American Detectors

[Michaelangelo]

While I was watching American Pickers and noticing all the old places they visit I had an idea (or a brain fart!!).
How about a show called American Detectors where they show every aspect of what we do and all the interesting things we find? They can promote all the great things about our hobby-from tot lot detecting to Civil War camp finds to returning lost items to owners. Maybe one of the leading detector manufacturers could sponsor it and advertise their products-can't think of a better way to get folks to buy from them. Show a different real life hunt every week.
I know a lot of folks will say it would only add more competition for places to hunt and bring out every Tom, Dick, and Harry that think they will strike it rich, but if I were a manufacturer I would seriously look into the opportunity.
What do you think?

 

[spartacus53]

I don't think it would happen for the simple reason there is "wow" factor for the most part. It would be too costly to film someone finding a 1989 penny and getting excited over it. On the other hand shows like American Pickers and Pawn Stars have a "WOW" factor, the items range in size, age, and value, so it will keep your interest.

That's my $0.02 cents a 1989 and a 1995 Lincoln

 

[savant365]

They did a metal detecting episode on cash and treasures that I really enjoyed but the finds were minimal. Spartacus has a point, the "wow's" are few and far between.

HH Charlie

 

[bazinga]

White's did a small series like this several years ago. I believe it was 6 or 8 episodes and on The Outdoor Channel or something like that. I believe you can watch the episodes for free online. Maybe somebody will chime in with the link.

Like the others said, there are very few WOW moments in detecting. Any many people are specialists in a certain kind of detecting. Some are really skilled at tot-lots while some are good in parks and others good in fields. There aren't too many that are experts enough in all aspects to really put together a good show. And if somebody is making those WOW finds on a regular basis, they probably don't want to tell the rest of the world how they are doing it and create competition for themselves.

But, I would love to watch it!

But, I would hate how many NEW people and ATTENTION it would bring to the hobby.

 

[Dano Sverige]

If you yanks got outside of yourselves now and then and were capable of putting "World" instead of "American" in front of everything..then the "WOW" factor would be a LOT more telling!

 

[Michaelangelo]

Wow Dano-You obviously don't think too much of us "Yanks". Sure didn't mean to offend anyone across the pond.

 

[airborne1092]

If you yanks got outside of yourselves now and then and were capable of putting "World" instead of "American" in front of everything..then the "WOW" factor would be a LOT more telling!

American Pickers is an American TV show about two guys in Iowa, who go to junkers and collectors across mainly the American deep south. That's whay it's called American Pickers. The intent of the post was to ask about the possability of a new show (American Detectorists) to draw a parallel that folks would understand. "World Pickers" would be too broad of a topic and too expensive to produce.

But yes, I agree - Americans tend to be very Amero-centric. Doesn't mean we're bad folks, we just own a third of a continent right through the middle, and most Americans don't have a concept of anything beyond our sea to shining sea. That's just my opinion though...

 

[GopherDaGold]

I had a brainstorm along the lines of the American Detectorist idea several months ago. A traveling spokesperson, perhaps an actor, (John Ratzenberger-ish) but someone who is knowledgable and interested in the hobby drives around the country to meet with people for treasure hunts at bottle dumps, CW and RW sites. It could be set up similar to American Pickers in that there would be a contact person to investigate possible sites and incoming requests by viewers. Maybe a short historical perspective or re-enactment if at a battle site before, or during the dig.
The Treasure Hunters Code of Ethics would be discussed at every dig or perhaps as the shows opener during the credits. The viewer would SEE the holes being properly dug then re-filled, and would know WHY it was done that way. Permits and getting permission, (where applicable) would be drilled into the viewers head
Values may or may not be discussed.
There would never be a shortage of potential sites to explore. T-Net would be a gold mine of possibilities, pun intended.
There may be an initial increase in detector sales but showing that treasure hunting is actually hard work might eliminate some of that.
And don't worry CRH'ers, your world will be left alone

 

[spartacus53]

The Treasure Hunters Code of Ethics would be discussed at every dig or perhaps as the shows opener during the credits. The viewer would SEE the holes being properly dug then re-filled, and would know WHY it was done that way. Permits and getting permission, (where applicable) would be drilled into the viewer head
Values may or may not be discussed.

This is exactly my point, no "wow" factor. Honestly, I'd be fast before the first commercial break. There is nothing of interest that will keep you in front of a TV while someone digs a holes and "may" find something of interest. I liked some of your ideas, but this could never be a series. It could make a nice one time special if done right. Value would have to be discussed as that is one of the only points of interest for the majority of people. If an interesting item was found, you would have it appraised, that's part of what keeps "Pawn Stars" on the air.

 

[GopherDaGold]

Yeah, Spart I see your point. I was iffy on the values but can see now that it would be necessary to hold the viewers attention.
Your point concerning dozing off while watching someone dig a hole is well taken. That's where the historical perspective or re-enactment is beneficial and would be shown during the boring part of the dig.

 

[spartacus53]

The idea of a show for detecting, or treasure hunting is not bad. It would it would have to be limited to a special to keep everyone's attention focused. You did however hit the nail on the head with the "historical perspective" people would tune in just for that. You just need a good balance of story and action for a special to be a success. The ingredients are there, someone just has to know the right measurements of each, and bake in a 350 oven for an hour

 

[Dano Sverige]

Wow Dano-You obviously don't think too much of us "Yanks". Sure didn't mean to offend anyone across the pond.

Lol..you think this is bad?? No offence meant mate,really. It was aimed more at the aforementioned "wow" factor of a programme of that type. Europe tends to hold the biggest "wow"'s..so just saying a world one would be more interesting than an American one. Then again i'm not American and have little idea of an American "wow"!


Airborne - I hear ya mate!

 

[spartacus53]

Then again i'm not American and have little idea of an American "wow"!

Thank god I am still here to enlighten you on the "wow" find.
1- Finding the 55 gal drum with Jimmy Hoffa still intact
2- A generals sword from the American Revolution, with the hand still on the grip perfectly spaced between the pummel and the cross guard.
3- Al Capone's real hidden safe, the one with the money in it

 

[Dano Sverige]

@ 2 - American or British? (and it's "pommel", lol)

And i'd think Hoffa is anything BUT intact!

 

[TerryC]

Several years back they did a series called "Treasure Search" with Bob Trevillian and another guy. I saw the first show and ordered the magazine and VHS tape I got the VHS and two of the mags before they bellied up. Shame. In todays' treasure climate they may have been a big hit. I still have the tape. Maybe the mags... bet their worth something now. TTC

 

[spartacus53]

@ 2 - American or British? (and it's "pommel", lol)

And i'd think Hoffa is anything BUT intact!

To me it's a pummel, as I do use it to beat one on the head repeatability. As for Hoffa's body, all the parts are there, you just have to assemble them

 

[airborne1092]

Airborne - I hear ya mate!

I appologize, I wan't trying to talk down at you, but I figured you deserved an explaination just in case you didn't know what American Pickers was. I guess my sensitivities about keeping my American pride in check worked against me this time! It seemed like folks were jumping down your throat because you possibly had a misunderstsnding.

Mea culpa.

 

[Smudge]

Only problem is, how much attention do we want to draw to this hobby of ours? If there's a tv show about it, and the hosts are making impressive finds, that could result in thousands of new detectors out there scooping up everything.

Sorry if I sound too self-interested, but the more folks who think we're just a bunch of kooks digging up pull tabs and not worth giving a second thought, the better.

 

[savant365]

Only problem is, how much attention do we want to draw to this hobby of ours? If there's a tv show about it, and the hosts are making impressive finds, that could result in thousands of new detectors out there scooping up everything.

Sorry if I sould too self-interested, but the more folks who think we're just a bunch of kooks digging up pull tabs and not worth giving a second thought, the better.

Thats true but just think of the deals you could get on used equipment a couple of months after 99% of those guys didn't find anything

 

[Deno]

Me and my partners, Armstrong and Weaver produced a show here in Louisville on public access called the Kentucky Relic Hunter, about 6 episodes. Armstrong is in a big time Bluegrass band, Bluegrass 101. All of the music in the show was his. Armstrong was the brains of the thing and it went over very well. The quality of the show would stand up with anything on the outdoor network. It got to be a pain in the azz as it took away from our hunting time.
I know any show that is done well on our hobby would have a big following. This is the best hobby in the world.