Hit TV show to hit here next month
By Kyra Hoggan
Hit television-show-hosts the Canadian Pickers are coming to the Koots, and they want to root through YOUR drawers!
Okay, maybe that’s putting too fine a point on it, but they do want to explore the overstuffed barns/sheds/attics/basements in the area, using their special skills to discover treasure where the rest of us may see only trash.
One fellow who made his TV debut on Canadian Pickers also made a tidy little sum on what he thought were worthless old airplane propellers, the point being, that dusty rubbish heap in the garage may be worth more than you ever imagined.
“You just never know what you’ll find – that’s the fun of it,” co-host Sheldon Smithens told The Source in an interview Tuesday. “The sort of thing I’d guess we’d find in your area would be mining or railroad material, maybe old or antique winter sports gear, fascinating old fishing stuff – who knows?”
Art or antiques brought here from the old country, perhaps, or even some modern materials – Sheldon said his co-host Scott Cozens has a real eye for pop culture and modern art and furniture.
Sheldon said both he and his partner love ethnic material, which dovetails beautifully with the rich tradition of diversity in the West Kootenay.
“We’re not sure yet, exactly which communities we’ll go to – it will depend a lot on who contacts us with stuff to show us,” he said, adding the West Kootenay jaunt is slated for mid-August. “We had several reasons for wanting to head there next. For one, we haven’t been there yet (with the show). It’s an area both Scott and I are familiar with: Scott even played hockey with the B.C. Junior League.”
This is the second season in which the duo is digging up collectibles across the country – and on cable – for the edification of audiences, after the remarkable first-year success of American Pickers, which inspired production company Cineflix to create a Canadian version of their instantly-popular show.
Aired on the History Channel, Canadian Pickers features Sheldon and Scott literally combing the countryside for collectibles, but Sheldon said the show’s appeal goes far beyond the practical business of making a profit.
“The people are amazing – not just those we pick from, it’s everyone. People stop us in restaurants and airports and they love the show, which is great, because so do we,” he said. “People get to see the country with us – places that aren’t normally televised and that many (of our viewers) may never get to see in real life.
“We’re almost tour guides. It’s a big shared adventure, and so much fun.”
He said part of the excitement is the true reality of the show – the two aren’t gambling with a big corporation’s cash stake: the money you see them commit on air is their own.
“If we win, we profit … and if we lose, we take our lumps,” Sheldon said. “It makes it more interesting and suspenseful.”
What you don’t see on TV is the warehouse in Calgary where the two ship all their finds, some of which have buyers already in place, and others which may or may not end up being as valuable as the partners guestimated.
“I’d say we have a win rate of about 19 out of 20,” he said. “Well, okay, that’s probably too generous. Maybe 14 out of 15?”
He said they try to look at possible next uses for things – when they discovered a mouldering old ferris wheel in a field in the middle of nowhere, they didn’t have much use for the arms and mechanism which were, in any case, rusted and overgrown with weeds. But they were able to take the ferris-wheel chairs, to be used as benches or swings, and fun conversational pieces in any setting.
Sheldon, a professional antique appraiser when he’s not filming Pickers, said every place they visit is different – some owners are very private and want to limit their on-air time, while others can’t get enough of the camera and even use the TV time to generate sales of other merchandise the pickers choose to leave behind.
That diversity, he said, isn’t annoying or trying – it’s what makes the whole experience fresh, and new, and fun … no matter how many places they travel.
“We count our blessings every day,” he said. “We have the best antiques gig in the country.”
He stressed that Canadian Pickers wants to hear from as many West Kootenay residents as possible.
“That great uncle of yours who has a barn full of stuff that just has to go – we want to hear from you and from him.”
To get on the show, call 416-504-7317 ext 657 or visit http://www.canadianpickers.com/the-show/get-on-the-show?gclid=CPTozs35n6oCFQg_bAodO1Wl2g
