For more than a decade, American Pickers followed Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz as they crisscrossed the country in search of buried Americana treasures. But while the show made it seem as if they were close friends that occasionally argued, there was a rift growing between them that fans didn’t see.
In a shocking interview earlier this year, Fritz told The Sun that he and Wolfe haven’t spoken to one another in two years. Fritz last appeared on an episode of American Pickers in March 2020. He took a sabbatical to get back surgery.
“I haven’t talked to Mike in two years,” Fritz told the newspaper. “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.”
Fritz seemed upset with how the show made Wolfe the star, relegating him to a sidekick role.
“The show is titled towards him 1,000 percent,” he claimed. “I can’t even bend that far down to show you how much.”
Fritz also announced that producers had effectively fired him from the show. He noted that they stopped returning his calls in October of last year. The latest season American Pickers started airing on History Channel last month without Fritz, and fans haven’t been happy about that.
Mike Wolfe has stayed fairly quiet about the entire ordeal. He’s only made one public comment about the split in an Instagram post.
“I have known Frank for as long as I can remember, he’s been like a brother to me. The journey that Frank, Dani (Colby), and I started back in 2009, like all of life, has come with its highs and lows, blessings and challenges, but it has also been the most rewarding,” he said in part. “I will miss Frank, just like all of you, and I pray for the very best and all good things for him on the next part of his journey.”
American Pickers: What Has Danielle Colby Said?
While Danielle Colby rarely went on trips with the guys, she is an integral part of American Pickers. The dynamic between the three co-stars drove a lot of the show’s popularity.
But after the American Pickers trio became a duet, Colby stood with her friend and boss, Mike Wolfe. In an Instagram post, she came to Wolfe’s defense.
“Out on the road again with my best friend and my big brother whose I support fully and stand behind. Thank you for the last decade of advocacy towards myself and others on set. @mikewolfeamericanpicker I’m proud of how you have handled the last 12 years and look forward to many more years of rolling around this big blue marble together.”
Though she said she’s saddened that Fritz is no longer a member of American Pickers and hinted at some secret, behind-the-scenes issues.
“I’m truly saddened for the loss of Frank on the show,” Colby added. “I’m incredibly sad for his struggles. I’ve personally watched everything over the last decade. I have many thoughts but won’t speak them as they are only my thoughts, not gospel. I wish things could have been different but we must be accountable for our actions when we cause instability or pain and suffering to others.”
