Collector's Call

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.

"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 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'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 likes to call his collection, the House of Collectibles, 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?"

"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!"