# UK-centric rant: I'm jolly annoyed with Radio 4 **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 9, 2003, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-centric-rant-im-jolly-annoyed-with-radio-4/153899 "2003-02-09T16:11:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Francesca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc348/32.png) [@Francesca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francesca)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-centric-rant-im-jolly-annoyed-with-radio-4/153899/21 "2003-02-10T10:42:35Z")
Perfectly executed, **jjimm** 😃 ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-centric-rant-im-jolly-annoyed-with-radio-4/153899/22 "2003-02-10T11:04:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by essvee \* > And what the hell is going on with the Archers? Is it supposed to be funny? I can’t tell from the website. Allegedly, no, it’s not supposed to be funny… but I do like the way they do … _sex_ Pretty much a regular ‘soap opera’. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-centric-rant-im-jolly-annoyed-with-radio-4/153899/23 "2003-02-10T11:31:05Z")
In fact, the Archers is the longest running soap opera in the world. It was originally conceived as a means to give ignorant rural types lots of patronizing information about farming and health (and still has quite a lot of blatant infotainment in it), but mainly it’s a lame-assed, but somehow wonderful, “everyday story of country folk”. ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-centric-rant-im-jolly-annoyed-with-radio-4/153899/24 "2003-02-10T13:03:16Z")
Well I hate to be a voice of dissent, but I love R4’s cricket coverage and frequently spend all of a Sunday with it on in the background. And I love the snooker on Beeb 2 too. I think that fans of other shows can afford to let us have the 2 weeks of the World Championship and the 2 weeks of the Masters, don’t you? It’s not like snooker is all-pervasive throughout the year - unlike _insert teen-show of your choice here_, may I say. Let us fans have our scant few weeks to enjoy some live sport, whether you think it’s good or not. If the situation were the other way round, _then_ I think I’d here some complaining. The snooker gets at least as good ratings as the teeny shows. That shows that it is at least as a good use of license payers money. The Beeb _should_ be catering to _all_ of its license payers. pan ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-centric-rant-im-jolly-annoyed-with-radio-4/153899/25 "2003-02-10T13:04:24Z")
Damn homophones. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-centric-rant-im-jolly-annoyed-with-radio-4/153899/26 "2003-02-10T13:12:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kabbes \* > **If the situation were the other way round, then I think I’d here some complaining. The snooker gets at least as good ratings as the teeny shows. That shows that it is at least as a good use of license payers money. The Beeb should be catering to all of its license payers.** Oh I agree. I just think they shouldn’t be stealing _my_ channel, which is one that’s aimed at an almost entirely non-sporting audience. Give it a channel on its own. As I said: they did. It’s called 5 Live and it’s designed for this sort of thing. Anyway, I shouldn’t be talking to you, as you’re clearly homophonic. ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-centric-rant-im-jolly-annoyed-with-radio-4/153899/27 "2003-02-10T13:21:22Z")
Ah, but 5-live only has _one_ frequency (well actually it has two, but you ken well what I mean). Radio 4 has _two_. So one of them is given up for the cricket. It’s a shame that the one given up is the one that you listen to. But as a non-UK resident, you presumably aren’t paying your licence fee anyway? In which case it’s tough to grumble tooooo much… I’d say that in general UK residents are _more_ likely to have the FM station available to them than the LW one, in which case fewer people are being inconvenienced by taking over the LW station. It’s rough justice really. OTOH when I was in France one summer I could just about get R4 LW. I _loved_ the fact that I could listen to Test Match Special - at times it was the only thing that kept me going. pan And poor show for the homophone pun. You lose all argument points immediately on that one. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-centric-rant-im-jolly-annoyed-with-radio-4/153899/28 "2003-02-10T13:30:56Z")
You’re right about my ineligibility to whinge - as I said earlier: “I’m not really eligible to complain about this, since I don’t pay the UK TV license”. And that frustrates me. And that frustration leads to anger. And the anger is burning me up. Not really. Anyway, I’m listening to Round Britain Quiz on streaming RealAudio now, cricket be damned. ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-centric-rant-im-jolly-annoyed-with-radio-4/153899/29 "2003-02-10T13:53:12Z")
Frustration leads to anger. Anger leads to RealAudio. RealAudio leads to _suffering_ ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-centric-rant-im-jolly-annoyed-with-radio-4/153899/30 "2003-02-10T13:54:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kabbes \* > \*\*RealAudio leads to _suffering_ \*\* Word. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-centric-rant-im-jolly-annoyed-with-radio-4/153899/31 "2003-02-10T14:30:11Z")
Btw, there’s a rather interesting new mag out this week called ‘Word’ - genuine, old-fashoined in-depth reviews and articles. Not always of new releases but also some retro stuff. Kind of for grown ups … I’d suggest a flick-though in between furtive lunges along the top shelf. ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-centric-rant-im-jolly-annoyed-with-radio-4/153899/32 "2003-02-10T14:38:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Coldfire \* > \*\*In Europe, we’ve got AM, FM, SW and LW. Long Wave certainly is another animal than AM. > > I’ve got one of them 1940’s tube radios in my living that still has all the cities displayed with the frequencies. You know, for the old national channels. Amazing stuff, and the thing still plays wonderfully as well. > > Great rant, BTW. In addition to yojimbo’s suggestion, there might be an internet feed. \*\* Not quite correct . In Europe AM radio ( amplitude modulation transmissions ) are carried both on Long Wave ( 150 - 280 kHZ ) and Mediuim Wave ( 530 - 1550 kHZ ). Some modern AM radios do not have the LW band on them. Long wave is not used much outside of Europe because of static interferance caused by tropical storms. Of course Short Wave is also transmitted using AM. In addition we have the more modern FM ( frequency modulation) broadcasts. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-centric-rant-im-jolly-annoyed-with-radio-4/153899/33 "2003-02-10T14:48:12Z")
So AM is a coverall-term for LW, MW, and SW? I stand corrected, and have learned. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-centric-rant-im-jolly-annoyed-with-radio-4/153899/34 "2003-02-10T14:52:17Z")
AM and FM are descriptors of how the signal is carried, whereas the “W” bits are descriptors of the frequency. ---
**Author:** ![micilin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8c91f0/32.png) [@micilin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/micilin)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-centric-rant-im-jolly-annoyed-with-radio-4/153899/35 "2003-02-10T22:54:09Z")
How - HOW - can I be the only person to have thought the following worth mentioning? > [@](#): > > Reaction to all this from the crowd were many and various. Most of them couldn’t cope with watching it, and listened to it on the radio instead > > “Well, this is an interesting incident, Brian,” said one radio commentator to another. “I don’t think there have been any mysterious materializations on the pitch since, oh since, well I don’t think there have been any ? have there? - that I recall?” > > “Edgbaston, 1932?” > > “Ah, now what happened then …” > > “Well, Peter, I think it was Canter facing Willcox coming up to bowl from the pavilion end when a spectator suddenly ran straight across the pitch.” > > There was a pause while the first commentator considered this. > > “Ye … e … s …” he said, “yes, there’s nothing actually very mysterious about that, is there? He didn’t actually materialize, did he? Just ran on.” > > “No, that’s true, but he did claim to have seen something materialize on the pitch.” > > “Ah, did he?” > > “Yes. An alligator, I think, of some description.” > > “Ah. And had anyone else noticed it?” > > “Apparently not. And no one was able to get a very detailed description from him, so only the most perfunctory search was made.” > > “And what happened to the man?” > > “Well, I think someone offered to take him off and give him some lunch, but he explained that he’d already had a rather good one, so the matter was dropped and Warwickshire went on to win by three wickets.” > > “So, not very like this current instance. For those of you who’ve just tuned in, you may be interested to know that, er … two men, two rather scruffily attired men, and indeed a sofa ? a Chesterfield I think?” > > “Yes, a Chesterfield.” > > “Have just materialized here in the middle of Lord’s Cricket Ground. But I don’t think they meant any harm, they’ve been very good-natured about it, and…” > > “Sorry, can I interrupt you a moment Peter and say that the sofa has just vanished.” > > "So it has. Well, that’s one mystery less. I know its a long quote, but I hope those anxious about copyrights will allow for it - particularly as I don’t think the author will mind that much. micilin - still grieving for Douglas Adams. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-centric-rant-im-jolly-annoyed-with-radio-4/153899/36 "2003-02-10T22:58:00Z")
been down the pub? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-centric-rant-im-jolly-annoyed-with-radio-4/153899/37 "2003-02-10T23:08:43Z")
Well, oi loik the Arrcherrs… my cellphone ringtone is the Archers theme. It’s just so damned twee (the theme, not the show). But then I also watch the televised snooker, so there’s clearly something wrong with me. If nothing else, Radio 4 bears listening to for the Donald Rumsfeld Soundbite of the Week every Sunday morning. Now _that’s_ comedy. …wanders off humming “Sailing By”… ---
**Author:** ![Rodd\_Hill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3ab097/32.png) [@Rodd\_Hill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodd_Hill)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-centric-rant-im-jolly-annoyed-with-radio-4/153899/38 "2003-02-11T00:16:58Z")
> [@](#): > > Duffer #2: I’ll have you know he’s an aerodynamics expert, and he’s been in the RAF for over seventy years. Blighter’s been in the raf so long, he can remember the Air Ministry when it was a tent… **Coldfire** , your old valve radio isn’t giving you messages like “Il fait chaud à Suez” or “Les sanglots longs des violons de l’automne,” is it? ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-centric-rant-im-jolly-annoyed-with-radio-4/153899/39 "2003-02-11T00:39:43Z")
**micilin** I got that quote from the word “materialised”. Brilliant, and yes, he died before his time. ☹ Rod Hill, if I tilt the radio the right way and identify myself as Nighthawk, I can get London on the line. They always promise backups, but all I’ve got are these weird English pilots without a plane. Any ideas on how to get them back to merry ol’ England? [sub]Wondering if Canada ever got this particular series…[/sub] 😉 ---
**Author:** ![micilin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8c91f0/32.png) [@micilin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/micilin)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-centric-rant-im-jolly-annoyed-with-radio-4/153899/40 "2003-02-11T00:53:11Z")
**Twisty** : no. **Coldy** : you’re right, he did. **Coldy** and **Rod** : What are you talking about? Please dont say its ‘Allo Allo’ or I will puke - despite not having gone to the pub. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-centric-rant-im-jolly-annoyed-with-radio-4/153899.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-centric-rant-im-jolly-annoyed-with-radio-4/153899.md?page=3)