tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3124811023279319056.post1197134346101593876..comments2023-07-25T09:21:46.830+01:00Comments on Katharine McMahon's Blog: Wimbledon versus The ArchersKatharine McMahonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11305991531217407140noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3124811023279319056.post-24528799838891263652012-07-09T17:29:25.485+01:002012-07-09T17:29:25.485+01:00Yes, but somebody said to me about Wimbledon that ...Yes, but somebody said to me about Wimbledon that she has no interest in tennis the rest of the year but there's something awfully restful about watching that ball for a couple of weeks, in a contained space. And so with The Archers. The whole point is, we don't need high drama all the time, we need little blips and the odd surprise, a joke, a sadness, and then, maybe cumulatively, something extraordinary.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04990911668563150907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3124811023279319056.post-37832579465462008432012-07-09T13:40:57.575+01:002012-07-09T13:40:57.575+01:00I guess by virtue of the fact that you posted this...I guess by virtue of the fact that you posted this on a Sunday that you have listened to the omnibus edition of the Archers, Katherine? Whilst I agree with you that drama has to be built, allowed to smoulder and then sometime burst into life I think that is a problem for the writers of soap dramas (yes I include the Archers in this description nowadays) in that they have to hold their audience over a series of daily broadcasts that incentivises them to tune in for the next episode. The need to provide their audience with instant gratification becomes ludicrous on occasions. The better example is Coronation Street where last week a 'taxi war' started and was all over in a week. If you watched it in one run instead of six episodes it was little more than shallow farce - but of course the writers are building to a mini drama at the end of each epiosode. I think we can forgive the writers given these pressures providing they also include the 'slow burners' that build in intensity and excitement. Actually I think the Adam/David/Ruth story is building quite nicely in the Archers except that when you listen to it in one omnibus edition you can't help noticing the gaps and implausibility. I mean, would the Police be so 'hands off' in such circumstances? And would Ruth do such a 180 degree turn on the basis of something Kenton said? You can cover all this in a book or play or even a film but it's so much more difficult when you've got less than 15 minutes broadcasting. Maybe I am being too apologetic for them. I do think the quality of their writing has diminished and we are beginning to lose the identity and compass of these long running 'soaps'. I hope not.Mike Jnoreply@blogger.com