Photo by Jason Dufner, National Geographic Channels
Jay Jacobs, one of the stars of the new reality show "Abandoned," looks through paperwork to see if any valuables might be left behind in an old building.
Just what cable doesn't need is another search-and-ye-shall-find reality show. But for whatever reason the National Geographic Channel has scratched up another one with "Abandoned."
It focuses on a company that goes into buildings about to be demolished and picks through what's left behind, from a century-old watercooler to stain-glass windows.
This is a hard sell. Three middle-aged guys looking through dirty buildings and marveling at rusted-out gems isn't riveting.
Add to this that "Abandoned" (premiering 9 p.m. Wednesday) has close to no personality to move it along.
Boss Jay Jacobs frets that his wife, Ricki, will not agree with what he's trying to pluck from these abandoned sites. She's portrayed as a real taskmaster, keeping Jay from going over board.
There isn't the charm of "Pawn Stars," the thrill of "American Pickers" or the comedy of "Comic Book Men" to fall back upon.
For Jay and his crew to make money, the items they find need to be purchased from the building's current owners.
Not so surprisingly, it doesn't raise the drama.
The building owners don't really have a lot to lose. If they reject Jay's offers, the owners are simply stuck with the contents in a building that's about to come down anyway. If Jay's bids are accepted then Jay has to find buyers for the items.
In the episodes for review, Jay gets what he wants.
"Abandoned" never gives us the money shot: Is Jay able to find buyers for his findings? We don't know because each episode ends before we find out.
Hoarders might find some strange appeal to the mess in "Abandoned." The rest of us will just be bored.
Score: 2 stars (out of five)
Terry Morrow may be reached at 865-342-6445 or morrowt@knoxville.com.
© 2012, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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