Publication (142 pages).

In more recent episodes, specifically since
the beginning of the sixth season, the show
has been sensationalized focusing on more
and more disturbing hoards and more difficult
hoarders with which to interact.
clude more scenes of distress,
increased tension through
theme music, and more onscreen
texts emphasizing the
severity of the hoard and the
consequences for the hoarder,
often jail or homelessness.
This type of change amplifies
the messages already being
sent by the show: that hoarding
is morally wrong, that
hoarders need help, and that
people must help them. Many
shows now include a night
scene where one of the cleaning
experts spends the night
in a hoarded household. They
are filmed with a night vision
camera and a hand-held camcorder,
making note of the
rodents and insects that are
in the house. Most often the
cleaning expert does not sleep
due to fear, and in some cases
leaves the home before dawn.
This is an unnecessary part of
the show that is used to highlight
the disconnect between
The messages already being sent
by the show: that hoarding is
morally wrong, that hoarders need
help, and that people must help
them.
hoarders and ‘normal’ people.
The most concerning aspect of
the newer shows is the inclusion
of a ‘makeover scene’ at
the end of a hoard. This produces
a more distinct ‘before/
after’ photo that amplifies the
severity of the hoard prior to
the clean-up and emphasizes
the acceptance of a hoarder
that has a clean space.
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