Who do you think you are?

No, missed it, will watch on iPlayer. Thank you

Wow! All I knew about GC was her name and little bits joking about her and Essex. I do not watch reality TV progs so had never even heard her speak.

I found it fascinating and I was surprised to learn how bright and interested in family history she was. Really enjoyed it.

really enjoyed Gemma's family story.. lovely to find her mothers family for her after she was left in the hospital then fostered

Wow! What has been happening to our once fabulous television programmes?
Currently, across all the tv channels we seem to be bombarded with non-entities from reality shows! Masterchef, Strictly, Bargain hunt & now that blooming Collins woman on "Who do you think you are"! Well, I could have told her who she was!!!! But it's not suitable for classy granny's like yourselves. 🙄

Ilovedogs22

Wow! What has been happening to our once fabulous television programmes?
Currently, across all the tv channels we seem to be bombarded with non-entities from reality shows! Masterchef, Strictly, Bargain hunt & now that blooming Collins woman on "Who do you think you are"! Well, I could have told her who she was!!!! But it's not suitable for classy granny's like yourselves. 🙄

Not very nice.

Lisaangel10

Ilovedogs22

Wow! What has been happening to our once fabulous television programmes?
Currently, across all the tv channels we seem to be bombarded with non-entities from reality shows! Masterchef, Strictly, Bargain hunt & now that blooming Collins woman on "Who do you think you are"! Well, I could have told her who she was!!!! But it's not suitable for classy granny's like yourselves. 🙄

Not very nice.

But I can empathise with the view. "Celebrity" seems to be an all-encompassing word!

Gemma came across very well I thought. The programme was interesting.

Yes, yes! icanhandthemback "Celebrity seems to be an all encompassing word!" You have encapsulated what I was trying to say far better than my own cack-handed, ham-fisted, forked-tongued -rubbish attempt at proclaiming my discontent. I have to be taken to one side & firmly spoken to sometimes! 😐🙊😗

I loved Gemma's WDYTYA programme - a combination of WDYTYA and Long Lost Family. What a wonderful thing for her to be able to do for her mum.

That’s a bit cruel - speaking as an Essex girl myself!😢

She came across as genuine sympathetic and caring for her Mum.

Oh Alison, it was just a commentary about the tv programmes of today.
I, in particular do not like reality programmes; the way they try to make very ordinary, often irritating people into stars/celebrities. It's happening across all the channels & stations yet wasn't heard of 20yrs ago bar, Big Btother. 😕

She made her name in reality tv, and has since become a successful business woman. First time I've watched that particular programme, thought it was really interesting. Will watch a few more on iplayer now

Ilovedogs22

Oh Alison, it was just a commentary about the tv programmes of today.
I, in particular do not like reality programmes; the way they try to make very ordinary, often irritating people into stars/celebrities. It's happening across all the channels & stations yet wasn't heard of 20yrs ago bar, Big Btother. 😕

oh dear, you didn't watch the rubbish of 'Big Brother did you?

There was me thinking what a snob!

I have never even heard the name Gemma Collins, let alone who she is, but I found the programme extremely interesting. Gemma came over as a very caring, kind daughter who wanted to give her mum a sense of self worth. I think she achieved what she set out to do.

Debbi58

She made her name in reality tv, and has since become a successful business woman. First time I've watched that particular programme, thought it was really interesting. Will watch a few more on iplayer now

Be sure to watch Josh Widdecombe and Judi Dench. They are excellent episodes.

I haven't seen the Judy Dench programme, but Josh Widdecombe's is amazing!
His reaction to each revelation was brilliant television 😲

Yes, I agree V3ra re Josh's reactions - he was lovely.

Good to hear the Gemma's episode was worth watching. I have the programme set to record each week. Watched Ole Murs last week, really good, so interesting, especially to me as I'm from Essex and have visited Riga in Lativa. Will watch Gemma tomorrow.

Jerry Springer is one to watch - older episode but very powerful. I second Josh Widdicombe and Judi Dench, but Alexander Armstrong and Rob Rinder episodes are well worth watching as well.

DS watches the programme then tells me which ones he finds interesting and I will catch up on iplayer.
He told me Olly Murs and Gemma Collins were good so I watched them.
DS has all the records for our family and has Lways been interested in ancestry.

Gemma Collins is an influencer and at our ages they don't usually appear on our radar. I enjoy this programme. At a big county WI event we had a speaker who worked as a researcher on this programme. They start with a long list of people and do basic research to see whether their family history would make a good programme. She mentioned that Tony Blair didn't make the cut as his past was not very interesting. After him being the main speaker at our annual National Federation meeting and using it as a political platform, she received a thunderous round of applause and much laughter.

I simply can't stand her so I'd never watch anything with her in it!

I think the programme about Gemma Collins worked best if, like me, you had never heard of her before. When it started, and she was introduced, I nearly switched off, as I was immediately prejudiced by her overly "made up" appearance. However, I quickly got drawn into the story and also noticed in some parts, she was wearing little or no make up and looked quite ordinary. It impressed me that she was willing to appear on-screen without make up!

The main thing was that the story was fascinating - even if she had just been a random person - not any kind of "celebrity".