I listen to a lot of BBC Radio 4. Not quite as much as I used to do before I discovered the wonderful world of podcasting (The Word and Collings and Herrin are particularly worth checking out), but still have it on a fair bit.
For the chronically American amongst you, Radio 4 is a bit like NPR but a lot better. It is arguably the jewel in the crown of the BBC. Just check out the webpage if you don’t believe me. Every single program they have broadcast in the last seven days is up there waiting for you to listen to. And it’s all free at the point of delivery. I particularly recommend the comedy and the factual sections.
I have inherited my love of Radio 4 from my parents. It was our constant companion on every single car journey we made. And I honestly believe that it shaped both my sense of humour and my inquiring mind just as much if not more than TV and the educational system ever did.
It is, in short, worth the licence fee all on its own (as is BBC Radio 7 incidentally).
Or at least it would be, if it wasn’t for the bloody Archers.
Foreigners might as well stop reading now as you are probably not going to understand a word of this, but it needs to be said. I hate the Archers. I hate the theme tune, I hate the tedious plot lines, and I hate the fact that all the women appear to be called Caroline and all the men called Brian. But most of all I hate the smug middle classness of it all.
I hope I don’t offend anyone here, but if I hear one more person say “Oh I don’t like soap operas, I only listen to the Archers” I’m going to punch them on the nose. Just as the Apprentice is Big Brother for snobs, the Archers is Emerdale for people who believe they are above the hoi palloi .
And it’s on every day. Twice. With an omnibus on Sundays.
There are other programs on the station that make me switch off: Any Answers, the majority of the afternoon plays, and the Today Program (is it me or are they more interested in creating the news than reporting it?). But the Archers has the power to bore me so badly that I am in danger of falling asleep at the wheel. They keep their plot lines going on for literally decades. The first episode broadcast was on the 29th of May 1950 and I think they are still blathering on about the same problem with the village gala that they were then. Everyday tale of country folk my arse.
But don’t just take my word for it, I’ve downloaded the latest episode to torture you with. Have a listen if you want, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.
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on Jun 25th, 2008 at 12:48 am
Kevin Spencer’s last blog post..Mass Transit?
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on Jun 25th, 2008 at 1:46 am
Actually, I see some fun things in there that the whole family can listen to in the car. Thanks!
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on Jun 25th, 2008 at 7:08 am
I switch between Radio 4 and Radio 2 because I’m clearly not content with being 37, I secretly want to be 57 ;o)
Penelope’s last blog post..Teeth can be sexy…right?
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on Jun 25th, 2008 at 8:06 am
Of course you can still steal streaming web audio and convert it to mp3. I use Audio Hijack Pro on the mac, and there must be something similar on the PC.
They do do a lot of podcasts though, so you might be content with just those.
Penelope – I too flit between Radio 2 and 4. Old before my time.
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on Jun 25th, 2008 at 11:32 am
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on Jun 25th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Might check bbc 4 out, the podcasts that is.
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on Jun 25th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Boo for that.
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on Jun 25th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
My mum brought up me and my sister on Radio 4 so I do very much agree (although like Penelope I do like a bit of Radio 2 – Terry W and Ken Bruce – on a morning to keep me feeling young ‘n’ hip ‘n’ with the kids…).
And yes, the frickin’ Archers. I understand.
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on Jun 25th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Arjan – The Friday night comedy podcast and the Radio 4 Choice one are particularly good. I also recommend Adam and Joe on BBC Radio 6.
Xbox – I’ve never really ventured into Radio 5. The sports aspect puts me off. I think the listen again service on the website is a fantastic resource and again is well worth the license fee. I love the BBC I do.
Rachael – I think Terry Wogan’s show died when Dr Wally did. It just feels tired now. Ken Bruce is good, and I like Radcliffe and Maconie too. I hate Elaine Page with a passion though. And Steve Write will be first against the wall come the revolution.
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on Jun 25th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
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on Jun 25th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
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on Jun 25th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
I HATE the Archers!
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on Jun 26th, 2008 at 10:15 am
James – obviously that’s only my opinion (but never the less the right opinion obviously)
(un)relaxeddad – I can tolerate Coronation Street, but only watch it at work (I know, sometimes I have it rather cushy)
Sam – You think Radio 4 repeats itself, try watching Playhouse Disney
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on Jun 26th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
My love/hate of The Archers is helped immeasurably by my membership of the following fine organisation:
http://www.archersanarchists.com/
Trust me – once you’ll listened with the ears of an archers anarchist viewpoint you’ll love it or at the very least love hating Shul-ugh more than you ever thought was possible :-)
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on Jun 26th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
I HATE STEVE WRIGHT
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on Nov 14th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
i have heard him my whole life on radio 2, and he’s always annoyed me, although my mum loves him. i can’t wait until 12pm on weekdays when Jeremy Vine comes on because he’s fab!
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on Nov 19th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
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