Feedback

How realistic are the storylines in the Archers? Is the soap really an everyday story of country folk? In Feedback this week Roger Bolton talks to an Archers Academic who analyses the heart breaking tale of Ed and Emma and their lost home. Do you know who the Grime Granny is? Two listeners go far beyond their comfort zones to discover an unlikely 80 year old fan of urban music. And is the BBC still a bastion of privilege dominated by privately educated alumni of Oxbridge? Presenter: Roger Bolton Producer: Alun Beach Executive Producer: Samir Shah A Juniper Connect production for BBC Radio 4

Roger Bolton asks the man who regulates what you listen to on BBC radio, Ofcom's Kevin Bakhurst, why the BBC needs an external regulator after years of regulating itself. Two more listeners move out of their comfort zones to consider babies grown inside bags - science fiction or future science fact? And one of the BBC’s comedy greats, Barry Cryer, tells Roger whether today’s new radio comedies can compare to those golden oldies like I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue - and says whether or not he is about to retire prematurely from the programme at the early age of 84. Presenter: Roger Bolton Producer: Alun Beach Executive Producer: Samir Shah A Juniper Connect production for BBC Radio 4

Is the age of the wireless coming to an end? Roger Bolton invites the doyen of radio critics Gillian Reynolds to cast an experienced eye over the BBC’s on-line strategy and the price its radio networks like Radio 4 are paying for it. Roger also asks Radio 4 PM presenter Evan Davis if he is becoming disillusioned by the way politicians seem to be embracing a post-truth world and avoiding directly answering his questions. And more listeners leap out of their comfort zones - this time to embrace Michael Caine. Presenter: Roger Bolton Producer: Alun Beach Executive Producer: Samir Shah A Juniper Connect production for BBC Radio 4

Given that he has a questionable relationship with the truth, should President Trump’s speeches be broadcast without comment or context. That's what Radio 4's PM programme did. Presenter Evan Davis discusses the dilemma the programme team faced and whether or not the BBC should call the US President a liar or a racist. We’ll also hear from one of the great broadcasters, James Burke, 50 years after he steered a massive audience through the first moon landings. Has even he had enough of the anniversary programmes? And listeners give their verdicts on an extraordinary World service programme about a man whose seven daughters were captured by ISIS. Presenter: Roger Bolton Producer: Alun Beach Executive Producer: Samir Shah A Juniper Connect production for BBC Radio 4

Are the BBC Proms elitist? In Feedback this week, the Controller of the Proms David Pickard passionately rejects suggestion. "Trite and naïve." That was Rajan Datar’s view of Norman Tebbit’s cricket test. Was the presenter guilty of being judge and jury - opinionated when he should have been impartial? And two listeners review Private Passions, a programme they would not normally switch on. Would they do so a second time? Presenter: Roger Bolton Producer: Kate Dixon Executive Producer: Samir Shah A Juniper Connect production for BBC Radio 4