Well, I doubt they'll win any new fans with the "live" format, but I believe (and really, really hope) that's just a one-time deal. According to her Facebook page, Dr. Tonya Harding looks like she'll be back. Also, looking at the clip on Lifetime's page, I saw Dorothy and Dr. Suzaaaahhhn Chabaud. My guess is that the whole "Live" thing was to get some initial buzz. and the old format with maybe a few tweaks will be back.
Regarding the last night's episode, I thought the guy seemed a little off, too. Sort of developmentally delayed. The toilet/mice thing was gross. I noticed that when they first went into the bathroom, Richard came towards the camera and leaned over, a little out of the camera shot, and you could hear the sound of the toilet lid closing. Was he trying to hide Tom and Jerry?
All the "manufactured" drama of "will he let us in" was such BS. He clearly let the cameraman in before the rest of us. I like Dr. Tolin, but not in this role. I'm just going to hope that the old "gang" is back and the old Hoarders format we know and love will be back in it's neat and tidy segments. Oh, and this old cougar is all about the Cory love train.