The Real Reason Frank Fritz Left ‘American Pickers’

The big picture

• Frank Fritz left
  American selectors
  due to health issues and legal problems, but also due to a falling out with co-host Mike Wolfe.
• Despite the drop in ratings, the History Channel continues to produce
  American selectors
  with 40 episodes ordered for the 25th season.
• Frank Fritz has the experience to follow up on his own series as fans voice concerns about his treatment on the show.

The History Channel has hosted a slew of some of the biggest documentary-style shows on cable television, capturing the often untold stories unseen on reality television. From the treasure hunt The Curse of Oak Island to the paranormal The Secret of Skinwalker RanchHistory Channel is at the forefront of unique storytelling. American selectors is a beloved History Channel property since 2010. Run by antique collectors and collectors Mike Wolfe i Frank Fritz, the dynamic duo traveled the country as they searched high and low for some of the most incredible hidden treasures. Whether for their personal collections or to sell to eager buyers, Mike and Frank have taken viewers on a trip down nostalgia lane. But in 2021, American selectors made a drastic change, as Frank Fritz no longer appeared on the show. So what is the real reason?

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

The truth behind Frank Fritz's departure from 'American Pickers'

American selectors it's not just about the finds, it's about the people who find them. Both Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz have a passion for the art of picking and have even turned their passion into money. If the items they find are not intended for a specific customer, they would often take the items for their personal collections or their stores. For Mike, Antique Archeology has been a highlight of the show. As for Frank, he can often be found selling his acquisitions at his own store, Frank Fritz Finds, located in Savanna, Illinois. Frank has been “collecting” since his childhood, collecting everything from stamps and coins, with motorbikes and memorabilia in between. On paper, viewers would think that Frank and Mike were inseparable, sharing a passion and love for their work. But there is much more to this story. When Frank Fritz officially left American selectors, the truth came out little by little.

Frank began disappearing from the show at the start of season 21. His absence came without any explanation. Frank eventually revealed that he underwent back surgery that led to him having 185 stitches and two rods placed in his spine. In addition to his back problems, he revealed that he has Crohn's disease and suffered a stroke in 2022. This dire situation left him temporarily confined to a wheelchair. Frank mentioned it too his back surgery coincided with the COVID pandemicwhich adds to the reason he didn't come back.

At first, with only these stories to hold on to, many believed his exit from the show was due to his health issues. As the show's last original main star, Mike Wolfe took the time to explain his stance on Frank's departure. He revealed via social media: “I've 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 in 2009, like all of life, has come with its ups and downs, blessings and challenges, but it has also been the most rewarding. I will miss Frank, as will all of you, and pray for the best and all good things for him in the next part of his journey.” . Niceties were one thing, but the truth was that the network did not see Frank fitting into the “big picture” of the show's future.

But as time passed, more truths began to be revealed. Frank had to deal with his own personal problems as he found himself in some legal trouble due to back taxes on two properties he bought in Iowa. In addition, he was put under guardianship after a stroke. Frank's dismissal American selectors but it may have more to do with the feud between the two hosts. According to Frank, both have had their problems, lingering on feeling that Mike was the focus of the show. Also, Frank was hurt by Mike not monitoring him during his health problems. Taking some distance from the situation, Frank compared his situation on American Pickers to Mike being the leader of a rock band, calling him the Steven Tyler of Aerosmith.

Frank felt he was sidelined, which may have caused him to resent his co-star. 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 that part of the situation, she stated, “Frank caused himself so much pain that it's been hard to watch. I really hope that Frank gets all the help he needs to be okay after years of being. It's not my place to talk bad about someone who needs help, so I'll keep my comments to myself and I'm sending love to everyone.” Although Mike and Frank have been reunited since their fall, there have been no plans for Frank to return to the showfrom now on.

No Signs of Slowing Down for 'American Pickers'

American selectors has been a unique and exciting program for 25 seasons. It is a program that it marries history and nostalgia in a unique way. Bring a story to the selection, American selectors 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 and taking the country's back roads. When the show started, Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz ran the expedition, with Danielle as the office manager. When Frank left, Danielle played an even more integral role in the show, while Mike's brother Robbie Wolfe became a full-time cast member to fill the void left by Frank.

Although scores may have dropped over time, The History Channel clearly has no signs of letting go of one of its biggest and longest-running shows. For the 25th season, History Channel has ordered 40 spectacular episodes. Many fans were worried that their favorite show might be on the verge of exit due to a lot of rumors. While there were signs that the brothers were eager to move on from a life on screen, Mike let fans know that season 26 might be on the way when he mentioned a recent filming experience on his Instagram. This comes after Mike signed a new contract that extends his time American selectors for three more years.

While Frank Fritz passes the time American selectors may have ended, there is certainly room for its own series. He's already established his expertise on the field, putting the spotlight solely on him could be the break he needs. Many fans of American selectors have expressed concern about how Mike has treated Frank in the past, however a solo comeback may be the payback he needs. Telling your own stories in your own way could be the solution for everyone.

New episodes of American selectors airs Wednesdays at 9pm on the History Channel in the US All episodes of American selectors are available to stream on Discovery+.

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