ABC quietly unveiled a new reality series on Tuesday night. Like the network’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition series, Find My Family had audience members reaching for the tissues by the box. But, more importantly for the show’s future, how did it do in the ratings?
Hosted by Tim Green and Lisa Joyner, Find My Family helps people reconnect with family members after being separated for many years. The emotional reunions take place on-camera and in front of a place known as the “Family Tree.”
Following the performance finale of Dancing with the Stars, the premiere of Family attracted 12.76 million viewers and a 2.9 rating in the 18-49 demographic. Those numbers look okay on their own but its significant that the series lost about 40% of its lead-in audience. ABC can’t be happy about that.
The real test will be next Monday’s broadcast though. Family won’t have the powerful Dancing lead-in and will expand to one hour.
What do you think? Is Find My Family worth watching or should ABC cut this series short? Cancel or keep it?
Image courtesy ABC.
This is a wonderful show. I get moved to tears by the stories. Please keep it on the air!
I personally hope the show gets cancelled. I appreciate the blogs and discussions that have opened up as a result of the show, but I think the concept of a television show undermines the meaning of “family”. It sensationalizes adoption and some very personal issues for the sake of others’ entertainment. If locating consenting adults in uniting with people is the goal, it should be private. This show has presented some real problems for adoptive families, nosey people’s questions and misguided interpretations of adoption, and adaptive issues for developing children who were adopted.
I loved the show I found myself sitting there trying to figure out how to find the person . I would love to work for find my family. I think I have a talent for locateing people how can I apply?
Obviously, this show is not for everyone’s taste, but it appealed to mine. Despite the staging and recipe formula, the underpinning is sincere. Unfortunately, due to the “success stories only” nature of the show, the novelty may start to wear thin for the frequent viewers. Beyond that, the behind the scenes investigative work is impressive. As a retired federal investigator who carried a badge and credentials, obtaining the cooperation of others, even when the inquiry is legitimate can be challenging…and the aired results reflect that “Find My Family” has the best of the best on their investigative staff.
i like it but i would love to have some one to help me find my son but it feels like no body want to help me so is this tv show really true and real if so maybe they could help me thanks for reading please help me find my son
Hated it. Thought it was way too hokey. The interviews looked very staged, pushing for emotional moments. You have to wonder what kind-of pp want such a private moment staged on national tv.
YES, KEEP THIS SHOW—it gives a voice to the importance of search and reunion for adoptees and birthparents!! This show tells the world that birthparents do not lightly give up their children or ever forget them. It also explains how adoptees who truly love their adoptive families still yearn to know their heritage and the circumstances of their adoptions. Find My Family provides an important resource and impetus for those who want and need to search. Support these folks and educate the country so that teachers, clergy, relatives, and employers can better know the needs of adoptees and birthparents. Keep… Read more »
Please cancel this show. I have one son who is adopted. I am utterly sickened by this show. These birth parents are not “mom and dad” as the show refers to them. We, the adoptive parents are their real parents, we are mom and dad. I’ve never seen or heard such offensive language in regards to adoption in all my life. My son does not feel unloved or abandoned. He knows his birthmother loved him so much that she did not kill him through abortion or decide to raise him in a home of poverty and struggle. She loved him… Read more »
I, and everyone I know love this show! What a welcome relief from the crime dramas, talking heads, and ridiculous Kardashian type “reality” shows.
PLEASE, PLEASE keep this positive and uplifting show!!
Keep it. What would it be replaced by… another crime drama, another “..stars.” show, another talking heads show?
There’s got to be a place for a show like this.
Will they dare do a show about a reunion that goes bad?
Loved it, loved it………
I think the show should continue on…I was a part of the first episode and because of this show I found my birthdaughter. If you watched Find My Family you can see that I looked for 8 years to no avail. And for the record, my family and my birthdaughter are happy that we were finally reunited. From what I have learned since the first air date, many people have since called the show (approximately 30,000) to seek help in finding their loved ones! Great job to all involved in helping us reunite, it has totally changed our lives for… Read more »
I think you should keep the show. My husband, Richard Tweet (Rogelio Santiago and his sister, Medina Santago) would love to know their father, Rogelio Santiago from Boston, Mass. I believe he was born in Puerto Rico.
DEFINITELY KEEP IT! Everyone who watched it loved it. Since I am one who gave my daughter up for adoption in 1967, I am soooo relating to it. It’s all I can think of now. I can’t imagine how many people this can help. PLEASE KEEP IT!
I normally dont watch reality shows at all……..have enough reality in my own life to deal with! Happened to see the first of this one and did truly enjoy it……..there are alot of stories out there to tell and I think they do a good job. I say Keep it!