I have listened to The Archers for as long as I can remember - over 60 years- my parents always listened, as I grew up. Then when I went to Uni, I'd listen in the kitchen with my landlady, then I listened on my own in my little flat. The children arrived, and for ages they thought that every child had to be in bed by 7pm, so Mum could sit down with a cup of tea and listen to the goings-on in Ambridge.
I missed it for 3 weeks in 2004 when we had a trip to the USA - and that was my longest ever break. Until now.
I just cannot get on with it at all since the lockdown editions. I admire the BBC scriptwriters for trying really hard- and writing soliloquies for cast members [recorded in bedrooms and garden sheds and in the middle of fields] And I acknowledge that some cast members are getting a little too elderly to cope with the current complex recording restrictions. Paddy Greene [Jill Archer] is 89, and June Spencer [Peggy Woolley] is 101. But the storylines as they are right now just don't work for me. So I have completely given up listening.
Along with 12,000 other people, I'm in a Facebook Group called Ambridge Addicts. But I don't bother reading that anymore, as it is full of people complaining, some not very kindly.
I am not blaming the production team - I have no idea how I would have dealt with this situation. But I have noticed that I do not miss listening to the longest running radio soap at all.
Has covid19 destroyed my affection for the programme, as well as destroying my sense of smell?
Will either ever return?
Please let me know if you are/were a listener, and how you are getting on with the changed format!
I did enjoy the cast recording of the theme though [here]
I can't get on with it either. Reading out a story is not the same as interacting with each other and some of them sound just wtong somehow. Better though than giving up altogether I suppose.
ReplyDeleteI have been listening to The Archers since university days in the early 1970s without a break except for the six months I was in China.
ReplyDeleteI abandoned the lockdown version after the first episode. One continuous moan from David was enough to send me over to Radio 3 and remain there. I’m wondering if I’ll ever bother to return.......
My granny by adoption introduced me to the Archers in 1955. I have been an avid listener ever since. I to am struggling with the new format. The producers have done their best in very difficult times but I just can’t cope with it. Never realised June Soencer s 101. Can you imagine Mrs. P ma’am’s comments in the current climate!
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame! I have only listened to it occasionally in the car. How amazing to have such an aged cast member! That is super impressive!
ReplyDeleteI've never listened all the time but used to catch up with it now and again but gave up completely when Nigel fell off the roof!
ReplyDeleteOh no-o-o-o-o-h!
DeleteI've listened to it since I was 20 or so (and mum used to have it on, along with Mrs Dale's Diary!) but I cannot be bothered with it now. There is no reason why the actors couldn't read out their parts, and then it could be spliced together - surely they have the technology? Could this be a dire BBC plot to Get Rid of It as they killed off poor Nigel? For a while they had a younger Archer members version on Radio 4 Extra (does that still run?) - it was truly awful. For some reason pandering to an older audience is deemed wrong, and they are trying to attract a younger one. I wish them luck. What think you?
ReplyDeleteThe Yoof Version was indeed dire, and I'm glad it ended [I don't know anyone under 45 who listens to R4extra anyway] Perhaps post pandemic, post Brexit they may have a few good storylines. Who knows?
DeleteActually you met my younger son last year when he was 24. He has been listening to Radio 4 extra since it began, although he didn't listen to the young archers.
DeleteThen I must apologise! there are younger R4X listeners out there. [I guess a lot of the comedy stuff is popular, and the vintage science fiction too]
DeleteI have listened on and off since I was a young child in the 50's. I am still listening each evening ( only 4 now ) I also listen again to the shorter omnibus. I don't think they have the same budget as TV so I'm not surprised they are limited in their approach. I just hope we don't lose it altogether in the cuts.
ReplyDeleteI dont think they would dare cut The Archers completely. But who knows what they will do...
DeleteI have dipped in and out of The Archers over the years. Found it very useful when spending time with Harper Adam's students. I am struggling with it at the moment.
ReplyDeleteIt's not something I am familiar with. I don't think we had it when I was growing up and, as far as I know, it is not available here, either.
ReplyDeleteOh ! My goodness me ! That music ! lol ! Nope I have never followed the Archers although the music is familiar as I think my mother would listen to it :) love Debbie x
ReplyDeleteI grew up with the Archers and listened on and off all through university until I met my husband. I'm a farmer's daughter and he's an engineer from a suburban family who spent six of his childhood years in Pakistan while his father worked on the Mangla Dam. He hated the Archers and couldn't understand what I saw in it. I've never listened to it since. (We married in 1978).
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