow far in advance are they recording? It's hard enough to keep up with the tier changes at 8 hours notice, Ambridge residents must struggle when they get minus 8 days' warning!
DeleteMasks have been a feature since early lockdown - the Ambridge residents should have caught up with that by now, but it seems not as they have never been mentioned. Slow-witted, or what?
DeleteAll travel into Borsetshire has been banned for months. The BBC website reports no cases within the county. Therefore, they are officially Tier 0.
DeleteThe travel ban is no good for Grey Gables but I gather Bridge Fresh is doing a roaring trade. And Eddy has had to start a waiting list for Tumble Tussock.
So presumably no one in Borsetshire will be offered vaccination and that’s another opportunity missed to encourage public awareness. TA’s handling of the coronavirus crisis has exposed the editor’s weakness on all fronts.
DeleteOh Maryellen, bah humbug!
DeleteI doubt the editor takes any notice of my attempts at humour. He won't deny the Ambridge residents the vaccine just because I've suggested they're in Tier 0.
OWIAS - This is from TA website
ReplyDelete"The editor, Jeremy Howe, leads a production team and group of writers as they plot the twists and turns of the families in Ambridge, looking ahead months or sometimes years in biannual long-term meetings.
The detailed planning is done at monthly script meetings about two months ahead of transmission, after which five of the writers have to produce a week's worth of scripts each in just 14 days.
The episodes are transmitted three to six weeks after recording."
As you say there is little chance of the programme to be completely up to date with the latest changes and regulations for varying parts of the country.
Never mind it's so nice for us who are stuck indoors to hear of life as it used to be!
Detailed planning, looking months or years ahead, I thought for a moment you were talking about the government!
DeleteTA next week TUESDAY - FRIDAY in order to be on air 📻 for 70th Anniversary so to reiterate no
ReplyDeleteMonday episode.
There was a trailer for the Friday's (?) episode which included a blatant spoiler, I don't mind and it's easy to guess but daft all the same.
ReplyDeleteWearing a face mask in shops became compulsory on 24 July which means there has been ample time for the planning team and scriptwriters to introduce them.
ReplyDeleteIt’s my personal opinion that the programme is now living off its past - in general, as well as the current, understandable, emphasis on days of yore evoked by the 70th anniversary. That’s fine for people who like it that way, and in their case, the editor has judged well. But not for me. The programme claims to be contemporary and that’s what I expect. So I find the choice of a ‘coronavirus lite’ treatment (which also happens to be the easy option) when the virus is such a dominant feature of contemporary life, pretty irritating. Given the possibility of pub closures at New Year, the planners could have opted for a Zoom quiz anyway, or avoided the pub scenario altogether and gone for a standard radio/tv quiz format.
But could anyone have envisaged that we would still be being required five months later to be abiding by these rules? To write in scenarios which may be temporary would be a waste of time and/or money. Best to stay with the constants in my view.
DeleteIt is impossible to cater for current news when writing so far in advance. So they write at January's meeting that all over 70 have the vaccine offered to them but by the time the programme is broadcast it will (hopefully) be available to all over 60 years OR some hold up in the factories and all are waiting for the vaccination!
No I reckon it is impossible to write a storyline to be accurate and current 12-14 weeks in advance!
They said that at the beginning they tore up a lot of scripts (a waste in my opinion) and started the monologues. I don't know how the TV soaps are incorporating the pandemic.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear of your fall, Mrs P. What a horrid and very painful jolt that must have been. Thank goodness kind people were there to help you.
ReplyDeleteBasia, I have very recently started watching Coronation Street. Everyone is wearing masks until they get indoors and they are social distancing - even families so it does look a little odd but it means they have been able to continue filming.
My father always watched it so I would watch it with him when I visited and I have two cousins who watch it so I thought I would too.
Thank you Hilary, it must look odd, but then again we see people with masks on all around us. I suppose they have to show it on TV and in Ambridge we can imagine what we want.
DeleteI do agree with Maryellen in principle, but at the same time think like Spiceycushion that they would always be behind the curve, or just plain wrong. And that would have looked very silly.
ReplyDeleteI for one did anticipate that we would still be in a difficult situation for a very long time, and still do. But that's not really here nor there.
Like ME I'm disappointed that the public message has not been highlighted enough, if at all, but on the whole think they have done their best.
Also agree ME that they are resting on their laurels, and sheer ability to keep TA going for seventy years.
'Fings ain't what they used ter be '
ReplyDeleteCovid is all around us, and getting worse.
ReplyDeleteI am liking that Ambridge is a relatively free zone, and that I can hear some sort of normal life. It is just wonderful escapism to a life, we all once knew, and will do again, whenever.
I do not want Ambridge to change. Let it stay as normal, as possible, so we can just enjoy our evening listen.
My personal thoughts, only
😣
...and I am so grateful that The Archers is still going forward, to entertain us all.
DeleteWell Done to all the cast, and all the very many others involved, so that 7.00pm and Dum Te Dum, is still happening, after 70 years.
PS If, The Archers does go off air again, I have one simple wish.
DeleteThis is that, the Philip Moss story, with Kirsty + Gavin, reaches a well deserved and a justified conclusion.🤞
Are you back with us again Miriam?
DeleteI’m not suggesting that TA can reflect coronavirus restrictions in the Wetst Midlands on a weekly basis, and I doubt-the ability of a production team that notoriously couldn’t do dialogue during lockdown, to cope with topical inserts. But they could do ‘damage limitation’, by using common sense and imagination to avoid scenarios in which restrictions might apply at the time the episode is aired.
ReplyDeleteWe knew in early autumn that a winter spike was expected, so it didn’t take much common sense to anticipate the restrictions to follow, based on what happened last time. So they could have avoided scenes in the Bull altogether, or, as I just suggested, made the quiz a Zoom meeting (which would sound exactly the same to radio listeners). The Christmas show could have been taken outdoors, maybe to people’s doorsteps, as a number of small theatre groups have done. (A lot of the time, you don’t know precisely where you are, indoors or out.)
By avoiding scenes in compromised locations, the team could keep listeners who want the programme to reflect yesterday’s normality happy, whilst not annoying those like me who want today’s/tomorrow’s normality reflected in more than a couple of references to social distancing in private conversation!
I suppose it’s a bit like Ambridge being ‘weather lite’. Despite it being an important factor in rural life, and the British being famous for talking about it so much, weather is very rarely mentioned.
I agree that steps could have been taken to avoid situations that might prove difficult, such as holding the Lower Loxley entertainment outdoors, in different parts of the grounds perhaps. Then if we were still in Covid restrictions, they would have avoided contravening rules that might still be in place.
ReplyDeleteAnd topical inserts have often been used in the past. I certainly expected a short mention of the new post- EEC agricultural laws that were announced recently. It would surely have been possible for David or Brian to record a couple of sentences about it, even if they had to record at home and send the recording in to the BBC to be inserted.
Perhaps I am being too demanding but I certainly think reference should be made to the current widespread increase in Covid cases due to the new variant and the more stringent restrictions that are coming into force. And most certainly about the residents of The Laurels getting their vaccinations.
Of course we are anxious to listen to the Philip Moss outcome and whatever they are doing to celebrate 70 years, but after that I hope the New Year Résolution for the Editor will be “more topicality in 2021”
Hear, hear, Archerphile! More topicality and more of a sense of a village community.
DeleteNot at all demanding - only asking the editor to do what it says on the tin!
Okay you have a point both of you but now you tell me what the situationat the end of March 2021 is going to be!
ReplyDeleteThe 'new' varient was only broadcast to the nation a matter of a couple of days before Christmas! That's just one week ago! How on earth could they mention that in an episode recorded over three weeks ago?
I think you are also ignoring budget constraints. What if, as Basia mentions above, something is inserted in the scripts now which is completely 'wrong' three to four months later? Do they once again bin the lot, re-write, re-record the episodes in a matter of days? Don't forget all the howls and complaints after they had to do that earlier in the year!
As to weather I remember all the derision aimed at TA when they had the flood, a year after everyone in the country were flooded or how Ambridge can harvest when there is appalling weather in real life!
I like the fact there is an absence of Covid mentions. Perhaps it reflects now that some people accept that we are where we are and the fact that masks and restricted movements are becoming the norm! It is only when someone breaks the 'rules' that it is noticeable?
"was flooded"
DeleteMy coronavirus solution, echoed by Archerphile, gets round all your objections, Spicycushion. Simply avoid or work round situations in which restrictions would make a significant impact. And intoduce retrospective comments on the ongoing aspects, eg. The Laurels and older folk have been done and Neil’s just got his invitation. No budget issues involved. (Is it the case that this editor has a smaller budget than more successful editors had?)
DeleteThe inept handling of the situation earlier (“we don’t do dialogue”, said when organisations large and small, professional and amateur, proved it was possible) provoked a public apology from a BBC Head. Will we get another over TA’s handling of Covid, I wonder?
Just noticed spelling mistake! I do know really how to spell 'variant!'
DeleteSemi-interesting article in the Guardian yesterday " https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radi ... untry-folk "
I live on a working dairy farm. About 10.30 every morning, all of us gather round the kitchen table with tea and biscuits. Strangely the conversations haven’t changed that much this year though Covid does get mentioned. There are the usual moans about milk prices and endless paperwork but on the whole the main focus is on local matters: the theft of farm vehicles, the success or failure of ways to deal with the badgers, when’s the next tb test, damage caused by the hunt etc.
ReplyDeleteThroughout this year, life on the farm has gone on as usual though we have resurrected the veg patch and plan to extend it next year. In some ways we have kept in our bubble - the cows need milking, sheds need cleaning, the beasts need feeding all of this every day. The routine has probably kept us sane.
What I’m trying to say is that the absence of national issues is fairly true to life on a farm.
“The absence of discussion on national issues”
DeleteBut Soz, you aren’t on a mission to educate the nation - and TA isn’t a documentary!
DeleteThe Archers was first introduced to educate the nation on things farming. Covid should be mentioned but agree with Soz, it is not the priority subject with farmers.
DeleteOnly a small percentage of people living in rural areas are actively engaged in farming. I imagine that for teachers, parents, key workers, medics, those who are elderly and vulnerable, Covid and its effects are a daily preoccupation.
DeleteQuite a good percentage of farming folk in Ambridge though.
DeleteWe can imagine they have a life between the scenes we hear and may then mention Covid. We certainly don’t dwell on it constantly and I think airing other issues on the program is healthy and realistic.
DeleteI am not arguing for Covid to be discussed to the exclusion of other topics (and can’t think how I could have given that impression!) Simply that it should be given due mention a) to give the programme plausibility (though since we’ve had 70 years of an implausible scenario, you could say why am I bothering!) and b) because of its public education remit. I think it’s far healthier to take uncomfortable topics on board than follow the current editorials policy of burying head in sand!
DeleteI take on board what Maryellen, Spicycushion, Archerphile AND Soz say and am prepared to be satisfied with what I'm given, something that MrsP often says. OK, I tolerated the dialogues...
ReplyDelete👍👍
DeleteHi, I am losing track of the days over the bank holiday and further thrown by no Archers on a Monday. I had sort of hoped we might get 5 episodes this week as a Christmas present from Auntie Beeb, alas it was not to be, although my hopes were raised when initially checking the Radio Times and seeing there was a program on Friday.
ReplyDeleteKPnuts, I'm getting serious withdrawal symptoms, they shifted it, so Tue-Fri instead, but as a bonus, the Friday 'revelations' will be followed by the quiz.
Delete45 mins of TA related listening, will be just great, esp as Gary G. will be a major part of it.
DeleteWhat a nice way to enjoy the start of 2021.
PS The Bull's - New Year's Quiz, score-card can be downloaded, so can play along...I will be doing this, but I predict to be "Pointless"..😂
DeleteAs Basia has said I am satisfied with what I'm given.
ReplyDeleteAND I enjoyed the monologues.
The thought that strikes me after reading the straplines is that the 70th anniversary could be an opportunity for one or more of the programme’s long-standing actors to gracefully retire. The characters they play don’t have to come to a sticky end, just move outside the enclave. (I don’t suppose I’m the only listener to have thought this! )🙂
ReplyDeleteThere would be quite a few contenders eligible for retirement (assuming that their actors are ready for retirement too). And as you say, they needn’t be messily killed off but just referred to occasionally in conversations.
DeleteMust admit , that possibility didn’t occur to me but it seems reasonable enough.
Not Bartleby I hope!
Deletei don’t understand what you mean. How can you retire a character: “ Sorry folks, I’m off to Ambridge’s Silent Care Home. Bye bye “ seems totally unrealistic. I have no problem with characters that are referred to rather than heard because they’re too old or too ill to take an active part in a recording studio. I am happy that we hear Peggy occasionally but whether I hear her or not, she still exists in my mind.
ReplyDeleteI made a distinction between actors and characters - clearly it’s the actor who retires - and the 70th anniversary would be an opportunity for an actor to retire with a fanfare, rather than sloping off when the casting director or their agent. advises it would be for the best, or they have the self awareness to decide this for themselves. The character can be written out in a variety of ways, or simply fall silent and be referred to occasionally as Archerphile suggests.
DeleteAs seems to have happened to Kathy!
DeleteThough I do think it’s time she took retirement from her post at Grey Gables - if it survives Covid restrictions, that is. 🤣
I’m 90% convinced who it will be - assuming my theory is correct, which might not be the case!
DeleteMrsP, even at this strange hour (for some) and despite your fall you're more together than me,
ReplyDeleteI meant the MONOlogues of course.
I wonder if we are going to hear the outcome of Philips arrest tonight and what happens to Kirsty?
ReplyDeleteIn the past a Friday night cliff hanger was often not referred to during the following episode (I.e. the Sunday one) which I found very frustrating.
Hope that’s not the case tonight.
Thanks Maryellen I see what you mean and would be good if they can do that without it seeming too contrived.
ReplyDeletePersonally I think it's wonderful that the BBC is still prepared to give a voice to extreme old age in the case of Peggy, and very old characters in TA in the case of Jill Archer.
ReplyDeletePeggy still has a strong voice, Jill less so, but the strength of voices does diminish with age, unless that muscle is constantly kept oiled and in use. I might site one or two of our illustrious thespian Dames as example.
We live in an age increasingly focused on the young.
I'd like to shout out for the retention of an older generation who have not yet lost their marbles to continue to be given the opportunity to work, until they themselves feel ready to retire.
I’m not at all sure that either Paddy Greene or June Spencer want to be pensioned off yet. In a way it’s fitting that Edward Kelsey died ‘in harness’ as it made his departure from the Archers very natural.
DeleteI agree. Let these two wonderful Matriachs continue, for as long as possible.
DeleteBrookfield without Jill, and then,
Lillian, Tony + Pat without Peggy - is not what I want to hear about, well just yet awhile.
Meant Jennifer, not Pat..I always mix Jennifer, Pat, Tony + Brian up, as to who is married to whom etc.
DeleteOh yes retain the older generation for as long as possible in order to reflect the balance of real life. Then it will be over to David etc and especially Eddie who inexplicably turns 70yrs very soon 😱
DeleteI'm pleased that I'm not alone in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteThis is the village of Ambridge, where lives should continue, for as long as possible, in a normal way.
DeleteThis is what we all want.
Tracy and Jazzer, Kirsty back at Roy's. She should have rung Freddie. Is Gavin searching for the lads? Not very interesting on the whole.
ReplyDeleteLynda to the rescue after all???
ReplyDeleteI didn’t expect Philips mum to commiserate with Kirsty I thought she was going to ask her to stand by her innocent son 🙃
ReplyDeleteApply for a divorce Kirsty not for a year yet I’m afraid vows taken and relationship consummated long ago and certainly post marriage- baby on the way now 🤔 shades of Helen and Rob. I understand why she would want to disassociate herself from him but come on let’s have a marriage next time that works for a change. Brian and Jennifer have managed it 🤣
Did either Dan or Doris have an affair or go to prison....
I thought it was his ex wife, Gavin's mum. I shall have to listen again to check.
DeleteAnd what's this about a baby? Have I missed something? I thought Philip said he didn't want any more children. ('Though Kirsty originally hoped otherwise.)
Please not another unplanned/unwanted/unusual conception! It really shouldn't be an annual event! I would think that as they had already discussed having children one or other of them was on something pretty permanent or at least some way of minute chances of something going wrong.
DeleteRhiannon is Phillips ex-wife and Gavin's mum. I think you got father and son's names muddled!
Divorce - Abysmal decision of our 'wonderful' politicians to have foisted on us. Married for a week or so but must wait a year or even five years to put an end to it!
Ooh looks like I got muddled 🙃 😂 baby wise I just wondered if that might be thrown into the mix not something that was eluded to in the programme.
DeleteLike Susan this evening I have recently wondered if a romance might develop between Tracey and Jazzer, I haven’t said anything because I feel it is wrong to assume that everyone needs to be part of a couple.
ReplyDeleteLady R, I think it was Gavin’s mum, ie Philip’s ex, who rang Kirsty this evening.
Tracy has definitely found more cushions to scatter, unstained by Jazzer's brew and now he's planted it there perhaps they'll put them to use. Roman only mentioned privacy parked up at Lakey Hill.
ReplyDeleteI do hope that now Gavin has ‘disappeared’ and Philip has been released (on bail, presumably) that it is not going to be a feeble end to their story.
ReplyDeleteI shall be very cross if it is.
We need a proper and realistic conclusion to the events of this year; the Mosses and Victoria all prosecuted for using slave labour, the true events at Grey Gables fully re-investigated by the police with prosecutions for that too, rescue of the 3 poor workers, and a happier future for Kirsty assured.
As Phillip has been bailed and Kirsty 's statement to the police would be hearsay,(?) until the police find evidence of criminal behaviour, I think the Moss storyline has still some miles in it. Or at least as far as the production team are concerned! It's going to be a while before we see the back of Phillip and Gavin even if the police ever find him and the lads while working or having been sold on by 'Victoria.'
DeleteA developing romance between Tracey and Jazzer would be lighthearted at least. They have more in common than Tracey and Oliver.
ReplyDeleteKirsty is sounding strong and not falling to bits and screaming as she could have done when confronted with the truth. She may go from strength to strength and realize what a lucky escape she had.
And as per the past.... she is crying on Roy's shoulder, again !
ReplyDeleteCan a prosecution against Philip, actualy be proven? I so doubt it.
ReplyDeleteAnother one will escape justice, yet again, just like Rob and Matt.
As Kirsty is now Mrs Moss, does she have any claim to the Beechwood home, even though as Philip told her, it is mortgaged up to the hilt?
Enter Jennifer + Brian, to make it their home, away from Willow Cottage, at last.
I shouldn’t think Kirsty would want to stay in that house, even if she does have a claim to it to it, too many memories of all the lies she was fed.
DeleteAs for prosecuting Philip, yes the charge of using slave Labour could be proven if the 3 lads can be found and are willing to give evidence. (Debatable)
Who knows, perhaps Gavin would give evidence against his Dad too. After all, in different ways, he was bullied by Philip too and had come to hate what his father was doing.
By the way, Miriam, are you fully back with us again, or is it just on The Archers blog?
As Kirsty has only been married a week she hasn't any claim to the house. Prior occupation as a 'couple' doesn't count as , contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a 'common law' marriage. Otherwise it's a gold-digger's charter!
DeleteThere probably is no equity in the house to share between the couple anyway but, according to a law website, a marriage less than 5 years is a 'short' marriage. In that case where assets have been brought in solely by one of the couple, at the end of the marriage they will be returned to the provider of the assets in their entirety.
I suspect Phillip will be brought to justice but the plot will be milked for as long as possible!
I am not back as such.
DeleteI am only giving my simplistic thoughts, once a day. I have just not yet found a site to suit me, unlike this one.
Thanks GG - as I cannot find a better TA site..
Whatever I post meanwhile, will be short and my thoughts only.
DeleteOh so you are going to post your thoughts for everyone to see but you don't want anyone to reply or comment! I see!
DeleteI now know why I decided to leave...
DeleteThank you Spicy, for that confirmation. You were the only one, brave enough, to let me know, how you all feel.
DeleteMiriam, as far as I'm aware all of us post our thoughts only which are there for everyone to read and comment on.
DeleteMiriam I speak only for myself, as I always do. I am crotchety but I expect many would be when they are anxiously waiting to be allowed into public in relative safety and others are boasting about how careful they were when they broke the rules.
DeleteEnough, I've finished and apologise to all for my cussedness!
Spicy
If he is convicted the house will be impounded as it is the proceeds from a crime and any victims can be compensated. This is from my legal adviser, Katy!
ReplyDeleteHe told Gavin it was mortgaged to the hilt, but I hear the property prices have gone up...
DeleteIt was obvious Freddie was winding up Elizabeth about Bernard. In the end the two main participants withdrew in order to give him a chance to exert himself, a bit like making up for his failed LL tour.
ReplyDeleteAs for Kirsty, I don't understand why the police rang her to find out about Gavin and especially Philip, they bailed him with a condition not to return to Ambridge, so they must have an address, anyway, that's their job.
Oh I really dislike Freddie's squeaky and whining voice!
ReplyDeleteI think he’s got Henry Archer Syndrome - sounds more juvenile than he is!
DeleteWas that another porky-pie from Pip who said she couldn't do anything about Rex being evicted? I seem to remember that she readily agreed with her parents and Josh?
ReplyDeleteMiriam 8.07 - I do not think any single person on this blog can claim to know "how you all feel". We all give our views as individuals separate from one another.
ReplyDelete