Find My Past - New television series

[mshrmh]

The concept of the programme is fine and theoretically should appeal to a number of enthusiasts on Rootschat as it fits the bill as regards "ordinary" people involved in the research.

Unfortunately the execution and presentation of the programme left a lot to be desired and without the padding and repetition the whole thing could have been condensed to 15 minutes of reasonable viewing.

I recorded the programme, like virtually all TV I watch, for this reason. I watch by whizzing through until the titles (missing the first lot of "coming up") and so on around each advert break - saves a lot of my time and is less testing of my temper than enduring the repetitions let alone the adverts!

[magnacarta]

Totally agree about the amount of padding and the presenter used. I did watch the whole programme because of the history content. I enjoyed that. I wonder if anybody on this site knows someone in the television world who could contact the producer of the series who may like to comment on our thoughts.

[jc26red]

lol! the only bit that went fast was the credits at the end! You would have had to record the program and stop it at the right moments to find the production company and producer 


Pretty sure one of the real history presenters would have been cheaper than Chris Hollins, who very obviously knew not a lot about the subject... he should stick to sport  on breakfast tv.

They did use FindMyPast to trace back to the grandfathers/ggrandfathers even getting back to 1901 at one point, why miss out 1911? That was the bit they paid Nick Barrett oodles to do a few clicks on a laptop  The producers should have got their money's worth and let Nick present all of it, at least we all know he is a bona fida family historian.

[LizzieW]

I forgot it was on so didn't even record it, I'll go and set the Sky+ for the next 2 programmes.  If the presenter is so bad on this programme - and the fact it was Chris Hollins put me off anyway as I don't like him - then maybe if enough people complain they'll bring in another presenter next time.

Lizzie

[kerryb]

Sorry guys I quite enjoyed it!  It didn't have the polish of the BBC's WDTYYA but then you would expect that, they are the BBC after all.  It was great to hear stories from ordinary people and I like the idea of the connections between the 3 people involved.  Anyone of us could be there, especially for today's story.

It was also interesting to hear the stories of other participants who were actually there, don't suppose they will do this with later episodes such as the Bounty though! Obviously! 

Kerry

[jc26red]

WDYTYA is made by Wall to Wall productions NOT the BBC. The BBC buys the rights to air the English version. Wall to Wall also makes the Irish one which RTE airs.  I believe Wall to Wall also makes other WW versions of WDYTYA.

Besides, Chris Hollins is a BBC man through and through, perhaps the production company were hoping the Beeb are/were going to air it too depending on its success.

BTW, I don't dislike Chris, its just this kind of program requires a different deaper style of presenting.

[flipflops]

I enjoyed it too, especially the contemporary accounts of the actual day, not so the original footage shown but it was all part of it after all.  

I didn't think it was overly padded, and they didn't do that dreadfully irritating thing of going over and over the same bit just in case you were too thick to grasp it the first time.

Just the right mix of information and human interest with the bonus of how all three ordinary people were connected.

No problem with the commentator either - will definitely watch the next one.

[mshrmh]

I forgot it was on so didn't even record it, I'll go and set the Sky+ for the next 2 programmes.  If the presenter is so bad on this programme - and the fact it was Chris Hollins put me off anyway as I don't like him - then maybe if enough people complain they'll bring in another presenter next time.

Lizzie

Lizzie & anyone else who missed the first showing (or finds the 9pm slot inconvenient) there are/were several repeats after the initial showing including one tomorrow (Saturday 22nd) at 6pm.

[davidft]

I lasted a couple of minutes before switching off. Chris “look at me “ Hollins was way too in your face.

And if they can’t introduce people correctly what hope is there for the rest of the programme. Ie “This is Peter from St Neots in Hertfordshire”. Wrong, St Neots is in Cambridgeshire.