Category: The Archers

Posted on by Roifield Brown

DTD: 341 – Why does the universe hate the Grundys?

General Stores is only listening to the monologuic Archers so that he can enjoy DumTeeDum, otherwise another listener would be lost!   Roifield not only does the editing but also has to espouse unusual views to provide overall balance (anyone would think he had spent too long listening to the BBC).  Pete explains alcoholism for the rest of us as he finds Alice’s portrayal as unusual.  Both Roifield and Keri dispute this, saying that it chimes with some of their (non-personal) experiences.  Are alcoholics that common is my question?  Peggy’s first Jack was and I assume that Alice’s problem is a […]

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Posted on by Roifield Brown

DTD: 340 – The joy that is Joy Horville

This week the technology behind the podcast is laid bare as it seems Keri is dependent on the indulgent Mimi who suggested turning it all off and on again.  Storylines in The Archers are second best to those of the podcast itself which also briefly visits Brookfield for some animal noises appearing in the mix along with some very deep voice from the chef on South Park who is Pete’s preferred alter ego apparently.   Roifield forgets that The Archers did go off air for three weeks – by playing repeats.  So they did not move from competence to incompetence […]

DTD: 340 - The joy that is Joy Horville Play Now | Download
Posted on by Mike Hatton

Character Count – July 2020

The second full month of monologue episodes In my opinion, the most notable thing about July’s episodes was the return of Debbie Aldridge. I wonder whether her return had been planned had the current format not been necessary, or whether, like most in the acting profession, she found herself with time on her hands and jumped at the chance of an opportunity to be involved. Whatever brought it about, I welcomed her return – Debbie Aldridge is one of my favourite characters. This month saw the first four-character episode, with Chris Carter, Brian Aldridge, Alice Carter and Debbie Aldridge all […]

Posted on by Roifield Brown

DTD: 339 – Alice and alcoholism with Dr Nicola Headlam and Dr Cara Courage.

Roifield rings the changes at DumTeeDum towers and this week is joined by the powers that be at Academic Archers – Doctors Nicola Headlam and Cara Courage.  Inevitably there is huge cross over between the two groups – after all we all (usually) listen to the programme and enjoy subjecting it to a detailed analysis (which it always fails) – but with a light hearted approach to the events of the week.   The main subjects are alcoholism, fly-tipping and fake letter writing.  Some surprises – Chris has suddenly had a realisation that he is also drinking too much and […]

DTD: 339 - Alice and alcoholism with Dr Nicola Headlam and Dr Cara Courage. Play Now | Download
Posted on by Roifield Brown

DTD: 338 – We swipe right on Lizzie and Online Dating in Ambridge!

Steadily catching up on podcasts (and The Archers) following my return from a holiday in Kent means this might actually appear before the next podcast.   Having spent six years of using DumTeeDum for Roifield to chat up podcast callers this week online dating returned to Ambridge in Lockdown with Lizzie who is looking for a thrusting man.  Keri thinks for her it is probably a choice between Alastair and Roy – but there is no-one for Lizzie, so it looks like some new characters will be waltzing in and out of the doors of the Mailbox for some short […]

DTD: 338 - We swipe right on Lizzie and Online Dating in Ambridge! Play Now | Download
Posted on by Mike Hatton

Character Count – June 2020

The first full month of monologue episodes. This temporary period in The Archers history began with episodes featuring only two characters. As the weeks have gone by, a third character has been introduced to most episodes. We have gone from the weekly quota of 39 characters to 8, 10, 10, 11 characters during June. During June, in total, there have been 45 character appearances. POSITION CHARACTER EPISODES 1 Susan Carter 5 2 Ben Archer 4 = Helen Archer 4 4 Emma Grundy 3 = Kate Madikane 3 = Kirsty Miller 3 = Lilian Bellamy 3 8 Ed Grundy 2 = […]

Posted on by Roifield Brown

DTD: 335 – Monologue malaise

I realise this is repetition but frankly the BBC have abandoned one of their most important wireless programmes to a bunch of amateurs rather than demonstrating what can be done and showing us how good they are it.   Even if the sound quality was not perfect it might avoid the incompetence that the actors are currently being asked to read.  There seems to be no intention of improving matters – the way of thinking has been locked in.  Current Government politicians have views about the BBC and the way they have failed the Archers faithful at this critical time […]

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Posted on by Roifield Brown

DTD: 331 – Do you like The Ambridge monologues?

Keri Warbis returns for another week and relates her difficulties with the new format, taking at least three attempts to absorb the content of The Archers.  Roifield says that the new format exposes the writing and the actors to greater scrutiny as there is not a huge amount the director can interpose on the words and the way that the various actors are delivering them plus the lack of voice changes makes listening more difficult than normal as we no longer get the instant reaction of the participants in each scene as we would with the usual interplay.   Following […]

DTD: 331 - Do you like The Ambridge monologues? Play Now | Download