The Archers is becoming more like Eastenders, with cliffhangers, characters in jeopardy and darker plots to come, the show's new editor has disclosed.
John Yorke, controller of BBC drama production and acting editor of The Archers, warned certain storylines would get “darker and bigger”, with a focus on triumph over adversity and dramatic twists to keep listeners wanting more.
He added it was important to put characters in danger to make the audience love them more, with each episode having a clear focus and storylines driven in new directions.
Mr Yorke, who was executive producer of EastEnders between 1999 and 2002, reassured listeners their favourite scenes of countryside domesticity would also remain in place, confirming: “The seasonal rhythms of agriculture, the floral competitions – those things are vital.”
The change, which comes as the show’s editor of 21 years Vanessa Whitburn takes a break, will include every episode having an “arc”, and cliffhangers to ensure listeners are “left wanting more”.
Speaking to the Radio Times about the similarities between the popular radio drama and BBC1’s soap opera Eastenders, Mr Yorke said: “The fundamentals of character and storyline being vital is the same.
“But The Archers moves at a slower pace than EastEnders, which is absolutely right. It’s an extraordinarily important programme to a lot of people and you don’t want to break it”
Earlier this year, Richard Bacon criticised the radio show for being “hum drum” and “dull”, where “fictional rural people chat aimlessly about their menial chores”.
“I honestly believe there are two types of people in the world: those who find The Archers boring … and those who find it boring but pretend to enjoy it as they think it makes them look superior,” he added.
His comments inspired an impassioned debate, with some quietly expressing support and others leaping to The Archers’ defence.
Now, after Mr Yorke threatened to invite him to open a fete in the fictional village of Ambridge, he said: “I shall certainly give the show another listen. That’s what drama needs: villains, arguments and someone getting their comeuppance.”
The change in direction is also likely to be welcome news for Prime Minister David Cameron who last year disclosed he preferred Eastenders to the Archers, claiming he was “of the Dirty Den generation.”
The programme is currently the longest-running serial in the world and the BBC’s most listened to radio programme online.
Famous fans of the soap, which has five million listeners, include Stephen Fry, Sir Ian McKellen, Kirstie Allsopp and Victoria Wood.
According to the BBC’s catch-up service, plots last week included “Pip is feeling unsettled”, “republican rumblings in Ambridge” and “Adam is causing concerns.”
Perhaps confirming the importance of occasional high drama, around 70,000 more listeners were reported to tune in last year when popular Nigel Pargeter was killed off in a rooftop fall.
Mr Yorke added the most dramatic storylines could still only be written about once a year, to avoid the rural drama becoming “implausible”
“I want it to feel like The Archers but as good as it can be,” he said.
(via The Telegraph)
If John Yorke really wants to make this show "better" as he claims to, then what he needs to do is leave the storylines as they are, kill off Tom, and get rid of Pip.
ReplyDeleteMaybe The Archers could be a little better but not this way. Putting a character in danger does not necessarily mean I will love he or she more.
If I wanted more drama, I'd be watching a television soap or something. When I listen to The Archers, it's because the drama is contemporary and, for the most part, light (i.e. Clarrie trying to get the cakes ready for the Jubilee Party. Or Lynda whenever she is trying to get some sort of event organized).
If it's going to become more like Eastenders, with buildings exploding and characters frequently being put in peril, then the odds of me continuing to download The Archers to my iTouch are really slim.