NEW YORK CITY – You may not be in line for your own reality television series but you have a shot at “Buried Treasure,” the new Keno brothers show that is set to debut on Fox television on August 24.
 
A-list antiquarians Leigh Keno and Leslie Keno are hosting auditions on June 18 at Leigh’s gallery at 127 East 69th Street on New York’s Upper East Side. The twins and their production team are looking for people with great objects and even better stories.
 
“This show has lots of human emotion.  It’s got suspense, drama and tears, both of joy and sorrow,” dealer-turned-auctioneer Leigh told AFAnews.com.
 
“Buried Treasure,” whose name echoes that of the Kenos’ autobiography, Hidden Treasures, published in 2000 by Warner Books, is a departure from “Antiques Roadshow,” the PBS hit series that made the Kenos household names over the past 15 years.  Regrettably, contract terms prevent them from continuing with “Antiques Roadshow.”
 
On “Buried Treasure,” Leigh and Leslie, a senior vice president at Sotheby’s in New York, will identify and value objects, then work to connect participants with buyers.  For the moment we are sworn to secrecy but, rest assured, some buyers will be well-known members of the trade.
 
Aimed in part at recession-weary viewers eager for good economic news, the rags-to-riches drama promises a boon for both sellers and buyers. The series is being shot on location around the United States. Each episode follows several objects from their discovery to the marketplace.
 
“We are the catalysts to get people the best money. In most of the stories that we follow, the money goes to help change a participant’s life for the better.  It literally goes to feeding the children or patching the roof,” says Leigh.
 
“Buried Treasure” is one of a spate of new antiques and collectibles shows already on television or currently in the works. Some of the most successful programs are “American Pickers” and “Pawn Stars” on the History Channel, Spike TV’s “Auction Hunters”, TLC’s “What The Sell?!” and HGTV’s “Cash & Cari.”
 
The Kenos teamed up with Joe Livecchi, series creator and executive producer, and co-producers Paul Buccieri, Tim Miller and Tim Eagan on “Buried Treasure,” an ITV America production that will air at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays.
 
Home base for “Buried Treasure” is the second floor of Keno Auctions, where auditions will take place this Saturday.  Specialists will be on hand to examine a wide range of objects.
 
“If you have a piece that you think may have some value, maybe it has emotional significance to you or historical importance, we would like to see it and appraise it,” Leslie says on the short video that the duo posted on YouTube and to kenoauctions.com.

For instructions on qualifying for the casting call, go to Ihaveburiedtreasure.com or write to the production team at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Someone from the show’s casting office will contact you directly and confirm a time between 10 am and 6 pm on June 18.
 
Who knew that this casting couch had ball-and-claw feet?
 
Write to Laura Beach at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .