Who do you think you are?

Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊



Gwylan

Well-known member
Jul 5, 2003
32,293
Uffern
I thought last night's one was superb... best ever.

It offered a fascinating insight of 19th century Indian life with some fascinating vignettes - like the colony of McGowans. I also liked the way that his uncle was in denial about his Indian heritage. The best bit was at the end when he realised that he didn't even have a drop of Scottish blood and the name was Irish.

Absolutely compelling
 




Mick Beard BHA

Hirsute
Feb 23, 2004
570
Back in Brighton
Yeah i thought it was pretty interesting too. I hadnt watched it before last week's one (Carol Vorderman) but people had always told me that it was really good.

How did you think Alastair McGowan came across though? I thought he seemed like a bit of a tool really, quite arrogant?

It was funny how his uncle was in denial though. Like when they were looking at a photo of all their old friends and he claimed that one lad was only 'dark' because of the 'shadow'!!???
 


Nibble

New member
Jan 3, 2007
19,238
Only caught a bit of this and never really seen McGowan doing anything but impressions but really interesting story. It is usually great this program. The Stephen Fry one was exceptional, probably because of his reactions upon learning his families fate in the holocaust but that particular episode is well worth looking out for any repeat.
 


Gwylan

Well-known member
Jul 5, 2003
32,293
Uffern
How did you think Alastair McGowan came across though? I thought he seemed like a bit of a tool really, quite arrogant?

I didn't actually. I'd never warmed to him before but I thought he came across as quite self-effacing. Why did you think he was arrogant?

I loved the look on his face when he had to walk across the snake-ridden cemetary.
 


Perry Milkins

Just a quiet guy.
Aug 10, 2007
6,373
Ardingly
I didn't actually. I'd never warmed to him before but I thought he came across as quite self-effacing. Why did you think he was arrogant?

I loved the look on his face when he had to walk across the snake-ridden cemetary.

I found it quite riveting. Basically..I have a Scottish surname, was born in India and have a family tree which dates back to my family being in the military in India.

That said I am not a very good impressionist.
 




Captain Haddock

Active member
Aug 2, 2005
2,130
The Deep Blue Sea
I didn't actually. I'd never warmed to him before but I thought he came across as quite self-effacing. Why did you think he was arrogant?

I loved the look on his face when he had to walk across the snake-ridden cemetary.

Agree...came across pretty well, I thought. Definately one of the better episodes of this series. Will be interesting to see how Graham Norton comes across next week - like McGowan he's normally only presented in one tone on TV (his screen persona).

Was also very intriguing to learn of this term 'Anglo-Indian' and it's true origins and meaning.

The Stephen Fry one was exceptional, probably because of his reactions upon learning his families fate in the holocaust but that particular episode is well worth looking out for any repeat.

Was on again a few days ago during some sort of Stephen Fry night. Recorded it on me Virgin TV Drive as it's well worth re-viewing. Saw Fry at a screentalk for the film Wilde once and he's also very self-effacing, as well as exceptionally sharp and witty.
 
Last edited:


Beach Hut

Brighton Bhuna Boy
Jul 5, 2003
72,711
Living In a Box
Another superb episode, next week will divide everyone as Graham Norton
 


Mick Beard BHA

Hirsute
Feb 23, 2004
570
Back in Brighton
I didn't actually. I'd never warmed to him before but I thought he came across as quite self-effacing. Why did you think he was arrogant?

I loved the look on his face when he had to walk across the snake-ridden cemetary.


Hmm, maybe just me then. I went into the programme thinking i'd quite like him, but something was bugging me. I guess the 'arrogant' aspect was that i felt he was a little bit smirking about some of the cultural quirks he came across. Having said that he was quite endearing when he found all the McGowans in that town. That bit was hilarious.

Perhaps his manner (as i interpreted it) was just that he was fairly stunned by it all or summat. I just found that there wasnt as much warmth coming from him as i thought there would be.
 




hornet

New member
Mar 9, 2005
242
Horsham
I thought last night's (last in the series) was pretty good but then they always like to schedule these things so they start and end with good stories.

Matthew Pinsent is a direct descendant of God it would seem! Ok, so not that believeable but he is a direct descendant of Catherine Howard's (of Henry VIII fame) uncle and even better than that, he is a direct descendant of a whole line of kings including William the Conquerer.
 


aftershavedave

Well-known member
Jul 9, 2003
7,244
as 10cc say, not in hove
I thought last night's (last in the series) was pretty good but then they always like to schedule these things so they start and end with good stories.

Matthew Pinsent is a direct descendant of God it would seem! Ok, so not that believeable but he is a direct descendant of Catherine Howard's (of Henry VIII fame) uncle and even better than that, he is a direct descendant of a whole line of kings including William the Conquerer.

worst programme in the series. with his background it was largely "inevitable" that they would uncover a long line of.........more toffs
 


Dave the OAP

Well-known member
Jul 5, 2003
47,270
at home
I thought last night's (last in the series) was pretty good but then they always like to schedule these things so they start and end with good stories.

Matthew Pinsent is a direct descendant of God it would seem! Ok, so not that believeable but he is a direct descendant of Catherine Howard's (of Henry VIII fame) uncle and even better than that, he is a direct descendant of a whole line of kings including William the Conquerer.


In the same way Antiques Roadshow is always hoping to find a lost Turner or faberge Egg, last night WDYTYA they discovered that Pinsent was directly related to God, via William the Conqueror and Edward the First!!!!.

actually looking at his blood line, he is probably more entitled to sit on the throne than Elizabeth of Saxe Coburg. get rid of the German freeloading barstards

Long Live King Matthew
 




hornet

New member
Mar 9, 2005
242
Horsham
worst programme in the series. with his background it was largely "inevitable" that they would uncover a long line of.........more toffs

I was thinking about this, do you think the Beeb have a list of potential 'celebs' to use and do some research on them before filming to see if there is any potential first?

Only with most of the people they film, there is some significant story or other involved, surely there must be some celebs who are like the rest of us who don't have any interesting stories in the family line.
 


Dave the OAP

Well-known member
Jul 5, 2003
47,270
at home
I was thinking about this, do you think the Beeb have a list of potential 'celebs' to use and do some research on them before filming to see if there is any potential first?

Only with most of the people they film, there is some significant story or other involved, surely there must be some celebs who are like the rest of us who don't have any interesting stories in the family line.


there is a rumour( maybe an urban myth) that for every 1 celeb they have on, 6 are looked at and then disgarded
 


glasfryn

cleaning up cat sick
Nov 29, 2005
20,261
somewhere in Eastbourne
Was good how many people can actually say they are descended from God.
 








Gully

Monkey in a seagull suit.
Apr 24, 2004
16,812
Way out west
DtG, I had heard exactly the same thing...apparently because we are an agricultural nation the majority of our fore-fathers were employed in farming, I know that plenty of mine were...discovering that your great-great-grandfather spent most of his working life up to his elbows in pig shit doesn't make for compelling viewing. I guess they must do a little digging at the beginning just to ensure there is something of interest, have to say that last nights offering was pretty good...as was that for Natasha Kaplinsky.
 


Albion and Premier League latest from Sky Sports


Top