BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 8 Episode #1: - Bruce Forsyth

[Nick29]

I understand the criticism of only following one line, but I thought the entire point of the episode for Bruce Forsyth was to either prove or disprove a family story - that Joseph Johnson was a bigamist?

Admittedly I missed the first 15 minutes so don't actually know where this 'letter' came from.

The letter was allegedly sent to Bruce, and he mentioned it in the opening minutes of the show.  If you're in the UK, and want to watch again, you can see the show on BBC iPlayer.

[josey]

The letter was allegedly sent to Bruce, and he mentioned it in the opening minutes of the show. 

It was a shame the author of the letter was not interviewed to find out her sources of informarion & evidence and to find out her point of view.

Josey

[snowyw]

Was she not one of the american lot that Bruce visited?
Didn't she say it was just what information had been passed down?

[kerryb]

Concentrating on just one ancestor is dangerous programme making. The Bruce Forsyth programme worked - partly because there was a lot to say about his great grandfather, partly because he was far enough back in time for Bruce and the American branch not to be too upset or outraged and partly because Bruce turned out to be a very charming man.

However, one other occasion springs to mind when they concentrated on one ancestor - and that was the Kim Cattrall episode, which I thought was absolute drivel. It was nothing more than a witch hunt about a man no longer able to give his side of the story, but sufficiently recent for outraged daughters to be given a platform to air their grievances.

I really hope this is not a sign of things to come.

Jill

I do agree Jill that the Kim Cattrall episode was a witch hunt and just about the worst episode I'd seen.  Last night, however, for me was interesting because it showed how you can map someone's life from a whole load of sources rather than just BMD and Census, which is what often comes across from these programmes.  It tracked how other sources can fill in the gaps which to a seasoned (LOL) family historian like me is so much more fun and paint a bit more of a picture than simply a name with some dates by it.

I'm looking forward to rupert penry jones because I think he is gorgeous, I don't care about the content of the programme in the least so long as I can ogle him for an hour 

Kerry

[carol8353]

I'm looking forward to rupert penry jones because I think he is gorgeous, I don't care about the content of the programme in the least so long as I can ogle him for an hour 

Kerry

Now now Kerry that's not the point of WDYTYA- but my hubby is looking forward to the Dervla Kirwan one for the same reason   

Carol

[jillruss]

I'm looking forward to rupert penry jones because I think he is gorgeous, I don't care about the content of the programme in the least so long as I can ogle him for an hour 

Kerry

Now now Kerry that's not the point of WDYTYA- but my hubby is looking forward to the Dervla Kirwan one for the same reason   

Carol

And I'm looking forward to the Hugh Quarshie episode just to listen to his wonderful voice!

Aren't we shallow!!! 

Jill

[coombs]

He sailed for America in 1885, returned for a short while in late 1894, set sail again in early 1895 then returned to England in 1899 but went back out to America in 1903 this time for keeps until he died 3 years later.

[Inchworm]

I thought that Richard Madely and Konnie Huq were going to be on this series. No mention of them on the opening sequence.

[Nick29]

I think people drop out at the last moment - I seem to vaguely recall that Patsy Kensit nearly pulled out, but was persuaded to continue.