Collector's Call

Watch Collector's Call

  • 2019
  • 6 Seasons
  • 7.8  (136)

Collector's Call is a unique show that delves into the realm of collectors and their prized possessions. Me-TV launched this show in 2019 with Lisa Whelchel as the host. If you think it's just another show that explores antiques, coins, and stamps, you couldn't be more wrong. Collector's Call showcases a vast range of eclectic collections from around the country, each with its unique story behind it.

Lisa Whelchel has a background in reality TV, and her hosting skills are unmatched. Throughout the show, she interviews different collectors and their prized possessions, diving deep into why and how they started collecting. Every episode follows the same format, starting with Lisa visiting a collector's home, discussing their passions, and culminating in a massive collector's roundtable.

One of the unique aspects of Collector's Call is the diversity of the collectors and the collections featured on the show. From a retired prison guard's extensive Disney collection to an old Post Office transformed into a toy museum, the range of collections is mind-boggling. It's fascinating to see the devotion and care these collectors put into their prized possessions. The collectors also come from different backgrounds, ages, and lifestyles, and their stories are incredibly compelling.

Another exciting aspect of this show is the behind-the-scenes look at how these massive collections are organized and displayed. The audience gets a glimpse into the collectors' homes and see how they transformed their living spaces to accommodate their collection. Whether it's a wall-full of Pez dispensers or a massive collection of vintage lunch boxes, it's a treat to see how these collectors show their collections off.

Collector's Call also features expert appraisers from various fields who shed light on the value and history of the items in a collection. It's intriguing to see how these experts evaluate each piece and how that affects the collector's passion for the piece. The collectors' emotions and their stories behind each item are what make this show unique and engaging.

The final segment of Collector's Call is the roundtable, where Lisa sits down with the collector and other collectors with similar collections. The collectors talk about their passions and share their insights and tips on how to add new items to their collections. It's fascinating to see the interaction among the collectors and how they inspire each other to continue collecting.

It's incredibly refreshing to see a show that celebrates people's passions and devotions to collecting. Each episode of Collector's Call is different, but the theme of the show remains the same - collectors are unique, passionate people who derive great joy from collecting.

In conclusion, Collector's Call is a fantastic show that showcases a wide range of collectors and their magnificent collections. From the hosting skills of Lisa Whelchel to the roundtable discussions featuring real collectors, this Me-TV show is unlike any other. If you're a fan of collecting or even just curious about the hobby, you won't want to miss this show.

Collector's Call
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Seasons
Neil LaSala: G.I. Joe
16. Neil LaSala: G.I. Joe
August 3, 2025
Former Marine Corps Reservist Neil LaSala may have retired from duty, but his devotion to the armed forces continues in his expansive collection of the original, 12-inch G.I. Joe action figure. Neil's home is a virtual museum of the iconic toy's early years and rare interim incarnations, and he shares with Lisa some of his most desirable items - including an African American soldier, Joe as a State Trooper complete with motorcycle and accessories, and a complete (and pristine!) run of the super-rare Photobox series. Joining Lisa is Collector's Call favorite Joel Magee a.k.a "America's Toy Scout." Joel appraises Neil's meticulously curated collection, then offers him a trade for something he ends up already owning - but with an unexpected, Joel Magee twist. And when Lisa learns it's also Neil's birthday, she rises to the occasion with a final, G.I. Joe-themed surprise.
Kirk Kirkland: Sci-Fi Props and Costumes
15. Kirk Kirkland: Sci-Fi Props and Costumes
July 27, 2025
Kirk Kirkland has been spent many years creating a work of art out of his science fiction props and costumes. He has built an office adjacent to his home to house his collection - and unlike collectors who find an item and then look for a place to display it, Kirk finds a spot he wants to fill and looks for the perfect collectible to display. Also, unlike collectors who will never part with their prized possessions, Kirk plans to sell some of his larger pieces so he and his wife can travel when their daughter goes to college. His fascination with all things sci-fi began when he was just nine years old and watched famed producer and director Irwin Allen's Lost in Space and Star Trek on television. Ever since moving from Appalachia to Los Angeles, Kirk has had a successful career in the entertainment industry himself, working in post-production. Kirk is joined by pop culture expert Rob Klein, who has an extensive collection of sci-fi memorabilia of his own.
Andrew Somer: Smurfs
14. Andrew Somer: Smurfs
July 20, 2025
Andrew Somer has a heart that's three apples tall, and it's filled with Smurf collectables. After a lifetime of collecting Smurf memorabilia, Andrew is ready to share his incredible Smurf room with Lisa Whelchel and expert appraiser and toy shop owner, John Ragusa. Together, they go deep into the world of blue creatures and hidden villages, checking out one-of-a-kind wax prototypes from the 80s, an entire end cap shelf display, and even a letter from the daughter of Peyo, the creator of the Smurfs characters. As a collector, Andrew is particularly a fan of store display pieces, and John Ragusa attempts to trade one of Andrew's prized display stands for a one-of-its-kind keychain display.
Alex Arnold: Indiana Jones
13. Alex Arnold: Indiana Jones
July 13, 2025
Alex Arnold is known as "The Indy Guy" in the Indiana Jones collectors' world. He was five years old when his parents introduced him to Indiana Jones, and he was instantly hooked; Indiana Jones was more relatable than superheroes with superpowers. He didn't start collecting, though, until 2016, when his mother gave him a resin box that held Indiana Jones DVDs, a Blockbuster exclusive. After that, the hunt was on, and he began to collect every Indiana Jones item he could find. Today, his job as an RN can be taxing, and his R and R is turning on one of the movies and posting Indiana Jones related content on social media. His public exposure has led to everything from promoting Indiana Jones products to being invited to movie premieres. Alex will show us the treasures he has collected, and our pop culture expert Joel Magee, a.k.a "America's Toy Scout", will put a price on the entire haul.
David Schafer: Childhood Memorabilia
12. David Schafer: Childhood Memorabilia
June 29, 2025
Vintage memorabilia collector David Schafer has spent decades assembling the toys, comic books, and other collectibles from his childhood - all in strikingly pristine condition. David shares some of his rarest and most valuable items, including a Batman and Justice League playset released at the height of the Caped Crusader's 1966 popularity; a Mad Magazine straitjacket that was available by mail only; and the 1941 comic that features the first appearance of Wonder Woman. Joining Lisa is "Collector's Call" favorite Joel Magee, a.k.a. America's Toy Scout. Joel appraises the entirety of David's dazzling collection, then makes a trade offer for one of David's Disney rarities. The show concludes with David unveiling to Lisa a 1982 Mad Magazine parody of "The Facts of Life."
David Meinz: Pharmaceuticals
11. David Meinz: Pharmaceuticals
June 22, 2025
Registered dietitian nutritionist and public speaker David Meinz has spent decades assembling what can only be called a museum of vitamin history -- including a range of quack cures and weird weight-loss schemes. Lisa has invited vintage drug-store collector Henry Tankersley to appraise David's wildest items, including LaMar Reducing Soap, Trim Reducing Cigarettes, and Hadacol -- the vitamin elixir for the whole family that's 24-proof alcohol. Henry then attempts a trade for a bit of pristine pharmaceutical paraphernalia he's brought along ... and Lisa brings it home with an unforgettable demonstration of a weight-loss jiggle-belt machine.
Janay Smith: Sports Collection
10. Janay Smith: Sports Collection
June 15, 2025
Janay Smith is giving us a small glimpse at the world's largest, private, game worn sports collection- a collection she inherited after her sports crazed, lawyer father left her, when he passed. Some of this spectacular collection is at the Smithsonian, but today, she'll show us Hank Aaron's jersey, and the game ticket from the day he broke Babe Ruth's home-run record. We'll see Muhammad Ali's trunks and training robe, Kobe Bryant's #8 autographed jersey, and Jim Brown's MVP trophy. Historian and African American material culture expert, Philip Merrill, will evaluate this collection with a number never heard before on "Collector's Call," and then attempt to trade Janay with a big-time big league offer. But will she play ball?
Mike Lefevre: Snoopy
9. Mike Lefevre: Snoopy
June 8, 2025
Mike Lefevre was five years old when his father brought his little sister home from the hospital, holding her in one hand and a plush Snoopy in the other. For Mike, it was love at first sight - for both his sibling and her stuffed toy. And from that moment on, America's favorite anthropomorphic beagle became a fixture in Mike's life. By the time he was ten, he had acquired more than a dozen Snoopy collectibles. Today, his collection contains more than 15,000 Snoopy items. They are on full display for all to see in a museum he has built at his waterfront restaurant in suburban Detroit. Our pop culture toy expert, Johnpaul Ragusa, has his own connection to the Peanuts character. His wife is an avid fan, and his home is filled with Snoopy paraphernalia.
Claire Peterson: Transformers
8. Claire Peterson: Transformers
June 1, 2025
Claire Peterson is not your typical Transformers collector - most are male. But as the daughter of an engineer, she loved working with her hands, and she became enamored with Transformers when she was still a child. That was in the early 1990's, during what is called the Generation 2, or G2, Transformers era. Generation one started in the 1980s. Now, Claire collects everything from G one and G two to the B Wars, the Beast machines, and beyond. Claire also buys and sells Transformers at local and regional conventions as well as online. She has about 1,100 on display and a little more than 2000 in storage, each of them unique. Out of all the cartoon, TV shows, and movies that have come out of the franchise, the 1986 animated film "Transformers" is one of her favorites. She says she is devastated, though, that she still does not have the full Devastator combiner set. She and our expert, Ben Talmage, had already crossed paths, having met at a local Michigan toy convention.
Justin Cary: Vintage Toys
7. Justin Cary: Vintage Toys
May 18, 2025
Former police officer Justin Cary gave up life as a cop to become a full-time vintage toy collector and dealer and has never looked back. Justin takes us on a tour of his amazing collection, showcasing such highly-sought rarities as a MacGyver action figure available only in Brazil, a professionally graded prototype of G.I. Joe's Croc Master, and - the cornerstone of his collection - a 1980s Masters of the Universe store-display diorama that is possibly the only one of its kind. On hand to appraise Justin's collection is toy store owner John Davis, who's also brought along a very tempting trade item, one of the toy community's holy grails: an action-figure of Dick Tracy's The Blank. Justin's definitely interested - but when he hears what John wants in return, his decision becomes a dilemma.
Joe Salg: Cyndi Lauper
6. Joe Salg: Cyndi Lauper
May 11, 2025
When a teenage Joe Salg heard Cyndi Lauper's single "Time After Time," he was hooked. She represented what he had been seeking as a young gay man: Outside acceptance of one's true colors, whatever they might be. He began buying albums and any other memorabilia he could find. Then he went on a quest: to gain bragging rights to the most unique items ever related to the pop icon. Years later, he had so many prized possessions that friends and family urged him to open a museum dedicated to the singer. Today, he is the proud owner of The Cyndi Lauper Museum, which is acknowledged and admired by the music legend herself. Joe walks Lisa through some of the most iconic items, including the first microphone Cyndi ever used as an emerging star and everything from a quirky corset used for a famed photo shoot to a glamorous dress worn to the 50th anniversary of the Grammys. Later, expert Liam McEwan will propose a trade: one of his most treasured items, personally signed by the singer, for Joe's rare relic of '80s pop culture itself.
Peter Morcey: Star Wars Toys
5. Peter Morcey: Star Wars Toys
May 4, 2025
Peter Morcey is the kind of guy who collects Star Wars toys, lots of them, and displays them in a meticulous fashion that shows off all his complete toy lines, toy lines from other countries, and toys that no one else has.
Doogie Sandtiger: Crocs
4. Doogie Sandtiger: Crocs
April 27, 2025
As a child growing up in foster care, Doogie Sandtiger never learned to tie his shoes. Today, he is the Guinness World Record holder for most Crocs-- a goal he put into motion years ago and proudly achieved by showing Lisa his more than 3500 pairs. This Croc-star's eye-popping collection includes high end collaborations with famous artists, to a finger-lickin'-good collab with everyone's favorite chicken franchise. There's even a special pair he wore to be in his brother's wedding. Today, our Croc-solid toy expert, John Ragusa, steps into his role of appraiser and expert, by putting a dollar amount to Doogie's collection and then, by offering a Crocs trade. John hopes his trade item--a combination between a toy and Croc, will convince Doogie to swap some of his Crocs, while our collector hopes he won't "Croc" under the pressure.
Ashley Sero: Dolls
3. Ashley Sero: Dolls
April 20, 2025
Ashley Sero grew up in a doll house. Literally, surrounded by the vast number her mother Patty had collected over several years. As Ashley - and her love for the collection -- grew, she wanted to start one of her own. She decided to begin with Skipper, Barbie's younger sister. More than two decades later, Ashley has a wide-ranging doll collection numbering in the hundreds, and she walks Lisa through it all. As she expanded the scope of her prized possessions, Ashley decided to share her passion for and knowledge of doll collecting with others, launching her own YouTube channel, Confessions of a Doll Collector's Daughter, which has attracted scores of avid fellow collectors. Ashley takes personal property appraiser and fellow doll aficionado Kate Martin through some of her more unique items, including extremely rare Japanese Skipper dolls. Kate appraises Ashley's collection, before offering a tempting trade - a beautifully preserved iconic figure from Switzerland for one of Ashley's long treasured, and with good reason, staple items.
Shawn Peterson: PEZ
2. Shawn Peterson: PEZ
April 13, 2025
They say to do what you love - and Shawn Peterson loves PEZ. After years of collecting rare dispensers, candies, and other company artifacts, Shawn successfully pitched a PEZ Visitor Center at the company's historic and still-functioning factory, where he now manages and shares his collection with 80,000 visitors a year. He also shares his collection with Collector's Call, taking Lisa, and PEZ Price Guide expert and appraiser, John LaSpina, on a ride through PEZ history, including: a 1940s PEZ Girl uniform, a rare Colonel Sanders prototype, and a giant edible candy tablet that you can only acquire if you're invited to the headquarters factory in Germany. John appraises Shawn's collection and attempts a trade - offering an ultra-rare set and display featured in a Montgomery Ward catalogue in exchange for a dispenser from the 1984 Winter Olympics. Also - Shawn shows Lisa around the PEZ factory and takes her behind-the-scenes of the candy-making process.
Bruce Pascal: Hot Wheels
1. Bruce Pascal: Hot Wheels
April 6, 2025
Bruce Pascal's got a need for speed. As a child, he loved Hot Wheels. Now, as an adult, he has a jaw-dropping, museum-like car collection that includes not just the cars. but also, some extremely rare items that were used to make the cars. Bruce takes Lisa on a tour of his collection--from a hand-drawn sketch of the Olds 442, to a wood model Ferrari, to the Holy Grail of Hot Wheels, Bruce has them all and loves sharing his passion with others. Our expert, Joel Magee, will appraise Bruce's collection, and who better than a self-proclaimed toy scout and a race car driver. Joel will also attempt to pull off a heart racing car trade with Bruce. One, one-of-a-kind prototype, for another. Who will end up in the driver's seat, our expert or collector?
Description
  • Premiere Date
    April 7, 2019
  • IMDB Rating
    7.8  (136)