Have you all settled down now? Here's my two penn'orth.
Lovelt escapism Sunday night telly, and what's wrong with that? It's not onthe History channel and never stands up to be an accurate reflection of life as it was. I have the advantage of never having read the book, so I am thouroughly enjoying it. I also enjoyed the Albion Band treatment years ago, (it might have been at the crucible in Reading or similar). After the first prog I was straight on line and bought the CD. Oh what joy - what memories. But a DIFFERENT event to the TV programme. Note "different", not better nor worse. I will now buy the book and not look at it until the TV show has run its course.
As for the comments against Dawn French, well this is Mudcat after all and some love a moan about nothing.

And Re:
"...I'm not obsessed by folk music, love it, but not obsessed by it"
I am a bit obsessed by it but not the rest of the world feels like us. I spent all my life in Telly and sometimes I even had to add Country and Western as background music ( eugh ) but right for the programme at the time so there we go.
Can you immagine the outcry if the whole programme had Albion Band in the background. Just stick the cd on in the background next time you are watching and you will see what I mean.

Cheers, happy viewing,

Andy