Hoarders is an American documentary reality television series that debuted on A&E on August 17, 2009. The show depicts the real-life struggles and treatment of people who suffer from compulsive hoarding disorder.[1]

Hoarders
Genre
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons15
No. of episodes164 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Courtney LeMarco
  • Erik Bernard
  • Dave Severson
  • Andrew Berg
  • David McKillop
  • Elaine Frontain Bryant
  • George Butts
  • Jessica Morgan
  • Matt Chan
  • Mike Kelly
Camera setupMultiple
Running time42–85 minutes
Production companyTLG Motion Pictures
Original release
Network
ReleaseAugust 17, 2009 (2009-08-17) –
present

The series concluded its original run on February 4, 2013, after six seasons.[2] Over a year after the program's original cancellation in 2013, Lifetime began airing a series of weekly "Update" episodes on June 2, 2014.[3] Each "Update" episode presented an episode from earlier seasons, ending with a present-day visit to a featured hoarder by the therapist or organizer who worked with them. Interviews with the hoarder and their family reveal how their lives have progressed since their first appearance on the show. This led to the production of a seventh season, Hoarders: Family Secrets, which aired on Lifetime from May 28, 2015, to July 30, 2015.[4]

The program returned to A&E for subsequent seasons beginning with season eight on January 3, 2016.[5] "Update" episodes continue to run between seasons under the titles Hoarders: Where Are They Now?, Hoarders: Then & Now or Hoarders: Overload. The eleventh season premiered on July 20, 2020.[6] A twelfth season premiered on March 22, 2021.[7]

Overview

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Concept

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Each 60-minute episode profiles one or two interventions. During most of the first season, the hoarder worked with either a psychiatrist/psychologist, a professional organizer, or an "extreme cleaning specialist," each of whom specialized in some aspect involving the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorders, anxiety disorders, and/or hoarding. A crew of professional cleaners (usually a local franchise of the series' major corporate sponsor) performed the actual cleanups. Two episodes in the first season featured a cleanup with both a psychologist and an organizer: Jill (episode "Jennifer and Ron/Jill") and Patty (episode "Patty/Bill"). From season 2 onward, all hoarders were given a psychologist and an organizer. The final episode of the first season, "Paul/Missy and Alex", featured professional organizer Geralin Thomas, CPO-CD, working with Missy, while a child psychologist, Dr. David Dia, worked with Missy's seven-year-old son Alex. Beginning in the second season, each hoarder had a psychologist-plus-organizer/cleaning specialist team assisting them. This specialist combination leads a group of cleaning professionals, family, friends, and relatives of the hoarder in conducting a two- to three-day decluttering session. In most instances, a crisis prompted the intervention, such as a threat of eviction or the removal of minor children from the home.[citation needed]

At the end of each episode, on-screen text indicates the short-term outcome of the cleanup effort, including the subjects' decisions on whether to seek further assistance from organizers and/or therapists. The show provides six months of aftercare funds to pay these professionals and, occasionally, to carry out vital repairs to the home.[8]

Beginning with the season nine finale, episodes were expanded to two hours and focused on a single hoarder.[9]

Each of the "Update" episodes revisits hoarders from previous episodes, showing clips from their original appearances followed by newer footage detailing the progress they have made.[citation needed]

Hoarding disorder

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With the release of the DSM-5 in 2013, hoarding was classified as a separate disorder. During the show's original run, hoarding behaviors were considered symptoms of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). Hoarding does show links to obsessive and compulsive behaviors; however, it also shows connections to major depressive disorder as well as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).[10]

The role of documentary shows like Hoarders in this change of classification is unclear. However, some believe the rise in awareness caused by such shows was a significant contributing factor.[11] When hoarding became a buzzword, it "commanded a significant amount of professional…attention".[11]

Episodes

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
17August 17, 2009 (2009-08-17)September 28, 2009 (2009-09-28)
215November 30, 2009 (2009-11-30)May 31, 2010 (2010-05-31)
320September 6, 2010 (2010-09-06)January 10, 2011 (2011-01-10)
417June 20, 2011 (2011-06-20)November 28, 2011 (2011-11-28)
511January 2, 2012 (2012-01-02)March 12, 2012 (2012-03-12)
614September 10, 2012 (2012-09-10)June 2, 2014 (2014-06-02)
710May 28, 2015 (2015-05-28)July 30, 2015 (2015-07-30)
816January 3, 2016 (2016-01-03)April 3, 2016 (2016-04-03)
97December 18, 2016 (2016-12-18)January 22, 2017 (2017-01-22)
105March 5, 2019 (2019-03-05)April 2, 2019 (2019-04-02)
118July 20, 2020 (2020-07-20)September 14, 2020 (2020-09-14)
128March 22, 2021 (2021-03-22)May 17, 2021 (2021-05-17)
138October 18, 2021 (2021-10-18)December 6, 2021 (2021-12-06)
146May 29, 2023 (2023-05-29)July 3, 2023 (2023-07-03)
1512January 8, 2024 (2024-01-08)March 18, 2024 (2024-03-18)

Contributors

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A number of board-licensed therapists, psychologists, and professional organizers have contributed to the show as on-air personalities. Recurring cast members are as follows:

Therapists

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Professional Credential(s) Associated institution(s)
Dr. Suzanne Chabaud[12] Ph.D. OCD Institute of Greater New Orleans
Dr. Melva Green[12] M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H.
Dr. Scott Hannan[12] Ph.D. The Institute of Living
Dr. Mark Pfeffer[12] M.S., L.M.F.T. Panic/Anxiety Recovery Center of Chicago
Dr. Renae Reinardy[13] Psy.D. Lakeside Center for Behavioral Change (Fargo, North Dakota)
Dr. David F. Tolin[12] Ph.D., A.B.P.P. The Institute of Living
Dr. Michael Tompkins[12] Ph.D. San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy
Dr. Robin Zasio[12] Psy.D. L.C.S.W. The Anxiety Treatment Center (Sacramento, California)

Organizers

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Professional Title
Dorothy Breininger[12] Certified Professional Organizer
Cory Chalmers[12] Extreme Cleaning Specialist
Matt Paxton[12] Extreme Cleaning Specialist
Dr. Darnita L. Payden[12] Life Management Specialist
Standolyn Robertson[12] Certified Professional Organizer
Erica DiMiele[12] Extreme Cleaning Specialist
Geralin Thomas[14] Certified Professional Organizer

Reception

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At the time of its premiere, Hoarders was the most-watched series premiere in A&E network history among adults aged 18–49 and tied for the most ever in the adults aged 25–54 demographic.[15] The premiere was watched by 2.5 million viewers: 1.8 million adults aged 18–49.[15]

In 2011, Hoarders won a Critics' Choice Award, in a tie with The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, for best reality series.[16][17]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "A&E Premieres New Original Nonfiction Series "Hoarders"". The Futon Critic. August 11, 2009.
  2. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (September 25, 2013). "'Hoarders' Canceled by A&E after Six Seasons". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013.
  3. ^ "Hoarders Update on Lifetime Could Revive Show". May 31, 2014.
  4. ^ "New Episodes of Hoarders in Production". Mar 15, 2015.
  5. ^ Andy Dehnart (2016-01-04). "Hoarders quietly moves back to A&E". reality blurred. Retrieved 2021-09-07.
  6. ^ Cohn, Paulette (2020-07-20). "Real People, Real Disorders! Everything We Know About Hoarders Season 11". Parade: Entertainment, Recipes, Health, Life, Holidays. Retrieved 2021-09-07.
  7. ^ Leiber, Sarah Jae. "A&E's INTERVENTION Returns For A New Season In Las Vegas". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2021-09-07.
  8. ^ "Aftercare — Home cleaning". A&E Community. Archived from the original on 19 March 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2012. This is Cory Chalmers from Hoarders and as part of my business, we offer regularly scheduled cleaning for every hoarding case we help with.
  9. ^ Goronja, Ariel (2020-07-20). "Hoarders Season 11 Premiere Schedule: What Time & Date Does it Air?". Heavy.com. Retrieved 2021-09-07.
  10. ^ Hall, Brian; Tolin, David; Frost, Randy; Steketee, Gail (2013). "An exploration of comorbid symptoms and clinical correlates of clinically significant hoarding symptoms". Depression and Anxiety. 30 (1): 67–76. doi:10.1002/da.22015. PMC 4887088. PMID 23213052.
  11. ^ a b Marchland, Shoshana; Phillips McEnany, Geoffry (September 2012). "Hoarding's place in the DSM-5: Another symptom, or a newly listed disorder?". Issues in Mental Health Nursing. 33: 593–597.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Emmy-nominated "Hoarders" Premieres an All-new Season". TV Weekly Now. May 25, 2015. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
  13. ^ Gerdes, Vicky (November 19, 2010). "Hoarders just can't let go of their stuff". Detroit Lakes Online. Great Lakes, Minnesota. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  14. ^ Juzwiak, Rich (June 19, 2011). "Geralin Thomas on Helping Through Hoarders". TV Guide. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  15. ^ a b Seidman, Robert (August 18, 2009). "Hoarders has best premiere ever for A&E with adults 18–49". TV by the Numbers (Press release). Archived from the original on October 7, 2013.
  16. ^ Mets, Lauren (21 June 2011). "RHOBH Grabs Critics' Choice Award; Lisa Vanderpump 'Bloody Can't Believe It'". Bravo. The Daily Dish. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
  17. ^ "'Mad Men' & 'Modern Family' Among Winners At First Critics' Choice TV Awards". Deadline. 20 June 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
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