Secret Lives

Henry Louis Gates helps comedians Carol Burnett and Niecy Nash decode scandals and secrets that have lain hidden within their roots for generations, revealing stories that their ancestors went to great lengths to conceal. Along the way, Gates and his guests also explore the larger meaning of family bonds—and celebrate the virtue of accepting one’s relatives, whoever they may be.

Niecy Nash is awestruck when she reads a will that bequeaths her 4th Great Grandfather to a plantation owner's daughter -- the first tangible evidence that she's ever seen of her family's history as slaves.

Carol Burnett and Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uncover some surprising connections between her family, the American Revolution and the Civil War. Burnett, an award-winning actress and best-selling author, is widely recognized by the public and her peers for her work for her comedic and dramatic roles on television, film, and Broadway, most notably The Carol Burnett Show.