Antiques Roadshow is PBS's most-watched primetime series. Since premiering in 1997, viewers haven't been able to get enough of watching average Americans bringing in family heirlooms, objects from their attics, and other knick-knacks to be appraised by some of the world's top antique experts. There's nothing quite as entertaining as watching the expression on someone's face when they learn that an item picked up at a garage sale for two dollars is actually worth several thousands of dollars, or that a lamp inherited from Grandma could, if sold at auction, pay for Junior's college.
Episodes of the show are filmed during Antique Roadshow tours of cities across the U.S. But last year, when the COVID pandemic hit, Roadshow was forced to cancel its tour for the first time in the series history.
"Providing an inventive season of new episodes during unprecedented
times was our goal," Executive Director Marsha Bemko says. "So, we took
stock in what has always been the core of the show: personal
storytelling and unexpected discoveries. And as a result, we've created
some of my favorite episodes of Roadshow ever. I am especially excited
for viewers to join us in our first visits with celebrities as we
explore the tales behind their beloved treasures."
These new Antique Roadshow: Celebrity Editions
premiere in May, featuring notable people from the worlds of comedy,
film, TV, literature, music, and sports. Filmed during the second half
of 2020 and early 2021, at the celebrities' homes, only the appraiser
and celebrity are on camera, versus Antiques Roadshow's traditional
large-scale gatherings of people who line up to have their items
appraised. Viewers can watch stories of celebrities' favorite
things-some inherited, some gifted, and others collected-as Roadshow
appraisers provide expert insights and explore history through their
personal stories.
On one episode
featuring comedian Jay Leno, Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, and
pro golfer Dottie Pepper, viewers will learn which celebrity's item was
swept out to sea during a hurricane and returned to the same spot by
another storm decades later.
When the
Roadshow visits author Marc Brown, chef Carla Hall, humorist John
Hodgman, and musicians Rubén Blades and Luba Mason, fans will discover
which celebrity learned that a family heirloom held a secret which
caused them to deem it a "transformer."
Other
featured celebrities will include TV personality Carson Kressley, actor
Gbenga Akinnagbe, broadcast journalist Soledad O'Brien, humorist Mo
Rocca, cartoonist Mo Willems, fashion designer Christian Siriano, and
musicians Paquito D'Rivera and Brenda Feliciano.
"The
magic of Antique Roadshow goes to work in this celebrity format,"
Marsha Bemko says. "Along with discovering history through material
culture, we get the added bonus of learning about notable people we're
intrigued by through their own personal stories."
Antiques Roadshow: Celebrity Edition airs Monday, May 3, 10, 17, and 24 at 8:00 pm on PBS/WHRO Channel 15.
The
series is available to stream for free on PBS.org and the PBS Video
App, iOS, Android, Roku streaming devices, Apple TV, Android TV,
Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV and Chromecast.
Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV and Chromecast.
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