Antiques Roadshow expert reveals secrets after producer conflict

An expert from Antiques Roadshow has revealed secrets about the program after a conflict with its producers. The show has been popular in the UK since it started in 1979 and has inspired versions in other countries like the US and Australia. Gary Sohmers, a US auctioneer known for his distinctive ponytail and Hawaiian shirts, had a disagreement with the show's producers in 2012. He felt restricted by the rules they set for appraisers. In an interview, Sohmers recounted a confrontation with producer Marsha Bemko over his appearance on a Miami radio show. Sohmers shared a letter from the network stating they would change how they publish contact information for past appraisers. He felt the letter did not resolve most of his concerns. He mentioned that independent appraisers pay their own travel costs to appear on the show and questioned whether he would be invited back without hostility. The US version of the show also faced controversy in 2016. A guest named Alvin Barr brought in a jug, which an appraiser valued between $30,000 and $50,000. However, later it was discovered that the jug was made by a local artist in the 1970s. The show corrected the value to a much lower amount, between $3,000 and $5,000. This incident surprised Barr, who initially thought he overpaid for it.