I've seen the show - I think all of the episodes. I also saw another version of a storage wars-like show that was "harder" (i.e. more bleeps) with appraisers there. A dude from a pawn shop was the "Dave" of the show - deep pockets and everyone hated him. Only saw that once (not sure what network that's on).
I like Storage Wars better. Dave's a jerk but he's also a seasoned vet of the auctions like Darrell. The funny thing to me is that all four of them (Darrell, Dave, Brandi (

) and Jarrod/Cletus, and Crazy Barry) have their niches - Dave's looking for high end stuff most of the time, Brandi and Jarrod are more low end, Darrell knows certain collectibles while Barry is just an eclectic collector. Brandi and Jarrod should be trailing Barry and picking up whatever he doesn't want, for example.
Anyways, I went to an auction last month. Yes, the show has done "wonders" for that market - meaning that anyone and their brother are now going to these. They're not hard to find (either call a storage place or search online).
When I went there were two facilities within 5-10 miles of one another and the same auctioneer was running both. The auctions were supposed to be 9 units at noon and about 5-6 at 1PM but people square up at the last minute and nullify the auctions - so 6 were sold at noon and 3 at 1PM. Some were indoor, some outdoor.
Yes, the storage place only recovers their rent costs - the rest of the $ goes to the people who had the stuff.
Some auctions were about $200 and others went over $2000 - that bigger one was a big 20x20 or so outdoor unit that was packed to the hilt with what looked like the contents of a whole house.
The conditions are that you have to be ready to clear out the locker within 24 hours (give or take). So if you buy a big one, you better have some guys and/or a truck lined up - and a place to take the stuff.
I did buy one for $525 that had some good stuff in it. Got a curio / hutch for a dining room, small coin collection (not much, maybe worth $100), Dell computer, a Lowrey organ and some other items. I'll probably break even or make a little, nothing major. Collectibles and hidden $$ are going to be where you would make a major score on these. It was still fun though.
Things I did learn from it:
1. Tons of people go now thanks to these shows - and the "veterans" HATE the shows
2. Be prepared to move stuff (and buy a unit based on that thought)
3. Have a small gambler's mentality - just because you can't see value, doesn't mean it isn't in there
4. Going the winter sucks if it is cold. Nothing quite like having to haul furniture / chairs / TV / bed etc. When it is 20 degrees.
5. Have fun with it