Antiques dealers Todd and Ethan Merrill appear as judges on the History Channel's new show Picked Off, now in its second episode.

The reality show is based on a competition whereby four teams are given $100 to compete in challenges that test their treasure-digging talents. The Merrill brothers assess the retail value of the pickers' shopping and decide which team collects a grand prize, and which get eliminated or "picked off."



Ethan and Todd Merrill

A professional auctioneer and appraiser for Duane Merrill & Co., Ethan Merrill has conducted more than 300 auctions and appraisals, including many for important estate, antique, fine arts and specialty items. He is known for finding rare pieces such as a canvas portrait by Candido Portinari that sold for $253,000 and a Russian pastel portrait by Boris Kustodiev that fetched $341,000. Ethan was raised with his brother Todd in one of Vermont's premier antiquing families. He earned an engineering degree from the University of Vermont and pitched for the Boston Red Sox organization for four seasons before returning to his roots in the auction and appraisal business.

Todd Merrill is an authority on contemporary furniture and modern design and the author of the definitive book on mid-century designers, Modern Americana: Studio Furniture from High Craft to High Glam. He is president of Merrill Antiques/20th Century, a top resource for stylists, designers, fashion houses, department stores, hotels and restaurants. Studio Contemporary, his exhibition-based gallery, represents artists at leading art fairs. Along with his brother Ethan, Todd is a third-generation member of a distinguished Vermont antiquing family, and his natural instincts place him on the cutting edge of vintage and contemporary decorative furnishings, sculpture and lighting.

Note: The producers of Picked Off are looking for amateur picking partners who are energetic, knowledgeable and passionate about picking and selling antiques and collectibles to be on Picked Off. Each week, teams will compete for the title of top picker and a $10,000 grand prize. To apply, email pickercasting@cineflix.com or call (646) 873-6517.