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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: andrewalston on Thursday 14 September 17 19:40 BST (UK)

Title: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: andrewalston on Thursday 14 September 17 19:40 BST (UK)
This was scheduled for transmission tonight at 20:00, but it is no longer showing in the BBC's listings.

Apparently there is something extremely important about people with disabilities visiting Vietnam in the slot for the next SIX WEEKS.

As I said earlier:

Apparently the series is to air in two five-episode blocks, rather than continuously.

If the last series is anything to go by, that means the final programme of the series will be shown sometime in 2018, having been delayed by a football match between two non-UK countries, a snooker tournament, a specially extended edition of EastEnders to mark their 10,000th on-screen disaster, and urgent re-runs of some celebrity chef's Christmas Cooking series.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: panda40 on Thursday 14 September 17 19:43 BST (UK)
Thanks for clarifying this. It's a shame when they mess around with the schedules. They should finish one series before launching a new series
Regards
Panda
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: nanny jan on Thursday 14 September 17 20:18 BST (UK)
I've been wondering when Ruby's episode would be shown.....any reason given for it not being shown?
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Scrumper on Thursday 14 September 17 20:37 BST (UK)
Radio Times has this Vietnam thing on 21st Sep (episode 2/2), so I guess WDYTYA will be back on 28th Sep?  >:(
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: andrewalston on Thursday 14 September 17 20:45 BST (UK)
When I followed the schedule link earlier, it said that tonight's was episode 1 of 6. Glad it was wrong.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: BillyF on Thursday 14 September 17 20:54 BST (UK)
Maybe the BBC think more people are interested in Vietnam than Family History.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: StevieSteve on Thursday 14 September 17 21:33 BST (UK)

Maybe the BBC think more people are interested in Vietnam than Ruby Wax
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Lydart on Friday 15 September 17 10:46 BST (UK)
.... or with disabled people doing amazing things ?   

And why not ..... I have no idea who the woman WDYTYA featured recently was, from the East End, but she was gutsy and to be admired.   

I think its excellent that the Beeb is using and featuring more disabled people .... its been a long time coming.

But .... it is annoying when the schedules get changed .... 
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: jillruss on Friday 15 September 17 11:45 BST (UK)

But .... it is annoying when the schedules get changed ....

I've been watching the Astronauts: Have You Got What It Takes programme on Sunday evenings. Its suddenly disappeared from the schedule with 2 episodes to go! Its so ruddy annoying.

Jill
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: nanny jan on Friday 15 September 17 11:46 BST (UK)
I've just emailed the WDYTYA magazine (having just received an email newsletter from them).....a quick response.

"Unfortunately the episode has been delayed; hopefully it will be broadcast in the next few weeks. We'll let you know when we have more information"
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Gen List Lass on Friday 15 September 17 12:19 BST (UK)
WDYTYA doesn't feature in the BBC's top 40 watched on iplayer.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/group/most-popular

Is genealogy losing its grip on the nations viewing? Maybe people are too busy with genealogy online to watch tv? I was looking forward to Ruby Wax....

Gen in NBL England

Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Ray T on Friday 15 September 17 14:09 BST (UK)
It's when they cancel everything so we can watch even more Wombledon that gets my goat!

....... and why are they pushing darts? Darts, really! What will be their next pub game, dominoes?
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: ThrelfallYorky on Friday 15 September 17 14:46 BST (UK)
I totally understood, in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower Fire, why the programme on the New Artists taking part in the Venice Biennale had to be postponed..... one of the artists featured had, sadly died in the fire -  but I spent a few weeks almost constantly trying to find out when / if it would be broadcast - BBC sources not very helpful - and in the end only sharp-eyed OH spotting it was to go out, and recording it for me to watch when I returned, stopped me missing it entirely!
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: nanny jan on Friday 15 September 17 14:48 BST (UK)
One comment I saw elsewhere was that it possibly dealt with sensitive mental health issues and that was why it has been delayed.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Gen List Lass on Friday 15 September 17 15:02 BST (UK)
All the more reason that it should have been screened. The younger Royals have been getting on board with their support. And there were wall to wall programmes about Diana recently mentioning her fragile mental health.

But on the radio just this morning, they were talking about how long it takes to get treatment for mental health problems, some sufferers had not been seen in a year!

Ruby has been quite open about her mental health.

Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: nanny jan on Friday 15 September 17 15:52 BST (UK)
That was my thinking Gen List Lass;  perhaps the 'men in suits' thought there had been too much focus recently.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Rhododendron on Friday 15 September 17 15:59 BST (UK)
The Yesterday Channel is showing an episode of WDYTYA tonight at 8 p.m.  Focus of the programme is Patrick Stewart.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Gen List Lass on Friday 15 September 17 16:54 BST (UK)
nanny jan

Ruby Wax is not part of the Royal damage control mechanism! Me cynical! But Invictus might be? I think it's a very worthy charity but I like Harry and his escapades but I don't like these things being used as a PR exercise.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Mary8 on Friday 15 September 17 17:12 BST (UK)
her family history might be interesting but just hope they keep her from talking. Just don't get what she is about. When it does eventually get shown, i think i'll wait to watch it with the volume right down and the subtitles on. One women i don't here her dreadful voice. 

Mary :)
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: stoney on Saturday 16 September 17 19:28 BST (UK)
I'm glad you guys here have cleared this up - I just sat down to watch the Ruby Wax episode, as I have WDYTYA on series-record via my Sky box, only to find it wasn't recorded. :-/

Oh well, I thought, I'll catch it on iPlayer - only to find that the latest available episode was last week's Lisa Hammond. :-(

I do wish the Beeb would stick to their plans of showing a series instead of this ad hoc arrangement - I can't imagine they'd do the same with Eastenders as the viewers would be flooding the switchboard with angry calls.

Hopefully my Skybox will pick up the errant episode when/if it is shown.

Ho (and indeed) hum!  :-/

Stoney
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: stoney on Saturday 16 September 17 19:38 BST (UK)
Just found this - BBC originally said 'No'  to Ms Wax!   :o

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/10341437/Does-Ruby-Wax-have-one-too-many-Nazi-tales-for-the-BBC.html
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Mowsehowse on Sunday 17 September 17 07:59 BST (UK)

I do wish the Beeb would stick to their plans of showing a series instead of this ad hoc arrangement - I can't imagine they'd do the same with Eastenders as the viewers would be flooding the switchboard with angry calls.  Stoney

It is frustrating when the Beeb suddenly change the schedule, but I guess one of the reasons WDYTYA gets targeted is the very fact that the switchboard WON'T get flooded with angry calls.  :'(
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Anne Lothian on Tuesday 19 September 17 09:41 BST (UK)
I wonder if the 2 programmes about the disabled travellers in Vietnam have been slotted in  to the schedule now  to promote the Invictus Games, for injured servicemen, which start on Saturday, 23rd September, in Toronto. The BBC will be televising it and maybe thought these programmes would encourage viewers to watch the Games, too.    Possible?   

Unfortunately (or fortunately), we don't know how the minds of producers and schedulers work, but this seems chaotic!

Look forward to the Ruby Wax programme at some point in the future!

A
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: plimmerian on Tuesday 19 September 17 13:06 BST (UK)
Week in week out been waiting to see this episode and couldn't find any where to tell me why it wasn't being shown or when it would be shown - shame on your BBC ! If something like "The Great British Bake Off" had been handled like this, then there would be outrage!

Livid our beloved series is treated like a "third class" (other terms available) citizen!

Thank you for clarifying this situation!

(steam)
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Tom Huygens on Tuesday 19 September 17 15:56 BST (UK)
Weirdly enough, IMDB seems to have September 14th as original air date. So at one point it was indeed planned then...
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: martinu on Tuesday 19 September 17 22:32 BST (UK)
Weirdly enough, IMDB seems to have September 14th as original air date. So at one point it was indeed planned then...
That's my fault. I naively thought that every episode was going to be broadcast on the Thursday after the previous one, so when Lisa Hammond's episode was announced for 7 September I deduced that her episode was 9 of 10 and that Ruby Wax's would be 10 of 10 on 14 September. But we should remember that this is the BBC we are talking about, and so anything can happen ;-)

I've just changed the date to "2017", and then I'll fill in the full date once it is announced. If I'm feeling really pessimistic I might wait until I see that it really has gone out on the announced date. Tonight's change might be visible on IMDB by tomorrow evening's site update.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: nanny jan on Thursday 21 September 17 15:30 BST (UK)
Now due to be shown on 4th October; just had an email from WDYTYA magazine.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: smudwhisk on Thursday 21 September 17 17:09 BST (UK)
If something like "The Great British Bake Off" had been handled like this, then there would be outrage!

If you had suggested EastEnders or Strictly Come Dancing, I might agree.  Eastenders always has to be shown no matter what.  However the Great British Bake Off was moved about by the BBC on a few occasions, albeit it was usually shown each week but not the same time each year.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: jrt on Thursday 21 September 17 23:50 BST (UK)
The BBc just don't think that's the problem :(
 
 Jrt
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: plimmerian on Thursday 28 September 17 01:15 BST (UK)
a little bit tongue in cheek with regards to GBBO now it's been lost to Ch4!

 :-[ ;)
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: KGarrad on Thursday 28 September 17 10:00 BST (UK)
My TV Listings magazine confirms that the Ruby Wax episode will be shown next week.
Wednesday 4th October, BBC1, 8pm (20:00).

Giving credit, where credit's due:
Now due to be shown on 4th October; just had an email from WDYTYA magazine.

Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: frostyknight on Thursday 28 September 17 13:59 BST (UK)
Thanks v much for that KGarrad, will set it to record. I hate the way tv channels mess with programme listings.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Lydart on Wednesday 04 October 17 09:04 BST (UK)
(Just bringing this back to the top ...)



Ruby Wax, this evening, BBC1, 8 p.m.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: KGarrad on Wednesday 04 October 17 12:55 BST (UK)
And, for anyone who misses this, it's repeated on Sunday at 16:45! ;D
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: John915 on Wednesday 04 October 17 21:27 BST (UK)
Good evening,

Just finished watching, one of the best episodes iv'e seen. Very sad in places but showed Ruby in a new light. Plus all the amazing architecture much of which was lost throughout the rest of europe in the war.

Got to go as it is now Grand Designs.

John915
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: KGarrad on Wednesday 04 October 17 21:41 BST (UK)
I thought that was a really interesting episode ;D
Very poignant in places, too.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: annaS on Wednesday 04 October 17 22:10 BST (UK)
I really enjoyed watching this, if you can say that, because it was so sad.  Very absorbing, one of the best episodes.   Anna
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Blue70 on Wednesday 04 October 17 22:12 BST (UK)
Very interesting episode. Was it planned or just a coincidence that this was shown today on the anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street (London, 4 October 1936) when anti-fascist demonstrators famously stopped a march by Arnold Mosley's British Union of Fascists (Blackshirts)?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cable_Street


Blue
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: iluleah on Thursday 05 October 17 00:03 BST (UK)
I thought it was a very interesting story and a different take on many I have seen before. She was on an emotional and personal mental health journey to find out who she was, why her parents behaved like they did and made me think about how we all learn more about ourselves when we research our ancestors. She was very 'real'.
It was also nice to 'revisit' Vienna again even if it was only on TV having visited several years ago for a holiday.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: bearkat on Thursday 05 October 17 07:50 BST (UK)
I also felt this was an interesting episode especially following the journey of mental health in her family.

However I was surprised that she seemed to have no inkling about her family being involved the persecutions of Jews. Yes, her parents may not have talked about it and may even put a rosy light on what happened to protect her, but Jews escaping Nazi Austria can only mean one thing and yet she seemed so naive.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: LizzieW on Thursday 05 October 17 09:40 BST (UK)
I got the impression that she didn't know her family were Jewish, they never spoke about family history.  All she knew was that they had come over from Austria to live in USA, so just another immigrant family.  It was only when she found the suitcase in the attic that she had some kind of inkling.  I wonder if she approached WDYTYA producers with the suitcase and they realised there was a story in it?

So sad that the mental illness had been passed down from her g.grandmother (and who knows if it was in the family even earlier) and seemingly only down the female line.  I'd have been very worried I'd passed it on to my daughters if it had been me.  As she said herself without the drugs she's been taking for the past 20 years, she too would be as mentally ill as her ancestors were - she admitted she'd been in The Priory for treatment.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: jillruss on Thursday 05 October 17 11:53 BST (UK)
I too think her questions about the Nazis' treatment of Jews in the war were remarkably naive for an educated jewish lady like Ruby. Also, I'd have had those letters translated soon after I'd found them.

I thought this episode was one of the best. I thought it would just go over 'old ground' re WW2 and the Nazis but the mental health aspect was tragically engrossing. I admire her for wanting this shared with viewers. At the end, I dreaded that she would be too overwhelmed by what she'd discovered but I can see that it gave her much deeper understanding of her own experiences.

To say: 'brave lady' seems a bit trite but I really mean it.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: rosie17 on Thursday 05 October 17 12:06 BST (UK)
Not  a fan of Ruby Wax but really enjoyed this one  :)

Rosie
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: StevieSteve on Thursday 05 October 17 12:44 BST (UK)
I got the impression that she didn't know her family were Jewish, they never spoke about family history.  All she knew was that they had come over from Austria to live in USA, so just another immigrant family. 

I wonder if she approached WDYTYA producers with the suitcase and they realised there was a story in it?


We know from this that she knew at least part of the story

Just found this - BBC originally said 'No'  to Ms Wax!   :o

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/10341437/Does-Ruby-Wax-have-one-too-many-Nazi-tales-for-the-BBC.html


Maybe they asked her to act as though the information was all new to her
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Finley 1 on Thursday 05 October 17 13:02 BST (UK)
No never liked her 'over the top character' BUT the show was interesting   -
concerning the mental health issues, it is very very sad to see how it carries right down the line, she never mentioned worrying that her children may have problems.. I do so hope not.

I have a very very vague recollection of this lady --- and an article some many years ago, regarding her relationship with her Mother - or even her parents.  It was an in depth - honest? account - but as I say it is somewhere  in the messy abyss deep at the back of this old head...  Maybe with the Argylles or Greens...   When I have enough interest or time, I will browse Google for it.. maybe :)  'muy consado dias'

xin

Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Finley 1 on Thursday 05 October 17 13:11 BST (UK)
Uhm..... decided to have a quick google.................

AND found her too easily and her Mothers WOES and her daughters Comedy act .. I am now  wondering if ...

This WDYTYA was just another 'self promoting' WAX prog.. disappointed .....


Still it is the last one for now   and no doubt - The other participants - hoped the show would ----- awaken the public to the fact that they existed.

(this sounds a totally bitter and twisted post  sorry  -- will go and hide away again :)   )



xin
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Lydart on Thursday 05 October 17 14:32 BST (UK)
An interesting story, and so sad about what would seem to be genetic mental illness.   At least it wasn't really yet another Nazi/death camps story.



(Can I add a little nosey query ?    What has she done with her eye-brows ?   Being always high up on her face makes her look permanently startled .... is this plastic surgery gone wild ?   Or is her often strange look all part of her own mental illness ?)

One brave lady to 'air her dirty linen' in public .... good for her .... the tragedy of mental illness is so often ignored.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: ThrelfallYorky on Thursday 05 October 17 14:35 BST (UK)
I'd never been very interested in her, and almost didn't bother watching it, but found it oddly interesting. You got the feeling that her parents must've squashed their past - some guilt about failing to assist the dentist relatives, probably, and possibly also an awareness of the mental health history of the family on her maternal side. Many non-observant Jews didn't want to talk or think about the past, so that doesn't seem too unusual.
But although it didn't go very far back in years, overall it worked.
- When's the next series?
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: ankerdine on Thursday 05 October 17 16:34 BST (UK)
I agree with jillruss Ruby Wax was a very brave lady to allow the archives to be opened and shared with us all. I was absolutely gripped by her story from beginning to end. So sad for many reasons.

Judy
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Mowsehowse on Thursday 05 October 17 16:39 BST (UK)
An interesting story, and so sad about what would seem to be genetic mental illness.   At least it wasn't really yet another Nazi/death camps story.


:o   The Nazi genocide killed about 6 million people, and since that time there has been continual mass murder going on somewhere around the world.  Seems to me even if we had "yet another Nazi/death camps story" every day for the next 165 years, we would still not begin to scratch the surface of this gargantuan flaw in the human psyche.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Millmoor on Thursday 05 October 17 16:49 BST (UK)
There is some additional footage on the WDYTYA magazine website which takes her family tree back further in Moravia. I too found this a gripping programme and can only admire her in helping to bring mental health issues to the fore.

William
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Regorian on Thursday 05 October 17 17:52 BST (UK)
An interesting story, and so sad about what would seem to be genetic mental illness.   At least it wasn't really yet another Nazi/death camps story.


:o   The Nazi genocide killed about 6 million people, and since that time there has been continual mass murder going on somewhere around the world.  Seems to me even if we had "yet another Nazi/death camps story" every day for the next 165 years, we would still not begin to scratch the surface of this gargantuan flaw in the human psyche.

Theresienstadt was most definitely a concentration camp and was run by the SS. It was designated for older Jews to expire naturally, except they were helped on their way and some were sent to Auschwitz.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Rena on Thursday 05 October 17 18:42 BST (UK)
I found the episode interesting too, but I couldn't help wondering why nobody put two and two together about the ancestors health history which I think was probably the result of working in dentistry which used mercury for filling teeth.

Old fashioned Hatter manufacturers who used mercury to style their hats was where the saying "Mad as a Hatter" originated.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Mowsehowse on Thursday 05 October 17 18:52 BST (UK)
I found the episode interesting too, but I couldn't help wondering why nobody put two and two together about the ancestors health history which I think was probably the result of working in dentistry which used mercury for filling teeth.

Old fashioned Hatter manufacturers who used mercury to style their hats was where the saying "Mad as a Hatter" originated.
Good point, except that I think it was the other sister, and their mother who had the mental health condition.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Greenvale on Thursday 05 October 17 19:08 BST (UK)
I'd never been very interested in her, and almost didn't bother watching it, but found it oddly interesting. You got the feeling that her parents must've squashed their past - some guilt about failing to assist the dentist relatives, probably, and possibly also an awareness of the mental health history of the family on her maternal side. Many non-observant Jews didn't want to talk or think about the past, so that doesn't seem too unusual.
But although it didn't go very far back in years, overall it worked.
- When's the next series?
Same here<
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Rena on Thursday 05 October 17 19:19 BST (UK)
I found the episode interesting too, but I couldn't help wondering why nobody put two and two together about the ancestors health history which I think was probably the result of working in dentistry which used mercury for filling teeth.

Old fashioned Hatter manufacturers who used mercury to style their hats was where the saying "Mad as a Hatter" originated.
Good point, except that I think it was the other sister, and their mother who had the mental health condition.

I can't recall how many family members were living together when the husband and wife practiced their dentistry.  Ruby mentioned her mother had bouts of irrationality and was afraid the cause could be genetic.  Then we were transported back to Austria where we heard the older generation had a dentistry laboratory.  It seemed that the dentist at one time practiced from home, so how many of his relatives could have been affected -we don't know.   It's hazardous not to wash your hands after touching liquid mercury, but there's also dangers from inhaling vapour when the mercury is mixed with the amalgum, this could affect unborn babies.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Regorian on Thursday 05 October 17 20:34 BST (UK)
Mental illness was a taboo until very recently. I expect Ruby was totally unknowing until it all came out in WDYTYA. Parents were not going to tell her about the anti-Jewish actions by the Nazis either. 
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Phil Goater on Friday 06 October 17 11:13 BST (UK)
Question: Who do you think you are?
Answer: A raving lunatic !

The answer on the basis of family history isn't exactly an easy one for Ruby Wax! Three cheers for revealing the genetic component to such issues. Thankfully modern medicine has made it possible to correct chemical imbalances and enable folk dealt such a bad hand the opportunity to lead more normal lives. Ruby was keen to find environmental factors to explain her mother's behaviour and at the beginning appeared to blame her parents for her own issues. No doubt environmental factors can trigger the errant behaviour but they would appear to fuel a predisposition outside the individual's control. This program contributes to the discussion of mental health issues and encourages us to be non-judgemental. Despite her annoying penchant for self-publicity I salute Ruby for allowing this to be shared.

Phil

(Relation of Josiah Parker of Broadmoor)

Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Rena on Friday 06 October 17 13:31 BST (UK)
I'm waiting for the day when scientists discover everything about the genes we inherit because I'd like to know if we also inherit memory cells.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Mowsehowse on Friday 06 October 17 13:36 BST (UK)
I'm waiting for the day when scientists discover everything about the genes we inherit because I'd like to know if we also inherit memory cells. 

As in forgetting things? 
Or knowing things from previous times we can't have learned in our own life time?
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Rena on Friday 06 October 17 14:35 BST (UK)
I'm waiting for the day when scientists discover everything about the genes we inherit because I'd like to know if we also inherit memory cells. 

As in forgetting things? 
Or knowing things from previous times we can't have learned in our own life time?

Yes, it's about the things we dredge up from "somewhere in the back of my mind", or "I don't know where that (word/expression) came from".

Bryan and I used to spend our lunch break watching a TV programme called "Call My Bluff", where panellists had to guess the meaning of ancient and out of common usage words and we'd join in too.

There were many I guessed at but I've been absolutely startled at various words that I instantly knew, prior to any definition being given, although I'd never heard or read the words before (in this lifetime - oo-er ). 
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Mowsehowse on Friday 06 October 17 14:56 BST (UK)
I do know what you mean RENA
In fact, I frequently murmur "Well, well, Horatio," or "another Horatio situation," to my husband......

(Hamlet if anyone needs me to say that.)
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: ThrelfallYorky on Friday 06 October 17 16:42 BST (UK)
A "genetic memory" (should it go far enough back) might be very helpful to many of us with stubborn ancestral brick walls - we might be able to dredge up where/when they were born, and who their parents were.....?
Wishful dreaming..... ah well....
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Barnes612 on Friday 06 October 17 18:17 BST (UK)
You may find this interesting. It's about 'memory' being passed through generations.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25156510 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25156510)
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Rena on Friday 06 October 17 19:53 BST (UK)
You may find this interesting. It's about 'memory' being passed through generations.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25156510 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25156510)

Thanks for posting the link, I found it interesting. This memory link might explain why I sometimes disagree with historian and other experts when they explain what happened long ago and I just know that they're wrong  ;D
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: IgorStrav on Saturday 07 October 17 15:20 BST (UK)
I found this programme unbearably moving.

Ruby evidently had a very distressing and dysfunctional childhood, has fought against it all her life (very successfully, she has been a great comedy writer and actress in her time), reinvented herself in later life to talk about her mental issues which has doubtlessly helped other people.

During the very sad discoveries, she said herself that she is on medication and this is how she managed to deal with her findings (in fact I was quite worried she seemed to be alone abroad whilst finding out these things - should she/did she have someone with her to help and talk to).

I cannot imagine how devastating all these things would be, to finally find out.

Very very brave of her, I do hope this has helped her.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: ThrelfallYorky on Saturday 07 October 17 16:10 BST (UK)
Yes, I must admit that the programme rather modified my attitude to her.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Mowsehowse on Saturday 07 October 17 18:04 BST (UK)
I found this programme unbearably moving.

Ruby evidently had a very distressing and dysfunctional childhood, has fought against it all her life (very successfully, she has been a great comedy writer and actress in her time), reinvented herself in later life to talk about her mental issues which has doubtlessly helped other people.

During the very sad discoveries, she said herself that she is on medication and this is how she managed to deal with her findings (in fact I was quite worried she seemed to be alone abroad whilst finding out these things - should she/did she have someone with her to help and talk to).

I cannot imagine how devastating all these things would be, to finally find out.

Very very brave of her, I do hope this has helped her.

I so agree.  To watch her stroking the headstone, and to know where the recommendation to try Yad Vashem would lead.....
Remembering how I felt when I discovered that my great grandfather had died in Theresienstadt, and that his wife had then perished in Auschwitz made me tremble for Ruby.
Yes, an unbearably moving programme. :'(

Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Romilly on Monday 09 October 17 14:39 BST (UK)
(Can I add a little nosey query ?    What has she done with her eye-brows ?   Being always high up on her face makes her look permanently startled .... is this plastic surgery gone wild ?   Or is her often strange look all part of her own mental illness ?)

I too found myself becoming preoccupied with her eyebrows... (I would hazard a guess that she's had them waxed (!) and dyed). A shame, because the subjects covered were often tragic and traumatic ones.

I have previously read several articles where Ruby commented on her parents, and it does seem strange that she never asked them more about their lives before they went to the U.S, - but some families just don't communicate much! It also occurred to me that mental illness in families might very well have been viewed as a huge social stigma in her parent's generation, and her mother might well have not wished to pass this knowledge on for these reasons.

Romilly.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: KGarrad on Monday 09 October 17 14:44 BST (UK)
Mental illness still carries (to some) a social stigma today.

My mother-in-law has always been adamant that she didn't want me "poking my nose" into her family, when I offered to research her tree.
We are 90% sure it's because of mental illness of someone connected to her within the last 100 years or so?
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Mowsehowse on Monday 09 October 17 14:51 BST (UK)
Mental illness still carries (to some) a social stigma today.

My mother-in-law has always been adamant that she didn't want me "poking my nose" into her family, when I offered to research her tree.
We are 90% sure it's because of mental illness of someone connected to her within the last 100 years or so? 

Highly possible.
I have encountered a similar reaction..... turned out to be illegitimacy in that family's past.
Title: Re: "Who Do You Think You Are", Series 14: #10 Ruby Wax
Post by: Liviani on Monday 09 October 17 14:54 BST (UK)
I found this episode very validating to myself.

The main reason I got into genealogy was because of the prevalence of mental illness on my mother's side (and myself also). There is a history of suicide, my 2x great grandfather shot himself and there are other branches of the same family being admitted into asylums with delusions or similar.

I really found this episode moving and could relate to a lot of what Ruby was saying in regards to mental ill health and her desire to find anything similar in ancestors.