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.

Who Does Reba McEntire Think She Is?!

As much as I rail against unscripted or "reality" shows, I do have to admit that a few, like The Amazing Race or  my other favorite, Who Do You Think You Are, are not only entertaining but enlightening, containing real, useful information to improve our world (as opposed to say, what Jersey Shore does for mankind.)

Today, at the Television Critics' Convention (TCA) in Pasadena, NBC announced the cast of celebrities exploring their family roots on WDYTYA.  It's again a fun group -- I can't wait until the start of the season!

1/6/2012 01:29

NBC ANNOUNCES THE CELEBRITIES TRACING THEIR FAMILY TREES ON SEASON THREE OF ‘WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?’ PREMIERING FEBRUARY 3

Martin Sheen, Marisa Tomei, Blair Underwood, Reba McEntire, Rob Lowe, Helen Hunt, Rita Wilson, Edie Falco, Rashida Jones, Jerome Bettis, Jason Sudeikis and Paula Deen Take a Look Inside Their Family Histories on NBC’s Genealogy Alternative Series Produced by Lisa Kudrow

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.-- January 6, 2012-- Viewers can take an up-close and personal look inside the family history of some of today’s most beloved and iconic celebrities when NBC’s “Who Do You Think You Are?” returns for its third season on Friday, February 3 (8-9 p.m. ET). The celebrities who star in the series are Martin Sheen, Marisa Tomei, Blair Underwood, Reba McEntire, Rob Lowe, Helen Hunt, Rita Wilson, Edie Falco, Rashida Jones, Jerome Bettis, Jason Sudeikis and Paula Deen. From executive producers Lisa Kudrow (“Friends,” “Web Therapy”) and Dan Bucatinsky (“Lipstick Jungle,” “The Comeback”) – through their production company Is or Isn’t Entertainment and Shed Media U.S. (“Supernanny,” “The Real Housewives of New York City”) -- “Who Do You Think You Are?” is an adaptation of the award-winning hit British television documentary series that leads celebrities on a journey of self-discovery as they unearth their family trees that reveal surprising, inspiring and even tragic stories that often are linked to crucial events in American history. “We're very excited about the stories we have this season. This fantastic group of people we have will take us to countries we haven't visited before which is thrilling and gives us glimpses into crucial details of history that not only shaped their families, but our world,” said executive producers Kudrow and Bucatinsky. “This is what we love about this series; it's so enriching for us the viewer, as well as the participants and their families.” From Ireland’s freedom fighters to the American Revolutionary War, and from the African nation of Cameroon to Bulgaria, “Who Do You Think You Are?” will reveal the fabric of humanity through everyone’s place in history. Each week a different celebrity takes a journey into their family’s past, traveling all over the world. While giving viewers an in-depth look into their favorite stars’ family tree, each episode will expose surprising facts and life changing encounters that will unlock people’s emotions, and show just how connected everyone is not only to the past, but to one another. Ancestry.com continues in its role as NBC and Shed Media’s official partner on the series, helping to provide the exhaustive research used to build each story. “’Who Do You Think You Are?’ is such a beautiful showcase for the type of discoveries people can make through family history research,” said Josh Hanna, Executive Vice President for Ancestry.com. “We are extremely proud to help produce a program that inspires so many to begin their own journey of discovery and are excited to see it grow more this season.” “Who Do You Think You Are?” is produced by Shed Media U.S. in association with Is or Isn’t Entertainment. Alex Graham, Kudrow, Bucatinsky, Jennifer O'Connell and Al Edgington are the executive producers. The unique, award-winning series is based on the popular BBC television documentary series from Wall to Wall Productions, created and executive-produced by Graham.