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‘American Pickers’: Danielle Colby Revealed the Process for Getting Ordinary People on TV

When it comes to traveling the country and buying antiques, the American Pickers have it down to a science. Folks have to trust you. So, that’s why Danielle Colby has a process for getting regular people on the TV show.

It was back in 2010 when the show had just taken off. The crew, Mike, Frank, and Danielle were adjusting to their newfound fame. While they had been working with one another for years, putting it on the show was different. To be successful before their huge fame, they had to be witty and charming to get permission to pick someone’s property. Colby has understood that for a long time.

“You have to really search and be able to charm people,” she said in an interview. “And get them to rust you that you’re not some shady person who’s going to break into their house.”

Now, there is a new element to the deal. You have to convince them to be on TV as well. That isn’t easy, either. But they have a process they go through.

“What they do [the show] with that is they’re [the owners] meeting Mike and Frank for the first time when Mike and Frank go up to the door. The camera crew, the director will go to the door and ask if it is ok. They’ll get written consent and then mic up the people and then go to the door. We try to keep it as genuine as possible so the first meeting you get to see along with the householder. However, you do need to get permission to be on the property definitely because especially the places these boys go down South, you don’t want to pull up on somebody’s property without permission. You’ll find yourself run-off pretty quick.”

Being the American Pickers can be hard.

‘American Pickers’ Get ‘Overworked’

When it comes to Mike and Frank hitting the road, back when the two were still partners, it was not an easy job. Traveling the road is a tough thing to do. Even if the American Pickers get to see great places, people, and things, the work can take its toll. Danielle has talked about the exhaustion that the guys went through on the road together.

These guys were out on the road three weeks a month at times. That isn’t an easy thing to do no matter who you are. Colby admitted that she would worry about not just their physical well-being but their mental well-being. Not to mention all the old buildings the guys get into. Being a little too tired when a wall of antiques comes crashing down could be detrimental.

Since the show began the American Pickers have shown all aspects of the process. From picking to processing to Danielle selling pieces online and at the store. Each part of the show is kept as genuine as they possibly can make it.