Collector's Call

Bob Boden: Game Show Memorabilia

Bob Boden's résumé is crowded with the game shows he devoted his career to writing, producing, and co-creating, including such all-time favorites as Jeopardy!, Family Feud, Press Your Luck, The $25,000 Pyramid, and more. Today his home is equally crowded with artifacts and memorabilia from those shows and many others, and he's opened up his archives to share with Lisa Whelchel and Collector's Call.

Phebe Taylor & Jeff Zappala: Forgotten Toys

Phebe Taylor and Jeff Zappala may love forgotten toy lines, but their collection is anything but forgettable. After years of collecting separately and then together, the two opened the Museum of Nostalgia in Queens, NY, to share their favorite toys and ephemera with their community, while also inviting others to start collections of their own through an adjoining toy store. Phebe and Jeff now share their collection with Lisa Whelchel and expert John Ragusa, a fellow toy shop owner. The museum features beloved and esoteric toys from the '60s-'80s, including snack-themed combatants from Food Fighters; figures from one of their favorite obscure cartoons, BraveStarr; and a line inspired by Filmation Ghostbusters, whose live-action series predates the iconic film by nine years. After appraising the collection, John proposes a trade-three toys for two-to see if his own items are worthy of museum status.

Paul Lisnek: TV and Movie Memorabilia

Paul Lisnek is a man of many talents: a lawyer, an award-winning television and radio host, a nationally recognized jury and trial consultant, an on-air political and legal analyst, an author, and a prolific collector. Paul was in fact featured on the premiere episode of "Collector's Call,' exhibiting his extensive collection of U.S. historical political items. Paul is making a return appearance on the show's seventh season.....but this time, he is showcasing his enormous TV/movie memorabilia collection. His home is filled with everything from Lucille's Ball's personal makeup kit and a T bird jacket signed by Olivia Newton John and John Travolta, to Gilligan's hat and a cane signed by Charlie Chaplin. Paul is joined by our expert, Mark Short, who has an immense collection of Hollywood memorabilia. Mark will put a price tag on Paul's entire TV and movie memorabilia collection ... but will he be able to entice Paul to part with one of his treasures in exchange for one of Mark's own items?

Paul Chu: Star Wars

Paul Chu's Star Wars collection is otherworldly - almost like it's from a galaxy far, far away. As a kid, Paul had Star Wars toys, but sold them to pay for tuition and dental school. After becoming a dentist, Paul amassed Star Wars collectibles that he had had as a kid, and then some. Today we'll see some of his favorites, including the Star Wars artwork he got from a dumpster dive; international collectibles like the Uzay Headman from Turkey; and even his beloved, one-of-one Boba Fett bounty hunter figure. Star Wars expert and all around toy guy, John Ragusa, who's also a friend of Paul's, will appraise this sensational collection and offer a trade-something Paul may never get his hands on again. What will Paul do? May the force be with him.

Dave Rautio: House of Collection

Dave Rautio likes to call his collection, the House of Collection, and really loves to share it with friends and family. Today, Dave will show us a few of his favorite things from his vast collection, including some of his harder to get pinball machines, some toys and games from when he was a kid, and even a broken and autographed guitar from KISS band member Paul Stanley. Our expert today is Zespy, an extremely knowledgeable arcade owner and a generalist collector himself. After appraising Dave's collection, he'll offer to trade Dave something that's right up his alley, but how will Dave feel about giving up the collectible Zespy's asking for in return?

Patrick Mediate: Movie Props and Costumes

Movie buff Patrick Mediate put his time in pandemic lockdown to good use; cut off from friends and family, he began filling his house with his favorite movie characters -- in the form of iconic screen-used props and costumes. Now Patrick introduces Lisa to his collection of instantly recognizable figures -- including Elvira, through a gown from "Mistress of the Dark," Whoopi Goldberg, thanks to a habit from "Sister Act 2," Daisy Ridely, courtesy of Rey's staff from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," and a range of character pieces, including Robin Williams' shirt, from Steven Spielberg's "Hook." Lisa's brought along movie-props authority Dan Gastin to both appraise Patrick's collection, then to try and tempt him into a trade for one of its choicest items. And fair warning: Dan's more than ready to keep going to the mat for what he's after.

Scott Fortner: Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe is one of those entertainment legends whose personal life is as iconic as her movie roles. Lifelong fan Scott Fortner has assembled a dazzling collection that illuminates both aspects of the film star's persona and shares it all with Lisa Whelchel and Collector's Call. From the onscreen side, we'll see the gown she wore (and the fan she wielded) in The Prince and the Showgirl, and her personal script for Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. From the private side, we'll showcase her phone book from 1962; a letter to her former father-in-law on her personal stationary, her custom-made black wool and mink collar suit, and her iconic green Pucci top. Entertainment archivist and screen-worn costume authority Rob Klein appraises the items, and Scott's entire collection, before offering a tempting trade for one of its treasures.

AJ Weir: Sneakers and Sports

Collector AJ Weir deserves top honors when it comes to his incredible sports collection. First, there are the shoes. Jordan's, that is, autographed by MJ himself. But then there are the one-of-one items like the signed drawing of Babe Ruth, the Cubs lineup card from the 2016 World Series, not to mention the jackets Weir makes for the NBA and other sports leagues. Today, Lisa checks out AJ's collection and brings along sneaker expert Errick Spencer, who knows a cool pair of kicks when he sees one. After appraising AJ's collection, Errick will propose a trade that'll have AJ "soul-searching" for answers.

Garner Holt: Disney Theme Parks

Garner Holt is a designer and manufacturer of animatronic figures for medical, military, and entertainment uses; but in Garner's case, his business is also very much his pleasure. He's assembled a world-class personal collection of animatronics and other artifacts from Disney theme parks, and has invited Lisa and Collector's Call to come on in and possibly hop on board! Among the spectacular pieces we'll feature are a Dumbo vehicle from the aerial ride named after the cartoon elephant.

David Alpert: Dopey

Josh Holbrook: Pop Culture

The fact that Josh Holbrook runs a pizza parlor in a former elementary school is remarkable enough, but add in the fact that the building also houses his exhaustive collection of vintage pop culture artifacts and memorabilia, and you've got an unforgettable episode of 'Collector's Call.' Lisa has brought along show favorite Kate Martin to appraise Josh's collection, including such show-stopping treasures as wax-museum figures of Laverne & Shirley and Archie & Edith.

George Simonson: Toys

George Simonson isn't just a toy collector – he's a collector of collections. After decades of collecting thousands of toys, he's amassed an entire basement filled with shelves and shelves of complete toy lines from the 1980s. Now he's sharing them with Lisa and expert appraiser and toy shop owner, Jonathan Schoonveld. Together, they travel through his archive of 80s toy nostalgia, including his World Wrestling Federation action figure collection, the entire line from Thundercats, and the toy line from the iconic TV sensation, The A-Team. Jonathan appraises George's collection and proposes a trade – but of course, the problem with trading with a completionist is...what do you bring to the man who has everything? Also, legendary WWE wrestler and 2022 NWA World's Heavyweight Champion, Matt Cardona, sends a special message.

Adam Holbrook: Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley may be the King of Rock 'n' Roll, but Adam Holbrook just might be the king of collecting all things Elvis. After a lifetime of gathering treasures and more than 50 trips to Graceland, Adam and his partner, Mari Guerrero, now share their finds on their popular YouTube channel, and today, they're sharing them with Lisa and general appraiser Kate Martin. Together, they shake, rattle, and roll through Elvis history, from the King's own guitar pick, to a quirky array of Presley-branded grooming items, and even the floor vent salvaged from Colonel Tom Parker's home. Kate appraises Adam and Mari's collection before proposing a trade – unveiling a pristine vintage Presley travel case in hopes it's enough to convince them to let a beloved Elvis item leave the building.

Rick Brewer: 70s and 80s

Rick Brewer is not your typical collector. Like most collectors, he loves toys and items from the 70's and 80's and being handy as he is, he loves to restore them to what they looked like when he was a kid. But what sets Rick apart from other collectors, is that he's lost much of his memory, so when he sees an item from his past, it actually helps trigger memories of his childhood that might have otherwise been lost forever. Today he shows us some of his most treasured items including the CB radio he got for his 5th birthday, and the Sky Arrow Set he only had faint memories of-but then searched relentlessly to find a new one so that he could connect to his past. Our toy expert, Joel Magee will put a value on Rick's collection and bring a trade item that'll certainly bring back some fond memories for him, but might not be enough to make a deal.