After a 10 year run and more than 300 episodes, the tag team of Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz on “American Pickers” looks to be at its end. Beyond the show business side of things is a friendship of four decades that is on the rocks. And fans of the History Channel hit are sad to see co-host Frank Fritz go.
Mixing friendship and business is a double-sided coin. Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz met in elementary school and have been scouring the nation for antiques ever since. Their friendship has resulted in a lucrative business and a successful TV show. But in recent years, things haven’t been all sunshine and rainbows.
Apparently, Mike Wolf and Frank Fritz haven’t spoken to each other in two years. A fact that is made all the more troubling considering Frank’s recent health problems. He has Crohn’s disease, struggled with the aftermath of back surgery, and is now taking his leave from “American Pickers.”
Frank Fritz is Leaving ‘American Pickers’ of His Own Accord
But contrary to what many might initially think, Fritz’s departure from the show doesn’t appear to be a firing. TMZ reports that it was solely his decision to leave “American Pickers.” Although, the lack of support he received from the show and his lifelong friend during his health problems probably helped his decision along.
“[Mike Wolfe] 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. The show is tilted towards him 1,000 percent. I can’t even bend that far down to show you how much. That’s fine,” Fritz told The Sun recently.
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding his departure, Frank Fritz was a beloved personality on the show. And “American Pickers” fans are not taking the news lightly.
“American Pickers without Frank is Fake American Pickers. We all know this. Lock Mike and Frank in a room until they figure it out,” wrote one Twitter user.
“This show is dead to me after finding out about Mike Wolfe’s ego problems…seems like the show has been losing it’s fun dynamic as stars leave anyways, but hey, you still have your favorite Wolfe in sheep’s clothing,” another added.
“So you still have Fritz on the merch, but he hasn’t been seen in forever. It’s not Mike’s show, not his brother’s show. I’ll watch again when Fritz comes back,” a fan replied to an “American Pickers” social media merch plug.
What’s Next for the Long-Running History Channel Show?
In his interview with The Sun, Frank Fritz implied that Mike Wolfe’s ultimate goal was to replace him with Robbie, Mike’s brother.
While there is no confirmation that this will be the case, it appears that “American Pickers” is currently happy to keep making episodes with Mike Wolfe as the sole, primary personality. For the time being, at least.
