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The Best...soap

Andrew Wincott as Adam and Stephen Kennedy as Ian in The Archers
  • Posted at 1:04pm
  • 26 January 2007
  • by DavidBrown-RT
  • 3 comments

There are some who say that The Archers is the soap for people who don't like soaps. Or at least for those who won't admit to following one.

Out of the limelight, its actors rarely making the front page of the tabloids; it retains a certain dignity in the face of the Walford gangsters and the teen pregnancies of Weatherfield.

BBC Radio 4 typically announces episodes with words like: "And now, over in the kitchen at Glebe Cottage, Jill's busy making scones." Moments of high tension come with social organiser Lynda Snell's casting of the Christmas play, local squire Brian Aldridge barking "WHAT?!" or entrepreneur Tom Archer's burger van being vandalised. So why does such ordinariness inspire outright devotion to the tune of five million listeners?

Maybe it's because it's a land of lost content, an oasis in the day to put your troubles to one side (or concentrate on what's really important, if you're fanatical enough). Another reason is the lack of any spoilers in the press, with the effect that listeners are genuinely surprised by events. Granted, not knowing whether Kenton's going to beat Sid in the soapbox derby down Lakey Hill isn't quite up there with the murder of Dirty Den, but that's Ambridge for you.

For me, it's the comfort of knowing it's there, in all its cosy, snooty, slightly clunky glory. In true radioland style, the names of characters are still dropped into everyday conversations by people who've known each other for years, so that listeners know exactly who's talking: "What are you suggesting, Kathy Perks?" coming regularly from the outrageously rustic Joe Grundy.

Residents lower down the social order remain silent (housekeeper Mrs Pugsley, the disreputable Baggy and Snatch) while "incomer" Derek Fletcher (only a village resident since 1979, for crying out loud) is portrayed as a small-minded Nimby.

But when the humdrum occasionally gives way to the momentous, it inspires giddiness among the listenership that borders on hysteria. But not for the reasons you'd think. Take the recent love triangle between Ruth "ooooh nooooo" Archer, husband "Deeeevid" and employee Sam, which was amped up to mark the 15,000th episode.

Archers devotees are the only soap fans in the land gagging for a return to the status quo rather than a spot of extra-marital naughtiness, and thankfully Ruth came to her senses and returned to the family home (though, of course, the story hasn't ended here).

But aural sex, especially in Borcetshire, can get squelchy. Think Sid and Jolene in the shower, or Tom having his way with Tamzin. The last thing we need is Sam tending to Ruth's needs as well as the dairy herd. The real highlight of 2006 has been Will "Oim George's faarther!" Grundy's battle with brother Ed over the paternity of his son. The result of this epic struggle saw Ed develop a crack-cocaine habit and disappear to London, only to return three months later and kick his class-A addiction within a week. Must be all that country air.

But let's keep Ambridge mundane. More livestock, less lust. It doesn't take bonking at Brookfield to get us aficionados glued to our radios at 7:02pm.

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  • Posted on 07 May 2009
  • at 10:07am
  • by Perkie007

OK a little late with an answer, Martin, but they are Adam and Ian, the village's Civil Partnership couple.

Adam: Of the Archer clan

Ian: Chef at the prestigeous Grey Gable Country Club and Hotel (seems modelled on The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield ... the Hotel, not Ian)

  • Posted on 12 February 2007
  • at 5:44pm
  • by Russ

Who'd have thought that after Sophie, David would then turn his attention to a tractor called Rufus?

  • Posted on 26 January 2007
  • at 3:18pm
  • by Martin Gray

I think the Archers gets a disproportionate amount of attention on shows such as Feedback. Make it stop!

And who are those fellas in the photie?

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