American Pickers premiered on the History Channel in 2010. The initial hosts were Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz.
The duo traveled the country searching for rare American artifacts and national treasures they bought from collectors to add to their collections or sell in their antique shops.
American Pickers Hosts feud
Frank Fitz last appeared on the show in March 2020, just before the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. When filming resumed in January 2021, he was still missing.
During an interview with The Sun, Fritz said he stopped filming the show because he had back surgery. He also mentioned that he was dealing with Crohn’s disease and struggling with alcohol abuse.
He said that he hadn’t talked to Mike in two years. Fritz said in the interview, “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.”
However, Frank didn’t reveal the main reason for the feud but hinted that it involved tension over their shared stardom. He also accused Mike of wanting to replace him with Robbie, Mike’s brother. Frank officially left the show in 2021.
Frank Fritz demise
In 2022, Wolfe posted that Frank had been hospitalized after suffering a stroke. The stroke further impacted his health, and unfortunately, on September 30th, 2024, Fritz passed away at the age of 60.
During this time, the duo made amends and became good friends. In an interview with People Magazine, Wolfe recalled being by Fritz’s side when he took his last breath.
He mentioned that the interview with The Sun hurt him, but they got over it after conversing in 2023.
New co-hosts for American Pickers
With Frank gone, Danielle Colby, Wolfe’s brother, Robbie Wolfe, and antique expert Jon Szalay started accompanying him on the picking adventures. Jon and Robbie are also filmed going on their picking adventures.
Szalay contributes his knowledge of vintage items on featured episodes. Beyond the show, Mike has pursued other ventures, including a vacation rental business and a bike shop.
Danielle Colby began as an office manager before joining the pickers, who searched for antiques. Her charismatic character made her an instant hit on the show.
In addition to being a picker, Danielle hosts a podcast via her Patreon, Road Dog Diaries, and has a career as a burlesque performer.
Continuing the Journey of American Pickers
On January 1, 2025, Mike announced on the business’s Instagram page that new episodes of American Pickers would resume. The show has been facing challenges, with reports of declining viewership and calls from some fans to cancel the series.
Despite changes and declining ratings, American Pickers continues to air, keeping the spirit of treasure hunting alive for its dedicated audience.
Watch new and past episodes of American Pickers on Hulu, Roku, or the History Channel.