What the Sell?!
Lighthearted antique show is informative and fun.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this docuseries -- which follows three generations of women running their high-end antique store outside of Chicago -- is very mild. Despite some brief and lighthearted references to drinking, dating, and sex, the overall content is tame. Kids probably won't be that interested, but older viewers may find the brief discussions about the items' history and value interesting as well as the characters charming.
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What's the Story?
WHAT THE SELL?! follows three generations of wheeling and dealing women at their Wheaton, Illinois high-end antique store. Certified Appraiser Judith Martin, along with mother Gloria Moroni and daughter Kate, run The Perfect Thing, a large antique store that buys and sells everything from historic art to dinosaur eggs. The savvy team of businesswomen show off their expertise and their negotiating skills while they appraise things from rare fur covered rocking horses to old-fashioned weight-loss machines. Making a great sale isn't always easy, but they definitely have a great time doing it.
Is It Any Good?
The series offers some education in antiquity dealing as the women discuss the history and value of items with clients. Meanwhile, Grandma Moroni, the family matriarch, creates some fun family moments thanks to her saucy humor.
Folks who like this sort of thing will probably find the history and appraisals of some of the artifacts featured here interesting. But most viewers will probably find that the upbeat personalities of the Midwestern trio is what makes the show fun to watch.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about antiques. What makes something a valuable antique vs. something that's just old? What kinds of things do appraisers look for when determining the value of an item? Do you or your family have anything that you think might be an interesting and/or valuable antique?
How can the media entertain audiences while serving as an educational tool? Do you think antique shows like this one are successful at both?
TV Details
- Premiere date: November 14, 2010
- Cast: Gloria Moroni, Judith Martin, Kate Martin
- Network: TLC
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: February 25, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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Antiques Roadshow
PBS gem mixes appraisals, history, and suspense.
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American Pickers
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Oddities
Reality show features bizarre and often morbid collectibles.
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