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The Topical Insert
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Message 1.Â
Posted by PepperTree2 (U4276855) on Tuesday, 6th February 2007
I hate myself for even asking this, but was it just good fortune that Alistair was in the studio for a recording session when the Avian Flu thing came up? Like most posters I am fascinated by these TI's, although I don't really know why. Anyway, it gives a good payback in terms of listener loyalty. -
Message 2
Posted by Mabel Bagshawe (U2222589) on Tuesday, 6th February 2007
I may be wrong but these are sometimes done specially - who does the insert depends on who was in the original script and actor availability
See for how they did a previous bird flu insert -
Message 3
Posted by Spartacus (U38364) on Tuesday, 6th February 2007
Tue, 06 Feb 2007 11:05:33 GMT, In reply to: Mabel Bagshawe
I'm curious as to whether they recorded a selection of different inserts, so they could appear to be responding to the 7pm news...?
"It's nothing to worry about."
"You might have to take your birds in."
"You'll probably have to cull your birds."
"OH MY GOD, WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!" -
Message 4
Posted by U7280110 (U7280110) on Tuesday, 6th February 2007
I'll never forget the Harold Wilson's unexpected resignation topical insert, when they dragged Nora McAuley in
Although, contradicting myself, I don't think she was dragged in exactly. You see, I think she was on a full-time contract then, in the days when they had 4 actors on a full-time contract and you heard Nora, jackWooley, Tom Forrest and Tony Archer in every episode for 3 months
Anyway, as I was saying before I interrupted myself, they ended that episode with Nora saying, 'Och no, what are we going to do now? Nobody knows what'll happen' (fade in music, but it wasn't the Doom Music, as I suppose the script editor may not have been aware at the time that Jim Callaghan would follow Wilson and that this heralded the winter of discontent a few years later! -
Message 5
Posted by Peggy Monahan (U2254875) on Tuesday, 6th February 2007
I thought they never had actors on a full-time contract. And why on earth those four?
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Message 6
Posted by Reggie Trentham (U2746099) on Tuesday, 6th February 2007
Peggy, I have a feeling that a few of the central characters had full time contracts at one time eg Dan and Doris, Phil and Jill. But certainly nobody outside the clan and nobody has a full time contract these days.
I'm sure Rosie or Mike would know about central contracts and will be able to settle the point if either of them reads this thread.
The insert mincey refers to exists entirely in her/his imagination. -
Message 7
Posted by mike (U2254029) on Wednesday, 7th February 2007
Thanks for the vote for my omniscience, Reggie, but I have never heard of this and doubt its veracity.
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Message 8
Posted by Keri Davies (U2219620) on Wednesday, 7th February 2007
We had to bring Michael Lumsden and Will Sanderson-Thwaite (Alistair and Chris) into studio specially to record the insert.
In fact, we did try to get it together for Sunday night's episode but the only realistic scene to re-record included Neil. Unfortunately Brian Hewlett was in Salisbury rehearsing a play and couldn't be spared for us. -
Message 9
Posted by U7280110 (U7280110) on Wednesday, 7th February 2007
Peggy, those four were examples of the four that they used to employ on a three-month contract, and this arrangement definitely included characters who were not Archer family members (Tom, Jack and Sid were commonly among the four). I remember this very clearly, and I believe that it is attested in Norman Painting's book, 'Twenty-Five Years of The Archers' (which my Mum bought for me back in 1975 or 1976). I will look up where it says about this and post the releavnt section
And it is equally true that there was a topical insert scene on the day of Wilson's resignation, which included Nora McAuley. Indeed, as I have said, it was this particular character who ended the episode in the way that I have described (the only time that I recall a topical insert actually occuring right at the end of the episode). Even if Reggie did not hear, or does not remember, that himself, that does not mean that it is only in my imagination -
Message 10
Posted by Viola Lass (U2378636) on Wednesday, 7th February 2007
Peet, I love it - imagine if they'd used the wrong one!
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Message 11
Posted by Lyra (U2293272) on Wednesday, 7th February 2007
I believe that I've heard somewhere that Shula and Brian feature in a lot of topical inserts as they live in the area and therefore can get to the studios relatively easily at short notice if they're free.
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Message 12
Posted by U7280110 (U7280110) on Wednesday, 7th February 2007
Quoting from Norman Painting's book, 'Forever Ambridge: 25 Years of The Archers':
"The number of artistes on 'permanent' contract has varied over the years from as many as a dozen to, for an experimental period, none at all. Considerations which govern the number are, of course, mainly financial: it is more economical to employ characters which are frequently used on the 'permanent' contract, and this weighs heavily [....]
"So, if a story is going to involve, say, Nora McAuley for at least three months, then the actress concerned, Julia Mark, will be offered a 'permanent' contract for three months. If on the other hand it looks as if fewer appearances of that character will be needed, then she is booked as and when requred."
Contrary to what Reggie Trentham claims above, the short-term 'permanent' contracts *were* indeed offered to characters (like Nora, Jack Woolley - then not in the family - and Sid)outside the Archer family. Fact -
Message 13
Posted by U7280110 (U7280110) on Wednesday, 7th February 2007
Indeed, Lyra. And the fact that, in RL, the actors concerned, Charles Collin(g)wood and Judy Bennet(t), are married to each other may also help
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Message 14
Posted by Peggy Monahan (U2254875) on Wednesday, 7th February 2007
I have absolutely no definitive idea on all this, but I have certainly read before that NOBODY is on a fixed contract.
So please could Mr K. tell us what is really the case?
Thanks.
PS. Actually I don't really care in the sense it's not life or death. But I had always thought one thing so I'd like to know now if that was wrong. -
Message 15
Posted by RosieT (U2224719) on Wednesday, 7th February 2007
thought they never had actors on a full-time contract. Â
I think there is, maybe, a misunderstanding of the terms "full-time," "long-term" and permanent" contracts?
Peggy, from Norman painting's "Forever Ambridge Thirty Years of the Archers" 1980, pp208-209:
"One pieice of imagination tha should be dispelled at this stage, perhaps, is the thought that life for the real-life actors, actresses and writers was just as secure and comfortable as life in Ambridge. It never has been. Such has been the professional organisation behind the programme, that only the writers had any degree of security of employment.Even then, their contracts were only for a year at a time.The members of the cast could never - nor can they today - be sure of staying for more than three months ahead, for that is the longest contract offerred to them. This tends to keep ua all in touch with reality because we're all aware that whatever the past, we're only as good as our last performance." -
Message 16
Posted by U7280110 (U7280110) on Friday, 9th February 2007
Well there you are Reggie Trentham and mike and any other doubters of the veracity of what I have said (about the topical insert involving Nora McAuley and harold Wilson's resignation). So not a figment of my imagination, regissimo
Over in Discuss The Archers somebody has confirmed what I have said
Quoting myself here:
"Does anybody remember this, please? Julia Mark recorded a scene at the end of the episode on the day Harold Wilson resigned way back in 1976 (?)."
Message 2 - posted by Julia Llewellyn no hyphen Jones (U7280110) **, 19 Hours Ago
Well?
Message 3 - posted by UrbanEmily (U3730168)
Remember it well I'm afraid (I was a child at the time, honestly). It often comes to mind as a good example of a topical insert, of which we don't have enough. However I accept that many political issues are now so controversial that they could be difficult. I was mildly disappointed we didn't have lots of pro and anti the Prince and Princess of Wales when everyone else was talking about them, but I realised it would be tricky for the production team. -
Message 17
Posted by Keri Davies (U2219620) on Friday, 9th February 2007
>I believe that I've heard somewhere that Shula and Brian feature in a lot of topical inserts as they live in the area and therefore can get to the studios relatively easily at short notice if they're free.
No, they used to live in London and now in rural Hampshire. It's not really down to geographical convenience, as almost any actor could get to Birmingham by the early afternoon, which is when the insert is usually recorded. The key factor, other than their availability, is if they are already in the episode and whether the scene could be re-written appropiately.
On the subject of long-term contracts for actors: contracts are only issued on an episode by episode basis, although with critical stories we sometimes guarantee an actor a certain number of bookings in a studio block to ensure that we can use them.
And June Spencer's comments about writer's contracts may have been true at the time but nowadays contracts are only issued just before we write a batch (that's six episodes; an on-air week). Vanessa is kind enough to give us a schedule at the beginning of the year indicating when she plans to use us but it's not binding - on either side. Writers have in the past dropped out of a planned writing stint because of other work or personal circumstances. -
Message 18
Posted by U7280110 (U7280110) on Friday, 9th February 2007
Thanks for that clarification. It must be handy having a rough idea when you might be needed during the year ahead. Good old VW
It's a pity really rule. Norman Painting's never updated his 'Forever Ambridge' after the 25-year and 30-year editions. Then we would all have known for sure about the no fixed contracts of today I know others have written books
55 Years of The Archers, eh - who ever'd have thought that likely back when Nora McAuley was bemoaning Harold Wilson's sudden and unexpected resignation from the premiership? -
Message 19
Posted by ExTAlistener (U3058291) on Friday, 9th February 2007
Is Selsey near Birmingham...? -
Message 20
Posted by ExTAlistener (U3058291) on Friday, 9th February 2007
Is Selsey in Hampshire...? -
Message 21
Posted by ExTAlistener (U3058291) on Friday, 9th February 2007
No-one, probably, since the programme looked like it would be axed, due to sensational and implausible storylines... -
Message 22
Posted by U7280110 (U7280110) on Saturday, 10th February 2007
Exactly Rickyard, I was thinking that. It was a turbulent time after that Corrie chap was brought in and it all seemed to be going downhill
Norman Painting asked the question 'Will The Archers be there in 1992' in his 1975 book. It seemed impossible then that it would be -
Message 23
Posted by Peggy Monahan (U2254875) on Saturday, 10th February 2007
No it's in West Sussex (westernmost point of).
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Message 24
Posted by mike (U2254029) on Saturday, 10th February 2007
Julia, (to clarify) this is the bit I still don't believe:
in the days when they had 4 actors on a full-time contract and you heard Nora, jackWooley, Tom Forrest and Tony Archer in every episode for 3 months -
Message 25
Posted by choccy-cake (U6420831) on Saturday, 10th February 2007
Peggy Monahan
Selsey is in Hampshire, near Portsmouth.
I have just looked it up in my atlas.It's postcode is PO** -
Message 26
Posted by Peggy Monahan (U2254875) on Saturday, 10th February 2007
Not having an atlas to hand I googled it. Think it was the wikipedia entry I read.
Are you sure that postcodes respect county boundaries? -
Message 27
Posted by choccy-cake (U6420831) on Saturday, 10th February 2007
Peggy Monahan
Yes, I am sure because earlier in the week,I sent a letter to Selsey,Hampshire, and the first half of the postcode is PO, you could also try the Royal Mail website for different areas.
But it is actually Selsey Bill. -
Message 28
Posted by Peggy Monahan (U2254875) on Saturday, 10th February 2007
Also found this:
Hampshire Farmers' Markets - [ Traduire cette page ]
Title, Selsey Willows. Address, 27 L****r Drive Selsey West Sussex. Postcode, PO20 -
Message 29
Posted by choccy-cake (U6420831) on Saturday, 10th February 2007
Peggy Monahan
I'll try out the Royal Mail website so that we can both be sure of this query, I will get back to you later and tell you the results.
Happytabby-cat -
Message 30
Posted by Peggy Monahan (U2254875) on Saturday, 10th February 2007
And I would have thought Selsey Council know which county they're in:
Selsey Council Services
53 High Street
Selsey
West Sussex
PO20 0RB
The whole point of postcodes was to enable mechanised postal sorting to skip county and even town names so as long as you get the code right it doesn' t matter what county name you put.
I remembered from schooldays in Hampshire that going to Selsey Bill was going to the Sussex border. -
Message 31
Posted by choccy-cake (U6420831) on Saturday, 10th February 2007
Peggy Monahan
I couldn't find it on the Royal Mail website because I have only just seen the address but I looked on a geographical website multimap.com
It like you said is in West Sussex, near west wittering sorry for my mistakes.
my memory was playing tricks on me. -
Message 32
Posted by U7461993 (U7461993) on Tuesday, 13th February 2007
I remember very well the topical insert with Nora hearing about Wilson's resignation. It was exactly as described above. How can mike say it was of doubtful veracity?
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Message 33
Posted by Spartacus (U38364) on Tuesday, 13th February 2007
Tue, 13 Feb 2007 12:08:36 GMT, In reply to: La_Regissima
Not to be a naysayer, but opening a new account to post that you agree with someone is never that wise, as it could be construed that you are that someone agreeing with themselves. Of course, I wouldn't be so paranoid as to suggest that... -
Message 34
Posted by U7461993 (U7461993) on Tuesday, 13th February 2007
Peet you have made a very good point. It could be the same person sometimes!
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Message 35
Posted by mike (U2254029) on Wednesday, 14th February 2007
See #24, julia/mincepie/whoever you are ...
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Message 36
Posted by VannyW (U6537265) on Sunday, 18th February 2007
I may be wrong, but I think it was Dan Archer, rather than Jack Woolley, who appeared alongside the other three in every episode during the relevant period in the seventies.
I have very poignant memories of some of the last lines spoken by Julia Mark (as Nora) in the programme, the actress having died suddenly and shortly beforehand. I am sure she said something along the lines of it being a beautiful day to be alive.
Can anyone else recall?
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