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Antiques Roadshow

(Rated TV-G, Educational, Starring Mark L. Walberg, Chris Jussel, Dan Elias, Where to watch: PBS, Download)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    PBS gem mixes appraisals, history, and suspense.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Role models are the very knowledgeable appraisers who are experts in their fields, and the Roadshow attendees who want to know all about their items (attendees range from serious collectors to those who've just uncovered a fascinating old painting in Grandma's closet). A few attendees are obviously upset when their "family treasure" isn't worth big bucks.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Items for appraisal include weapons (like Civil War swords and Winchester rifles). On occasion, appraisers explain how the items were used, but there's never discussion or images of graphic violence. Some artwork may also depict violent scenes, such as battlefields.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    The show sometimes features collections of vintage advertising and products from companies like Coca-Cola, Michelin, Quaker Oats, and other iconic American corporations.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    The show occasionally features collections of alcohol-related items (like swanky cocktail sets, crystal flasks, beer steins, and even beer cans). Also featured from time to time are collections of tobacco-related items like cigar boxes, pipes, and advertising. No drug-related items are shown.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Antiques Roadshow

Parents need to know that tweens who are interested in history will hopefully be hooked on this PBS gem, but the show will probably seem a bit dry for kids used to colorful, fast-paced cartoons (unfortunately). On occasion, the show features weapons and tobacco/alcohol-related items, as well as artwork and photographs with images that may be considered violent (such as battlefield scenes). But all items being appraised are presented in a historical context, and there's no graphic discussion of violent acts or promotion of alcohol or tobacco products. A few attendees seem in it only for the (potential) money, but overall both the appraisers and the attendees are models of knowledge and curiosity.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the history tied to specific items. If an old gun is on display, for example, questions could include: In what era was it made, and what is its specific use? Was it made during war time? How was the gun made (given the existing tools and technologies of the time)? Who might have used the gun and why? Or, if an old cocktail set or cigar box is up for appraisal: What's the history of alcohol and tobacco in the United States? How did early settlers discover that tobacco can be smoked? How did tobacco become one of the largest cash crops in America? There's lots of good discussion fodder in most of the items featured on the show.
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer
    Age 14
    Anonymous
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

    Get in touch with history and heritage

    Hey, I like this show. If your the kind of kid or adult who likes history and o see people's faces light up when they hear their great-grandfather's old steamer trunk from immigrating to America is worth a boat-load of money (no pun intended), this show is for you. I wouldn't watch it regularly, but it's nice to watch once and a while to get in touch with history and heritage.

  2. Teen Reviewer
    Age 14
    Lives in
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 0.0

    OMG how can this be 10+!!??!!

    This is the most boring show you will ever watch (unless you are over 50 years old) All that happens in this show is elderley people bringing in there paintings and china plates to ask how much money they are worth. Seriosly only watch this show if you are BORED to death!!

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