BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 5 Episode #2: Boris Johnson

[stoney]

Well, I think Boris was cracking good! If he ever gives up the idea of politics he could slip into that old raconteur's shoes - Ustinov!

[meles]

Now, Peter Ustinov would be a great WDYTYA! 

meles

[Siamese Girl]

Was I the only person in the world who thought Boris and his pea-in-a-pod but older dad looked extremely like the mysterious Caroline von wotsit? Or are my eyes really playing me up?

Carole

[Hackstaple]

I am just a teeny little bit amazed that students of family history, who must neccessarily have open minds, should show such prejudices over someone elses's ancestry.

Also that they should expect everyone to fit into their own personal concept of how one should speak, act or have a haircut.

These programmes are supposed to be to entertain and inform us. I am truly sorry that some of the critics of Boris Johnson could not have their own choice of some dull, grinding, humourless politician instead.

Strike that - I am not in the least sorry - but personally would prefer it if people would not use this site to display their political or religious preferences.

[JenB]

That's why I said

I thought we were talking about the merits or otherwise of the programme, not our liking or otherwise of him as a person 

[Aulus]

One thing interested me that hasnt been mentioned ; did he say that he/one (!) has over 1000 10x great grandfathers? I can't do the maths so perhaps someone can tell me. I can't get back that far - 8x on one tree, and I'm in the1600s!

1024 8xgreat-grandparents to each and every one of us, I think. Although I doubt if many people will ever find them all. I think I've only got about 1000 left to find!

I've got 1020 still to find.    Eek.     Perhaps I'll disown a few to make the task more manageable. 

Boris is good entertainment value on TV, and WDYTYA was no exception.

[Willow 4873]

Got to say I enjoyed the show and I think Boris came across very well

Would have been interesting if they had said who Caroline was supposed to have married - was it Boris's greatgrandfather and did she get pregnant by someone else or did she get her own way and marry the man she wanted?

Bet whoever brought the family silver has put the insurance up on it with a provenance like that  

Willow x

[liverpool lass]

I think it was a ripping yarn and thoroughly enjoyed it! Boris was entertaining and seemed to enjoy all of his little discoveries. Perhaps one day they will do a series for the likes of you and I that will show us exactly how to get hold of all of these wonderful documents without the resources of the BBC! Roll on the next one....

[Musicman]

Jerry Springer. And I thought this was the English series... 

meles

Jerry Springer was born in East Finchley tube station, London (13 Feb 1944), the family emigrated to the USA in 1949.

John