Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Where Will Who Do You Think You Are Go?

 This morning on Sirius XM OutQ radio's The Frank DeCaro Show, actor/author/producer Dan Bucatinsky appeared to promote his funny new book, Does This Baby Make Me Look Straight?:  Confessions of a Gay Dad (Bucatinsky's answer, by the way:  no.  Especially if as said gay dad, you start coordinating outfits to your diaper bag.)

The multi-talented, multi-hyphenate Bucatinsky will be appearing tonight (Tuesday, June 12) at the Barnes & Noble in Manhattan's Tribeca neighborhood, to sign the book (and next Monday, June 18 at the B&N at The Grove in LA). In addition to juggling raising two kids, ages 7 and "4 3/4" with husband Don Roos, the author is about to be plenty busy:  late in this past season, he appeared in a recurring role on Shonda Rimes' Scandal, and he revealed on the air this morning that  he's about to join Rimes' original, flagship show, Grey's Anatomy, as a member of its writing staff.  Bucatinsky also continues to produce, along with Lisa Kudrow, Showtime's hit comedy series Web Therapy, which is about to debut its second season on July 2 with episodes featuring none other than Meryl Streep. (Season 1 will be released on DVD and Blu Ray next week.)

But the one thing I didn't expect to hear from the busy Bucatinsky on the show this morning was a piece of bad news:  his and Kudrow's beautifully produced celebrity genealogy show, Who Do You Think You Are, will not be returning to NBC.  I don't remember hearing this at the upfront, where NBC did trumpet its moves of Whitney and Community to Friday nights, where the network (ill-advisedly) hopes to create a hip comedy block.  I had thought that, as in past years, WDYTYA might return to NBC's Friday night at midseason; however, Bucatinsky says this is not to be.

He is hopeful that the show may find a new home -- particularly because he says the WDYTYA staff is currently in the middle of researching some more fascinating celebrity stories.  If you've never caught the show, check it out here.  So many of the episodes contain fascinating historical tidbits and mini-mysteries -- I'd recommend last season's Rita Wilson episode for a beautiful combination of both.

7 comments:

  1. I'm taking the current research as a sign of hope for WDYTYA! And have already swallowed Dan's new book -- fun (and sometimes very sweet) read!

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  2. I would rather they change the day and time then completely stop WDYTYA. Even if they need to find another channel, I would like this show to continue. Maybe A & E or the BIO channel?

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  3. I would love to see it move to another network - preferably one that would allow more content and fewer commercials! As others have suggested, A&E, or how about the History channel or even Bravo?

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  4. Or TLC channel...

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  5. What amazing news!!! I've been heartbroken at the thought of cancellation & had hopes another network would value its potential! Allowing for more story in each hour instead of the constant recaps and teasers before & after every single commercial would allow for probably close to 25 extra minutes of real content in each episode! Let's pray this is all true!!!!

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  6. I hope that it stays on the free networks for those of us who do not have cable! I've been devouring all the UK episodes during my time in England, as well. So fascinating!

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  7. I was reading your article and wondered if you had considered creating an ebook on this subject. Your writing would sell it fast. You have a lot of writing talent.
    Amazing news

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