When people think reality television, it’s usually “Survivor” or some type of competition. PBS’ reality television focuses on people and their things, antiques to be exact. “The Antiques Roadshow” has been visiting towns for more than a decade. Milwaukee is the fourth city out of six stops for the Roadshow in its 2006 tour for its 11th season -- which will begin to air on PBS January 2007.
I got to go to the “Roadshow” as it was filmed at the Midwest Airlines Center on behalf of OnMilwaukee.com to go behind-the-scenes and let you readers in on the secrets of this three-time Emmy Award-nominated show.
So how about the lay of the land and what the antiques bringing public had to deal with?
Thousands of people, from Wisconsin and beyond, clamored to the Midwest Airlines Center to get items that had been stashed away in their homes appraised beginning at 7:30 a.m. today. Those at “The Antiques Roadshow” estimate that over 700 people are seen each hour. There is a holding area where people wait until it’s their time to head into the actual set. Each person was given a ticket with a certain time (six specified times all within an hour and a half of one another) to line up and wait.
There were objects of all shapes and sizes being brought all wrapped carefully in plastic, bubblewrap, different sorts of grocery bags, boxes and so on. If the item was small enough, the owner was clutching it tightly, to keep any would-be disasters at bay. But this is also a show that appraises furniture; tables, chairs and other large pieces were being wheeled in every direction.
After the holding area, as ticket times are called, people head into the “triage” area where six crew members are handing out tickets for the 25 different areas of appraisal. All in attendance are allowed two items to be appraised, which most people seemed to take advantage of.
Volunteers take the antique owners to the specific line for the item after the location designated ticket is handed out -- which could be pottery, dolls, paintings and so on. The set itself has the recognizable blue backgrounds with the names of the areas of expertise hung behind them. Tables housing the appraisers sit on the border while in the middle of the controlled chaos lie three blue tables for the one on ones done with a select few.
The way the three tables work: If an appraiser finds a piece that would cause excitement, they pitch the item to the producer. If the producer gets on board with the item, welcome to one of the three blue tables on top of the triangles of blue carpet and real camera face-time.
The cameras rotate between the tables that have the appraiser, the owner and the piece displayed prominently on risers and easels. The carpet was a highly coveted area with volunteers keeping people from walking on the edges and one crew member would use a type of non-electric vacuum to get rid of dirt to keep it looking nice.
The owner would get micced up and have no more than 10 minutes, most likely less, to hear everything about their piece, along with the estimated value. A production manager would give cues off camera, like “look at one another” or “step back from the piece” or a time limit via non-verbal handgestures.
People could head to the feedback area after getting their appraisal and then head out to talk excitedly about the information they received. This made way for the people in the holding room to have a go at the tables.
It truly is controlled chaos with what seems like a never ending and constant stream of people. The appraisers -- about 70 to 80 on the floor at once -- have their work cut out for them since the doors to the “Roadshow” don’t close until 3:30 p.m. and crew members expect to stay at least three more hours after that to make sure every person gets their items appraised.
Look for more of my “Antiques Roadshow” coverage later on today. I’ll also have a list of some of the big ticket items that came through tomorrow.
Originally from Des Plaines, Ill., Heather moved to Milwaukee to earn a B.A. in journalism from Marquette University. With a tongue-twisting last name like Leszczewicz, it's best to go into a career where people don't need to say your name often.
However, she's still sticking to some of her Illinoisan ways (she won't reform when it comes to things like pop, water fountain or ATM), though she's grown to enjoy her time in the Brew City.
Although her journalism career is still budding, Heather has had the chance for some once-in-a-lifetime interviews with celebrities like actor Vince Vaughn and actress Charlize Theron, director Cameron Crowe and singers Ben Kweller and Isaac Hanson of '90s brother boy band Hanson.
Heather's a self-proclaimed workaholic but loves her entertainment. She's a real television and movie fanatic, book nerd, music junkie, coffee addict and pop culture aficionado.
