Antiques Roadshow Analysis
There have been a huge amount of interest in the PBS show “Antiques Roadshow”, since it’s premier eleven years ago. It is hope that, by analyzing the journal article selected, I will be able to explore some of the possible reasons for the appeal of this television program.
There have been a huge amount of interest in the PBS show “Antiques Roadshow”, since it’s premier eleven years ago. It is hope that, by analyzing the journal article selected, I will be able to explore some of the possible reasons for the appeal of this television program.
Attraction: History and Provenance
Everyone loves a good story. Along with the story, everyone loves a visual item to relate to the story. Remember “Show and Tell” in elementary and pre-school? One part of the appeal of the “Antiques Roadshow” is that there tend to be stories behind the objects. How did the person acquire the item? What is the history behind the item? What historical event might the object been associated with?
An object tends to be more valuable if one can tie a story or a history behind the item. A Civil War bullet might carry a monetary value of a dollar or so. A bullet recovered from the Gettysburg battlefield? The value in our minds, and also translates into the amount we will pay for the item, increases. Binding the object to a real life event is one of the draws of this program.
Attraction: Spectacular Finds
People love the stories of lost treasures found or hidden treasures revealed. It is a part of our culture. Think back to childhood. Did we all not look for buried treasures, and think that different objects that we found must be extremely valuable? That pulls still tugs at us, even through adulthood. Many people are just drawn to the stories about people who had extremely valuable items right under their very noses, without them being aware of what kind of price tag it would carry, if on the market.
Attraction: Sentimental vs. Monetary Value
Often, the case is that the monetary value is not what is important to the person with the object. There is such sentimental value attached to the object that no price would be enough to part with it. “Antiques Roadshow” plays off of this, by attaching a monetary value on the item. This would make it a potential commodity but the person will tell the story about how much the object meant to them, or reveal more of how it is a family heirloom that they wish to pass down to their descendants.
Success Formula
The producers and appraisers on the “Antiques Roadshow” realize that they must draw out a story surrounding the object, and then balance between the monetary and sentimental values. A person comes up with a perceived monetary value on the object and, if it does not meet their expectations, the appraiser is quick to push the sentimental value of the object. A person find a real treasure at a flea market or an antique auction, and the appraiser is quick to compliment the person on their good tastes and a person’s sense on finding a great deal. The audience can relate to this, and enjoy the praise lavished upon the person who has suddenly found himself with quite a valuable object.
Summary
Although this journal article was quite lengthy, I was drawn to it. Not only because I found some interesting points in it while researching for an article to use, but the subject also was drawing me to it. I am a fan of “Antique Roadshow”, along with being a fan of history and any type of treasure finding show. This did reveal to me part of the psychological basis for the success of this show.
References
Clouse, A. (2008). Narratives of Value and the Antiques Roadshow: “A Game of Recognitions”. The Journal of Popular Culture, 41(1). Retrieved February 23, 2008, from http://journals.ohiolink.edu/ejc/article.cgi?issn=00223840&issue=v41:0001&article=3 novatargov1
11 comments:
I like the Antiques Roadshow. I liked reading your analysis. It showed me the reasons for the appeal of the show as well. I just like to watch and see what kinds of things people have. I didn't realize all the other possibilities for the appeal.
David, I really liked your analysis. Your comparison of Antiques Roadshow to show and tell is great! I had never thought about it that way. I agree that a large draw of the show is the story behind many of the objects. However, I have seen many episodes where people have just come across an item in their attic or a garage sale, and they find out it is worth thousands. In these instances, the monetary value does outweigh the sentimental value. Even though you did have a longer article I thought it was very thought provoking, and I really enjoyed your analysis!
David, you are right, the article was very lengthy. I feel that your analysis of the article shows that your interest in the subject carried through your analysis. I was able to get more through your analysis than the article itself. The show itself is something that I probably would not watch, but I didn't realize the popularity behind it. Your analysis captured
David I really liked your analysis of the Antiques Roadshow. The article was easy to follow and brought out some interesting points of the show. The large draw I believe is because people have so much stuff no days and they think that their stuff is worth so much money. In some cases it is and in most cases it is not. I agree Dave it is very hard to analyze a lengthy article but I thought you hit all of the important points.
I am a fan of the Antiques Roadshow. It's interesting to see the things people bring in and hear the stories behind them. I have fun trying to guess what things might be worth, I'm usualy wrong. I enjoyed reading your analysis, I think you did a great job!
I don't know if I have to comment on my own article to receive credit, but I think I did a good job here!
My grandmother loves Antiques Road show. I personally have not watched the show but after reading the analysis and article I understand why my grandmother liked it so much. You are right that everyone loves a good story. I did not realize that there are stories behind the Antiques that are on the show. I have noticed that baseballs that land in a crowd of people are sold for millions. I have seen clothes that celebrities have owned that have been sold for thousands of dollars. I agree that people are drawn to finding treasures that are worth a lot of money. It is almost like hitting the lottery. I am definitely going to have to watch the show. Very good job on your analysis.
Great analysis. I have never really watched the show myself and could not understand why the show is so popular but I agree with you about why people probably enjoy the show so much. Who wouldn't want to know the value of something that they may love or has been in their family for years. I wonder how many people that have been on the show and has found out that their item is worth a lot of money, went out and sold it?:)
David,I really liked your analysis and reading the article about the tv show Antiques Roadshow. I have never seen this show but I definitely want to check it out sometime. I think it would be really interesting to hear about people's stories and see the different types of antiques. It would be exciting to find out something you have around your house or something you acquired at a flea market would be worth so much money. I really enjoyed reading all your thoughts on why this show is so appealing. I think you did a really good job.
DVID,
I have seen the Antiques Roadshow in the past, but I did not recognize all the other points of appeal.. I enjoyed you analysis, I see other reasons I should watch the program. I think it is interesting to see what kinds of things people find in the grandmothers attic.
David, this was an interesting choice for analysis. I have seen just portions of this show as I was changing channels. I have stopped to take a peek a couple of times because I saw the value they had given a couple of items. I must be honest, I did start to think about what I had around the house that I could scoop up and take on the show. Unfortunately, I came up empty handed. But I thought you did a great job of dissecting the different aspects of the show. Needless, to say, I had no idea how that worked so I learned a great deal from your assignment.
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