Frankly, the shocking thing about "Who Do You Think You Are?" is that it didn't happen sooner. A few years ago, PBS launched the series "African-American Lives," looking deep into the family trees of celebrities. Black celebrities, but you could easily see the series expanding out to non-black celebrities. Basically viewers can't get enough of famous people, and taking them through their family tree -- with all the emotions inherent in that -- it couldn't lose!
But PBS isn't made of money, so it has stayed with its niche, producing a followup series and then one focused just on Oprah. It was an idea ripe for some other network to develop, and now one has.
Actually, the Brits got to it first. Before "African-American Lives" signed on, Wall to Wall, a UK "factual programming" company -- those Brits, they even make reality TV sound classy! -- introduced "Who Do You Think You Are?", very similar concept only with Anglos. Wall to Wall is best known for producing factual programmes in the U.S. for PBS, namely its "hands-on history" series "Frontier House," "Texas Ranch House" and more.
This is just another case of why PBS's overall prime-time programming strategy, when it ventures away from the two things that commercial networks do not want to do -- in-depth news and longform documentaries -- seems doomed to long-term failure, because anything that's the least bit sexy will be gobbled up by a commercial network, which has oodles more money to spend on development than the gang at PBS.
LISA KUDROW, SARAH JESSICA PARKER AND SUSAN SARANDON STAR IN NBC'S ‘WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?’ PREMIERING APRIL 20
New Alternative Series Produced by Kudrow and Wall To Wall Productions Unearths Celebrity Family Trees and Reveals Inspiring Personal Stories Linked to America's Fascinating History
BURBANK – January 27, 2009 – Some of today's most-beloved and iconic celebrities including Lisa Kudrow, Sarah Jessica Parker and Susan Sarandon are set to star in NBC's new alternative series "Who Do You Think You Are?" premiering on Monday, April 20 (8-9 p.m. ET).
From executive producer Kudrow ("Friends," "The Comeback") in conjunction with her production company Is or Isn't Entertainment and the U.K.'s Wall to Wall productions, the series – an adaptation of the award-winning hit British television documentary series – will lead celebrities on a journey of self-discovery as they unearth their family trees that reveal surprising, inspiring and even tragic stories that often are linked to crucial events in American history.
Additional celebrity names will be announced shortly.
The announcement was made today by Paul Telegdy, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, NBC and Universal Media Studios.
"No other program gives this unique glimpse into the personal lives of celebrities or takes viewers on a quantum leap through history in such an entertaining way," said Telegdy. "We are thrilled to have Lisa, Susan and Sarah Jessica kick off this groundbreaking series."
"This show personalizes history and turns it into a gripping narrative," said Kudrow. "The most striking thing about the show is the realization of how connected we all are."
Each episode will take viewers on an emotional, personal – and often mysterious – quest following one of America's best-known celebrities into his or her past, sharing the celebrity's surprise as they uncover stories of heroism and tragedy, love and betrayal, secrets and intrigue that lie at the heart of their family history.
At the same time, the series celebrates the twists and turns of a developing great nation and the people who made their way here in search of freedom and opportunity. As each one discovers their unknown relatives – most of whom overcame hard times – the show will take the audience back into world history to expose how the lives of everyone's collective ancestors' have shaped today's world.
"Who Do You Think You Are?" is produced by Wall to Wall productions in association with Is Or Isn't Entertainment. Alex Graham and Lucy Carter from Wall to Wall and Lisa Kudrow, Dan Bucatinsky and Don Roos from Is or Isn't Entertainment are the executive producers. Bryn Freedman ("Intervention") is the co-executive producer. The unique, award-winning series is based on the popular BBC television documentary series created and executive-produced by Alex Graham.
Wall to Wall is an Emmy Award-winning producer of factual and drama programming. Recently voted one of the seven most creative production companies in the world by the Real Screen Global 100 List, Wall to Wall is best known in the U.S. for the break-out reality formats "Frontier House" and "Colonial House." Is or Isn't Entertainment has been developing and producing television for the last five years, producing the critically acclaimed and Emmy nominated series "The Comeback."
The Brits also sold the concept to the CBC in Canada which ran its own version of Who Do You Think You Are with various Canuck celebs. Probably the only one Americans would recognize is Margaret Trudeau.
Posted by: CapitalCat | January 27, 2009 at 10:26 PM
A new series of this starts tonight on the BBC, but I'm not sure any of the new celebrities would be especially known in the US (http://www.bbc.co.uk/whodoyouthinkyouare/new-stories/).
The last series featured Jerry Springer, and it was incredibly moving when you learnt his relatives' fate under the Nazis. Genuinely moving television.
Posted by: Adam Bowie | February 02, 2009 at 01:51 PM