Collector's Call

Fully expected to not like this series, but, after watching it for awhile I have to admit that I enjoy it.

As noted the series theme deals with collectors who come on, banter back and forth with Ms. Whelchel about it, then get to interact with an expert who usually makes the collector a tempting offer to trade. This added game show dimension is done is such a low key manner that it's easy to accept and make our own guess.

Ms. Whelchel does a good job interacting with the collectors, who usually arrive on camera with a family member of friend and the subject matter expert about the collection, trying to get the guest collector to talk about their collection and share their enthusiasm and energy about the topic at hand. Ms. Whelchel, of course, is the poster child for those things going back to her career on 'The Facts of Life' a cute 70s ish series which allowed her to smile a lot and interact with others.

As of this date (7/2019) the series has been extended for another season and will bring back the same cast and theme. That's good because this type of series needs someone like Ms. Whelchel to propel it forward. Watching her stand there, smiling and looking excited brings energy to the show and helps loosen up the guests, who are all just regular people like us.

This is the first shot at making their own product by METV. The honchos there believe a series about collectors taps into the nostalgia craze and should be of interest to and a natural connection for the current viewers. Not sure if they'll keep it on the same night and time, but, sounds weird but even that is cute. You have to seek this series out to watch. I found it by accident, flipping the dial looking for 'The Odd Couple', which they used to air on Sunday nights. No dice, that series was sent into outer space. Probably not to return for awhile.

I enjoy meeting the collectors and hearing their stories. The proposed trades are an interesting part of the show and Lisa Whelchel makes for a very good host. I must roll my eyes however when the "expert" places values on the items. I have found that items similar to the ones featured on the show have sold online for 1/3 of the appraised amount. Also, many times the appraiser admits they haven't viewed the collectors entire collection yet they are still asked to place a value on the entire collection. Kinda ridiculous if you ask me.

"Collector's Call" is one well done loved show for a historical and old school collector like me! As I grew up with comic books and action figure toys and with this series you see many of these things that I had! As many well known collectors have these items in a museum and their collection is valued at thousands of dollars and many movie props and costume collections, posters and other items can lead to millions! Hosted by ex "Facts of Life" star the pretty and beautiful Lisa Whelchel(she's even more attractive now!) this series will brightened your day with past historical child like memories of comic books, movies, and toy fun!

It is an enjoyable show that is breathtaking in terms of how extensive a lot of these collections are. However, I liked it better when she was at the collector's home. COVID 19 changed all that and I see it's still all done remotely. I'm hoping they go back to the previous format and this isn't a permanent thing.

After MeTV acquired their first original series Svengoolie in 2011, they premiered their 2nd original series in 2019: Collector's Call. For anyone who is a collector on old memorabilia like comic books, action figures, lunchboxes, props, etc., this asks the question on would you sell you prize possessions for money or would you hold on to them forever.

The host of Collector's Call was one of the stars of The Facts of Life (which was still airing on MeTV until it was removed a few months later), Blair Warner herself Lisa Whelchel, and she was the perfect host for this show imo. She hasn't changed much from her FOL days and still looks lovely as ever!

I have been watching it every week since the beginning, and I've continued to enjoy it since, so if you haven't seen it yet, check it out Sundays at 6:30pm ET, and you'll have no regrets, I guaranteed it!