21 Shows To Watch While You’re Recovering From A Food Coma

WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 21, Anne Kaiser (C) in white top from Silver Spring found out her antique Marquetry Chest that has been in her family for over 100 years is worth about $5,000 on August 21, 2010. J. Michael Flanigan (L) with Antiques Roadshow gave Anne the appraisal. John Sollo, (R) is also an appraiser for today’s Antiques Roadshow. Filming for Antiques Roadshow is going on in background. (Photo by Tracy A Woodward/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

15. Antiques Roadshow

If Pawn Stars is a little too mean or direct for you, then turn to its gentler PBC predecessor, Antiques Roadshow. The British version has been running since 1979. It’s become so popular that it has spawned many international versions, including ones in Australia, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States. The U.S. version first started airing in 1997.

Each episode is set in a different major city in the U.S., though you wouldn’t know it from the backgrounds. They’re all set in a seemingly massive warehouse of a set, with appraisers’ tables strewn about. People from the area can bring in their antiques to be appraised by the professionals. If they’re lucky, they’ll be featured on the show and, if they’re even luckier, might have a fair amount of money hiding in an old painting or antique desk.

The best reactions are the understated ones from older people who are pleasantly surprised at the bajillion dollar painting or priceless vase that’s been sitting on their mantelpiece for god knows how long. The appraisers also often bring a decent amount of American history into the discussion. You can learn a fair amount about Tiffany glass in particular; it sometimes seems like every other person on the show has some sort of glass shade, vase, or window pane created by Tiffany.

You’ll also spot the occasional worthless item, which is usually just as interesting, history-wise, as the expensive things. As always, the people watching in the background of each shot is entertaining as well.

Where to watch: On the PBS website here. Some are behind a paywall, but a decent selection is available for free.