DNA family secrets on BBC2

pinkypinky

Did anyone watch?

I love these shows.

Anything that gets more DNA/genealogy into the popular mindset is good.

But, I want more info. And too much relying on ethnicity results!

I see the actual research is doing by Finding Families - a UK company who don't much engage with the community. Louise Baldock gave a talk at a recent Genealogy Show and unlike most people's presentations, which is them talking to a screen with a powerpoint presentation, hers was a like a mini-documentary, where she interviewed a client, etc. Quite unusual. I know these events are not well paid, but if she's doing work for a TV show, the money is presumably not the object.

Hermy

Not a fan of Stacey Dooley generally but I decided to watch it all the same and I'm glad I did as it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Yes, it was short on detail which I expected but it wasn't all about the crying either which is something else one usually expects with this type of programme.

pinkypinky

Turi King confirmed on Twitter that they go into a lot more detail than makes it into the edit, and that they only research stories they show (unlike WDYTYA which researches much more).

It does seem strange though that she and Stacey have the same clothes on for all the visits. All filmed on the same day seems odd.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119051297#Comment_119051297

Allows for re-visits/re-shoots to not look out of place.

Lime Tree Farm

Repeat: Tonight BBC 2, 11:15pm

Hermy

Discovering that one of your relatives played the saxophone with Howlin Wolf is quite the result!

pinkypinky

Have to admit that episode made me cry.

I think this program is done very sympathetically and it's not sensationalised. I like they mention having counsellors, etc.

Mick Tator

I rarely look at TV but I watched some of this program tonight. Infuriating, I left it in disgust after 20 minutes or so. From a content perspective it is not about genealogy because it shows no methodology; it is not about DNA because it simply repeats cliches about what DNA can do with a ‘worldwide database’. It seems they dare not show a tree or mention any science for fear the ‘vulgus’ might change channels.  It is pure voyeurism, taking some poor eejit with a birthfamily issue and then washing their linen in public for the gratification of the prurient. A program aimed at those who would enjoy secretly reading someone’s private diary and now have an excuse to do the equivalent.

The presentation is odious, where is the Beeb getting its presenters? Joanna Lumley, Lucy Worsley, and now Turi King and Stacy Dooley. King might be a genetic genius (?), but she has the presentation skills of a rural county councilor and a script that is inane. The unthreatening Stacey Dooly might have empathy with her interviewees, but her manner is cloying and her diction appalling – gen-eh-ics, pho-os, dau-her, etc. I now understand why on Craggy Island  Fr. Jack threw his bottle at the TV.

pinkypinky

Mick - I think you're being over-dramatic. Of course, this type of program has to dumb down the work that goes into what they present. That's true of any show where some of the audience will have much more specific knowledge than most of the viewers. I think this one is refreshing by comparison to the Long Lost Family format.

I think Stacy Dooley brings a more everyman approach which the BBC desperately needed for a long time. So what if she doesn't speak in received pronunciation? The UK is full of diverse accents and they should be represented on their national broadcaster.