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The Worst Episodes of Who Do You Think You Are?

Every episode of Who Do You Think You Are? ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Who Do You Think You Are?!

Worst episode
S4E8 Jim Parsons
6.670 votes
Best episode
S4E1 Kelly Clarkson
8.777 votes
Top season
Season 3
7.9avg
Binge time
2d 7h
85 episodes
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons12

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Who Do You Think You Are? Season 4 Episode 8 - Jim Parsons
    6.6/10(70 votes)

    S4:E8

    In tribute to his late father, actor Jim Parsons explores the ancestors on his paternal side of the family. The journey takes Jim to Louisiana and eventually France, where he discovers generations of his forefathers who made an indelible mark in history.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Who Do You Think You Are? Season 1 Episode 6 - Susan Sarandon
    6.7/10(59 votes)

    S1:E6

    Susan leads an emotionally charged search for her family roots. Starting with her estranged grandmother Anita who abandoned Susan's mother in early childhood, Susan's journey takes her all the way to Tuscany, Italy. Back in America, Susan discovers a surprising connection to her grandmother.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Who Do You Think You Are? Season 2 Episode 7 - Gwyneth Paltrow
    6.8/10(52 votes)

    S2:E7

    Gwyneth Paltrow's exploration of both sides of her family shows her the importance of teaching her kids that where they come from is important.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Who Do You Think You Are? Season 10 Episode 2 - Laverne Cox
    6.6/10(24 votes)

    S10:E2

    Actress and activist Laverne Cox pieces together the inspiring life of her African American ancestor, who challenged societal norms and bravely pushed the boundaries just years after Emancipation.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Who Do You Think You Are? Season 7 Episode 2 - J.K. Rowling
    6.9/10(34 votes)

    S7:E2

    JK Rowling sets off on a journey to uncover her maternal French roots. She stumbles upon a family mystery, and uncovers a harrowing tale of wartime heroism, then discovers the actions of a brave ancestor.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Who Do You Think You Are? Season 8 Episode 5 - Chris Noth
    6.7/10(19 votes)

    S8:E5

    Chris Noth discovers the suffering endured by his ancestors in America, and tracks a relative from Spain to Ireland who eventually became a war hero.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Who Do You Think You Are? Season 5 Episode 5 - Kelsey Grammer
    7.0/10(35 votes)

    S5:E5

    Kelsey Grammer takes a trip into the past to explore his beloved grandmother’s family. He uncovers the story of a woman haunted by demons, and finds a connection to family who risked everything in one of the greatest migrations in American history.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Who Do You Think You Are? Season 5 Episode 2 - Jesse Tyler Ferguson
    7.0/10(34 votes)

    S5:E2

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Who Do You Think You Are? Season 12 Episode 5 - Bradley Whitford
    6.9/10(23 votes)

    S12:E5

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Who Do You Think You Are? Season 11 Episode 3 - Regina King
    6.8/10(18 votes)

    S11:E3

    Actress Regina King investigates her maternal family tree and uncovers an ancestor who was a passionate civil rights activist in Alabama; a man who came out of slavery, endured horrific violence, but never stopped fighting for his people.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Who Do You Think You Are? Season 1 Episode 7 - Spike Lee
    7.1/10(48 votes)

    S1:E7

    Spike begins his journey in Atlanta, Georgia, where his grandmother Zimmie worked in the segregated Southern systems for many years. Here, Spike follows the trail of his ancestors dating back to the Civil War and discovers a shocking family connection.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Who Do You Think You Are? Season 3 Episode 12 - Paula Deen
    7.0/10(30 votes)

    S3:E12

    Chef Paula Deen investigates her family history and learns about an event that affected her ancestors during the Civil War.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Who Do You Think You Are? Season 7 Episode 5 - Bryan Cranston
    7.0/10(30 votes)

    S7:E5

    Bryan Cranston's happy childhood shattered when his father abandoned the family when Bryan was just 11. Seeking answers, Bryan explores his paternal roots, finds a troubling pattern of desertion, a man of honor and an aunt he never even knew existed.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Who Do You Think You Are? Season 9 Episode 2 - Julie Bowen
    7.1/10(31 votes)

    S9:E2

    Julie Bowen makes a shocking discovery that a beloved relative lead a nefarious organization that triggered a dark chapter of U.S. history; and uncovers another ancestor who risked everything to fight for the lives and freedom of African Americans.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Who Do You Think You Are? Season 8 Episode 4 - Molly Ringwald
    7.2/10(25 votes)

    S8:E4

    Molly Ringwald explores family lore of Swedish royalty, which uncovers her ancestors' harrowing lives and reveals women who suffered through unspeakable tragedies, and one brave immigrant who forever changed her family's fate.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Who Do You Think You Are? Season 9 Episode 4 - Noah Wyle
    7.2/10(24 votes)

    S9:E4

    Noah Wyle investigates his maternal family line, discovering an ancestor who was catapulted into one of America's biggest wars, and whose life spiraled out of control from remarkable success to a shocking and tragic end.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Who Do You Think You Are? Season 4 Episode 6 - Cindy Crawford
    7.3/10(41 votes)

    S4:E6

    World famous supermodel Cindy Crawford takes a journey to discover her family origins. With travels to the UK and beyond, she discovers ancestors dating back to the English Civil War, and even finds a connection linking her to early European royalty!

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Who Do You Think You Are? Season 2 Episode 3 - Rosie O'Donnell
    7.4/10(45 votes)

    S2:E3

    The search for her mother's roots takes Rosie to Ireland, and uncovers a new branch of the family.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Who Do You Think You Are? Season 6 Episode 5 - Tony Goldwyn
    7.4/10(37 votes)

    S6:E5

    Actor Tony Goldwyn researches his maternal ancestry and discovers a heritage of political activism along with a couple who proudly fought for abolition, women's rights and westward expansion.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Who Do You Think You Are? Season 6 Episode 4 - Sean Hayes
    7.4/10(31 votes)

    S6:E4

    Actor/Producer Sean Hayes searches for the cause of his estranged father's troubled past and uncovers a shocking trail of tragedy and crime that reaches back generations.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Who Do You Think You Are? Season 7 Episode 3 - Alfre Woodard
    7.4/10(30 votes)

    S7:E3

    Alfre Woodard investigates the paternal side of her family and explores the origins of her surname.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Who Do You Think You Are? Season 11 Episode 2 - Josh Duhamel
    7.4/10(21 votes)

    S11:E2

    Actor Josh Duhamel travels to England to investigate the extraordinary life of his twelve times great-grandfather and uncovers an astonishing, dark twist of interrogation and torture that rocks his belief system to the core.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Who Do You Think You Are? Season 12 Episode 6 - Zachary Quinto
    7.4/10(21 votes)

    S12:E6

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Who Do You Think You Are? Season 2 Episode 8 - Ashley Judd
    7.5/10(54 votes)

    S2:E8

    Actress Ashley Judd discovers a connection to the first American settlers while investigating her ancestral past.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Who Do You Think You Are? Season 1 Episode 2 - Emmitt Smith
    7.5/10(39 votes)

    S1:E2

    Emmitt Smith is an NFL Hall of Fame running back who, since retirement, has devoted himself to business and giving back to the community. But recently, he decided to embark on a journey inward, tracing his family's past. It was a journey that took him beyond his wildest expectations, discovering not only his African roots, but his connections to slave owners in Virginia.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Jim Parsons" is the worst rated episode of Who Do You Think You Are?. It scored 6.6/10 from 70 votes. Written and directed by Unknown, it aired on September 10, 2013. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Susan Sarandon".

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