Antiques Roadshow Behind the Scenes: An Insider's Guide to PBS's #1 Weekly Show

by Marsha Bemko

An all-access pass to America's first (and favorite) reality television program -- boasting over ten million viewers each week -- "Antiques Roadshow" If you're a fan of PBS's top-rated "Antiques... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1439103305
• Release Date: December 2009
• Publisher: Touchstone
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 0.5" x 7.4"

Customer Reviews

A Real Find

If, like me, you're a fan of the Antiques Roadshow, this book provides a fascinating peek behind-the-scenes. And even if you're not a fan, but simply love antiques, this book is full of great anecdotes and tips that will help you in your collecting. And if you aren't a fan of the show, or an antique collector, but are a student of television, you'll find this book packed with interest producing info on the making of a reality series. There aren't many books about TV shows that can satisfy on so many levels and also be a pleasure to read -- but this one succeeds. The book is written by AR's executive producer, who tells you how the series evolved, what you should (or shouldn't) bring to have appraised, how they decide which cities to visit and which appraisals they will put on the show. But that's not all. She gives you deep background on all the popular appraisers... and, as a bonus, gets them to share some tips on how to hone on your own collecting. No book about AR would be complete, or satisfying, without a recap of some of their most memorable moments -- fleshing out what happened before, during, and best of all, after the appraisal. This is a breezy, informative and highly entertaining must-read for Antiques Roadshow fans.

I really enjoyed reading this book

My wife and I have been fans of PBS's series Antiques Roadshow for years now, so I was quite glad when this book fell into my hands. Written by Marsha Bemko, the executive producer of the Roadshow, the book gives the reader a real behind-the-scenes look at the show. It is well-produced with a lot of interesting pictures, a history of the show, plus plenty of facts and explanation and just plain digressions. Indeed, the hardest thing about reviewing this book is trying to give a nice, tight description of it, it contains so much! Well, as a diehard fan of the show, I can say that I really enjoyed reading this book, and that I think that every other fan will like it as well. Do yourself a favor, and get this book!

Interesting glimpse into the TV show

Written by Marsha Bemko, executive producer of "Antiques Roadshow", "Antiques Roadshow: Behind the Scenes" offers a fascinating insight into the behind the scenes action of the hit PBS show. The book starts with the origins of the show and covers topics such as how to get tickets,; what to bring if you are lucky enough to get tickets; what not to bring; how they pick people and objects for taping; appraisals to remember; appraiser's favorite road show moments; appraiser's dream items they'd like to see on the show and more. Written from an insider's point of view, "Antiques Roadshow: Behind the Scenes" is an interesting look at the history of the show; the work that goes into preparing for a show; how they choose what cities to go to; what happens during a show; what happens after the show; and more. While Bemko does talk about various appraisers and memorable guests, there is no juicy gossip in the book (although to her credit Bemko does go into detail about the infamous "watermelon sword" scandal). Lack of gossip aside, this is still an interesting book that fans of the show will enjoy as there is a little of something for everyone in the book. Fans of the appraisers will enjoy the section on them; fans of collecting antiques will love the resource section in the back; and others will enjoy looking back at favorite items featured on the show. My favorite parts were the ones about the people that come to the show and what items they bring to be appraised (you can't help but chuckle at the person who brought a potato that looked like Richard Nixon!). Another part I liked was the description of how they set up for taping (I never realize the taped pieces were done in a separate area) and how they get furniture to be appraised to the set. Scattered throughout the book are text boxes called "Marsha's Musings" which delve even deeper into certain topics. The book is also filled with lots of photos - pictures from the show, various antiques, appraisers, etc. "Antiques Roadshow: Behind the Scenes" is a fascinating glimpse at an interesting show.

Inside information about a beloved show

I'm a true devotee of the show who has watched it since its first host, and this is my second and favorite _Antiques Roadshow_ read. The other is their Primer, which is more about how to collect antiques and may thus have a wider appeal; this book, written by the show's executive producer, is for fans who want to know more about the show itself. Accompanied by mostly color photos and occasional sidebars, information includes how the show first came to America (it was inspired by one in Britain), an intriguing and shocking controversy from the first season, silly things people have brought to be appraised, how the show is set up in each town it visits, and information about and advice from the show's favorite appraisers. My favorite section is the last chapter, which contains updates on what happened to some of the antiques that appeared on the show. While _Antiques Roadshow_ does occasionally have these types of updates available on their official website, I wish this section were longer. _Antiques Roadshow_ is a vast production, especially considering that its set is created in each town it visits! It visited my state recently, and (not having any interesting antiques) I was tempted to get in their ticket raffle just to see how it all works! I didn't, but thankfully this book explains it all, without having to stand in line for hours! If you enjoy the show from the trunk opening with the catchy theme song playing in the background to the ending with the often-humorous feedback booth, you'll enjoy finding out all about its intricate workings and the people who work so enthusiastically to bring it to us.

Lots of behind-the-scenes treasures in new Antiques Roadshow book

Antiques Roadshow Behind the Scenes is a fun and fascinating look at the no. 1 PBS weekly show, written by the program's longtime executive producer, Marsha Bemko. Packed with quick hits called "Marsha's Musings," Bemko shares insights on the personalities and logistical demands that go into making ARS, but that's only the beginning. The book combines valuable "how to" tips for collectors with tales of wrap-party hi-jinks and appraisers' favorite recollections from 13 years of cross-country travels. The show's history is honestly reviewed, warts and all, including the infamous "watermelon sword" episode in which two appraisers concocted a scenario to inflate the value of a Confederate weapon. The fraud resulted in a strict code of conduct for all ARS appraisers. Hundreds of color photos feature happy (or shocked) collectors and treasures brought to the show, and profile the team in front of and behind the cameras. Bemko also recalls her favorite appraisal stories, and first on her list is Lark Mason being overcome with emotion as he views a carved marble lion from China (valued at more than $100,000). But her fondest reminiscences are reserved for "ordinary people collecting what they love without really knowing, or caring, what the pieces may be worth." And that, in a nutshell, sums up the appeal of this book, and the continued success of Antiques Roadshow. It's not just the appraisers or the objects, but the curious collectors -- whether shy or outrageous -- that draw us to the show. This will make an ideal gift for the antique lover on your Christmas list, no matter what their collecting passion.