Family Tree episode 2

Last week I gave a brief review of episode 1 of the new Family Tree comedy series on BBC2, noting that it was quite clearly an episode to set everyone up in the show, and as such was quite a slow burner with not many laughs - I did note that it had some potential though, and was hoping for bigger and better things.

I didn't have long to wait - last night it really got underway and showed that it really was worth sticking with. If you are looking for advice on how to research your ancestry, it's not for you - but if you want to watch a show that hilariously exaggerates the expectations, discoveries, disappointments and more that many of us who do genealogical research often encounter, it is just the ticket. My twelve year old son and I watched it last night, and by the end of it we had tears streaming out of our eyes, it was that funny.

I'm giving nothing away - other than to humbly suggest that if last week you decided to hand the towel in, quickly go to your press, fetch a new towel, then sit and enjoy the second episode, "Treading the Boards" available on iPlayer at www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b037lxv4/Family_Tree_Treading_the_Boards/. In the space of half an hour you'll maybe discover whether a Chinese gene skips a generation, and the kinds of domestic disputes often experienced by pantomine horses.

Enjoy!

Chris

My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. My Scottish land and church records ebooks are available at http://www.gen-ebooks.com/unlock-the-past.html, whilst my next Pharos Scottish course, Scottish Research Online, starts Sep 4th - see http://pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102. Time to smash a few brick walls...!

Who Do You Think You Are returns Wed July 24th

Who Do You Think You Are series 10 commences on BBC 1 on Wednesday 24th at 9pm (the slot that The Apprentice is currently in). Radio Times has a brief summary of the first programme, featuring Una Stubbs, at www.radiotimes.com/episode/ck5q4w/who-do-you-think-you-are--series-10---1-una-stubbs.

The company that makes the series for the Beeb, Wall to Wall, also has a press announcement at www.walltowall.co.uk/program/who-do-you-think-you-are-series-10_834.aspx.

So remember, Tuesday evenings, 10pm on BBC2 for Family Tree, the comedy series (from next week), then Wednesdays, BBC1 at 9pm for Who Do You Think You Are. Which leaves Mondays, Thursday, Fridays and the weekends to do some research...! :)

Chris

My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. My Scottish land and church records ebooks are available at http://www.gen-ebooks.com/unlock-the-past.html, whilst my next Pharos Scottish course, Scottish Research Online, starts Sep 4th - see http://pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102. Time to smash a few brick walls...!

Family Tree comedy series starts July 16th

The new genealogy inspired comedy series, Family Tree, which has already been broadcast in the United States on the HBO channel, finally starts here in the UK next Tuesday 16th July on BBC2 at 10pm. The Independent has an interview with its star Chris O' Dowd, and show runner Christopher Guest, at www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/christopher-guest-from-spinal-tap-to-family-tree-8695950.html

For the BBC press pack on the series, including a synopsis of each episode, see http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/family-tree-comedy-series-bbc-press-pack.html

Chris

My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. My Scottish land and church records ebooks are available at http://www.gen-ebooks.com/unlock-the-past.html, whilst my next Pharos Scottish course, Scottish Research Online, starts Sep 4th - see http://pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102. Time to smash a few brick walls...!

Family Tree comedy series - BBC press pack

I've just noticed that the BBC has recently released a press pack about the forthcoming comedy series Family Tree, coming to BBC 2 imminently - the pack can be accessed at http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/familytree/.

Included is a synopsis of each episode at www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/familytree/episodes.html, as well as interviews with the actors and director Christopher Guest.

Chris

My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. My Scottish land and church records ebooks are available at http://www.gen-ebooks.com/unlock-the-past.html, whilst my next Pharos Scottish course, Scottish Research Online, starts Sep 4th - see http://pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102. Time to smash a few brick walls...!

Family Tree - another preview clip

This one made me chuckle! From episode 2 of Family Tree, currently airing in the US on HBO, and coming soon to the BBC:

Chris

My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. My next Pharos Scottish course, Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Registers, starts May 15th - see http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/scotland-1750-1850-beyond-oprs-starts.html. Time to smash a few brick walls...!

Family Tree comedy series broadcast in July

The Facebook page for Who Do You Think You Are magazine (www.facebook.com/whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine) has announced that the Family Tree comedy series, starring Chris O' Dowd and already being broadcast in the United States on HBO, will be shown on BBC2 in July. There is no official confirmation yet from the BBC on an exact transmission date, such details normally being announced a fortnight in advance of broadcast.

For more on the comedy series visit my earlier posts at http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/family-tree-comedy-series-coming-soon.html and http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/family-tree-comedy-series-series-preview.html - the original BBC press announcement when first announced last November is at www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2012/family-tree.html.

Chris

My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. My next Pharos Scottish course, Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Registers, starts May 15th - see http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/scotland-1750-1850-beyond-oprs-starts.html. Time to smash a few brick walls...!

Family Tree comedy series - series preview

More on the Family Tree comedy series shortly about to start on HBO in the US - the first four episodes will be set in Britain, the last four in the US.

Here's a full preview from Jace Lacob on The Daily Beast - www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/05/08/family-tree-brings-christopher-guest-s-mockumentary-style-to-hbo.html

And another video preview...!

"I'm twice the height of a leprechaun!" Can't wait...! :)

Chris

My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. My next Pharos Scottish course, Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Registers, starts May 15th - see http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/scotland-1750-1850-beyond-oprs-starts.html. Time to smash a few brick walls...!

Family Tree comedy series - coming soon

A taste of things to come - Family Tree (www.hbo.com/family-tree) starts HBO May 12th, transmission on the BBC still not known:

(With thanks to Megan Smolenyak and Fiona Mitford)

Chris

My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. My next Pharos Scottish course, Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Registers, starts May 15th - see http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/scotland-1750-1850-beyond-oprs-starts.html. Time to smash a few brick walls...!

Family Tree comedy series trailer

Coming soon to the BBC, the new spoof Family Tree mockumentary series starring Chris O'Dowd...! (And to HBO in the US)

(With thanks to Megan Smolenyak at www.huffingtonpost.com/megan-smolenyak-smolenyak/family-tree-mockumentary-_b_2906593.html?utm_hp_ref=tw)

Chris

My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit  http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.

More on Family Tree comedy series

Another snippet of news on the forthcoming BBC/HBO comedy series Family Tree, starring Chris O'Dowd. The Telegraph has an interview with the star at www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/9630249/Chris-ODowd-interview-The-Sapphires.html and in this he states the following:

'It’s going be a lot of fun, but also terrifying,’ he says. 'It’s entirely improvised and I haven’t done anything like that for a good while. There’s no script, we will just have outlines for scenes. I’m so excited about it.’

There's a bit more (but not much more!) in the interview. Looks like this will be constructed in a similar way to the brilliant series The Thick of It, which was also improvised on the back of a basic script blocking out key scenes. Should be fun!

Chris

Scotland 1750-1850 - 5 weeks online Pharos course, £45.99, taught by Chris Paton from 2 NOV 2012 - see www.pharostutors.com
New book: It's Perthshire 1866 - there's been a murder... www.thehistorypress.co.uk/products/The-Mount-Stewart-Murder.aspx (from June 12th 2012)

More news on new Family Tree comedy series

A little more detail on the forthcoming HBO/BBC comedy series Family Tree, starring Irish actor Chris O' Dowd, has been made available at www.flickeringmyth.com/2012/10/chris-odowds-new-tv-show-adds-to-its.html

From the article:

"The show centres on O’Dowd’s character Tom Chadwick who is going through a bit of a rough time after being fired from his job and breaking up with his girlfriend. After inheriting a box from a Great Aunt he had never met, he embarks on a journey to discover his roots."

The announcement also adds additional casting information, and suggests the eight part 'mockumentary' series is likely to air on BBC2.

Chris

Scottish Research Online - 5 weeks online Pharos course, £45.99, taught by Chris Paton from 26 SEP 2012 - see www.pharostutors.com
New book: It's Perthshire 1866 - there's been a murder... www.thehistorypress.co.uk/products/The-Mount-Stewart-Murder.aspx (from June 12th 2012)