Where Vintage Never Gets Old...
Behind the scenes at the "reality" of Antiques Roadshow reality show
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by CheriShops - Admin on -
Oh my!! lololol
I am longing to hear Carolyn's response to this one!!!
;-)
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Permalink Reply by COBAYLEY on -
Oh my goodness....I am so glad I was not the only one totally put off by my Antiques Roadshow experience....I've blogged, posted and been reprimanded about my comments so I won't go too far here...The article above hits the nail right on the head....
Not mentioned is one of the things that offended Tom and I the most. And, it was not the fault of the Roadshow or the appraisers...it was the fault of the lowminded, greedy, uncaring and selfish public....
Rules...."each ticket holder is allowed to bring 2 TWO items" for appraisal. Well, let me tell you my friends...I watched this person in his leather kilt pushing a bigger than life spinning wheel...as he approached the jewelry appraisal table he whipped out not 2, not 3, but at least 20 items for appraisal..."collections" he said...collections, my a....
Also, what we found almost disturbing was the number of physically handicapped people trying to maneuver the lines. The Roadshow published well in advance that there was no help for hauling and lugging furniture etc...still, there were many, many people well over the age of 70 trying to push, pull, tote and cart large pieces of art and artifacts. Some in wheel chairs, some with walkers. Since they were the sole ticket holder and there was no one to help them, it became kind of a necessity for neighbor to help neighbor...
And...my big pet peeve, not publicized alot, the members of the local PBS stations are given special tickets/entries or whatever you want to call them. They are give a bit of preferential treatment...in exchange, they give up their right to appear on TV....still, they have the big carts full of antiques for appraisal...and the rest of us schmucks wait in line, for hours and hours and hours...
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Permalink Reply by Maureen Stanton on -
Interesting, and what you say is true. I covered the Roadshow in one chapter of my book. I did try to see the bright spots, because as one of my coworkers said, "It makes history more than dates and numbers." So that's good that there is a focus on history, but there are lots of things they could do to make the more authentic and realistic, i.e., some lessons on fakes, a little more background on why the objects are valuable, a better reflection of the reality of having a valuable object, and they really should have appraisers "triage" the long, long line to prevent people from waiting hours with things that aren't so valuable. I was surprised they didn't offer seating, water, or other comforts, though I was told they were working on that (i.e., having a screen so people could watch while waiting, etc.)
COBAYLEY said:Oh my goodness....I am so glad I was not the only one totally put off by my Antiques Roadshow experience....I've blogged, posted and been reprimanded about my comments so I won't go too far here...The article above hits the nail right on the head....
Not mentioned is one of the things that offended Tom and I the most. And, it was not the fault of the Roadshow or the appraisers...it was the fault of the lowminded, greedy, uncaring and selfish public....
Rules...."each ticket holder is allowed to bring 2 TWO items" for appraisal. Well, let me tell you my friends...I watched this person in his leather kilt pushing a bigger than life spinning wheel...as he approached the jewelry appraisal table he whipped out not 2, not 3, but at least 20 items for appraisal..."collections" he said...collections, my a....
Also, what we found almost disturbing was the number of physically handicapped people trying to maneuver the lines. The Roadshow published well in advance that there was no help for hauling and lugging furniture etc...still, there were many, many people well over the age of 70 trying to push, pull, tote and cart large pieces of art and artifacts. Some in wheel chairs, some with walkers. Since they were the sole ticket holder and there was no one to help them, it became kind of a necessity for neighbor to help neighbor...
And...my big pet peeve, not publicized alot, the members of the local PBS stations are given special tickets/entries or whatever you want to call them. They are give a bit of preferential treatment...in exchange, they give up their right to appear on TV....still, they have the big carts full of antiques for appraisal...and the rest of us schmucks wait in line, for hours and hours and hours...
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Permalink Reply by COBAYLEY on
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Hi Maureen...I didn't realize you were actually "here"....thank you for your response...
They did have a big screen TV in the initial loading area...close captioned showing reruns of past Roadshows...
I am still amazed at the number of people we talked to in line that said they had brought more than 2 items..."well, maybe they'll give me a break"..."well, I think my items are really special"..."I see on the TV show, that people have brought a WHOLE LOT of items"...and on and on..
And even though I have not posted it anywhere, the most AMAZING THING...was at the Asian Art or whatever...I had been through the lines at jewelry and pottery...(say 2 hours)...Tom had whizzed through the folk art in record speed (10 minutes)...and then he was off to the Asian art....all the docents warned, Oh, my, it's the longest line...are you sure? Don't you have any other items?....He waited for 3 hours at the head of the line when I caught up with him after my two venues...I said.."why?"....he said, they went out to lunch...I said "your're kidding?"...nope, he wasn't...they had 3 appraisers for oriental/asian and 2 had to go out to lunch...now, I'm sorry, and I know they don't get paid (now I know), but they had probably 1,000 people waiting in line...whats the matter with a bagel and cheese?.....or how about 6 more appraisers...
Thank you so much for letting me expound...
I have LOVED the Antiques Roadshow...I think it is phenomenal that it has brought public broadcasting up to the plate...but, I think this is a royal rip off...
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Permalink Reply by Maureen Stanton on
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I have a line in my chapter about a woman who brought in a suitcase with two fishing poles, and then starting pulling golf clubs and all sorts of things out of that suitcase. A longer version of my chapter was published separately that had more of the stuff about allowing a "collection." At first they gave me full access, and then as the days got closer to the taping, they began to limit my access severely and only allowed me on the set (no appraisers briefing, no green room, no production meetings, etc.). Still, just being there and observing was fascinating. I asked why the don't show "lessons" anymore, like fakes and repros, etc. and the publicist said it wasn't a decision but they just don't get them. I did not believe that at all. I think it was not good t.v. for them to show people disappointed. Oh well. It's still fun to watch, even though I know how staged it is. They still don't know what will show up on any given taping. Thanks for commenting. I really enjoyed hearing your take.
COBAYLEY said:Hi Maureen...I didn't realize you were actually "here"....thank you for your response...
They did have a big screen TV in the initial loading area...close captioned showing reruns of past Roadshows...
I am still amazed at the number of people we talked to in line that said they had brought more than 2 items..."well, maybe they'll give me a break"..."well, I think my items are really special"..."I see on the TV show, that people have brought a WHOLE LOT of items"...and on and on..
And even though I have not posted it anywhere, the most AMAZING THING...was at the Asian Art or whatever...I had been through the lines at jewelry and pottery...(say 2 hours)...Tom had whizzed through the folk art in record speed (10 minutes)...and then he was off to the Asian art....all the docents warned, Oh, my, it's the longest line...are you sure? Don't you have any other items?....He waited for 3 hours at the head of the line when I caught up with him after my two venues...I said.."why?"....he said, they went out to lunch...I said "your're kidding?"...nope, he wasn't...they had 3 appraisers for oriental/asian and 2 had to go out to lunch...now, I'm sorry, and I know they don't get paid (now I know), but they had probably 1,000 people waiting in line...whats the matter with a bagel and cheese?.....or how about 6 more appraisers...
Thank you so much for letting me expound...
I have LOVED the Antiques Roadshow...I think it is phenomenal that it has brought public broadcasting up to the plate...but, I think this is a royal rip off...
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Permalink Reply by COBAYLEY on
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Bravo Maureen...if you ever write again and want any input...just give me a jingle....I'm still whimpering...(at least not seething anymore)....your column was great...
Carolyn
A pleasant aside story...I was standing in the jewelry line behind a young man and a young lady. As you know, we all strike up conversations, I mean, there is nothing to do but converse...I found out he had just returned from his tour of duty in Afghanistan. He was there with items that belonged to his mother...They had already been through the glass line and when they found out I was a "dealer"...they put me to the test..."bristol glass I said"...they laughed...yes indeed, the appraiser had confirmed that...but 3 people in the line ahead of them in the glass venue had given them glorious appraisals of "lalique, daum, and fenton".... Then they pulled out the jewelry they were going to have appraised. It was a gorgeous set of Taxco sterling set with stone...I did not recognize the mark of the artist..they asked my opinion. I said, in my shop on Ruby Lane, I would price it at..$500.00. They were in front of me all the way to the appraiser table and...the appraiser repeated my guesses almost word for word...the young soldier caught me and gave me the biggest thumbs up...so...that is the reason the people at the Roadshow say they had a great time...it's not the experience with the Roadshow, it's the experience with the people around you...
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Permalink Reply by Maureen Stanton on
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Thanks, Carolyn. The rest of the "behind the scenes" story of ARS is in that chapter of my book. Thanks for sharing this great story about the people in line--you're right that there's a camaraderie and anticipatory excitement that everyone shares as the await their turn.
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