As I’ve been watching the Olympics this week I keep seeing commercials for a new show about celebrity genealogy that’s coming in March. Then the other day I received an email from a relative serving a Genealogy mission about some other upcoming programming about family history on two other networks. Gone are the days of just sitting in a dark corner scrolling through microfiche (and hoping you don’t get motion sick).
Genealogy is the new breed of reality show. The first show, Who Do You Think You Are?, airs on NBC starting March 5th. Seven celebrities will learn about their ancestry, the research of which has in part been done by members of the Church. One actress, for example, finds out that she is related to a witch from Salem, Massachusetts. Makes me wonder what secrets may be hiding in the branches of my family tree.
BYU Television is airing a show on Monday nights called The Generations Project, in which participants not only learn about their ancestors, but they actually walk in their shoes. A female black law student finds strength by learning about her ancestor who was an inventor back when it was very difficult to do so. She travels to where he lived and learns about his invention and the process he went through to get it patented. Any of us regular joes can apply to be on the show and learn about our ancestors.
Lastly, PBS has just begun airing a series called Faces of America. This show asks the question, what makes America great? What makes us who we are? Harry Louis Gates, Jr., a Harvard scholar, uses the latest genealogical tools and genetics to explore the family histories of 12 renowned Americans. Included are chef Mario Batali, musician Yo-Yo Ma, and Her Magesty Queen Noor of Jordan.
So much of reality TV is about things that seem petty and don’t really matter. These shows featuring genealogy are perhaps an opportunity for participants and viewers alike to gain a prize worth far more than a million dollars. What do you think?
Tags: Genealogy
I watched the Gates show last night and was enthralled with Queen Noor. I didn’t realize she was a Syrian by ancestry. I love that show. I would like to see more like it. Can’t wait for the others to air.