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A new docureality coming to Travel Channel: Toy Hunter. Mixing some aspects of American Pickers with some Hollywood glam.
Travel Channel premieres the new original series “Toy Hunter” with a special one-hour season opener featuring back-to-back episodes on Wednesday, August 15 at 10:00 p.m., ET/PT (regular time slot at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT beginning Wednesday, August 22). The series follows acclaimed toy expert and dealer Jordan Hembrough, owner of Hollywood Heroes, a New Jersey-based vintage and modern collectibles company, as he travels across the country hunting for the most sought after collectibles.
“Toy Hunter’ takes viewers on the ultimate adventure across America,” said Andy Singer, General Manager, Travel Channel. “Our viewers will not only accompany Jordan on his passionate search for toys, but they will see items from their own childhoods that are sure to make them reminisce. They’ll be amazed at how much these old toys are worth today.”
In each of the eight episodes, Hembrough strategically maneuvers around reluctant sellers, abates budgets and avoids the unforeseen roadblocks as he tracks down the rarest pieces. With many collectible items valued in the thousands of dollars, Hembrough will travel the country on the ultimate toy quest searching for the holy grail items he and his clients yearn for. Some of those rare toys (and the year they hit the shelves) include:
“The Six Million Dollar Man” Venus Space Probe (1977)
GI Joe: “Pimp Daddy” Destro (1997)
Jurassic Park Prototypes (1994)
Luke Skywalker Telescoping Lightsaber (1977)
Care Bears Treat Heart Pig (1982)
Barbie #1 in box (with brunette hair) (1959)
Armed with his encyclopedic knowledge of toy history and savvy skills of negotiation, Hembrough meets with amateur and professional collectors alike. Throughout his travels on the series, he crisscrosses the country encountering a diverse group of enthusiasts including former Kenner toy designers in Ohio, flea market pickers in Ashville, North Carolina and vintage toy store owners in Austin, Texas. Some notable moments include meeting specialized collectors like the Batman collectors in Biloxi, Mississippi, a Spiderman collector in San Francisco, and Los Angeles mask collector and designer/sculptor Jordu Schell (also featured in Travel Channel’s “Making Monsters”). Hembrough also connects with a toy comrade in New Jersey, to sell horror collectibles at the Chiller Theater Expo – the largest horror toy and comic convention in the country.
What do you think? Will you watch Toy Hunter on Travel Channel? Let me know in the comments section. Also, remember to follow me on Twitter for more Toy Hunter scoop.