The Real Reason Frank Fritz Left ‘American Pickers’

History Channel has housed a plethora of some of cable TV’s biggest documentary-style programs, capturing the often untold stories not seen on reality television. From treasure hunting on The Curse of Oak Island to the paranormal on The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch, History Channel is at the forefront of unique storytelling. American Pickers has been a beloved History Channel property since 2010. Led by antique and collectible pickers Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, the dynamic duo traveled the country as they hunted high and low for some of the most incredible treasures hidden away. Whether for their own personal collections or to sell to eager buyers, Mike and Frank have taken viewers on a trip down nostalgia lane. But in 2021, American Pickers made a drastic change as Frank Fritz no longer appeared on the show. So what’s the real reason why?

Exploring barns, garages, and collections around the United States, American Pickers has been an incredible guilty pleasure for collectors and voyeurs alike. Whether they’re freestyling on the road to their ultimate destinations, Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz have picked some mind-blowing items throughout the 25 seasons. What some see as junk, they see as treasure. As the show’s introduction flatly states, “We make a living telling the history of America…one piece at a time.” For years, viewers have seen Mike and Frank as a dynamic duo, with Danielle Colby serving as the office manager. But a major shakeup changed the face of the program: the departure of Frank Fritz.

The Truth Behind Frank Fritz’s Departure From ‘American Pickers’

American Pickers isn’t just about the finds, it’s about the individuals who find them. Both Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz have a passion for the art of picking and have even spun their passion into money. If the items they find are not meant for a specific client, often times, they would take the items for their personal collections or their stores. For Mike, Antique Archeology has been a prominent character on the show. For Frank, he’s often found selling his acquisitions at his own shop, Frank Fritz Finds, located in Savanna, Illinois. Frank has been “picking” since his childhood, collecting everything from stamps and coins, with motorcycles and memorabilia in between. On paper, viewers would think that Frank and Mike were inseparable, sharing a passion and love for their job. But there is a lot more to this story. When Frank Fritz officially left American Pickers, the truth slowly came to light.

Frank began to disappear from the show at the start of Season 21. His lack of presence came with no explanation. Frank would eventually disclose that he underwent back surgery that led him to having 185 stitches and two rods placed in his spine. In addition to his back issues, he revealed he had Crohn’s disease and experienced a stroke in 2022. This awful situation left him temporarily confined to a wheelchair. Frank also mentioned that his back surgery aligned with the COVID pandemic, which added to why he did not return.

At first, with only these stories to hold onto, many believed his departure from the show was due to his health issues. As the last remaining original main star of the show, Mike Wolfe took the time to explain his stance on Frank’s departure. He revealed via social media, “I have known Frank for as long as I can remember, he’s been like a brother to me. The journey that Frank, Dani, and I started back in 2009, like all of life, has come with its highs and lows, blessings and challenges, but it has also been the most rewarding. I will miss Frank, just like all of you, and I pray for the very best and all good things for him on the next part of his journey.” The niceties were one thing, but the truth was, the network did not see Frank fitting the “big picture” for the future of the program.

But as time went on, more truths began to unravel. Frank had to deal with his own personal woes, as he was in some legal troubles, owing back taxes on two properties he purchased in Iowa. Additionally, he was placed into a guardianship following a stroke. Frank’s dismissal from American Pickers may have more to do with the feud between the two hosts, though. According to Frank, the two have had their issues, lingering from feeling Mike was the focus of the show. Additionally, Frank was hurt by Mike not checking up on him during his health issues. With some distance from the situation, Frank likened his situation on American Pickers to Mike being the frontman of a rock band, calling him the Steven Tyler of Aerosmith.

Frank felt that he was pushed to the background, which may have caused his resentment towards his costar. Mike would eventually reveal that the fallout was initially caused by Frank’s struggle with addiction. When it came to Danielle Colby’s stance on this part of the situation, she stated, “Frank caused so much pain for himself that it has been hard to watch. I truly hope Frank receives all the help he needs to become well after years of being unwell. It is not my place to speak ill of someone who needs help so I will keep my comments uplifting. I’m sending love to everyone.” Though Mike and Frank have reunited since their fallout, there have been no plans for Frank to return to the program, as of now.

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There’s No Signs of Slowing Down for ‘American Pickers’

American Pickers has been a unique and exciting program for 25 seasons. It’s a program that marries history and nostalgia in a one-of-a-kind way. Bringing a story to the picking, American Pickers has been on a mission to discover the best finds the country has to offer. They are on a mission to recycle American by going coast to coast, hitting the back roads of the country. When the show first began, Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz led the expedition, with Danielle serving as the office manager. When Frank departed, Danielle played an even more integral part in the program, while Mike’s brother, Robbie Wolfe, became a full-time cast member to fill the void left by Frank.

While ratings may have dropped over time, History Channel clearly has no signs of letting go of one of their biggest and longstanding programs. For the 25th season, History Channel has ordered 40 whopping episodes. Many fans were concerned that their favorite show might be on the brink of departure because of a plethora of rumors. Though there had been signs that the brothers were eager to move on from a life on-screen, Mike has clued in fans that perhaps Season 26 was in the works when he mentioned a recent filming experience on his Instagram. This comes on the heels that Mike has signed a new contract that extends his time on American Pickers for another three years.

While Frank Fritz’s time on American Pickers may be over, there is certainly room for his own series. He already established his expertise in the field, having the spotlight solely put on him could be the reprieve he needs. Many fans of American Pickers have expressed their concern regarding how Mike treated Frank in the past, but a solo comeback may be the retribution he needs. Telling his own stories in his own way could be the solution for everyone.

New episodes of American Pickers air Wednesdays at 9:00pm on History Channel in the U.S. All episodes of American Pickers are available to stream on Discovery+.

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