The 411
This show deals with people who hoard possessions and simply cannot part with them. These people lose their children and spouses, are facing eviction and even jail–yet, they cannot help themselves by simply cleaning their house. The places they live in look like the bathroom from Trainspotting meets Sanford and Son on steroids.
The show arranges for professional organizers (who even knew such a thing existed?) to help these people get their lives back. Some are very receptive while others fight them every step of the way.
The Good
The production of this show is absolutely flawless. Every little detail–from the sound effects to the eerie black screen with the informative white text–flawless. This show will suck you in like a black hole and is as addicting as candy-coated crack. I think the main reason that this show is so good is because it is so real. Other reality shows appear to have a portion of each episode staged–to say the least, but there is no way that they can make up anything on this show.
It is amazing to see how these people live in houses that have more junk per square foot than the average Home Goods’ store. Just trying to walk from room to room or down a flight of stairs can sometimes prove dangerous due to all the clutter–I couldn’t even imagine what would happen if you tried to find the bathroom after a night of eating White Castle.
I don’t want to divulge too much about Hoarders, because it is really a show that you have to see for yourself, but I will tell you a little bit about one of my favorite Hoarders. One lady was a food hoarder. Her fridge was so stuffed with food that she had to use duct tape to keep it closed. Her house was filled with rotting produce, decaying meats and expired dairy products. When asked why she was still holding on to expired sour cream, her response was, “What is it going to do, get more sour?”
The Not So Good
The bottom line is that the show is about real people that need some serious help with their illness. As much as I just want to yell at these people and say, “Clean your frigging house already” I can’t help but feel sorry for them as they struggle to overcome their disease. However, I’m not going to lie and tell you that don’t I feel a lot better about my unorganized house when I compare it to the hoarders I see on TV.
To DVR or Not To DVR?
I give this show one of the highest compliments that I can give–I watch it live! Sporting events are just about the only television that I don’t DVR, so if I watch a TV show live–it has to be good. Leave your conscience at the door and tune into Hoarders on A&E–and when the show is over–clean your house!
Written by Frank Ranu of Ranu’s Reviews
