After a nine-month-plus wait, the "Antiques Roadshow" episodes filmed in Baton Rouge last May are coming to a TV or device near you starting Monday.
The show is PBS' most-watched continuing series. Sixty-five show appraisers and four "pickers," along with hundreds of support crew and volunteers descended upon the LSU Rural Life Museum on May 2 — a sunny, spring day. Taking advantage of the optimal weather, many of the appraisals and show segments were filmed outdoors on the museum's sprawling grounds.
If you're unfamiliar, "Antiques Roadshow" travels to a handful of cities each year, inviting residents to bring in their treasured antiques, family heirlooms, memorabilia and the like and have qualified appraisers tell them how much money their item is worth.
About 4,700 ticket holders from across the South carried, pushed or pulled in their treasures, in hopes that Aunt Sally's ugly vase or Uncle Joe's old, back breakingly heavy chest of drawers might be worth big bucks.
They also dreamed that the appraiser would be so intrigued by their item and its story that they might land on one of the episodes. It's the aforementioned pickers who decide, after hearing the appraisers' pitches, whether a treasure warrants a few minutes in the one-hour episodes. The series is getting three episodes from their day in Baton Rouge — plus extras for an upcoming “Junk in the Trunk” episode featuring bonus appraisals from the entire season.
Patrons present their antiques to appraisers during the filming of 'Antiques Roadshow' May 2, 2023, at the LSU Rural Life Museum.
In addition, Louisiana's statewide network LPB filmed its own show during the day, "Finding Fortunes: Behind the Scenes of Antiques Roadshow," which follows three hopeful participants as they present their items for appraisal. During the LPB show, viewers meet the "Antiques Roadshow" producers, who share details about the massive production effort that goes into shooting three television episodes in just one day as well as tips on what it takes to become part of the "Antiques Roadshow" television broadcast, an LPB news release stated.
Two small figurines are studied by folk art appraiser Allan Katz during the filming of 'Antiques Roadshow' in May at the LSU Rural Life Museum.
Here's when to tune in:
- "Antiques Roadshow: LSU Rural Life Museum, Hour 1," 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19
- "Finding Fortunes: Behind The Scenes of 'Antiques Roadshow,'" 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26
- "Hour 1" encore, 8 p.m.
- "Hour 2," 7 p.m. Monday, March 11
- "Hour 3," 7 p.m. Monday, March 25
Local support for "Antiques Roadshow" is provided by TMB Water Treatment Systems and Visit Baton Rouge. Production funding for "Finding Fortunes" is provided by Visit Baton Rouge, William B. Wiener Jr., the Foundation for Excellence in Louisiana Public Broadcasting and subscribing viewers.
WHAT THEY SAID …
Marsha Bemko, executive producer of 'Antiques Roadshow,' says: “I love the reality of what we capture. I love the humanity of the show. Everybody coming to 'Roadshow' has the same questions: Help me understand what I own and what it’s worth.”
Clarence 'CC' Copeland, LPB president and CEO: “For Louisiana to be a part of this experience is amazing. The national exposure our state will receive on such a popular show is priceless. LPB is happy that we were able to contribute that day and we are so pleased to now share the results with all of Louisiana."
Nicholas Lowry, president and principal auctioneer of Swann Auction Galleries in New York City and longtime appraiser on 'Antiques Roadshow': "Today, a 1905 U.S. Navy recruiting poster came in that was so rare I couldn't even find an image of it online — so so extraordinary. In my own quiet way, I got giddily excited."
Leigh Keno, American antiquarian, author, historic car judge, preservationist and longtime appraiser for the show: "One thing I love about the 'Roadshow' is we try to make sure that no one goes home disappointed, everyone gets an answer and a sincere attempt is made to identify and value the item."