In previous documentaries, Harvard scholar Gates has drawn on the latest genetic techniques in order to trace the genealogical backgrounds of several prominent African-Americans. For this new four-part series, he has widened his mission to include figures of other ethnicities. This week he reveals the family stories of filmmaker Mike Nichols, Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Later subjects will include Stephen Colbert, Meryl Streep, and Jordan’s Queen Noor. Wednesdays, Feb. 10–March 3, at 10 p.m., PBS; check local listings
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