Frank left the present on account of a number of contributing components in fairly fast succession, together with his well being.
It is protected to say that American Pickers has seen higher days. The Historical past Channel sequence first premiered again in 2010 and initially adopted co-hosts Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, two vintage pickers who traveled the U.S. for invaluable collectibles to both promote or supply to numerous purchasers. As soon as upon a time, the sequence loved a number of the highest scores that the Historical past Channel had ever seen. The present garnered thousands and thousands of viewers in its first season, however greater than a decade later, issues have modified.
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Though the sequence nonetheless posts some substantial viewership as of 2024, the numbers aren’t practically as sturdy or as constant as they as soon as have been. The US Solar reported that though the March 6, 2024, episode hit practically 1 million viewers, this got here amid a season when the present has struggled to keep up viewership. Fan curiosity in American Pickers has been dwindling, and plenty of have pointed to Frank’s departure as the first trigger. However why did Frank Fritz depart American Pickers within the first place?
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Frank Fritz in all probability will not be again to co-host ‘American Pickers’ any time quickly.
Frank was with the present from the very starting as he and Mike took their antiquing throughout the nation. The chemistry he had with Mike mixed together with his experience in choosing made for some glorious banter. To that finish, the 2 of them had been on American Pickers for over 21 seasons between 2010 and 2020. Nonetheless, Frank left the present on account of a number of contributing components in fairly fast succession, together with his well being.
As we have beforehand reported, Frank took a break from the present in March 2020 to get well from again surgical procedure. On the time, nonetheless, he additionally checked into rehab to deal with his alcohol abuse. Rumors started circulating that Frank and Mike have been embroiled in a feud on the time.
Nonetheless, his aforementioned points grew to become so extreme that Frank was finally fired from the present in July 2021, with Mike telling EW on the time that he wished Frank all one of the best. One yr later, he suffered a stroke.
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Since then, Frank has been in an prolonged interval of restoration. The US Solar revealed that after Frank’s stroke, his associates had filed for a brief guardian and conservatorship whereas he addressed his well being. He has since targeted totally on his personal vintage retailer, Frank Fritz Finds, which reportedly hasn’t closed many gross sales as of June 2024.
As for American Pickers, the present appears vastly totally different. Frank was changed by Mike’s brother Robbie Wolfe as each he and fellow longtime co-host Danielle Colby attempt to fill within the void left by Frank’s absence. Many really feel as if the present is not as sturdy with out Frank and nonetheless advocate for his return.
Regardless of this, American Pickers remains to be set to proceed sooner or later. In June 2024, it was revealed that they’d proceed filming new episodes beginning in Ohio in August.