Backstage at the Antiques Roadshow

A Tale of Two Shoes

Photo courtesy
Paul Loofburrow, OPB

The Antiques Roadshow, taped in Eugene, Oregon this past June, will be aired beginning January 23^rd, on most Public Broadcasting Stations, and I’ll be one of their blue-shirt volunteers you see running around in the background. When I received my email invitation to volunteer I assumed it was SPAM, but OPB was serious. I’d be fed, given a polo shirt to keep and allowed two items for appraisal. What a deal! Wear comfortable shoes, they stressed, so I hit the local Goodwill, where a brand new pair of Keds, a size-and-a-half too large, beckoned. Once home their white canvas screamed for decoration so this artist painted Roadshow icons and left space for some autographs, I hoped.



How to Appear on the Antiques Roadshow

At Friday evening’s orientation, we learned that only 3,000 entries were selected out of 22,000; two items per ticket holder, and one guest allowed. Entry times were assigned to prevent bottlenecks, and we hundred-plus blue-shirts would help sort 6,000 visitors with treasures and escort them to their appraiser, and maybe even on to fame and glory on screen.

“Which items to we get to see?”

Executive Producer Marcia Bemko ultimately decides; appraisers make their pitch to her just as guests pitch to them. There are several qualifiers, including the possibility that a similar item, no matter how spectacular, has already been shown. Three episodes would air from the day's tapes. Some people were bound to be disappointed but whatever happens, we were to keep smiles on our faces. No problem; we’d been grinning since we walked inside.

The sorting process was reminiscent of Hogwarts: four areas needed help; each special and entertaining, none better than another. Front-of-house greet guests and VIP’s; Reception escorts them to their first, general, appraiser; Triage guides guests through the maze inside the Convention Center to their proper category (each item is judged individually, which is why bringing a friend along helps); and finally the Production set to manage the lines and assist the crew as needed.

Sixty-five volunteers were needed for Production. The room emptied quickly; still short one person, I stood up. Good choice, the fellow whispered as I walked through the doors to the Emerald City.

The set was divided like a pie, with four inner areas marked off for rotational filming. Long tables for the appraisers had colorful banners as backdrops. Volunteers were divvied up amongst the categories; I was the lucky recipient of Furniture. A few more instructions before dismissed, included the prohibition of photography in the set area by other than authorized personnel, keeping the public from accidentally walking through while filming, and most importantly, not to assist guests, previously forewarned in advance, with transporting their objects. Good Samaritans were warned (sic), “Who wants to pay for a broken Chippendale?”

Crew and staff were still busy but the atmosphere was relaxed, so shoes in hand, I asked about obtaining autographs. No one thought there would be a problem approaching appraisers towards the end of the day's taping.

Saturday morning began with an outstanding breakfast buffet followed by the requisite Roadshow kick off, after which we scurried to our places. Furniture had its own mini-set with several oversized pieces, appraised and shipped in advance Reading their descriptions, I tried to act nonchalant as I peeked around. Appraisers with familiar faces joked with one another, but during 12 years in Puerto Rico, I often missed the program if RuffLife swung in the wrong direction. I looked at my own group of experts; a confident-looking fellow sat down on a vintage bar stool.“Are you one of the furniture guys?” What a smooth talker. Identifying myself as their volunteer, I babbled unintelligently. Brian Witherell, Witherell’s Americana Auctions, said something nice about my enthusiasm. He had no idea.

Retreating to allow him an easy out, I turned and spotted host Mark L. Walberg heading in my direction. Smiling at my hanging jaw, he stopped and waited for my nervous, “Would you please sign my shoes later?”

Glancing down, he declared, “Those are great! Why not now? I’ve got a pen!” While he chose a spot, I gushed and explained my viewing parameters. Rewarded with, “Aren’t you sweet,” and a hug, I floated back to my station.

Doors open, the center quickly filled with guests carrying the most amazing things, but no spoilers here other than mentioning, as previously reported in Eugene’s Register-Guard, June 5, 2011, (page 1), one item did tie for the second most valuable discovered during the show’s 15 year history. People were looking at one another’s items, laughing, telling stories. The most unlikely looking people must have raided the family barn, wheeling in objects the appraisers drooled over. Volunteers handed guests off to one another like maitre d’s. I couldn’t help eavesdropping now and then, but all in all I avoided listening in; after patiently waiting in line, guests should have some private time, like a confessional.

My tribe for the day also included Karen Keane, Skinner, Inc., Gary Sullivan, Gary Sullivan Antiques, John Sollo, Rago Arts & Auction Center, and fellow New Jerseyan Andrew Holter, Christie’s. Helping them out was too much fun! People wheeled in armoires and sideboards, eyes glistening as they entered the inner sanctum for the first time. Depending on the size of their items, two or three were on deck at any time so, having a captive audience, this stand-up wannabe told jokes, pointed out items of interest, and showed off my shoes. Time flew by.

The furniture line was finished early, so I trolled for autographs. NicholasLowry, Swann Auction Galleries, in his colorful suit and bow tie, first refused to sign my feet, then boomed it was the best thing he’d seen all day, while his neighbor joked, “We’ll probably be appraising those in 20 years.” From his lips to God’s ears because as for my own treasures? Well, let’s just say I can’t retire yet.

The shows will air on three consecutive Mondays, beginning January 23^rd (check local listings), and while you may not see my face, you just may see my shoes!