13 June '10

“It’s basically [Chiles’] old Sunday night Match of the Day 2 show. And, you know what – it really works. Because Chiles does the World Cup in the same way as just about everyone in every living room and every pub around the country – with a mixture of resigned pessimism, a glimmer of hope and a few jokes to mask the nerves. He’s like our representative out there.”
Sam Wollaston, The Guardian

“British reality shows will be brasher and louder than the originals, because American television executives always like to take the type-size up a point or 10, just in case someone misses the message…it was sensible to be braced for a bit of gush from the start.”
Tom Sutcliffe, The Independent

“The Americans being escorted up the family tree are rather starrier than the Top Gear presenters we get. The incidental music is more sentimental and the experts more extrovert.”
Andrew Billen, The Times

“You’re never really sure whether it’s sheer luck that some celebrities have fascinating family trees, or if they knew already when their agents put them up for it.”
Matt Baylis, Daily Express

“Generalised boy’s fun, often involving practical experiments in which something is broken or blown up. It’s all pretty harmless, even if Hammond’s larky manner and pretended “oo-er” moments get a bit wearing after a while.”
Tom Sutcliffe, The independent