Antiques Roadshow
Debuts: 1979 (BBC), 1997 (PBS)
Mondays, 8 p.m., PBS
“Antiques Roadshow” is something of an antique itself, having gotten its start as a British documentary in 1977 and then being converted into a TV series in 1979. The show didn’t find its way to US shores until 1997, when it aired on PBS and was hosted by Chris Jussel. Today, it’s hosted by Mark L. Walberg.
Pawn Stars
Debut: July 2009
Monday, 10 p.m., History
If “Antiques Roadshow” is the genre’s grandfather, “Pawn Stars” is its father. “Pawn Stars,” which quickly became History’s highest-rated show when it premiered on July 26, 2009, launched the modern era of shows about people finding treasures in the trash. The Pawn Stars are three generations of the Harrison family, who run the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop outside of Las Vegas.
American Pickers
Debut: January 2010
Monday, 9 p.m., History
Self-described “pickers” Mike Wolfe and Frank Fitz drive around the country in a Sprinter van, digging through people’s attics and storage sheds, looking for antiques and collectibles.
American Restoration
Debut: October 2010
Wednesday, 10 p.m., History
The first “Pawn Stars” spinoff, “Restoration” is less about finding treasures than taking them into their most defiled state and bringing them back to glory. Rick Dale and his crew at Rick’s Restorations in Las Vegas take items such as rusted-out slot machines and through careful work, shine them into almost-new condition.
Auction Hunters
Debut: November 2010
Wednesday, 10 p.m., Spike
Much like “Storage Wars,” although this show premiered one month earlier, “Auction Hunters” follows Allen Haff and Ton Jones around the country as they bid on unclaimed storage units and look for hidden treasure within.
Storage Wars
Debut: December 2010
Tuesday, 10 p.m., A&E
The Thom Beers-produced “Storage Wars” follows four sets of buyers as they bid on abandoned storage units in California. The show combines a lot of elements — humor and gamesmanship — and its second-season premiere in June attracted 5.1 million viewers, making it A&E’s most-watched show ever.
Storage Wars: Texas
Debut: December 2011
Wednesday, 9 p.m., A&E
This “Storage Wars” spin-off takes the same premise — buying abandoned storage units at auction — but follows buyers in Texas.
Cajun Pawn Stars
Debut: January 2012
Wednesday, 8 p.m., History
Yet another spinoff of the wildly successful “Pawn Stars,” this show follows Jimmie “Big Daddy” DeRamus, who owns and runs the Silver Dollar Pawn and Jewelry Shop in Alexandria, La., with his brother, daughter and a cast of characters, er, employees.
American Digger
Debut: February 2012
Wednesday, 10 p.m., Spike
While others spend their time searching through attics or storage units to find hidden treasure, former professional wrestler Frank Huguelet, better known as Ric Savage, digs for it. Savage and his team at Virginia-based American Savage travel the country, digging up backyards and historic battlefields looking for valuable relics. —P.A.