For 21 seasons on "American Pickers," Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz were one of TV's most
popular duos. But now, it's all over. Here's everything you need to know about the ugly
feud that will change the way you think about "American Pickers."
In retrospect, signs of a major schism in the world of "American Pickers" were present
way back in the spring of 2020.
At first, Season 21 of the series kept up with the show's format of Mike Wolfe and Frank
Fritz traveling around the U.S., looking for treasure, and moving on to the next stop.
But starting with the episode, "Ghost of the West," which originally aired on September
7, 2020, Fritz was nowhere to be seen.
Neither Mike Wolfe nor store manager Danielle Colby gave any explanation for Fritz's extended
absence, an "American Pickers" first, and barely acknowledged that anything was different
— even as Dani was also suddenly promoted to on-location picking partner.
Due to pandemic lockdowns and restrictions on TV productions, Season 22 of "American
Pickers" didn't hit the air until January 2021, nearly a year after those initial Fritz-free
episodes debuted. With Fritz still gone from the show, worried fans finally realized that
the "American Pickers" star might be gone for good.
Finally, in July 2021, Frank Fritz emerged and broke his silence, explaining why he was
no longer part of the show that had made him a reality TV superstar.
In an interview with The Sun, Fritz claims he didn't leave "American Pickers," but rather
stopped participating in the series due to medical reasons. He said,
"I didn't leave the show. I finished shooting and then I had a little back surgery and the
pandemic came."
He also claimed at the time,
"It's up to the network whether I come back on the show."
On top of a condition with his back that required surgery, Fritz also suffers from Crohn's disease,
a serious and chronic inflammatory system that affects the digestive system. He also
recently lost more than 65 pounds, which he attributed to exercising more and quitting
alcohol. But though he claimed his absence has had to do with health issues, Fritz said
his former partner hasn't had his back.
Frank Fritz said that his falling out with Mike Wolfe, whom he says he's known for more
than 40 years, began quietly some time before news of the "American Pickers" feud reached
the public in 2021.
Fritz recounted to The Sun,
"I haven't talked to Mike in two years. He knew my back was messed up, but he didn't
call me up and ask how I was doing. That's just how it is."
The lack of communication seemed to make some other issues of resentment bubble up for Fritz,
particularly tension with Wolfe over the production of "American Pickers."
Fritz alleged,
"The show is tilted towards him 1,000 percent."
But despite calling out Wolfe, Fritz said he accepted his role as playing second fiddle.
As he explained,
"It's like you've got Aerosmith and there's Steven Tyler and he's the front man. I found
my spot, I'm second and he's number one on the show. That's no problem with me, [but]
maybe he does have a problem."
"You can't ride this bike by yourself. You need two people to balance it."
On July 21, 2021, The History Channel made it official. A representative from the network
told Entertainment Weekly that Fritz's long tenure on "American Pickers" had indeed come
to an end.
According to the rep, not only were there no plans to bring Fritz back to the series,
but he also no longer fit into the franchise's, quote, "big picture."
At that point, Mike Wolfe finally weighed in on Fritz's absence, without acknowledging
any of the criticisms that had been levied at him. He released a statement wishing his
former co-star well, writing,
"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."
"You have to get used to change, though.
That's some of the biggest arguments you and I have when we're on the road, man, is
"Change, man."
While Mike Wolfe's statement on the ongoing Frank Fritz affair was brief, polite, and
professional, remarks from another individual in the "American Pickers" family were a bit
more dramatic.
On August 2, 2021, Dani Colby, the third cast member of "American Pickers," released a statement
on the behind-the-scenes drama via Instagram. And she clearly picked a side.
Alongside a photo of herself and Wolfe, Colby wrote,
"I'm proud 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 truly saddened for the loss of Frank on
the show. I'm incredibly sad for his struggles. [...] I wish things could have been different
but we must be accountable for our actions when we cause instability or pain and suffering
to others."
Colby further alluded to the behind-the-scenes situation by saying,
"Frank caused so much pain for himself that it has been hard to watch. I truly hope Frank
receives all the help he needs."
By August 4, 2021, Fritz returned to The Sun to issue another blistering statement, calling
out his former co-host once again. Not mincing words in response to Wolfe's statement on
his departure from the series, Fritz said,
"Mike's statement was bulls--t, somebody wrote it out for him. [...] I don't believe in 10
years he's said five nice things to me, you know? Unless he was cutting somebody else
down and we were both laughing."
Fritz also told The Sun that he's not done fighting for a way back to the spotlight.
"Thousands of people want me back, they've got a petition to get me back on the show.
I could go either way and find a new show, have something new and have just as much fun."
So look out for that possibility, Frank Fritz fans.
As for Mike Wolfe, the "American Pickers" host did not immediately respond to Fritz's
comments.
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