The Archers

For those reading this in the USA: The Archers is a soap opera on BBC Radio, which has been running since 1951. It is a veritable institution. At least one of the actors who was there 55 years ago is still participating today. I started listening in 1982 or '83, as it preceded the mid afternoon Shipping Forecast. I'm still a weather nut. If you want to learn more about the Archers, click on the banner above.

In summary, it is set in the fictional village of Ambridge, located in the imaginary county of Borsetshire. The Archers are the central family, with a number of local characters thrown in. The current storyline focuses on David and Ruth Archer, whose 18 years of marital bliss has hit a rocky patch. David's eye was briefly caught by an old flame, and Ruth has taken the Rogers & Hammerstein's songtitle "The Farmer and the Cowman can be Friends" a little too literally. In last night's episode, she narrowly avoided an extra-marital tryst with farmhand Sam, who thought he had a chance after Ruth had a spat with David over the old flame.

This storyline has come in for criticism, as some think it has turned The Archers into too much of a soap opera. I don't think so. The episode of the pub landlord having a steamy session in the shower with his barmaid won't be forgotten easily. Nonetheless, although I am highlighting the current salacious storyline, the Archers is still fulfilling its old remit of reflecting life as it is today. Drug abuse, adultery, family breakups, paternity tests - and the village play. Who will play Snowwhite, and how many adults can be roped into playing the Seven Dwarfs. When will the cows be taken in, and who will milk them.

Oh well, it's a nice 13 minutes of entertainment every evening at 7 o'clock. And repeated the next afternoon at 2pm.

Again, you can also hear the preceding 7 episodes on-line. Enjoy!