Since 2010,American Pickershas been one ofHistory Channel’s hottest commodities. The series originally followed hosts,Mike WolfeandFrank Fritz, as they explored America in search of extraordinary American artifacts and national treasures they can buy and add to their collection or sell in their antique shop. With the 25th season currently airing, fans are curious whether a 26th season will happen withFrank Fritz gone from the show due to health reasons, or perhaps an alleged feud with his costar, and Mike Wolfe taking the bulk of the heavy lifting. But maybe another new season can reel the fans back in.
American Pickerswatches antiqueand collective pickers who travel around the United States to buy, or pick, an assortment of items for themselves or for their clients. WithDanielle Colbyrunning the office, and now joining Mike on certain adventures, the series explores the inner workings of some of the country’s best pickers and how their business works. With some “freestyle” stops along the way,Mike Wolfe, Frank Fritz, and Danielle Colby have led viewers to some of the most exciting findsthat they wish they could have in their own collection.
American Pickers
Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz journey across America, scouring junkyards, basements, and barns for valuable antiques and collectibles. Their adventures involve uncovering rare finds, negotiating with quirky characters, and restoring forgotten treasures to their former glory, highlighting the hidden gems and rich histories across the country.
What Is ‘American Pickers’?
Over the last decade plus,American Pickershas been antique-lovers' favorite program. With 25 seasons of high-stakes picking,American Pickershas truly beena one-of-a-kind program that marries history with nostalgia.With a story to pair with the picking, Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz have continually been on a mission to discover the best finds the country has to offer. Danielle Colby began as the office manager forMike’s shops in LeClaire, Iowa and Nashville, Tennessee, Antique Archealogy, but has since been bumped up to join him on his adventures.
Meanwhile, Frank would sell his acquisitions at his own shop, Frank Fritz Finds, located in Savanna, Illinois. As the introduction of series stated, they are looking for amazing things buried in people’s garages and barns. What people may see as junk, they see as dollar signs. “We make a living telling the history of America…one piece at a time.”
Frank Fritz has been collecting since he was a kid.Speaking to Sidewalks Entertainment, Frank revealed that he collected all the staples, including stamps and coins, and it escalated from there. He then moved onto big ticket items, including motorcycles and memorabilia.What started as a hobby soon turned into a passionand a career. Like his costar, Mike Wolfe’s passion and journey started quite similarly. Wolfe, too, has beenpicking since he was a child.It all started with a bicycle that he found, fixed, and sold, and he was hooked. He’s always been on the hunt to find the most extraordinary items, but one of his passions has been motorcycles;it’s one of the highlighted items Mike asks for on his personal website.
Mike and Frank met in high school, but it took some time to convince Frank to join him on videos discussing his picking passion. Danielle Colby isa lover of all things vintage. According to her bio, she has amassed a large collection of costumes, including circus and 1800s burlesque costumes. She has been drawn into anything that tells a story. With great chemistry,American Pickershas been a History Channel staple, butthe show has gone through some significant changes that have altered the program.
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Like many reality television programs, everything you see on screen may not be what it seems. There waslongstanding tension between the two stars.Their falling out ultimately impacted the course of the show. At the start of Season 21 ofAmerican Pickers,Frank began to stop appearing on the show without explanation. He later would explain that he underwent back surgery that led to him having 185 stitches and two rods in his spine. He also revealed he had been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.
By the next season, Frank did not return, with Mike Wolfe revealing on 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.”
It also came to light thatthe network did not see Frank fitting the “big picture"for the future ofAmerican Pickers. But Frank has told a different story about his relationship with Mike. Talking toThe U.S. Sun,he revealed that the pair had not spoken for two years, stating that Mike knew his back was messed up and didn’t call him to ask how he was doing. He also shared his frustration that the show was geared toward Mike, likening him as the frontman of a band. Mike would then go on to reveal thattheir fall-out was caused by Frank’s struggle with addiction.The two have since reunited and reconciled, but Frank’s presence on the show is still not in the cards.
In the new season ofAmerican Pickers, Mike and Danielle are continually joined byRobbie Wolfe, Mike’s brother, and relic hunterJersey Jon. Like his brother, Robbie has been rummaging through garages and barns since he was a kid.He’s stated that his life’s passionfocuses on the fact that people throw away untold history every day, finding joy in restoring other people’s stories. For Jersey Jon, the New Jersey native started antique furniture restoration as a teenager, which allowed him to purchase an old bank that he turned into a workshop and home headquarters.With a slightly different tone and direction for the program, fans are eager for more.
Mike Wolfe teased on Instagramthat he was filming one of the hottest shoots he’s ever been on. The photo and accompanying caption have led fans to believe a new season is officially in the works. But when will that be? Season 25 is currently embarking on its massive 40-episode pickup, so it might be some time until the new season hits screens. However,a source toldThe U.S. Sunthat “American Pickerswrapped up filming the first half of Season 26 in the fall,” and that “they start filming for the second half of Season 26 from January to June.”
For now,American Pickersis here to stay. While the show focuses on new finds and discoveries in each episode,American Pickersdives deep into the history of the items as well as giving a story to the people who own it. Bringing a hint of nostalgia mixed with an eclectic blend of personal history,American Pickersis truly a one of a kind series.
New episodes ofAmerican Pickersair Wednesdays at 9:00pm on the History Channel in the U.S. All episodes are available to stream on Discovery+.
