Parents' Guide to Auction Hunters

Auction Hunters is very much a product of our era, where shopping has become sport. But with unemployment, bankruptcy, and foreclosure the dominant themes of the economy, there's no telling what series regulars Haff and Jones might find in these lockers. That element of surprise is what makes it possible for them to make a living at this, and it's also the key to this surprisingly enjoyable reality show.

Voyeurism, of course, is one reason it appeals. Witnessing all the stuff that's been amassed is at once fascinating and horrifying. (The stuff, the stuff!) The men are an unlikely, but interesting, pairing. Haff is boyish and clean-cut; Jones is burly, covered in tattoos and intimidating. But they make a good team, sussing out the potential value stashed in the lockers after just a brief peek inside, and then trying to sell off the goods. Haff in particular is fun to watch as he explains his strategies for evaluating rival bidders and negotiating with prospective buyers. At a time when much of the country is struggling, it's exciting to see people who have managed to turn misfortune into a successful business. But it's a sobering reminder of what consumerism has wrought.