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.
Ok I’m going to hang my head in shame and admit that in the 21 years I lived in England, I never listened to Radio 4 once. Since moving to the US though I do listen to NPR every day on my way to and from work. I’ll be obtaining the Radio 4 podcasts tonight though for tomorrow’s commute. Thanks.
Kevin Spencer’s last blog post..Mass Transit?
This is very cool… Now I know where to go to load up on podcasts next time we have a cross-country road trip and I need something to help me stay awake. The Farming Today program looks like a real corker!
Actually, I see some fun things in there that the whole family can listen to in the car. Thanks!
Oh Dan this made me laugh! You are so right about people swearing they don’t DO soap operas and then confessing to a chronic Archers addiction (my parents being a classic case.)
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?
Kevin and Phil - Not all programs are available as podcasts unfortunatly, a lot of them you have to listen to them streaming and can’t take them away with you.
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.
Oi! The Archers is not a soap opera - it is a cult. You certainly can’t call Eddy Grundy middle class. These insults from a man who went to a recording of Gardeners’ Question Time I seem to recall.
for the PC I use Audacity. Works fine, but be sure that you don’t get any sounds from msn or gmail chat through your recordings ;)
Might check bbc 4 out, the podcasts that is.
Arjan’s last blog post..European Championship ’soundtrack’
BBC radio keeps me sane here, BBC 5 and world service is all I can get in the car here.
Boo for that.
Xbox4NappyRash’s last blog post..Mind the gap
Yep yep yep.
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.
Pa - Eddie Grundy is a comedy yokel, perhaps a contemporary character about 60 years ago, but hardly relevant today. As for Gardeners Question time, I never claimed not to be middle class, I’m just not pompously so.
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.
Better than NPR? That I will have to check out for sure.
James’s last blog post..About a Fly.
The Archers have never done anything for me. Likewise Emmerdale Farm, Coronation St, East Enders or any of a dozen other institutions. Of course, I make an exception for Doctor Who.
(un)relaxeddad’s last blog post..Girlfriend
The only problem with Radio 4 is that if you listen to it for a long period of time (as I used to do when working for my (our) Dad), the programs tend to repeat themselves.
I HATE the Archers!
Sam’s last blog post..Learn Some Life Skills
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
Dan’s last blog post..Dum de dum de dum de dum
Dan, I’m appalled by your hatred of the citizens of Ambridge though to be honest my love of its citizens has paled somewhat recently due to it becoming ever more ludicrous. I mean what 60 year old woman with any sense and self respect takes on the 4 year old child that your husband had with his mistress. I forgot I’m talking about Jennidahling who has neither of those things. It is smug and middle class (but nowhere near as smug, middle class and dreadful as Moneybox Live or horror of horrors Quote Unquote) but also at times highly entertaining.
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 :-)
I do not hate many people. Hate is a strong and dangerous word.
I HATE STEVE WRIGHT