Endless Yard Sale

I’ve decided that watching Endless Yard Sale on TV is more fun than watching Endless Yard Sale being filmed.

 

It was overcast, gloomy, and misting rain when we arrived at the Big Peach Antique Mall at 7:30 a.m.  The production crew was already there, and set up under canopies outside in anticipation of an 8 a.m. start time.  By 8:10 a.m., all three pairs of contestants had arrived in separate vehicles, and a few minutes later, the host of the show, Paul Brown, drove up.  Apparently, he had attended the Rolling Stones concert on Tuesday night in Atlanta, and not only got a late start, but also got caught in traffic on his way to Byron.  After a quick dash into a rented RV to change clothes, he was ready to go.

 

Last minute instructions

Just one of the practice runs

Everyone's in position to get the show started

Producer puts Paul Brown  on the spot

The producer was busy giving the contestants last minute instructions, and they even practiced running away from their barrels … twice.   Finally, with host in place and contestants ready, the producer slapped the clapboard, and filming began.

 

It was anti-climatic to say the least, at first, but when the contestants started their mad dash toward the mall at the beginning of the 15 minute challenge, dealers, including myself who had been watching outside, scattered quickly, and ran (OK, walked really fast) to their booths in hopes of selling something or at least getting on TV.

 

Each pair of contestants had a cameraperson, a sound engineer, and at least one producer with them at all times as they roamed the mall.  A timekeeper kept track of the time for the contestants, calling out how many minutes remained.  By the end of the 15 minutes, one pair of contestants had passed our booth, barely giving it a glance. 

 

Bummer.

 

Two hours later, filming of this one challenge still was ongoing.  Again, dealers gathered outside the mall door, watching the action, or lack thereof, much to the consternation of the producers, who asked that we not stare at the cameras.  The appraisers were there, evaluating each of the finds, and finally, the contestants gathered at their barrels.  Before the winner was announced, the producers had the contestants make a practice run for the mall once again, which sent the dealers scurrying.

 

Contestants wait for their appraisal results; the contestants on the left won the 15 minute challenge

Finally, the winning team was crowned, and the winners practiced running to their truck.  When the camera was actually rolling, the winners grabbed their item, started running, but had to stop when a piece of whatever they had fell off.  So, they had to start all over again.

 

Then, the winners drove away.  What?  That was it? 

 

After a certain period, the second place winners drove away, then the third.

 

Oh, well, so much for that.  However, shortly thereafter, two of the teams were back in the mall shopping again.  Again, our booths were ignored.

 

We stayed until the last team exited the mall.  Apparently, the teams had another destination to get to, but that information was not provided.

 

I’m pretty sure both Ella and I were in camera range at some point, but we’ll probably end up on the cutting room floor, so to speak.

 

The producers say the episode will air in August or September.  I’ll keep you informed.