Who Do You Think You Are - Eighth Series

[jillruss]

I've just read something in next week's Radio Times letter page.

It looks as if the BBC do NOT have the rights to the US version - apparently the digital channel Watch has the rights and will probably be showing the programmes in the autumn.

The new BBC series of WDYTYA is scheduled for this summer and includes Richard Madeley (as we knew) and Alexander Armstrong.

Jill

[LizzieW]

Hope I don't miss any, I'm away 18 June to 9 July.

[Piltdown_man]

Lol Alex Armstrong?  It's not this version is it? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c65QRaR16io

[bevbee]

It looks as if the BBC do NOT have the rights to the US version - apparently the digital channel Watch has the rights and will probably be showing the programmes in the autumn.

What a swizz! I was looking forward to that.

[Plummiegirl]

I have read a review in one of the family history magazines of the US series, and the review said that although it was good, too much emphasis was put on Ancestry (who apparently sponsor this series) thus making it a very commercial programme.  And it was thought that although good, not as good as ours.  Moving at a much faster pace.  So again this would make newcommers think that researching is quick & simple.

[turramurra]

WDYTYA certainly has a following among family history enthusiasts   in Australia

Could not the producers do any ordinary person and so promote genealogy and family history to all ?
I think we would be greatly encouraged to see just how long and difficult the research is and the pure delight when we unearth a 2nd or 3rd cousin by sheer accident!

My past family, totally unremarkable, has uncovered fascinating stories
This must be true for many others

Looking forward to seeing the new series
Turramurra

[perth tiger]

i think what people forget is that the producers make these progs to sell to tv channels. they need appeal to a large audience. shows about nobodies, while they might be good for the family history gang would not appeal to the vast majority of people. they are not here to promote genealogy but to make money.

[Piltdown_man]

In the recent WDYTYA magazine there was an article on the US series; it said there was much more music and bits where they recapped things because of the ads, a lot of the music was removed for the UK version as were the recaps.

I am surprised that considering the growth of the family history interest that there isn't much on TV about it, its fine showing the ressults and how famous people get access to the experts in particular areas (ok I should say the programme makers get access) but for the regular (and irrregular) person in the street we need to move away from the more obvious sources (censuses, BMD indexes, parish records) as helpful as they are its the other sources that are the goldmines I think.

[Rah1980]

Well at least we all have here