The Circle
spring 2012
the wgbh leadership circle newsletter
Leadership Circle
The Invaluable Antiques Roadshow
Q The WGBH-produced Antiques Roadshow, now in its 16th season, is public television’s most-watched series. What’s the secret to its success and longevity? A There are a lot of reasons people watch. Maybe you like history, maybe you like old things, maybe you want to make sure you don’t put your $15,000 vase out in a yard sale for $50. Or maybe you want to recognize a $50 vase that could be worth a lot more. We’re smart reality television. It’s an hour of pure information broken up into delicious, three-minute segments. Q Roadshow is part history, part arts and culture lesson. Does its versatility keep people watching? A Definitely. Every object we feature has a story to tell, and that makes for great television. We provide the context. It would be impossible, for example, to watch Roadshow and not learn when the Civil War happened. But the learning is organic, not forced, because you’re curious. There’s no better way to enter the past than through the present.
Q What has Roadshow’s impact been on American audiences? A There’s an informed public out there now. Before Antiques Roadshow, most of us didn’t realize it was possible that a piece of furniture could sell for seven figures. We have taught people to ask the right questions— to be smart buyers and sellers. Q What’s it like to tape an event right here in Boston? A We’re returning to our roots, and we’re able to measure how far we’ve come. The very first an excited antiques roadshow fan waits for an appraisal of a Roadshow appraisal vintage television set at the show’s stop in pittsburgh, pa event was held in Concord, MA, 16 years ago. About Q You’ve been at the helm of 300 people showed up to the Armory. Roadshow for almost a decade. This time around, we’re giving out Do you still enjoy it? 3,000 pairs of tickets to randomly A I’ve got the best job in television. chosen applicants from a pool of tens I love the never-ending learning, the of thousands. It’s a don’t-miss event. personal stories we hear in every city, We haven’t staged an appraisal event and the real, human moments we in Boston since 2001, and won’t be chronicle. And I love working at WGBH. back for at least another five years. The producers here are given guidance but also room to move and make choices Q I hear you’re working on another that make for great television. You don’t exciting antiques-related series. find that kind of support everywhere. What can you tell me about it? A It’s a reality competition show that Visit pbs.org/antiques, Antiques will feature four “pickers” who know a Roadshow’s website, where you can lot about buying and selling antiques. explore a searchable archive, watch They’ll travel to flea markets and other Web-exclusive video appraisals, and similar venues where they’ll buy objects play the game “What’s It Worth?”. to take to auction. Whoever makes Check out Roadshow’s iPhone and the most money, wins. It’s not your iPad app games on iTunes. grandmother’s PBS. But viewers are still going to learn about history and value along the way.
JEFF DUNN FOR ANTIQUES ROADSHOW
© WGBH/ANDY RYAN
M
arsha Bemko is executive producer of WGBH’s Antiques Roadshow, PBS’s top-rated primetime series and the longest-running appraisal show on American television. The series has opened the doors of the rarified world of antiques and collectibles to millions of viewers, who tune in each week for Roadshow’s irresistible combination of history lesson, treasure hunt, and human drama. Bemko recently sat down with WGBH’s Matt Roy to talk about the show, its upcoming return to Boston for an appraisal event on June 9, and a new series that is currently in production.