Who knew that assorted storage units could have their own reality show and become a successful smash-hit? That is the case with the popular A&E cable show ‘Storage Wars.’ The show’s second season premiere surpassed its first by accumulating 5.1 million total viewers, according to the L.A. Times. This achievement landed the highest ratings for an episode of a series in A&E history. But why does this show about abandoned storage lockers bring so much intrigue and fascination to the viewing audience?
Like most reality shows, ‘Storage Wars’ has its own cast of colorful and distinct characters. They come from various backgrounds and harbor dissimilar objectives. Dave Hester, known as “The Mogul,” takes on the role as the show’s sinister villain. Whether he is deliberately bidding up the prices, or bellowing out his trademark “yeeeeeep,” he never fails to get under the skin of his fellow bidders.
Darrel Sheets is “The Gambler.” He is always in search of the “wow factor.” He searches these unknown metal caverns trying to discover the big pay-off. Whether it’s an antique clock, or a wad of cash tucked away behind an obscure painting, it’s these elements of surprise that keep Darrel coming back.
Barry Weiss, known as the “Collector,” only seeks out rare and unusual treasures; which he usually donates or keeps for himself. He is the eldest of the cast members and probably the most colorful personality on the show. He can often be seen wearing anything from flamboyant pastels, to mafia-type ‘Godfather’ apparel.
Jarrod Schulz and Brandi Passante are “The Young Guns.” They are thrift store owners who seek-out units that have quick-selling potential. They are not only business partners, but a long-time couple as well. It is often demonstrated on the show of Brandi’s hen pecking ways toward Jarrod while everyone else gets a good laugh at his expense. But Jarrod is no slouch. He is quick-witted and sly when it comes to getting profitable units.
The show has been a huge success and doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon. Maybe it’s the element of surprise that keep the viewers returning week after week; they too are waiting for the “wow factor” to emerge. It might be that some viewers see themselves just as capable of scoring a profitable locker like the bidders on the show. Perhaps there is no clear explanation at all. It’s possible that some may discover no similarities and simply watch for the pure sake of being another reality television program with that unknown alluring mysticism. For whatever enigma that drives this reality show to its successful status, it is one that appears to have captured the attention of countless viewers.