01 February 2010

Two New TV Series Based on Genealogy and Genetic Genealogy

Greetings,

There have been a lot of things happening with DNA testing these days and more yet to come so stay tuned to this blog. Currently, we have two new TV series focusing on genealogy in February and March.

Dr. Henry Lewis Gates, Jr. is the first African American to have his entire genome sequenced and analyzed. Knome, Inc. of Cambridge Mass did the testing and will be featured on Professor Gates' new TV series The Faces of America.

See: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/knome-featured-in-new-pbs-series-faces-of-america-with-henry-louis-gates-jr-83238922.html


February 10th begins a new PBS series called The Faces of America with Dr. Gates. The program is designed after his previous production entitled African American Lives, but this show will use the latest in genetic research. Those featured are: Yo-Yo Ma, Queen Noor, Meryl Streep, Stephen Colbert, Malcolm Gladwell, Eva Longoria Parker, Mike Nichols, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Louise Erdrich, Kristi Yamaguchi, Elizabeth Alexander, and Mario Batali.

See:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/facesofamerica/


AND…we have waited two years for this event, but Who Do You Think You Are? Is finally scheduled to air on NBC March 5th. This is the American version styled after the British version and produced by Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe Buffay on the Friends series). Celebrities features are: Lisa Kudrow, Susan Sarandon, Emmitt Smith, Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker, Brooke Shields, and Spike Lee. The site gives bios for all the stars by clicking on their name and then their photo.

General information on the British version:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Do_You_Think_You_Are%3F

American version:
http://www.nbc.com/who-do-you-think-you-are/



I strongly encourage all of you to tune into these shows. Not only will you find them interesting, but it is important that they get the viewership so they will continue. Having them continue will spur more interest in genealogy and genetic genealogy. Hopeful, and with your help, this will be our modern-day Roots.

Thank you,
Emily

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