Storage Wars
{{short description|American reality television series}}
{{for|the franchise|Storage Wars (franchise)}}
{{Primary sources|date=September 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox television
| image = Storage_Wars.png
| caption =
| genre = Reality
| starring = {{plainlist|
- Dave Hester
- Darrell Sheets
- Brandon Sheets
- Jarrod Schulz
- Brandi Passante
- Barry Weiss
- Dan Dotson
- Laura Dotson
- Ivy Calvin
- Rene Nezhoda
- Casey Lloyd
- Mary Padian
- Kenny Crossley
- Emily Wears
- Shana Dahan
- Edwina Registre
- Justin Bryant
- Lisa Delarios
- Dusty Riach
}}
| narrated = Thom Beers
| theme_music_composer = Andy Kubiszewski
| opentheme = "Money Owns This Town"
| composer =
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_seasons = 16
| num_episodes = 339
| list_episodes = List of Storage Wars episodes
| executive_producer = {{plainlist|
- Robert Sharenow
- Elaine Frontain Bryant
- Thom Beers
- Philip D. Segal
}}
| producer = Dolph Scott
| editor =
| camera =
| runtime = 30 minutes (2010–2024)
60 minutes (2025–present)
| company = {{ubl|
}}
| first_aired = {{Start date|2010|12|01}}
| last_aired = present
| channel = A&E
}}
Storage Wars (stylized as STORAGE WAR$) is an American reality television competition series that airs on the A&E network. It premiered on December 1, 2010. A 16th season is scheduled to premiere on June 7, 2025.
When rent is not paid on a storage locker for three months in California, the contents can be sold by an auctioneer as a single lot of items in the form of a cash-only auction. The show follows professional buyers who visit storage facilities throughout the state and bid on these lockers. Before each locker is auctioned, the buyers are given five minutes to inspect the contents from the doorway, but may not enter the locker or touch any of the items.
After the day's auctions are completed, the winning bidders sort through the lockers, estimating the prices they will set on the contents and/or consulting with experts for an appraisal of unusual items. Running totals on-screen display the cost versus the estimated total value, and a final tally at the end of the episode summarizes the buyers' net profit or loss.
History
File:Storage Wars Opening Title.png
Thom Beers is the executive producer and narrator of the show. He provides a quick explanation of the show's premise at the beginning and does a recap of the featured buyers' profits or losses at the end of each episode. He has stated that the series avoids delving into behind-the-scenes stories of the lockers' original owners because "all you see is misery there, and I didn't want to trade on that". In the United States, Storage Wars premiered on A&E on December 1, 2010.
Season one of Storage Wars consisted of 19 episodes, 17 of which were filmed at various self-storage facilities throughout Southern California.{{cite web |title=Facilities |url=http://www.aetv.com/storage-wars/facilities/ |publisher=A&E |access-date=February 11, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109005638/http://www.aetv.com/storage-wars/facilities/ |archive-date=November 9, 2013}} The show enjoyed ratings success, and its second-season premiere attracted 5.1{{nbsp}}million total viewers, making it the most-watched program in A&E's history to that point.
Storage Wars was recommissioned for another 26-episode season,{{cite web |author=Lesley Goldberg |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/ae-storage-wars-storage-wars-texas-shipping-wars-renewed-311635 |title=A&E Renews 'Storage Wars,' 'Storage Wars: Texas,' 'Shipping Wars' |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=April 12, 2012 |access-date=April 28, 2012 |archive-date=April 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418001137/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/ae-storage-wars-storage-wars-texas-shipping-wars-renewed-311635 |url-status=live }} which premiered on June 5, 2012. Only 20 of the 26 episodes were aired however, with six of the episodes being held back for broadcast during the second half of the show's {{ordinal|3}} season which began airing on December 4, 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.aetv.com/storage-wars/episode-guide/season-3/ |title=Storage Wars - Episode Guide - Season 3 |publisher=aetv.com |access-date=January 2, 2013 |archive-date=January 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130109073858/http://www.aetv.com/storage-wars/episode-guide/season-3 |url-status=live }}
Storage Wars concluded its {{ordinal|12}} season on January 30, 2019, and there initially was no news regarding a season renewal. A {{ordinal|13}} season was eventually announced in March 2021 and premiered on April 20.{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Martin |title='Storage Wars' Is Back for Season 13 With Dan and Laura Dotson, Brandi Passante, and More |url=https://www.tvinsider.com/992510/storage-wars-returns-season-13-dan-laura-dotson-brandi-passante/ |website=TV Insider |access-date=March 27, 2021 |date=March 25, 2021 |archive-date=April 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420141739/https://www.tvinsider.com/992510/storage-wars-returns-season-13-dan-laura-dotson-brandi-passante/ |url-status=live }} Season 14 premiered on November 2, 2021, with Barry Weiss returning as a buyer, after departing the series in 2013 during season 4.{{cite news |last=Atad |first=Corey |title=Barry's Back And Everyone's Stepping Up Their Game In 'Storage Wars' New Season Trailer |url=https://etcanada.com/news/829333/barrys-back-and-everyones-stepping-up-their-game-in-storage-wars-new-season-trailer/ |access-date=October 20, 2021 |work=ET Canada |date=October 19, 2021 |archive-date=October 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019224037/https://etcanada.com/news/829333/barrys-back-and-everyones-stepping-up-their-game-in-storage-wars-new-season-trailer/ |url-status=dead }}
Season 15 aired 24 episodes and concluded on August 15, 2023. A 16th season is scheduled to premiere on June 7, 2025,{{cite web |title='Storage Wars' Returns with Fan-Favorite Treasure Hunters Saturday, June 7 at 9PM ET/PT |url=https://www.aetv.com/news/storage-wars-returns-with-fan-favorite-treasure-hunters-saturday-june-7-at-9pm-et-pt |website=A&E |access-date=May 19, 2025 |date=May 14, 2025}} with the series transitioning to an hour-long format.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/wwe-storage-wars-gabourey-sidibe-yaya-dacosta-lifetime-1236311011/|title=WWE Reality Shows Renewed & 'Storage Wars' Supersized At A&E, Gabourey Sidibe & Yaya DaCosta To Star In Lifetime Movies|website=deadline.com|access-date=March 5, 2025}} The season will include the return of buyer Dave Hester, absent since the conclusion of season 12.
= Spin-offs =
{{main|Storage Wars (franchise)}}
Several spin-off series were also produced, most of them airing on A&E:
- Storage Wars: Texas (2011–14){{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/11/11/aes-storage-wars-returns-with-new-episodes-on-a-new-night-beginning-tuesday-november-15/110406/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115040134/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/11/11/aes-storage-wars-returns-with-new-episodes-on-a-new-night-beginning-tuesday-november-15/110406/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 15, 2011 |title=A&E's 'Storage Wars' Returns with New Episodes on a New Night Beginning Tuesday, November 15 - Ratings |publisher=Zap2it |access-date=January 6, 2012}}
- Storage Wars: New York (2013){{cite web |url=http://www.channelguidemagblog.com/index.php/2011/12/20/producer-thom-beers-talks-storage-wars-texas/ |title=Producer Thom Beers talks 'Storage Wars: Texas' |first=Stacey |last=Harrison |work=channelguidemag.com |date=December 20, 2011 |access-date=December 20, 2011 |archive-date=January 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110133417/http://www.channelguidemagblog.com/index.php/2011/12/20/producer-thom-beers-talks-storage-wars-texas |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=A&E to Open "Storage Wars: NY" on Tuesday, December 11 |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2012/11/14/aande-to-open-storage-wars-ny-on-tuesday-december-11-898101/10063/ |publisher=Thefutoncritic.com |access-date=December 8, 2012 |archive-date=February 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204041603/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2012/11/14/aande-to-open-storage-wars-ny-on-tuesday-december-11-898101/10063/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=A&E Bumps "Storage Wars: New York" to January 1, "Be the Boss" to Late-Night |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2012/12/07/aande-bumps-storage-wars-new-york-to-january-1-be-the-boss-to-late-night-550311/10102/ |publisher=Thefutoncritic.com |access-date=December 8, 2012 |archive-date=January 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130111095955/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2012/12/07/aande-bumps-storage-wars-new-york-to-january-1-be-the-boss-to-late-night-550311/10102/ |url-status=live }}
- Storage Wars: Canada (originally aired on OLN from 2013 to 2015; re-runs aired as Storage Wars: Northern Treasures on A&E)
- Barry'd Treasure (2014)
- Brandi & Jarrod: Married to the Job (2014)
- Storage Wars: Miami (2015)
- Storage Wars France: Enchères surprises (aired on 6ter)
Participants
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" width:"100%" font-size:5%; line-height:6px;" |
| scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:15%;" | Name
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:9%;" | Known As ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:15%;" | Spinoff ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:5%;" | Occupation ! colspan="16" scope="col" style="width:50%;" | Seasons |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:4%;" | 1
! scope="col" style="width:4%;" | 2 ! scope="col" style="width:4%;" | 3 ! scope="col" style="width:4%;" | 4 ! scope="col" style="width:4%;" | 5 ! scope="col" style="width:4%;" | 6 ! scope="col" style="width:4%;" | 7 ! scope="col" style="width:4%;" | 8 ! scope="col" style="width:4%;" | 9 ! scope="col" style="width:4%;" | 10 ! scope="col" style="width:4%;" | 11 ! scope="col" style="width:4%;" | 12 ! scope="col" style="width:4%;" | 13 ! scope="col" style="width:4%;" | 14 ! scope="col" style="width:4%;" | 15 ! scope="col" style="width:4%;" | 16 |
| scope="row" | Dave Hester
| The Mogul | {{n/a}} | Buyer | colspan="3" {{cMain}} | colspan="1" {{cNone}} | colspan="8" {{cMain}} | colspan="3" {{cNone}} | colspan="1" {{cMain}} |
| scope="row" | Darrell Sheets
| The Gambler | {{n/a}} | Buyer | colspan="15" {{cMain}} | colspan="1" {{cNone}} |
| scope="row" | Brandon Sheets {{efn|Brandon Sheets is Darrell's son.|name=darrel}}
| The Sidebet | {{n/a}} | Buyer | colspan="9" {{cMain}} | colspan="7" {{cNone}} |
| scope="row" | Jarrod Schulz {{efn|In the season 13 premiere, Jarrod and Brandi, having broken up, bid separately.|name=brandi_jarrod}}
| rowspan="2" | The Young Guns | rowspan="2" | Brandi & Jarrod: Married to the Job | rowspan="2" | Buyers | colspan="13" {{cMain}} | colspan="3" {{CNone}} |
| Brandi Passante {{efn|name=brandi_jarrod}}
| colspan="16" {{CMain}} |
| scope="row" | Barry Weiss
| The Collector | Buyer | colspan="4" {{cMain}} | colspan="9" {{cNone}} | colspan="2" {{CMain}} | colspan="1" {{cNone}} |
| scope="row" | Dan and Laura Dotson
| American Auctioneers | {{n/a}} | Auctioneers | colspan="16" {{cMain}} |
| scope="row" | Ivy Calvin
| The King | {{n/a}} | Buyer | colspan="2" {{cNone}} | colspan="2" {{cRecurring}} | colspan="12" {{cMain}} |
| scope="row" | Rene and Casey Nezhoda {{efn|Casey Nezhoda would be a semi-regular cast member. Rene Nezhoda often attended the storage auctions by himself. However, Rene Nezhoda brought his father Gunter along in some episodes.|name=nezhoda}}
| The Bargain Hunters | {{n/a}} | Buyers | colspan="3" {{cNone}} | colspan="1"{{cRecurring}} | colspan="12" {{cMain}} |
| scope="row" | Mary Padian
| The Junkster | Buyer | colspan="4" {{cNone}} | colspan="9" {{cMain}} | colspan="4" {{cNone}} |
| scope="row" | Kenny Crossley
| {{n/a}} | {{n/a}} | Buyer | colspan="1" {{cNone}} | colspan="3" {{cRecurring}} | colspan="5" {{cNone}} | colspan="7" {{cMain}} |
| scope="row" | Emily Wears
| {{n/a}} | {{n/a}} | Auctioneer | colspan="9" {{cNone}} | colspan="3" {{cMain}} | colspan="4" {{cNone}} |
| scope="row" | Shana Dahan and Edwina Registre
| The Vegas Ladies | {{n/a}} | Buyers | colspan="10" {{cNone}} | colspan="2" {{cMain}} | colspan="4" {{cNone}} |
| scope="row" | Justin Bryant
| The Rookie | {{n/a}} | Buyer | colspan="10" {{cNone}} | colspan="2" {{cMain}} | colspan="4" {{cNone}} |
| scope="row" | Lisa Delarios
| {{n/a}} | {{n/a}} | Buyer | colspan="12" {{cNone}} | colspan="3" {{cRecurring}} | colspan="1" {{cMain}} |
| scope="row" | Dusty Riach
| {{n/a}} | {{n/a}} | Buyer | colspan="13" {{cNone}} | colspan="2" {{cRecurring}} | colspan="1" {{cMain}} |
| scope="row" | Mark Balelo
| Rico Suavé | {{n/a}} | Buyer | colspan="1" {{cNone}} | colspan="3" {{cRecurring}} | colspan="12" {{cNone}} |
| scope="row" | Nabila Haniss
| {{n/a}} | Buyer | colspan="1" {{cNone}} | colspan="3" {{cRecurring}} | colspan="12" {{cNone}} |
| scope="row" | Jeff Jarred
| {{n/a}} | {{n/a}} | Buyer | colspan="2" {{cNone}} | colspan="1" {{cRecurring}} | colspan="13" {{cNone}} |
| scope="row" | Herb Brown and Mike Karlinger
| The Tank Top Twins | {{n/a}} | Buyer | colspan="2" {{cNone}} | colspan="2" {{cRecurring}} | colspan="12" {{cNone}} |
| scope="row" | Mark and Matt Harris
| The Harris Brothers | {{n/a}} | Buyers | colspan="2" {{cNone}} | colspan="2" {{cRecurring}} | colspan="12" {{cNone}} |
| scope="row" | Earl and Johan Graham
| {{n/a}} | {{n/a}} | Auctioneers | colspan="3" {{cNone}} | colspan="1" {{cRecurring}} | colspan="12" {{cNone}} |
| scope="row" | Maverick Harvey
| {{n/a}} | {{n/a}} | Buyer | colspan="6" {{cNone}} | colspan="2" {{cRecurring}} | colspan="8" {{cNone}} |
| scope="row" | Chad {{efn|Chad is Darrell's sidekick.|name=chad}}
| {{n/a}} | {{n/a}} | Buyer | colspan="9" {{cNone}} | colspan="3" {{cRecurring}} | colspan="4" {{cNone}} |
| scope="row" | Lupe Riach
| {{n/a}} | {{n/a}} | Buyer | colspan="14" {{cNone}} | colspan="1" {{cRecurring}} | colspan="1" {{cNone}} |
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
= Main buyers =
== Dave Hester ==
{{Infobox person
|name = Dave Hester
|image =
|alt =
|caption =
|birth_name =
|birth_date =
|birth_place =
|death_date =
|death_place =
|nationality =
|other_names = The Mogul
|occupation =
|years_active = 2010–2012, 2014–2019, 2025-
|known_for =
|notable_works =
}}
Dave Hester, also known as The Mogul (seasons 1–3; seasons 5–12; season 16-): At the start of the series, Hester owned Newport Consignment Gallery in Costa Mesa, California{{cite web |url=http://www.ocregister.com/news/dave-286781-storage-store.html |title=Venezia: Dave Hester of 'Storage Wars' has O.C. connection |first=Barbara |last=Venezia |work=Orange County Register |date=February 4, 2011 |access-date=July 17, 2011 |archive-date=July 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727070110/http://www.ocregister.com/news/dave-286781-storage-store.html |url-status=live }} and the Rags to Riches thrift store, but closed them in June 2011. He now operates his own auction house, Dave Hester Auctions. Hester has had confrontations with the other main buyers, especially Darrell and Brandon Sheets, and is known to frequently raise bids when somebody else wants to buy a storage unit. Hester's son Dave Jr. occasionally appeared on the show with him. Dave Hester's signature catchword is a loud "YUUUP!" when making a bid.{{Cite web |date=May 9, 2021 |title=Storage Wars: What Happened To Dave Hester Before Season 13 |url=https://screenrant.com/storage-wars-what-happened-dave-hester-season-13/ |access-date=September 8, 2021 |website=ScreenRant |language=en-US |archive-date=September 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908174401/https://screenrant.com/storage-wars-what-happened-dave-hester-season-13/ |url-status=live }} He has this word imprinted on his trucks, T-shirts, and hats. Hester's call originated from him being a bid-catcher in auction facilities, helping auctioneers spot bidders in a crowd.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9yCn8sxxbI |title=Dave Hester Reveals How His 'Yup' Started |date=May 23, 2012 |via=YouTube |access-date=September 7, 2013 |archive-date=October 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018011337/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9yCn8sxxbI |url-status=live }} In December 2012, Hester was fired from the show, and sued the show's producers for wrongful termination; part of his lawsuit was tossed out in March 2013.{{cite news |title='Storage Wars' star says A&E series is faked |author=Gary Levin |newspaper=USA Today |date=December 11, 2012 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2012/12/11/storage-wars-rigged-lawsuit/1761955/ |access-date=September 15, 2017 |archive-date=January 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127203909/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2012/12/11/storage-wars-rigged-lawsuit/1761955/ |url-status=live }} Hester didn't appear in the fourth season but returned for season five.{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Patrick |date=September 24, 2019 |title=What Dave Hester From Storage Wars Is Doing Today |url=https://www.looper.com/167358/what-dave-hester-from-storage-wars-is-doing-today/ |access-date=September 8, 2021 |website=Looper.com |language=en-US |archive-date=September 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908174402/https://www.looper.com/167358/what-dave-hester-from-storage-wars-is-doing-today/ |url-status=live }}
== Darrell and Brandon Sheets ==
{{Infobox person
|name = Darrell Sheets and Brandon Sheets
|image = Darrell Sheets at Frieze Art Fair New York in 2013 (cropped).jpg
|alt =
|caption = Darrell Sheets in 2013
|birth_name =
|birth_date =
|birth_place =
|death_date =
|death_place =
|nationality =
|other_names = The Gambler (Darrell), The Sidebet (Brandon)
|occupation =
|years_active = 2010–2023 (Darrell) 2010–2016 (Brandon)
|known_for =
|notable_works =
}}
Darrell Sheets, also known as The Gambler (seasons 1–15): A storage auction veteran from San Diego. His catchphrase is "This is the WOW factor!" and he makes the occasional malapropism. He makes his living by selling items from his purchased lockers at his weekly swap meet, and through his online store.{{cite web |url=http://www.darrellgambler.com/ |title=Darrell Sheets' online store |publisher=Darrell Sheets |access-date=April 10, 2014 |archive-date=April 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413191233/http://darrellgambler.com/ |url-status=live }} In an interview, Sheets indicated that some of his biggest finds in lockers included a sizable comic book collection, four drawings by Pablo Picasso, and a letter written by Abraham Lincoln that sold for over {{US$|15000|link=yes}}.{{cite web |url=https://tvguide.com/News/Storage-Wars-Greatest-1027050.aspx?rss=breakingnews&partnerid=foxnews&profileid=breaking |title=Storage Wars' Greatest Finds |first=Joseph |last=Hudak |work=TV Guide |date=October 22, 2010 |access-date=July 17, 2011 |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021172908/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Storage-Wars-Greatest-1027050.aspx?rss=breakingnews&partnerid=foxnews&profileid=breaking |url-status=live }} Darrell was often accompanied by his son Brandon Sheets, also known as The Sidebet. In later seasons, Brandon attended auctions on his own and also bid against his father for the same units.
In the season-two special "Unlocked: Sell High", Darrell revealed that he once found a plastic-wrapped human corpse in a storage locker. It was determined that the previous owner of the locker had murdered his wife and left her in the unit. In the season three finale, Darrell bought a locker for {{US$|3600|long=no}}, which was discovered to have contained many pieces of original artwork by Frank Gutierrez. The artwork wound up being appraised for approximately {{US$|300000|long=no}}, resulting in the {{as of|2012|alt=biggest profit in the show's history}}.{{cite web |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/19/storage-wars-biggest-payout-ever-video_n_2328407.html |title='Storage Wars': Darrell Sheets Gets Biggest Payout In Show's History |work=HuffPost |date=December 19, 2012 |access-date=July 1, 2013 |archive-date=October 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003112204/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/19/storage-wars-biggest-payout-ever-video_n_2328407.html |url-status=live }}
== Jarrod Schulz and Brandi Passante ==
{{Infobox person
|name = Jarrod Schulz and Brandi Passante
|image = Jarrod & Brandi from Storage Wars.jpg
|alt =
|caption = Schulz (left) and Passante (middle) in 2011
|birth_name =
|birth_date =
|birth_place =
|death_date =
|death_place =
|nationality =
|other_names = The Young Guns
|occupation =
|years_active = 2010–2021 (Jarrod Schulz) 2010–present (Brandi Passante)
|known_for =
|notable_works =
}}
Jarrod Schulz (seasons 1—13) and Brandi Passante (seasons 1–), also known as The Young Guns: At the start of the series, Schulz and Passante own and operate the Now and Then thrift store in Orange, California.{{cite web |url=http://onlinestorageauctions.com/storage-wars-stars-thrift-stores-locations/ |title="Storage Wars" cast businesses |publisher=Online Storage Auctions |access-date=April 10, 2014 |archive-date=April 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411082622/http://onlinestorageauctions.com/storage-wars-stars-thrift-stores-locations/ |url-status=live }} In the fourth season, they open a second location in Long Beach, California, but in the premiere of season five, it is revealed that the Long Beach store has not made a profit since opening day, putting the pair in financial jeopardy. The Long Beach store is shown to have closed during the opening segment of the episode aired on April 8, 2014. Their Orange store also permanently closed in early 2016. On April 24, 2014, A&E premiered the special Brandi & Jarrod: Married to the Job, which focuses on the two balancing running their business and raising their two children.{{cite web |url=http://www.aetv.com/storage-wars/cast/jarrod-schulz-brandi-passante |title=Brandi and Jarrod's bio |publisher=A&E |access-date=April 30, 2014}} The special led to a spin-off series of the same name, premiering on August 12, 2014. Though identified on-screen as husband and wife in some episodes, Schulz and Passante never actually married. They have two children, Cameron and Payton. In the season 13 premiere, it is revealed that Jarrod and Brandi have broken up, but they continue to bid separately.{{cite news |last=Chung |first=Gabrielle |title=Storage Wars' Brandi Passante and Jarrod Schulz Quietly Split Over 2 Years Ago |url=https://people.com/tv/storage-wars-brandi-passante-jarrod-schulz-quietly-split-over-2-years-ago/ |access-date=June 3, 2021 |work=People |date=April 21, 2021 |archive-date=June 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603154639/https://people.com/tv/storage-wars-brandi-passante-jarrod-schulz-quietly-split-over-2-years-ago/ |url-status=live }}
== Barry Weiss ==
{{Infobox person
|name = Barry Weiss
|image =
|alt =
|caption =
|birth_name =
|birth_date =
|birth_place =
|death_date =
|death_place =
|nationality =
|other_names = The Collector
|occupation =
|years_active = 2010–2013, 2022–2023
|known_for =
|notable_works =
}}
Barry Weiss, also known as The Collector (seasons 1–4; season 14–15): Weiss and his brother owned a successful produce company until he retired. Weiss is a lifelong antiques collector, but he had never bought a storage unit until his friend and Storage Wars executive producer and narrator Thom Beers suggested that he join the show.{{cite web |url=http://www.aoltv.com/2011/08/03/storage-wars-barry-weiss-interview/ |title='Storage Wars' Star Barry Weiss Talks About Being a 'Produce' Man & His Female Fans |publisher=Aoltv.com |access-date=January 6, 2012 |archive-date=January 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113144213/http://www.aoltv.com/2011/08/03/storage-wars-barry-weiss-interview/ |url-status=live }} On June 25, 2013, it was reported that Weiss would not return to the show for season five and that he was leaving the series.{{cite web |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/barry-weiss-leaving-storage-wars-star-films-secret-farewell-episode-following-dave-hester-lawsuit |title=Barry Weiss Leaving 'Storage Wars,' Star Films Secret Farewell Episode Following Dave Hester Lawsuit [REPORT] |work=International Business Times |date=June 25, 2013 |access-date=September 7, 2013 |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005113251/http://www.ibtimes.com/barry-weiss-leaving-storage-wars-star-films-secret-farewell-episode-following-dave-hester-lawsuit |url-status=live }} In February 2014, A&E announced that Weiss would be starring in his own spin-off series, titled Barry'd Treasure.{{cite web |url=https://thewrap.com/storage-wars-barry-weiss-spinoff-barryd-treasure-premiere-march |title='Storage Wars' Barry Spinoff 'Barry'd Treasure' to Premiere in March |date=February 25, 2014 |publisher=The Wrap |access-date=April 30, 2014 |archive-date=March 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310020845/http://www.thewrap.com/storage-wars-barry-weiss-spinoff-barryd-treasure-premiere-march/ |url-status=live }} Weiss is godfather to Jesse James, the customizer and firearms manufacturer.Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/jo_BgjKl3Jk Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20191004083225/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo_BgjKl3Jk&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo_BgjKl3Jk |title=The fire and fight that tore Jesse James and his father apart |date=November 24, 2015 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} He is also the "official spokesperson" and "brand ambassador" for Sherwood Valley Casino in Willits, California.{{Cite web |url=https://www.casinolifemagazine.com/blog/meet-new-face-sherwood-valley-casino-tv-celebrity-and-world-traveler-barry-weiss |title=Meet the New Face of Sherwood Valley Casino, TV Celebrity and World Traveler Barry Weiss |date=June 11, 2019 |website=Casino Life Magazine |language=en |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617201239/https://www.casinolifemagazine.com/blog/meet-new-face-sherwood-valley-casino-tv-celebrity-and-world-traveler-barry-weiss |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.tmz.com/2019/06/15/storage-wars-star-barry-weiss-out-icu-rehab-ahead-casino-spokesman/ |title='Storage Wars' Star Barry Weiss Out of ICU, Lands Casino Gig |website=TMZ |date=June 15, 2019 |language=en |access-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616141323/https://www.tmz.com/2019/06/15/storage-wars-star-barry-weiss-out-icu-rehab-ahead-casino-spokesman/ |url-status=live }} He returned in season 14 as a regular on the first episode.{{cite news |last=Haring |first=Bruce |title='Storage Wars' Star Barry Weiss Returns In Style After Horrific Accident Recovery |url=https://deadline.com/2021/09/storage-wars-barry-weiss-returns-after-accident-1234844631/ |access-date=October 20, 2021 |work=Deadline |date=September 26, 2021 |archive-date=October 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020151424/https://deadline.com/2021/09/storage-wars-barry-weiss-returns-after-accident-1234844631/ |url-status=live }}
== Ivy Calvin ==
{{Main|Ivy Calvin}}
{{Infobox person
|name = Ivy Calvin
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Ivy Calvin, also known as The King (seasons 3–): Calvin joined the show during season three just after Dave Hester's departure, and became one of the main buyers during season five. A former mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter and arena football player{{Cite web|url=https://www.arenafan.com/players/Ivy_Calvin-251/|title=Ivy Calvin | ArenaFan.com|website=www.arenafan.com}}
, he owns the Grandma's Attic thrift store in Palmdale, California.{{cite web |url=http://www.aetv.com/storage-wars/cast/ivy-calvin |title=Ivy's bio |publisher=A&E |access-date=April 30, 2014 |archive-date=April 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407223705/http://www.aetv.com/storage-wars/cast/ivy-calvin |url-status=live }} Calvin's son, Ivy Jr., often joins him on the show. Calvin also often teams up with Mary Padian, whom he refers to as his "BFF".{{cite web |url=http://www.aetv.com/storage-wars/video/ivys-thrift-store |title=Grandma's Attic |publisher=A&E |access-date=April 30, 2014 |archive-date=April 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413144107/http://www.aetv.com/storage-wars/video/ivys-thrift-store |url-status=live }}
== Rene Nezhoda and Casey Nezhoda ==
{{Infobox person
|name = Rene Nezhoda and Casey Nezhoda
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Rene Nezhoda and Casey Nezhoda, also known as The Bargain Hunters (seasons 4-present): The husband-and-wife team joined the show during season four, and became main buyers in season five. A native of Germany, Rene owned the Bargain Hunters thrift store in Poway, California near San Diego until its closing in 2021. As of the eleventh season, Casey only appears as a semi-regular cast member, with Rene often attending the auctions by himself. They have one child.{{cite web |url=http://www.aetv.com/storage-wars/cast/rene-casey-nezhoda |title=Rene and Casey's bio |publisher=A&E |access-date=April 30, 2014 |archive-date=April 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407180326/http://www.aetv.com/storage-wars/cast/rene-casey-nezhoda |url-status=live }}
== Mary Padian ==
{{Infobox person
|name = Mary Padian
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|other_names = The Junkster
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Mary Padian, also known as The Junkster (seasons 5–13): A former regular of the spin-off series Storage Wars: Texas, Padian joined the cast in season five, appearing in three episodes while on a visit to Long Beach in January 2014. In the sixth season, Padian became a main buyer. Mary Padian is the proprietor of Mary's Finds, an antique and furniture restoration business.{{cite web |url=https://www.marysfinds.com/ |title=Mary's Finds - Mary Padian: Storage Wars - Shop |website=Mary's Finds - Mary Padian: Storage Wars - Shop |access-date=April 6, 2018 |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613012656/https://www.marysfinds.com/ |url-status=live }} Several episodes have shown Padian restoring items taken from the units she has purchased, through to the sale to the intended buyer. Padian is close friends with Ivy Calvin, who she often calls "BFF". In season 12, she teams up with Jenny Grumbles, a former Storage Wars: Texas buyer, to purchase a unit. In season 13, Padian was a guest on the first episode.
== Kenny Crossley ==
{{Infobox person
|name = Kenny Crossley
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Kenny Crossley (seasons 10–): Having formerly appeared as a recurring guest throughout seasons two to four, Crossley returned in the tenth season to become one of the main buyers. Crossley hails from New Orleans, Louisiana, where he worked for the Sheriff's Department. Leaving law enforcement behind, Crossley moved out to Los Angeles, California, where he managed storage facilities.{{cite web |url=http://www.aetv.com/shows/storage-wars/cast/kenny-crossley |title=Kenny Crossley - Storage Wars Cast - A&E |access-date=April 6, 2018 |archive-date=February 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203105654/http://www.aetv.com/shows/storage-wars/cast/kenny-crossley |url-status=live }} Crossley initially formed an early alliance with Barry Weiss, after helping him to open a jammed locker. The pair became close friends, with Crossley even going on to appear with Weiss in Barry'd Treasure and Storage Wars: Barry Strikes Back. Outside of storage units, Crossley owns a business making his own pralines, and owns a clothing line with the tag "Kenny Do It?", many designs of which he is often seen wearing on the show.
== Shana Dahan and Edwina Registre ==
{{Infobox person
|name = Shana Dahan and Edwina Registre
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|other_names = The Vegas Ladies
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Shana Dahan and Edwina Registre, also known as The Vegas Ladies (seasons 11–12): High school friends Dahan and Registre joined the show in its eleventh season, becoming two of the three new stars appointed by the network. By trade, both Dahan and Registre are insurance brokers; they often attend auctions in their spare time, having developed a love of vintage collectibles at a young age. The pair also run a YouTube channel called "Thrifters Anonymous", where they document items found in either storage units or thrift stores.{{cite web |url=http://www.aetv.com/shows/storage-wars/cast/edwina-registre-shana-dahan |title=Edwina Registre & Shana Dahan - Storage Wars Cast - A&E |access-date=April 6, 2018 |archive-date=February 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214171549/http://www.aetv.com/shows/storage-wars/cast/edwina-registre-shana-dahan |url-status=live }}
== Justin Bryant ==
{{Infobox person
|name = Justin Bryant
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|other_names = The Rookie
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}}
Justin Bryant, also known as The Rookie (seasons 11–12): Justin was one of three new stars appointed by the network for season eleven. Bryant is the youngest buyer ever to appear on the show at the age of 22. Bryant was inspired to make a name for himself in the storage business after watching the show and developing a love for buying storage units. Since starting, Bryant has used the profits from the units he has purchased to help buy his mother a new home and also employed his older brother.{{cite web |url=http://www.aetv.com/shows/storage-wars/cast/justin-bryant |title=Justin Bryant - Storage Wars Cast - A&E |access-date=April 6, 2018 |archive-date=February 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213235134/http://www.aetv.com/shows/storage-wars/cast/justin-bryant |url-status=live }}
= Recurring buyers =
== Nabila Haniss ==
Nabila Haniss, also known as Paris Hilton (seasons 2—4): Haniss is a lifelong buyer from Culver City, California, who received attention after purchasing a storage unit that contained items belonging to socialite Paris Hilton.{{cite web |url=http://www.citmedialaw.org/threats/hilton-v-persa#description |title=Hilton vs. Persa |work=citmedialaw.org |year=2008 |access-date=December 14, 2011 |archive-date=January 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107200734/http://www.citmedialaw.org/threats/hilton-v-persa#description |url-status=live }} She has since also obtained a unit belonging to television and social media personality Tila Tequila.{{cite web |url=https://how-rich.com/1702/how-rich-is-nabila-haniss/ |title=How Rich? – How rich is Nabila Haniss? |website=how-rich.com |access-date=April 6, 2018 |archive-date=January 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127143307/https://how-rich.com/1702/how-rich-is-nabila-haniss/ |url-status=live }} Haniss appeared as a recurring buyer throughout seasons two to four, often going head-to-head with Dave Hester.
== Mark Balelo ==
Mark Balelo, also known as Rico Suave (seasons 2—4): Balelo owned a liquidation, wholesale, and distribution company, and an auction house, and also formerly owned a gaming store called "The Game Exchange" from 2009 to 2012. He was known for bringing large sums of money to auctions, as much as {{US$|50000|long=no}} at a time. He earned the nickname "Rico Suave" for his tendency to dress in fancy clothes at storage auctions. Balelo appeared three times during the second season, five times in the third season, and three times in the fourth season, which was filmed shortly before his death by suicide.{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/storage-wars-star-mark-balelo-found-dead-of-apparent-suicide-after-drug-arrest-reports |title=Mark Balelo found dead |publisher=Fox News |access-date=September 7, 2013 |archive-date=August 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130820125110/http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/02/12/storage-wars-star-mark-balelo-found-dead-apparent-suicide-after-drug-arrest/ |url-status=live }}
== Jeff Jarred ==
Jeff Jarred (season 3): Jarred is the owner of the "It's New To You" antique and thrift store, that he runs with his daughter in Burbank, California. He has often fought with Dan Dotson, after accusing him of using sneaky tactics at auctions to allow regular bidders to win units. However, he and Dotson decided to make peace in the third season. He appeared six times during the third season.{{cite web |url=http://www.aetv.com/storage-wars/episode-guide/season-4/auctioning-for-dummies-79#80 |title=Auctioning for Dummies - Storage Wars Episode Guide - Season 4 |publisher=AETV.com |access-date=September 7, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829002705/http://www.aetv.com/storage-wars/episode-guide/season-4/auctioning-for-dummies-79 |archive-date=August 29, 2013}}
== Herb Brown and Mike Karlinger ==
Herb Brown and Mike Karlinger, also known as The Tank Top Twins (seasons 3—4): Brown and Karlinger are brothers-in-law, who developed a taste for buying units after attending an auction one day out of boredom.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr3vgZ1KhBE |title=Storage Wars: Herb and Mike's Million Dollar Locker - A&E |last=A&E |date=June 4, 2013 |access-date=April 6, 2018 |via=YouTube |archive-date=November 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116124323/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr3vgZ1KhBE&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live }} They appeared three times in the third season, in the episodes "Portrait of the Gambler", "Nobody's Vault but Mine" and "Still Nobody's Vault but Mine", and three times in the fourth season, in the episodes "Old Tricks, New Treats", "Orange You Glad Dan Sold It Again?" and "That's My Jerry!". Brown and Karlinger also made an uncredited appearance in the episode "Jurassic Bark" where they pranked Dave Hester and earned the nickname the "tank top twins".
== Mark and Matt Harris ==
Mark Harris and Matt Harris, also known as The Harris Brothers (seasons 3—4): Mark and Matt are identical twins who first appeared in "May the Vaults Be with You" as an appraiser for Barry Weiss when Weiss found a Return of the Jedi jacket in a locker. Since then, the Harris brothers have appeared as recurring buyers throughout the third and fourth seasons. They first appeared as buyers in the episode "The Kook, The Chief, His Son, and The Brothers". The self-proclaimed "Kings of Swag", the Harris brothers specialize in Hollywood memorabilia. They have a company called WOW! Creations, which specializes in celebrity gift bags.{{cite web |url=http://www.aetv.com/storage-wars/pictures/the-new-players-17226010/#01-harris-brothers-1 |title=The New Players Pictures - Storage Wars |publisher=AETV.com |access-date=September 7, 2013 |archive-date=August 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830073732/http://www.aetv.com/storage-wars/pictures/the-new-players-17226010#01-harris-brothers-1 |url-status=live }} They appeared five times in the fourth season in the episodes "Oysters on the Half Plate", "The Shrining", "The French Job", "There's No Place Like Homeland", and "Total Wine Domination".
== Gunter Nezhoda ==
Gunter Nezhoda (seasons 8—15) is Rene Nezhoda's father who appears alongside Rene in several episodes. Gunter is also of Germanic descent. Like Darrell Sheets' sidekick Chad, Gunter Nezhoda provides the occasional comic relief to Rene but is generally well-meaning as Gunter learns his way through the business. Before his appearance on Storage Wars, Nezhoda worked as a Bass player for artists like Pat Travers, Leslie West, Kevin DuBrow, George Lynch, and Michael Schenker, as well as a photographer and has worked in several films as an actor.{{Cite web |title=Gunter Nezhoda |url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4237101/ |access-date=September 6, 2020 |publisher=IMDb |archive-date=July 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705004113/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4237101/ |url-status=live }} After a 6 month battle with cancer, Gunter died on March 21, 2023.{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/2023/03/gunter-nezhoda-dead-storage-wars-obituary-1235308067/ | title=Gunter Nezhoda Dies: 'Storage Wars' Favorite Was 67 | date=March 23, 2023 }}
= Auctioneers =
{{Infobox person
|name = Dan Dotson and Laura Dotson
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Dan Dotson and Laura Dotson are a husband and wife auctioneer team, who run their own business, American Auctioneers, and are the primary auctioneers on the show. Dan has been a professional auctioneer since 1974. He is the primary auctioneer of the two, occasionally giving the reins to Laura, and Laura ends all the auctions by reminding the winning bidders, "Don't forget to pay the lady!"{{cite web |url=http://www.americanauctioneers.com/home/american/public_html/about.php |title=Dan and Laura's bio |publisher=American Auctioneers |access-date=April 30, 2014 |archive-date=July 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705004107/https://www.americanauctioneers.com/home/american/public_html/about.php |url-status=live }} A substitute auctioneer has filled in for the Dotsons on two occasions: in the season five episode "The Daneurysm" (2014), after Dan suffered an aneurysm; and in the season eight episode "Palm Springs Throwdown" (2015), after the Dotsons both got into a physical fight with regular auction buyer Dave Hester.
Other auctioneers have also appeared on the show. Earl and Johan Graham are a father-daughter auctioneer team, who appeared in six episodes in season four, as the network tried to shake up the show by introducing some new cast members. They appeared in the episodes "The Monster Hash", "The Shrining", "Barry's Angels", "That's My Jerry!", "Total Wine Domination" and "Fear and Loathing in Placentia". They did not return for season five.
{{Infobox person
|name = Emily Wears-Kroul
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Emily Wears-Kroul was appointed as a new semi-regular auctioneer from the tenth season to the twelfth.{{Cite web |last=Khera |first=Japleen |date=October 1, 2020 |title=Emily Kroul, Storage Wars: Husband, Family, Kids |url=https://thecinemaholic.com/emily-kroul-from-storage-wars/ |access-date=September 8, 2021 |website=The Cinemaholic |language=en-US |archive-date=September 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908172711/https://thecinemaholic.com/emily-kroul-from-storage-wars/ |url-status=live }} Wears was only 17 years old when she finished auction school and is one of the youngest auctioneers currently working in the business. Wears runs her own auction business in Solon, Iowa with her father, who is a lifelong bid caller. Wears also appeared as a singing contestant during the 15th season of the TV talent show American Idol. Wears married in 2017, and is close friends with auction buyer Mary Padian.{{cite web |url=http://www.aetv.com/shows/storage-wars/cast/emily-wears |title=Emily Wears - Storage Wars Cast - A&E |access-date=April 6, 2018 |archive-date=February 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210045330/http://www.aetv.com/shows/storage-wars/cast/emily-wears |url-status=live }}
Episodes
{{main|List of Storage Wars episodes}}
{{:List of Storage Wars episodes}}
Reception
= Critical response =
Critical response was mixed, with Mary McNamara of the Los Angeles Times calling Storage Wars "a strangely uplifting show{{snds}}hope being one of the many things one can apparently find in an abandoned storage unit,"{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-xpm-2011-feb-27-la-ca-0227-critics-notebook-storage-w20110227-story.html |title=Television review: 'Storage Wars' on A&E |first=Mary |last=Mcnamara |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 27, 2011 |access-date=July 17, 2011 |archive-date=May 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110505091419/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/feb/27/entertainment/la-ca-0227-critics-notebook-storage-w20110227 |url-status=live }} and Neil Genzlinger of The New York Times called the series "an especially entertaining addition to the genre."{{cite web |url=http://tv.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/arts/television/01storage.html |title=The Gold Mines Behind Padlocks |first=Neil |last=Genzlinger |work=The New York Times |date=December 9, 2010 |access-date=January 24, 2012 |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115225513/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/arts/television/01storage.html |url-status=live }} Brian Lowry of Variety said that {{"'}}Wars' should have been left in storage, indefinitely."{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/review/VE1117944136 |title=Variety Reviews – Storage Wars |first=Brian |last=Lowry |work=Variety |date=December 1, 2010 |access-date=July 17, 2011 |archive-date=July 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728055631/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117944136 |url-status=live }} Writing for Slate magazine, Troy Patterson gave a mixed review, referring to the series as "trash TV" as well as "trivial and magnetic."{{cite web |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/television/2010/12/let_me_touch_your_junk.html |title=Let Me Touch Your Junk |first=Troy |last=Patterson |work=Slate |date=December 15, 2010 |access-date=January 24, 2012 |archive-date=January 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126214401/http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/television/2010/12/let_me_touch_your_junk.html |url-status=live }} Ellen Gray of the Philadelphia Daily News suggested "if there's an acquisitive bone in your body, you should probably steer clear".{{cite web |last=Ellen |first=Gray |title=Critic Reviews for Storage Wars: Season 1 |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/storage-wars/season-1/critic-reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=May 2, 2012 |archive-date=April 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401160036/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/storage-wars/season-1/critic-reviews |url-status=live }}
= Ratings =
The first-season premiere episode drew 2.1{{nbsp}}million viewers{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/hasselhoff-show-axed-after-2-episodes-1.951934 |title=Hasselhoff show axed after 2 episodes |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=December 11, 2010 |access-date=July 17, 2011 |archive-date=August 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804235813/http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/tv/story/2010/12/11/hasselhoff-show-cancelled.html |url-status=live }} and the show was A&E's top-rated non-fiction show for 2010, with an average of 2.4{{nbsp}}million viewers. The season two premiere consisted of back-to-back new episodes of the show; the second show drew 5.1{{nbsp}}million total viewers and was the highest rating for an episode of a series in A&E history.{{cite news |url=https://latimes.com/entertainment/sns-rt-us-storagewarstre76l0a6-20110721,0,2098363.story |title='Storage Wars' most popular series in A&E history |first=John |last=Sellers |work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 21, 2011 |location=Los Angeles |issn=0458-3035 |access-date=July 23, 2011}}{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The combined season premiere outperformed competing original episodes of NBC's Love in the Wild and ABC's Primetime Nightline.{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-jul-23-la-et-quick-20110723-story.html |title=Quick Takes: A&E scores with 'Storage Wars' - Los Angeles Times |first=Scott |last=Collins |work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 23, 2011 |access-date=July 30, 2011 |archive-date=November 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107175752/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/23/entertainment/la-et-quick-20110723 |url-status=live }}
Concerns about authenticity
Some critics have speculated that some of the units have been stocked by producers,{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/LIFE/usaedition/2011-01-28-storage28_CV_U.htm |title='Storage Wars' strikes it rich |first=Marco R. |last=della Cava |work=USA Today |date=January 27, 2011 |publisher=Gannett |location=McLean, VA |issn=0734-7456 |access-date=July 17, 2011 |archive-date=June 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630004157/http://www.usatoday.com/LIFE/usaedition/2011-01-28-storage28_CV_U.htm |url-status=live }} but an A&E publicist said: "There is no staging involved. The items uncovered in the storage units are the actual items featured on the show".{{cite web |url=http://communityvoices.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/arts-entertainment-living/tuned-in-journal/29347-tv-qaa-storage-wars-directv-e-in-hd |title=TV Q&A: 'Storage Wars' + DirecTV + E! in HD |first=Rob |last=Owen |work=communityvoices.sites.post-gazette.com |date=July 8, 2011 |access-date=July 17, 2011 |archive-date=September 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914175002/http://communityvoices.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/arts-entertainment-living/tuned-in-journal/29347-tv-qaa-storage-wars-directv-e-in-hd |url-status=dead }} Executive producer Thom Beers has stated that the vast majority of the storage lockers investigated during production contain nothing of interest and therefore do not appear in the final show. However, Beers admitted that half of the lines are scripted, and so is moving items between storage lockers purchased by the same person.{{cite web |url=https://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/2012/12/storage-wars-beers-admits-staging-scripting/ |title=TV Storage Wars producer admits scripting lines, moving items between locker |date=December 13, 2012 |access-date=May 19, 2018 |archive-date=May 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519204553/https://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/2012/12/storage-wars-beers-admits-staging-scripting/ |url-status=live }}
= Lawsuits =
In December 2012, a main auction buyer, Dave Hester, filed a lawsuit against A&E and Original Productions, claiming that the producers staged entire units, planted items in lockers after having them appraised weeks in advance, and funneled cash to weaker teams to buy lockers that they could not have otherwise afforded. The suit claims that Hester and other cast members met with network officials to express concerns that those actions violated federal lawsPer the 1960 amendments to the Communications act passed following the quiz show scandals. See [https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/47/509- 47 U.S.C. §509] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115225514/https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/47/509 |date=January 15, 2023 }} and associated legislative history. that are intended to prevent viewers from being deceived when watching a show involving intellectual skills.{{cite web |url=http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2012/12/storage-wars-sued-dave-hester-show-faked |title=Storage Wars Sued By Its Star; Show Is Faked And Execs Were Confronted By Cast, Court Papers Charge |first=David |last=Perel |work=radaronline.com |date=December 11, 2012 |access-date=December 11, 2012 |archive-date=December 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214011032/http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2012/12/storage-wars-sued-dave-hester-show-faked |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/aes-storage-wars-reality-series-is-rigged-fired-cast-member-claims-in-lawsuit-183050181.html |title=A&E's 'Storage Wars' reality series is rigged, fired cast member claims in lawsuit |work=Winnipeg Free Press |date=December 11, 2012 |access-date=December 11, 2012 |archive-date=December 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214034856/http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/aes-storage-wars-reality-series-is-rigged-fired-cast-member-claims-in-lawsuit-183050181.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://news.yahoo.com/lawsuit-claims-es-storage-wars-show-rigged-211515226.html |title=Lawsuit claims A&E's 'Storage Wars' show is rigged |agency=Associated Press |date=December 11, 2012 |access-date=January 15, 2017 |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305004059/http://news.yahoo.com/lawsuit-claims-es-storage-wars-show-rigged-211515226.html |url-status=live }}
In January 2013, rather than deny the accusations, A&E responded by stating that its composition of the show is covered by the First Amendment and that Hester's claims do not apply; the network also said that the Communications Act of 1934 is inapplicable to cable television, which did not exist in 1934, and that the TV format of Storage Wars involves no "chance", "intellectual knowledge", or "intellectual skill" and so is not a game show. A&E also stated that there are "notable inconsistencies in [Hester's] exaggerated self-portrait", referring to his claims of value on the items that he finds in lockers.{{cite web |url=https://avclub.com/article/ae-responds-sort-of-to-claims-that-emstorage-wars--91728/ |title=A&E responds (sort of) to claims that Storage Wars is fake |first=Marah |last=Eakin |website=The A.V. Club |date=January 29, 2013 |access-date=March 27, 2021 |archive-date=July 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705132808/http://www.avclub.com/article/ae-responds-sort-of-to-claims-that-emstorage-wars--91728 |url-status=live }}
In March 2013, A&E won a partial victory in the suit when a federal judge tossed out Hester's claim of unfair business practices, calling the show "expressive free speech", and stating that his claim of wrongful termination was not specific enough. Hester was ordered to pay the legal fees for A&E.{{cite web |url=http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2013/03/storage-wars-lawsuit-aes-partial-victory-against-dave-hester.html |title='Storage Wars' lawsuit: A&E's partial victory against Dave Hester |first=Chris |last=Hayner |work=Zap2It |date=March 13, 2013 |access-date=March 19, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318010402/http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2013/03/storage-wars-lawsuit-aes-partial-victory-against-dave-hester.html |archive-date=March 18, 2013}}
On September 3, 2013, Hester had one of his claims approved by Los Angeles Superior Court judge Michael Johnson. The court ruled that Hester "can move forward with the wrongful termination portion of his wide-ranging lawsuit against A&E and the producers of Storage Wars."{{cite web |url=https://tv.yahoo.com/news/fired-storage-wars-star-scores-win-over-e-172416040.html/ |title=Fired 'Storage Wars' Star Scores A Win Over A&E In Lawsuit |publisher=Yahoo |date=September 3, 2013 |access-date=September 7, 2013 |archive-date=September 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906052949/http://tv.yahoo.com/news/fired-storage-wars-star-scores-win-over-e-172416040.html |url-status=live }}
On July 15, 2014, it was announced that Hester and A&E came to a settlement,{{citation needed|date=October 2019}} setting the stage for his return to the show on August 12, 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/AEs-STORAGE-WARS-Returns-with-New-Episodes-on-812-20140716 |title=A&E's Storage Wars Returns with New Episodes On August 12 |publisher=BroadwayWorld |date=July 16, 2014 |access-date=July 17, 2014 |archive-date=July 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725235651/http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/AEs-STORAGE-WARS-Returns-with-New-Episodes-on-812-20140716 |url-status=live }}
See also
{{Portal|California|Television|United States}}
- Auction Kings (Discovery Channel; 2010–13)
- Auction Hunters (Spike; 2010–15)
- Storage Hunters (TruTV; 2011–16)
- Baggage Battles (Travel Channel; 2012–16)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Official website}} at A&E
- {{IMDb title|id=1785123|title=Storage Wars}}
{{Storage Wars (franchise)}}
{{A&ENetwork Shows}}
Category:2010 American television series debuts
Category:2010s American reality television series
Category:A&E (TV network) original programming
Category:Auction television series
Category:American English-language television shows
Category:Television series by Fremantle (company)