BBC cuts the number of Archers' episodes featuring top stars as fans fear for future of long-running rural drama series

[v***@gmail.com]

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[Sam Plusnet]

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I can't grasp the idea of "The Archers" and "Top Stars" appearing in the
same sentence.

[Chris]

Post by Sam Plusnet

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I can't grasp the idea of "The Archers" and "Top Stars" appearing in the
same sentence.

Too embarrassed to say words along the lines of principal characters. No
wonder it’s “The Grundies and Horrobins*.

Mrs McT

[Serena Blanchflower]

Post by v***@gmail.com
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In another place, Brenda Selwyn, late of this parish, who is generally
pretty knowledgable about what's going on in and around Ambridge, has
said that, while there's a grain of truth in it, that's about its limit.
It's true that they have reduced the average number of characters per
episode from 6.5 to 6, but that's not specific to the older and more
expensive actors.

It seems more likely that the reduction in how often we hear the more
expensive characters is more down to age. Both a lot of the characters,
and the actors are getting older and some of the actors may well be
either unwilling, or unable, to get to Birmingham for quite so many
recordings as they used to.

They will also, inevitably, need to move the focus down to the current
batch of youngsters, in the hope that, in a few decades more, they will
be the much loved elder characters.

If you want to read Brenda's comments, you can see them at
<https://bsky.app/profile/brendaselwyn.bsky.social/post/3leyuit4avk2j>

[Chris]

Post by Serena Blanchflower

Post by v***@gmail.com
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14250663/BBC-cuts-Archers-episodes-stars.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2cv8qv5I5ZAmy3WL3rKFBtPEN9l8I2t2POF-abH8N9NvDxg40PdfXW1g8_aem_4SnwJYtGKvIysHovp6NiMg

In another place, Brenda Selwyn, late of this parish, who is generally
pretty knowledgable about what's going on in and around Ambridge, has
said that, while there's a grain of truth in it, that's about its limit.
It's true that they have reduced the average number of characters per
episode from 6.5 to 6, but that's not specific to the older and more
expensive actors.
It seems more likely that the reduction in how often we hear the more
expensive characters is more down to age. Both a lot of the characters,
and the actors are getting older and some of the actors may well be
either unwilling, or unable, to get to Birmingham for quite so many
recordings as they used to.
They will also, inevitably, need to move the focus down to the current
batch of youngsters, in the hope that, in a few decades more, they will
be the much loved elder characters.
If you want to read Brenda's comments, you can see them at
<https://bsky.app/profile/brendaselwyn.bsky.social/post/3leyuit4avk2j>

It’s obvious to long term listeners who know who the actors are but no
doubt we’re in the minority now. Many people I know who were listening as
my generation with their parents and continued, had had enough by covid,
they were young enough to weather the ‘shower scene’ and the like.

For all that, why keep Christine Cardboard the silent alive? After a
*lot* of searching on line I see she was born in 1931, and is classed as
‘silent character’!

Mrs McT

[Kosmo]

Post by Chris
For all that, why keep Christine Cardboard the silent alive? After a
*lot* of searching on line I see she was born in 1931, and is classed as
‘silent character’!

It is my belief that upon retirement (of long serving individuals) the
best friend is asked how they would like their departure to be handled
and I sense that most have asked for their character to only depart
after they themselves have departed. In one of the books (Smethurst)
recounts that Doris listened to her demise and was deeply upset to know
that she was now "dead".

So Christine has not yet departed and I assume that Peggy can when it
suits the inheritance story at Bodge Farm.

I understood that ffffffer's best friend was unwell (stories may vary)
and presumably agreed that she was happy to pass away.

Lewis has I think passed on silently.

Looking ahead Jill and Jim sound increasingly frail and the former is
unable to read her lines and has to memorise them.

Coronation Street is seeing a mass cast cull (reportedly due to excess
costs) and we have seen Gail retire (her choice) to France, Mason get
stabbed, Debbie will be diagnosed with alzheimers, Craig has been told
to go as has Daisy I think (reading between the lines) and Eileen
implies it was her choice but it is not certain with Evelyn and Tracy on
new style "guest contracts" which apparently mean very limited
appearances and with no certainty of appearance being baked in.

[Nick Odell]

On Wed, 8 Jan 2025 18:58:06 -0000 (UTC), Chris

Post by Serena Blanchflower

Post by v***@gmail.com
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In another place, Brenda Selwyn, late of this parish, who is generally
pretty knowledgable about what's going on in and around Ambridge, has
said that, while there's a grain of truth in it, that's about its limit.
It's true that they have reduced the average number of characters per
episode from 6.5 to 6, but that's not specific to the older and more
expensive actors.
It seems more likely that the reduction in how often we hear the more
expensive characters is more down to age. Both a lot of the characters,
and the actors are getting older and some of the actors may well be
either unwilling, or unable, to get to Birmingham for quite so many
recordings as they used to.
They will also, inevitably, need to move the focus down to the current
batch of youngsters, in the hope that, in a few decades more, they will
be the much loved elder characters.
If you want to read Brenda's comments, you can see them at
<https://bsky.app/profile/brendaselwyn.bsky.social/post/3leyuit4avk2j>

It’s obvious to long term listeners who know who the actors are but no
doubt we’re in the minority now. Many people I know who were listening as
my generation with their parents and continued, had had enough by covid,
they were young enough to weather the ‘shower scene’ and the like.
For all that, why keep Christine Cardboard the silent alive? After a
*lot* of searching on line I see she was born in 1931, and is classed as
‘silent character’!

Oh I like that! Why keep her alive, indeed?

Perhaps she could be dispatched in a topical storyline about the
Assisted Dying Bill?

Nick

[Kosmo]

Post by Nick Odell
Perhaps she could be dispatched in a topical storyline about the
Assisted Dying Bill?

As she always enjoyed life and was a regular church goer one might then
anticipate hordes of fans raising complaints about visits from the PTFs
- which is a complaint rarely heard these days because all the
characters seem to swivel on a pin head when it suits the latest
incumbent in the writer training room.

[BrritSki]

Post by Nick Odell
On Wed, 8 Jan 2025 18:58:06 -0000 (UTC), Chris

Post by Chris

Post by Serena Blanchflower

Post by v***@gmail.com
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14250663/BBC-cuts-Archers-episodes-stars.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2cv8qv5I5ZAmy3WL3rKFBtPEN9l8I2t2POF-abH8N9NvDxg40PdfXW1g8_aem_4SnwJYtGKvIysHovp6NiMg

In another place, Brenda Selwyn, late of this parish, who is generally
pretty knowledgable about what's going on in and around Ambridge, has
said that, while there's a grain of truth in it, that's about its limit.
It's true that they have reduced the average number of characters per
episode from 6.5 to 6, but that's not specific to the older and more
expensive actors.
It seems more likely that the reduction in how often we hear the more
expensive characters is more down to age. Both a lot of the characters,
and the actors are getting older and some of the actors may well be
either unwilling, or unable, to get to Birmingham for quite so many
recordings as they used to.
They will also, inevitably, need to move the focus down to the current
batch of youngsters, in the hope that, in a few decades more, they will
be the much loved elder characters.
If you want to read Brenda's comments, you can see them at
<https://bsky.app/profile/brendaselwyn.bsky.social/post/3leyuit4avk2j>

It’s obvious to long term listeners who know who the actors are but no
doubt we’re in the minority now. Many people I know who were listening as
my generation with their parents and continued, had had enough by covid,
they were young enough to weather the ‘shower scene’ and the like.
For all that, why keep Christine Cardboard the silent alive? After a
*lot* of searching on line I see she was born in 1931, and is classed as
‘silent character’!

Oh I like that! Why keep her alive, indeed?
Perhaps she could be dispatched in a topical storyline about the
Assisted Dying Bill?

Very topical. And on the same theme we cold have one day from cold
because they lost WFP and/or can't afford fuel prices, one farmer commit
suicide as can't face losing farm through IHT and another dies from a
serious illness because they can't afford to keep up with their
prescriptions if free scrips are abolished fro OAPs as was mooted this week.