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Author Topic: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 5 Episode #4: Esther Rantzen  (Read 6308 times)
Roobarb
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BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 5 Episode #4: Esther Rantzen
« on: Wednesday 03 September 08 21:09 UTC (UK) »
Have I got here first? Can't see the topic anwhere else but I'm sure it will be merged if someone has beat me to it!

I thought tonight's episode was a bit odd, Esther was laughing uproariously at the news that her ancestor absconded when he was wanted by the police, while saying that she was horrified. The whole thing seemed quite strange to me.
« Last Edit: Thursday 04 September 08 15:10 UTC (UK) by Berlin-Bob » Logged
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BuddysMummy
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Re: WDYTYA Esther Rantzen
« Reply #1 on: Wednesday 03 September 08 21:22 UTC (UK) »
Not sure the programme was all that odd, just the subject.

I did find the tears at the end a little strange too. Interesting though.
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genjen
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Re: WDYTYA Esther Rantzen
« Reply #2 on: Wednesday 03 September 08 21:46 UTC (UK) »
I just wish they would all stop crying. This site would drown if we all wept at our discoveries.

I agree, it was ok, but not exactly gripping stuff.
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Windsor87
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Re: WDYTYA Esther Rantzen
« Reply #3 on: Wednesday 03 September 08 22:59 UTC (UK) »
I thought it was very interesting.
Esther's reactions did somewhat puzzle me. I felt sorry for the man at the police museum who seemed to be getting into trouble for digging the dirt on the family killer/fraudster. One thing that did annoy me (not only about this episode) is the fact that we never find out what happened to the people unless they died tragically, died a hero, or were murdered. I would love to have known how long the 82 year old's marriage lasted. These are the little sad things that take my attention. Surely it wouldn't be too difficult to find a death record just to conclude things.

Other than that, it was a very entertaining episode.
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Roobarb
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Re: WDYTYA Esther Rantzen
« Reply #4 on: Wednesday 03 September 08 23:08 UTC (UK) »
Must admit that I was rather distracted by Esther's appearance. She looked as if she's had some cosmetic procedure in certain area of her face but not in others. I'm all for looking good but as well as the programme seeming quite odd to me, Esther's appearance did too!
Loved the pink handbag though! (Sorry fellas, it's a girlie thing!) 
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heywood
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Re: WDYTYA Esther Rantzen
« Reply #5 on: Wednesday 03 September 08 23:38 UTC (UK) »
Whilst she seemed convincing - in that everything seemed a great surprise- it did seem odd that the source of the family's wealth was not known.
I am such a sad person that I looked up the Barney Barnarto person - quite a bit about him including an interesting article by Scilla Rantzen (sister) where the relationship between Barnarto and her grandmother Sarah Isaac is established.
She does however support the lack of knowledge of any inheritance from him and obviously the programme explored the connection much more because of the vast sums of money acquired by this chap.
It has tainted the programme slightly for me because I think there was prior knowledge.
I also hate to say it but I did groan a bit when the Warsaw ghetto was again explored. I do think it is something we should keep in mind but it was as though it was obligatory even though it was 100 yrs after Esther's ancestors left.
Not a particularly memorable programme really. T reiterate last week's debate, I would say that this fell more into the 'entertainment' category but not much else.
heywood
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heywood
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Re: WDYTYA Esther Rantzen
« Reply #6 on: Wednesday 03 September 08 23:40 UTC (UK) »
Oops sorry Glen- I just posted and realised afterwards that we had referred to same article.  Roll Eyes
That article is worth reading though, isn't it. Did she write that lafter the programme was recorded ? i couldn't find a date. I may be being quite harsh then.  Sad
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Gensleuth
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Re: WDYTYA Esther Rantzen
« Reply #7 on: Thursday 04 September 08 06:42 UTC (UK) »
I have been down a similar street in Warsaw [could have been the same one]
sex shop,sex shop,sex shop,sex shop,bakery,sex shop,sex shop.

Interesting episode.
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Hasler
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Re: WDYTYA Esther Rantzen
« Reply #8 on: Thursday 04 September 08 07:35 UTC (UK) »

OOH.. looking forward to Ainsley Harriot next week,

things can only get better  Roll Eyes
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lizdb
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Re: WDYTYA Esther Rantzen
« Reply #9 on: Thursday 04 September 08 07:48 UTC (UK) »
Having read all these comments I am now not SO disappointed that the "box" failed to record it for me last night. Was a bit mad at the time!
I will still look out for the repeat, but at least I know I didnt miss a classic.
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JenB
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Re: WDYTYA Esther Rantzen
« Reply #10 on: Thursday 04 September 08 07:59 UTC (UK) »
Quote from: genjen on Wednesday 03 September 08 21:46 UTC (UK)
I just wish they would all stop crying.

It's become obligatory. Sheila Hancock started it all, if I remember rightly.

Jennifer
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carol8353
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Re: WDYTYA Esther Rantzen
« Reply #11 on: Thursday 04 September 08 08:03 UTC (UK) »
Quote from: lizdb on Thursday 04 September 08 07:48 UTC (UK)
Having read all these comments I am now not SO disappointed that the "box" failed to record it for me last night. Was a bit mad at the time!
I will still look out for the repeat, but at least I know I didnt miss a classic.

Repeated tonight on BBC2 at 6 ish?

I'm looking forward to Ainsley too  Wink

Carol
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chris_49
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Re: WDYTYA Esther Rantzen
« Reply #12 on: Thursday 04 September 08 08:05 UTC (UK) »
I was disappointed they didn't try to find out more about Montague Leverson's sojourn in the US. They found an entry on the 1880 (yes I just looked at it) where he is living with a 39-year-old widow whose youngest is a mere 5 years old. There might be some American cousins she didn't know about! Needs a look on the 1870, pity the 1890 is missing.

I agree about the Warsaw 1945 events mention. Last week on the Jerry Springer episode, the fate of his grandmothers, especially the one from the Lodz ghetto who died at Chelm, was highly relevant and very moving. This week's reference was a bit tenuous.

Chris
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Nick29
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Re: WDYTYA Esther Rantzen
« Reply #13 on: Thursday 04 September 08 08:44 UTC (UK) »
Absolutely fascinating !  Related to the richest man in England (at the time) ?  Just shows that you can come from poverty and make it.
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BuddysMummy
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Re: WDYTYA Esther Rantzen
« Reply #14 on: Thursday 04 September 08 08:58 UTC (UK) »
I recall that she was very interested (for the duration of the programme at least) in finding where the Rantzen side came from, but did she have any interest in the other side of her family at all (where they originated) ?

I just found her rather false.

Was very amused when she welcomed (rather stiffly, I thought) the "old lady" into her home then it was revealed that this was her sister!  Grin Grin Grin

I guess surgery only works on your own face, not that of your peers Roll Eyes Grin Grin Grin
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