'I was on Antiques Roadshow – here is what really happens when cameras stop rolling'

For fans of Antiques Roadshow , the thrill lies in the unexpected discoveries - an old family heirloom worth a small fortune, or a seemingly valuable piece revealed to be a replica. But what happens behind the scenes when the cameras stop rolling? A volunteer who worked on the US edition of the show recently shared their firsthand experience on social media. One of the most pressing questions from curious fans was whether the show ever sets people up for humiliation - bringing them on camera only to reveal their treasured item is worthless.

According to the volunteer, this simply doesn’t happen. "They won't video tape if it is pure s**t," they explained. While the appraisers don’t clue guests in beforehand if an item turns out to be cool but worthless, the object must at least be interesting in some way to make it on screen.



Others were interested in how much research goes into each appraisal - and fans might be surprised by the answer. The volunteer revealed: "The appraisers take usually about an hour, but sometimes more, to collect their information." A backstage area is equipped with computers and a collection of reference books to help appraisers with their research, though many experts can assess more common items instantly.

The research is meticulous, but it's also done under significant time constraints. One might assume that appraisers would be tempted to make an immediate offer to buy a rare object once they've spotted it. However, according to the volunteer, this is not the case.

They stated: "The appraisers do not offer to buy items on the spot, because it would be totally unprofessional." However, some do express interest, and guests are encouraged to take business cards from a large table near the exit if they wish to follow up later. Not all appraisers leave their cards though, so there’s no guarantee of a sale even if they like an item.

The volunteer also revealed that attending an Antiques Roadshow event isn’t a quick in-and-out experience. "Unless you are one of the first people there, you are going to be waiting in line for a couple hours," they warned. Timed tickets help, but with up to 6,000 guests at each event, long waits are inevitable.

And what about the biggest finds? While some jaw-dropping appraisals make it to air, the volunteer admitted they didn’t witness anything truly outrageous. They shared: "A couple grand for a painting was the most I saw firsthand." While many attendees dream of discovering a hidden fortune in their attic, the reality is often a little more modest.

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