During the pandemic, the news broke that Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, known for their long-term partnership on the reality show “American Pickers,” were splitting up. This announcement surprised some, but fans who followed them on social media were already aware that Fritz had been absent from the show for a while.
After the news came out, there was a lot of drama. Wolfe and Fritz exchanged comments through the media and social media while the show continued to air on TV.
They pointed fingers, discussed health issues, and explored their feelings. Fans even started a movement called “Bring Frank Back” in support of Fritz. However, things took a tragic turn.
The feud between the two American Pickers stars has a long history, and although they are starting to clear the air, it’s still going to be a turbulent story to follow.
Early 2020: Frank Fritz Took A Voluntary Leave Of Absence
In March 2020, the world experienced a widespread shutdown, and many people stayed home. That month also marked the final episode of the History Channel star’s show, “American Pickers.”
During that time, it was revealed that Frank Fritz, one of the stars, had taken a voluntary leave of absence due to his back problems. However, we later discovered that there was more to the story than initially known.
July 2021: Rumors Swirled Fritz Was Not Returning To The Show
During the summer of 2021, rumors began circulating about issues within the cast of a reality show. Frank Fritz had been open about his departure from the series due to health problems like a severe back condition requiring surgery, as well as challenges related to Crohn’s Disease and alcohol.
He made positive changes by losing weight and improving his well-being. However, by that summer, the veteran star recognized that his return might not be as simple as anticipated.
He acknowledged the existence of ongoing controversies, saying, “I had been doing it for 11 years, but there is currently a lot of controversy surrounding the situation.”
July 2021: Mike Wolfe Confirmed The Rumors
When Frank mentioned the “controversy” surrounding his potential return to the show, he also mentioned that his co-host had not contacted him in two years.
This lack of communication provided substantial evidence of issues within their partnership.
Merely a few days later, his co-host, Mike Wolfe, confirmed Frank’s departure through a message to fans on social media.
He expressed gratitude for the journey they embarked on together in 2009, acknowledging the ups and downs, blessings, and challenges they encountered.
Wolfe conveyed his sadness at Frank’s departure, expressed his good wishes, and hoped for the best in Frank’s future endeavors. Unfortunately, the story didn’t end there.
August 2021: Danielle Colby Broke Her Silence On American Pickers BTS Drama
After Mike confirmed that Frank would not be returning to the show, Frank began sharing his “regrets” with the press.
He expressed a wish that he had quit drinking five years earlier than he actually did. In the following days, Frank continued to give interviews to the media. This prompted his fellow co-star, Danielle Colby, to feel compelled to address the situation.
According to Danielle, Frank had caused a significant amount of pain for himself, which had been difficult to witness.
She genuinely hoped that Frank would receive the necessary help to recover after years of struggling. Danielle refrained from speaking negatively about someone in need of assistance and opted to keep her comments positive.
It was evident that a significant amount of behind-the-scenes events took place during the production of the History Channel show.
Danielle provided fans with some insight into the broader situation without revealing all the details. Yet, she made it apparent that there was a noticeable rift between the cast and Frank Fritz.
August 2021: Frank Stopped Playing Nice
Initially, Frank presented himself as someone who had experienced personal growth and transformation.
However, after his former co-stars shared their thoughts, his demeanor changed significantly.
In the month of August, Frank made a statement expressing his disagreement with Mike’s statement, claiming it was “bullshit” and likely written by someone else.
He mentioned that they were never friends during their school days and believed that in ten years, Mike had only said a handful of positive things to him, typically when they were making fun of someone else.
However, Frank’s grievances didn’t end there. He continued by stating that despite his well-known back injury, nobody from the network or his colleagues bothered to reach out and inquire about his well-being. This lack of concern left him feeling like he was just another insignificant person.
He concluded his statement with frustration, expressing a sentiment of disregard, saying, “Oh, you hurt your back? Well, life goes on. You know what? Fuck you.” Instead of easing, the tensions were escalating, becoming more intense rather than less.
Mid-August 2021: The Back And Forth Between The Two Stars Continued
Initially, the remaining stars of the History Channel were somewhat reserved when discussing Frank Fritz’s personal struggles. However, as time passed, the back-and-forth exchange in the media continued, prompting Mike Wolfe to explain why his former colleague was not being invited back.
In mid-August, Mike straightforwardly stated,
“We all do care about Frank, and we want him back on the show. I would love to talk with him again, we would absolutely love to, but he just can’t get it right.”
Wolfe acknowledged that Frank was going through personal challenges related to addiction, expressing disappointment in the decisions Frank had made that led him to his current state.
Frank had openly discussed his previous sobriety from alcohol for 11 months, suggesting there might be more to the story. However, in response to Mike’s comments in August, Frank reiterated his commitment to sobriety.
He revealed that he had sought help by attending rehab and had been sober for 11 months. His aversion to drinking stemmed from personal experiences, including the alcohol-related deaths of his mother and grandfather.
When Frank initially left the show American Pickers, and even during the period when there was hope for his return, he had a more positive attitude about the situation. However, his emotions appeared to have changed over time.
In summary, Frank’s narrative shifted from one of change and growth to expressing his disappointment and anger towards his former co-stars and the lack of support he felt from them and the network.
January 2022: American Pickers Returned To The Schedule
The year 2022 turned out to be unusual for the fanbase of the show “American Pickers,” which typically brings joy with each new season. In January, the show returned, but something was different—the regular cast was missing.
A vocal portion of the fanbase took to platforms like Twitter and Facebook, creating hashtags to express their dissatisfaction.
The ratings of American Pickers suffered as a result. Fans flooded the comments section, questioning the notion of “loyalty” and urging the series to #BringFrankBack.
In the midst of these developments, the show introduced Mike Wolfe’s brother, Robbie, during the January premiere, and he has since become a regular presence on the series.
Although Robbie had occasionally appeared, some viewers perceived him as a replacement for Frank, which didn’t sit well with the fans.
Thus, when the show returned, it seemed to have lost some of its enchantment and appeal, as fans expressed their disappointment with the absence of the original cast member, Frank Fritz.
March 2022: Frank Fritz Dealt With More Troubles
By the spring of last year, Frank had faced the consequences of being removed from the show and being without a lucrative job for two years. Additional news surfaced that he was dealing with tax troubles that accumulated over time.
In March last year, it was revealed that Fritz owed money that was around $5k in back taxes related to two properties he had purchased in Iowa.
Furthermore, he had previously mentioned encountering difficulties with a former partner, a woman whom he had spent large sums of money on.
Allegedly, this relationship had resulted in significant financial losses, estimated to be in the “six figures.”
With each passing day, a return to the show American Pickers appeared more and more unlikely for Frank Fritz. The challenges he faced, including tax debts and personal relationship issues, made his comeback increasingly distant.
May of 2022: An Insider Spoke Out About Ongoing Problems
The issue even took another fire as an insider said in a statement that Mike Wolfe has not reached out to Frank Fritz yet, displaying a lack of concern.
The insider continued by saying that both Mike and Frank came from humble beginnings, but money has altered their relationship. It seems that the transformation brought about by wealth has affected both Mike and Frank.
July 2022: Mike Wolfe Jumped Into The Fray Again After Health Scares
It was officially announced in July that Frank Fritz had experienced a stroke. Surprisingly, it was Mike Wolfe made this information public after a prolonged silence regarding the situation.
Mike even urged everyone to refrain from sharing their opinions about the show and the ongoing dispute between the former friends. However, the disclosure of the stroke news by Wolfe sparked some negative and hostile reactions from certain fans.
August 2022: Frank Fritz Was Reportedly On The Mend
After experiencing a significant health scare with a stroke, which is indeed a serious matter, it was later reported that Frank Fritz’s condition had improved just a few weeks later. Although he had been discharged from the hospital, his challenges persisted in the subsequent months.
October 2022: A Guardianship Petition Was Filed
After being transferred from a rehabilitation center to receive care at home, it became apparent that Fritz’s condition was not as improved as initially thought. Legal paperwork was filed on his behalf to establish guardianship.
This documentation shed light on the situation, revealing that Fritz’s ability to make decisions has been significantly impaired due to the stroke. As a result, he is unable to ensure his own safety or meet basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, and medical care.
Additionally, he lacks the capacity to make, communicate, or execute important decisions regarding his financial matters. Since transitioning to at-home care, the former star has faced challenges.
Numerous 911 calls have been made in recent months, highlighting his difficulties. Furthermore, the cost of post-stroke care has posed financial struggles for Fritz.
January 2023: Insider Claimed American Pickers Wanted To Get The Gang Back Together, But The Show Must Go On
An insider revealed that rumors were circulating about History Channel reconsidering their decision to let Frank Fritz go. This news emerged after Frank was placed under guardianship, indicating his ongoing financial struggles.
While a return to television would likely benefit him financially, there are concerns about Fritz’s ability to travel and fulfill the necessary obligations of a TV role, considering recent reports about his health. Meanwhile, the show American Pickers has moved forward without Fritz.
Mike Wolfe expressed gratitude towards the crew for their dedication during the production of the new season, and it appears that the show has successfully navigated the turbulent period of drama following Fritz’s departure. Frank’s primary focus is his battle for better health, which will require prioritization in the near future.
However, time has a way of healing wounds, and only time will reveal what lies ahead for Frank, Mike, and the future of the show.
May/June 2023: An American Pickers Reunion
While not officially confirmed by Mike Wolfe or Frank Fritz, an insider in Iowa has reported that the summer of 2023 brought an opportunity for reconciliation and coming back together. According to this insider, the two stars of Pickers reunited over the Memorial Day weekend in June.
The encounter was described as emotional, with tears being shed. It was allegedly Frank who initiated the meeting, which involved reminiscing about their shared past and discussing possibilities for the future.
Whether these discussions will lead to a potential return to the History series remains uncertain. However, similar to the resolution of the feud between The Rock and Vin Diesel in the Fast and Furious franchise, it seems that this particular chapter may now be considered closed.
