‘Brillo Box (3c Off)’: From 3 cents to $3 million
Fans of art, collecting and “Antiques Roadshow” should not miss “Brillo Box (3c Off)” (10 p.m., HBO). A tale of family, art and happenstance, “Box” is written, directed and produced by Lisanne Skyler, whose parents bought an original Andy Warhol “Brillo Box” sculpture in 1969 for $1,000.
At the time, it was considered overpriced. Warhol’s “Brillo Box” pieces were not entirely well received by the official art world when he first presented them in 1964. To some, they were brilliant pop art and a statement on the artifice of a consumer society. To others, they were the ultimate symbol of Warhol as a gimmicky huckster, more publicity-seeker than painter and artist.
Unlike singular artworks, the boxes were mass produced. It’s thought that Warhol produced more than 100 of them in different sizes. They were originally sold for $200. Skyler’s father had the foresight to have the artist sign the bottom of the box and to place it in a Plexiglas case to protect it from the elements — and, perhaps, from his infant daughter, Lisanne. But in 1971, the Skylers updated their collection and sold their box.
Four decades later, Lisanne, now a filmmaker, heard that her family’s original “Brillo Box” sculpture was scheduled to go up for auction at Christie’s. She decided to begin documenting the artwork’s many owners, buyers and sellers and its increasing monetary value. She also began looking into her family’s relationship to the work.
She discovered that the box was purchased for $35,200 in 1988 and sold for nearly $44,000 five years later. When the “Brillo Box” was finally auctioned off at Christie’s in 2010, it was valued at more than $3 million.
In addition to interviewing many who owned and sold the piece, Skyler speaks with powerhouses in the art world who discuss Warhol’s legacy. The pop artist died in 1987. He would have turned 89 yesterday, Aug. 6.
› Tales of investment, collecting and appreciation of a vehicular sort unfold on “Carspotting” (10 p.m., Discovery, TV-14) as well.
› The documentary series “The Last Shot” (10 p.m., Viceland, TV-14) follows basketball players from both sides of the border who play in local tournaments in rural Mexico to make money and get one final chance to be spotted by professional scouts.
› The Acorn streaming service offers season seven of “Vera,” the popular British detective series starring Oscar-, Emmy-, Golden Globe- and Bafta-nominated actress Brenda Blethyn.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
› Daytona Beach hosts the finals of “American Ninja Warrior” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).
› The top 10 take their spots on a two-hour helping of “So You Think You Can Dance” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-14).
› “The Bachelorette” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-14) wraps up with a three-hour live finale.
› Hunches loom large on the new game show “Snap Decision” (9 p.m., GSN, TV-14), hosted by David Alan Grier.
› The fourth season of “Man vs. Food” (9 p.m., Travel, TV-G) opens in New York.
› Jesse finds a clue to the supernatural on “Preacher” (9 p.m., AMC, TV-MA).
› Vampires look for Lem on “Midnight, Texas” (10 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
› The “POV” (10 p.m., PBS, repeat, TV-PG, check local listings) documentary “Iris” profiles nonagenarian tastemaker Iris Apfel.
› Watto’s mother returns on “Loaded” (10 p.m., AMC, TV-MA).
› Collaboration with Alice brings a certain tension on “Will” (11 p.m., TNT, TV-MA).
SERIES NOTES
› Making amends on “Kevin Can Wait” (8 p.m., CBS, repeat, TV-PG).
› A not-so-favorite Martian on “Supergirl” (8 p.m., CW, repeat, TV-14).
› Franco’s frisk sparks a debate on “Superior Donuts” (8:30 p.m., CBS, repeat, TV-14).
› Feeling undesirable on “Mom” (9 p.m., CBS, repeat, TV-14).
› Ethiopian intrigue on “Hooten & the Lady” (9 p.m., CW, TV-14).
› Sleepwalkers on “Life in Pieces” (9:30 p.m., CBS, repeat, TV-PG).
› “CBSN: On Assignment” (10 p.m., CBS).
Contact Kevin McDonough at kevin.tvguy@gmail.com.