The “American Pickers” partnership of Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz has amassed more than 300 episodes over the course of 21 seasons, making them one of the best and most well-known teams in television history. Their programme was one of the History Network’s most popular offerings, and they contributed to the channel’s development. Wolfe and Fritz, experienced antique “pickers” with complimentary specialties, drive throughout the United States in search of remote barns, farmhouses, and garages in order to uncover forgotten and abandoned treasures. They then turn around their amazing finds and sell them for a lot of money with the assistance of Danielle Colby, who is keeping things in order at their shop and headquarters back home. It may be practically infinitely repeated and is excellent for binge-watching and relaxing television.
Certainly, it did. The original “American Pickers” is no longer available. An allegedly protracted and extremely bitter feud between Wolfe and Fritz came to light in the summer of 2021. Here is a detailed report of the brutal brawl between the “American Pickers” cast members.
Danielle Colby is apparently Team Mike Wolfe
Mike Wolfe’s response to the ongoing Frank Fritz scandal was succinct, courteous, and professional; nevertheless, comments from another member of the “American Pickers” family were a little more theatrical and even accusing. Danielle “Dani” Colby, the third cast member of “American Pickers” and an essential component of the show’s success triangle, made a comment regarding the backstage conflict on August 2, 2021, via Instagram. She also made a definite choice of side. With a picture of herself and Wolfe “off on the road again,” Colby wrote, “I’m happy of how you have handled the last 12 years and look forward to many more years of rolling around this big blue marble together.” “I’m deeply upset by the show’s loss of Frank. I’m so sorry to hear about his troubles.
Colby continued, “Things could have been different, but we must be accountable for our actions when we cause instability or pain and suffering to others,” and that “Frank caused so much pain for himself that it has been hard to watch.” She may have been alluding to Fritz’s alcoholism (which he discussed with The Sun) or to other, very private issues that the general public has not yet heard about.
Frank Fritz made a lot of changes in his life
Frank Fritz finally broke his silence in July 2021 and revealed the reason he was no longer a member of the programme that had made him a reality TV celebrity. Fritz asserts in an interview with The Sun that he didn’t quit “American Pickers” but rather stopped taking part in the new episodes. These two things resemble one another on the surface, yet Fritz can show how subtly they differ. “Whether I come back on the show is up to the network,” he stated. “I stayed at the show. After I had done shooting, I underwent minor back surgery, and then the pandemic struck.
Those remarks make reference to Fritz’s difficult medical condition. Due to his need to recover from back surgery, he was unable to film “American Pickers” in 2020–2021. He has Crohn’s disease, a severe and persistent inflammatory condition that affects the digestive system. Recently, he shed more than 65 pounds, which he credited to increasing his exercise and giving up alcohol. He declared, “I haven’t taken a drink in almost nine, ten months.”
Fritz argued that despite Wolfe’s health difficulties, it was something he said or did that actually sparked their argument and caused him to stop working on “American Pickers.” Or perhaps he is outraged by what he claims Wolfe did not say and do.
Frank Fritz says he and Mike Wolfe had professional problems and personal coldness
Frank Fritz, who claims to have known Mike Wolfe for more than 40 years, revealed to The Sun that their disagreement started “quite quietly” a while before the “American Pickers” quarrel became widely known in 2021. “I haven’t spoken to Mike in two years,” Fritz admitted, adding that the fact that he didn’t even answer a call from his longtime buddy and co-star from a decade ago either before or after his back surgery truly hurt. He was aware of my back’s condition, yet he didn’t call to check on me. It just is what it is.
In particular, Fritz’s animosity with Wolfe over the presentation and creation of “American Pickers” seemed to have grown as a result of this. Fritz claimed that “the show is 100 percent skewed in his favour.” I can’t even stoop down that low to demonstrate how much. Wolfe (and the other “American Pickers” team members) were singled out, although Fritz claimed to understand his position on the show. Fritz compared it to having Steven Tyler as the lead man for the band Aerosmith. “I found my place; on the show, I’m second, and he’s number one. I have no issue with that, but perhaps he does.
Frank Fritz sought treatment for alcoholism, and he’s ready to return to American Pickers
Frank Fritz spent the majority of his time away from “American Pickers” dealing with another challenging medical and personal situation in addition to his extended recovery from back surgery, which required 185 stitches and involved inserting two rods into his spine. Fritz revealed that he entered the Abbey Center, a different treatment centre in Bettendorf, Iowa, in a 2021 interview with The Sun. He tried to kick his booze habit for 77 days. “I no longer enjoyed drinking. My mother was an alcoholic, and she passed away from alcohol-related causes five years ago,” Fritz added. “My grandfather died from alcoholism. I didn’t agree with that at all.
He said that he read a dozen self-help books and was kept busy all day, every day, while in treatment. “I was totally into it. I went there in order to learn and absorb as much as I could, stated Fritz. Fritz had been clean for about a year at the time of the interview, and while he still goes to counselling sessions twice a week, he’d like to “get back into the swing of things,” which he defines as returning to his role as the co-host of “American Pickers.” I miss being on the road and interacting with all those unique folks, as well as my friends and my community.
Frank Fritz thought Mike Wolfe’s comments were disingenuous
By August 4, 2021, the entire tale of Frank Fritz and Mike Wolfe of “American Pickerscurrent “‘s romance (or lack thereof) was starting to come together. After Fritz’s illuminating interview with The Sun, in which he claimed that he and Wolfe hadn’t spoken in years, not even during a personal health crisis, and Wolfe’s amicable comments upon learning that Fritz had left American Pickers, one of the two feuding parties sat down for one more difficult interview. Fritz came back to The Sun and echoed Wolfe’s well wishes. Fritz claimed, “Mike’s statement was bulls***, someone typed it out for him.” “I don’t think he’s complimented me five times in ten years, you know? Unless we were both laughing and he was killing someone else. Fritz’s reply received no answer from Wolfe.
Fritz told The Sun that he’s not done fighting in the one place where it may genuinely harm his former co-star and his former producers, even though it appears that this conflict is over and has, for the time being, come to a stalemate. The petition to have Fritz back on the show has been signed by thousands of people, according to Fritz. I could choose any option and still find a new show, try something new, and enjoy myself. Fans of “American Pickers” should be on the lookout for that potential alternate series starring Fritz.
Frank Fritz’s alcoholism is still a problem for Mike Wolfe
Even though Frank Fritz appears to have sought treatment for his drug problems, Mike Wolfe, his former on-screen co-star from “American Pickers,” feels strongly about the matter. Wolfe doesn’t believe Fritz is prepared to return to “American Pickers,” despite his own professed wish to do so, according to some remarks he made to The Sun in August 2021.
Wolfe spoke on behalf of the whole “American Pickers” cast and crew when he remarked, “We all do care about Frank and we want him back on the programme.” We would like doing that, but he just can’t do it correctly. Can’t seem to get exactly what right? Wolfe hinted that he is unable to comment on Fritz’s success in managing his alcoholism, but added that he would “love to talk to him again” after an absence of about two years. Wolfe continued, “Frank is simply going through a lot individually with addictions. It’s terrible that his choices have led to his current state.
Mike Wolfe told the world that Frank Fritz won’t be returning to American Pickers
The History Channel gave it official recognition on July 21, 2021. Fritz’s lengthy run on “American Pickers” is ended, a network representative confirmed to Entertainment Weekly, and he won’t be seen in any new episodes for the foreseeable future. According to the source, History wasn’t actively considering having Fritz return because he didn’t fit with the “grand concept” of the brand.
Finally speaking about Fritz’s absence at that point, Mike Wolfe did not address or acknowledge any of the criticisms Fritz’s now ex-co-star had levelled at him. In a statement to entertainment media sites, he expressed good wishes for his erstwhile friend while oddly making no mention of his objections to Fritz’s choice. Frank has been like a brother to me for as long as I can remember, Wolfe penned. “Like everything of life, the adventure Frank, Dani, and I began back in 2009 has had its highs and lows, blessings and trials, but it has also been the most fulfilling. Like you all, I shall miss Frank and pray for the best and the best for him as he continues on his journey.
The lost treasure of Frank Fritz
In hindsight, there were early indications of a “American Pickers”-focused schism in the spring of 2020. The show’s venerable pattern of Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz travelling the United States in search of treasure, discovering that treasure, evaluating and purchasing that prize, and then moving on to the next site was first maintained in Season 21 of the series. But then “Burlesque Queen,” the batch’s seventh episode, served as what is essentially the final episode of Fritz’s time on the programme. In the episode, Mike and Frank travel to Kansas City in search of unique and intriguing things. It debuted on March 2, 2020, however Fritz was absent from the following episode, “Ghost of the West.” An “American Pickers” first, neither former partner Wolfe nor store manager (and newly promoted on-location picking partner) Danielle Colby offered any justification for Fritz’s protracted absence and hardly even recognised that anything was wrong.
Nearly a year after those initial Fritz-free episodes premiered, Season 22 of “American Pickers” didn’t premiere on TV because of lockdowns related to the coronavirus outbreak and limitations on TV productions. The “American Pickers” star may be permanently gone, as viewers concerned when they noticed that Fritz was still missing from the show and had been swiftly replaced.
