Market Warriors continues without Fred Willard while PBS facing GOP funding cuts

After actor Fred Willard was arrested July 18 for “engaging in a lewd act” – at the Tiki (adult film) theater in Hollywood – the Washington Post reported July 23 that Willard was sacked as narrator of Market Warriors “less than 24 hours after his arrest because the programming service was afraid his ‘unfortunate circumstances’ would become a ‘distraction’ and it needed to move quickly, PBS chief Paula Kerger told television critics on the opening day of Summer TV Press Tour at the Beverly Hilton hotel.” In turn, the “Antiques Roadshow” spinoff program Market Warriors continues Monday, July 23 at 9/8c on PBS channels nationwide with this second episode – in a 20 program series – featuring antiquing in Philadelphia at the famed “Philly Flea Market,” that’s legend back east for fine antiques and collectibles. At the same time, the bubbly Roadshow host Mark Walberg now serves in Willard’s old job as the off-screen narrator for Market Warriors.

In turn, “Market Warriors” is being marketed by PBS as “the forerunner of television’s popular antiques and collectibles genre,” with four antique experts going on a treasure hunt with the victor decided at the end of each program with auction results.
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As noted, only one made money this week. I think last week, maybe two and the guy named Kevin won both weeks. He seems like the only sensible one. The others do not seem as knowledgeable and are impulsive.

Perhaps this is "according to the script" but I would rather see four really talented folks go at it. The woman seems really ditzy and not very smart. The old hippie dude is entertaining but he takes big risks that so far haven't paid off. The designer guy just seems to buy what he likes without much regard to resale.

I know this isn't exactly real world, and yet, for a vintage dealer, it kind of is. Going to a flea market and trying to score something at their retail price that you can make money on is a time honored tradition in the antiques biz.

Also I miss Fred Willard. Sad that they dumped him so unceremoniously.

Still, entertaining show and I'll probably keep watching. I always learn something.

the items they find but the accents make it very relaxing TV.

I'd rather see the contestants given the cash, then have a camera crew follow them around for a weekend - no stipulations on what they can and cannot buy.