The following post is from my brother’s wife, Michele (not to be confused with my sister Michelle who has two L’s in her name).
Recently, I emailed members of the Penny-Pinching Pickers about two TV shows that I thought might be of interest to them. Perhaps they will be inspired to reach new picking heights, or feel affirmed to see picking techniques they’ve used, or even see items they’ve picked along the way. And hopefully, the trend to recycle, reinvent and breathe new life into ‘found’ items continues to gain momentum with the help of series like these.
Below are descriptions from each shows’ website. (Note that Market Warriors begins tonight!)
PICKED OFF – On the History Channel – Wednesdays at 10pm
Following in the footsteps of American Pickers, timing and swift decision-making skills are key in this series hosted by former NFL player Keith Neubert. With a starter fund of $100, four teams compete in three challenges, testing their treasure-digging talents to see who gets eliminated—”picked off”—and who remains. After the picking and nail-biting negotiations, judges Todd and Ethan Merrill transfer the finds to the Dealers’ Room to assess the retail value of the pickers’ savvy shopping and decide which team collects the grand prize of $10,000.
MARKET WARRIORS – On WGBH/PBS – Starts Monday, July 16 at 9pm
From the producers of Antiques Roadshow, the hit PBS series and the forerunner of television’s popular antiques and collectibles genre, comes a new adventure for treasure seekers: Market Warriors. Premiering Monday, July 16, at 9pm, Market Warriors follows antiques pickers — Bob, John, Kevin and Miller — on a nationwide treasure hunt, scouring flea markets and antiques shows for vintage valuables with an eye toward selling their finds for profit at auction.
Over the course of 20 one-hour episodes, viewers will get to know the pickers, enjoy an up-close look at the fierce competition and obstacles they face in the marketplace, and make their best guesses about who will come out ahead at the end of the competitions. Fred Willard (Best in Show, Modern Family) is Market Warriors’ off-screen host, offering wry commentary throughout the show. As host, the competition is filtered through his eyes. “With Market Warriors, we wanted to turn the lens on the antiques experts themselves,” says series executive producer Marsha Bemko.
“Our pickers aren’t your amateur-weekend-flea-market hobbyists — they are pros looking to turn a profit in a highly competitive setting where the element of chance and a little luck sometimes trump expertise. And who better to guide viewers through the challenges our pickers face than Fred Willard, who brings to the series both his signature improvisational skills and the eye and know-how of a collector.”
Meet the cast here: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/market-warriors/meet-cast/
Happy TV viewing and most importantly, happy picking!
