Comments on: Who Do You Think You Are? Blair Underwood Ratings

By: GiGi

GiGi — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:09:31 +0000

The original WDYTYA show was a UK creation and airs on BBC in the UK. In fact, Lisa Kudrow got her idea while she was watching it air in Ireland. It has so much more substance, & really draws the viewer into the unraveling puzzle of research. It’s real historical drama with an educational twist. But of course, BBC is a non-commercial government-sponsored network so there are no commercials and it’s an hour long. That makes an enormous difference.

By: Colleen

Colleen — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 12:59:06 +0000

I agree that the program has changed its focus. The research process is gone; the actor just walks through showing the results. Perhaps nongenealogists prefer that but I think a balance would be better.
It would be great if each episode could include a tip, a resource, a crumb thrown to genealogists for their own research [something beside telling us to subscribe to ancestry].
Colleen

By: Anne K

Anne K — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 05:14:05 +0000

I thought this was one of the better episodes. It clearly highlighted the brick wall slavery caused. And it was more of a teaching episode than other episodes.

Maybe it would do better if they wouldn’t tout the celebrities as our most beloved. There are a couple I don’t even recognize!

Also, I like the episodes where the “stars” get more involved with the research.

By: Patricia Biallas

Patricia Biallas — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 19:39:40 +0000

There are bound to be some episodes that get better viewership than others. I sure hope it’s not the last season! So many genealogists and NON-genealogists I know truly look forward to it. One thing I noticed that was different about this one compared to previous episodes: Blair seemed to be the main narrator. I kind of missed the previous narrator’s voice–gave the program a certain feel that seemed to be missing when the featured celebrity did most of his own narration.

By: GiGi

GiGi — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 19:36:05 +0000

This ratings drop is really sad but I have to say I have been a bit disappointed with the direction this season has taken. I feel like the producers are trying to do too much in too little time. As a viewer, I loved learning about the research process and learning how to research as well as getting the historical story. This season, it feels like the research has all been done and they are simply taking the celebrity through the paces.