Ep 101. My Collection Obsession
- August 21, 2011
My Crazy Obsession is an American television series that documents people's unusual and obsessive behaviors towards different objects, animals, or activities. In the first season's pilot episode titled "My Collection Obsession," we delve into the lives of individuals who have an insatiable desire to collect unique antiques, toys, and rare items that range from peculiar to bizarre.
The episode begins with a profile of Jane, a mother of two from California, who has amassed an impressive collection of over 300 Victorian mourning pieces that include hair wreaths, tombstone rubbings, and obituaries. For Jane, acquiring these items is a way to preserve the memory of the dead and honor their legacies. She takes us through her collection, pointing out the fascinating stories behind each piece - from a deceased baby's hair wreath to a handmade mourning skirt.
Next, we meet Kevin, a 26-year-old from Michigan, who has a passion for collecting vintage Halloween masks and decorations. He has spent over $25,000 on his collection and has transformed his home into a macabre museum. His fascination with Halloween stems from his childhood memories of trick or treating and his love for horror movies. Kevin shares how he obtains his rare finds, including an original mask from the 1930s and a one-of-a-kind "Drunken Sailor" animated pirate mannequin.
The show's next protagonist is Cassandra, a 21-year-old from Virginia, who has an obsession for collecting vintage Barbie dolls. She owns over 2,000 Barbies and considers them her children. For Cassandra, each Barbie has its unique personality and backstory, and she enjoys dressing and posing them for various photo shoots. She takes us through a tour of her Barbie world, including Barbie's Dream House and an elaborate Barbie diner that she built herself.
We then meet Reed, a 52-year-old from Utah, who has a fascination for collecting taxidermy animals. His home is filled with an array of stuffed animals that he has acquired over the years, including a lion, tiger, zebra, and even a baby giraffe. Reed says he is fascinated by the art of taxidermy and finds beauty in the preservation of animals. He shares his methods for cleaning and preserving his specimens and even demonstrates how he created his own taxidermy unicorn.
Lastly, we meet Dawn, a 43-year-old from Florida, who is obsessed with collecting old medicine bottles and antique veterinary supplies. She has always had a passion for the medical field and has turned her obsession into a unique collection. She shows us her extensive collection of over 2,500 bottles, vials, and jars, which span a century of medical history, including leech jars, embalming fluids, and apothecary tools. Dawn shares how she finds her rare items by scouring websites, yard sales, and estate sales.
The episode wraps up with a group session with all of the collectors, where they get to share and compare their unique collections and exchange tips on how to obtain rare items. The episode is a testament to how people's interests and passions can lead them down a path of fascinating and unexpected obsessions. My Crazy Obsession's first season's pilot episode is an excellent start to a series that will have you glued to the screen, waiting to see what fascinating obsessions the show will explore next.