AMERICAN Pickers premiere ratings have dropped compared to the previous season after the death of fan-favorite Frank Fritz.
Season 26 of American Pickers premiered on October 9 with Mike and Robbie Wolfe, Jon “Jersey Jon” Szalay and Danielle Colby.
The hour-long premiere episode saw Mike, 60, picking through Evel Knievel memorabilia, including a one-of-a-kind billboard from his Snake Canyon jump.
Meanwhile, Robbie and Jersey Jon checked out a late car buff’s collection.
But the episode failed to bring in many viewers, as The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal just 565,000 fans tuned in.
This is a massive drop from Season 25, which kicked off with a two-episode premiere in December 2023.
Classic Car Cemetery raked in 723,000 viewers and part two of the premiere, Hidden Cash Stash, had ratings drop to 676,000.
Episode three saw an increase to 880,000 viewers, and the numbers remained around the same throughout the rest of the month.
By the January 24 episode, ratings skyrocketed to 948,000 viewers.
The numbers dropped back down through most of February with the lowest rating on February 14 at 774,000 viewers and the highest on February 28 at 966,000.
The finale episode on March 27 brought in 832,000 viewers.
The last time ratings dropped to the 500,000s was in on August 30, 2023 with 554,000 fans watching.
HONORING FRANK?
On premiere day, the series paid tribute to Frank by playing episodes featuring the fan-favorite, who appeared on the show from 2010 to 2020.
But when episode one of Season 26 actually aired, fans were saddened to see there was no mention of him.
One fan wrote on Reddit, “There was no dedication to Frank on the season premiere last night.
“I feel like they should have at least made a title card at the end or something to honor him?”
“Total disrespect! This show was and is still dead to me,” commented another.
“I saw the title card on one of the Frank-centric reruns last night but not on the new episode premiere,” wrote a third.
BACK ON TV
In an exclusive interview with The U.S. Sun, Frank’s close friend Jerry Gendreau revealed he would’ve returned to the show had it not been for his health issues.
“My analogy of the two, Mike and Frank were like Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin.
“Jerry Lewis, Frank, was just as important or maybe even more important for the show. It’s very hard to be the Jerry Lewis all of the time.
“I think Frank would’ve went back, but he had his health issues. And he did have some serious health issues. From 25 or 30 on he suffered from Crohn’s.”
Crohn’s is a bowel disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract.
Jerry explained how Frank became a fan-favorite on the show because of his “spontaneity.”
“He was truly the comedian who popped out with some of the weirdest and dumbest things that you just go, ‘Wow,’” Jerry said.
“He made a mark on history.”
END OF THE ROAD?
The U.S. Sun previously reported the stars have signed on for three more seasons after the current one.
But despite the contract, The U.S. Sun previously reported that Mike and Robbie are nearing the end of the series.
“I don’t know how long the show will last,” a source previously told The U.S. Sun.
“I don’t know how long Mike and Robbie will want to do this,” the insider continued, “I think they would want to retire at some point.
“It’s a strain on your life [and] they’ve done this a long time,” Mike’s friend revealed.
“When they’re around it’s, ‘Ah, we’re on the road again. I ain’t got time to do this, I ain’t got time to do that,'” the source claimed.
“It’s a love-hate like with any job,” the insider shared.
“Some days you don’t wish you had that job and you could do whatever you wanted; some days you’re all excited about your job,” the pal concluded.
FRANK’S FINAL BOW
Frank’s final episode was in March 2020.
He left the show to recover from back surgery that left him with 185 stitches and two rods in his spine.
During his time off, Frank lost 65 pounds and was living a healthier lifestyle, including being sober from alcohol.
He had been open about wanting to return to the series after his hiatus but was officially let go in 2021, Mike confirmed.
“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,” Mike said at the time.
The two had a falling out, as Frank exclusively told The U.S. Sun in a 2021 interview, “I haven’t talked to Mike in two years. 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.
“I think Mike wants to get his brother Robbie in there to replace me. I don’t know why he’s behaving like that towards me.”
The two reconciled after Frank suffered the stroke in July 2022.
He passed away two years later on September 30, 2024 with Mike and loved ones by his side.
REMEMBERING FRANK
American Pickers posted on social media following Frank’s passing, “We are saddened to share that our friend and beloved member of The HISTORY Channel and American Pickers family, Frank Fritz, has passed away on September 30, 2024.
“Frank filmed American Pickers for over a decade. We will always remember ‘the bearded charmer’ and his never-ending search for vintage motorcycles and bikes. Our thoughts are with Frank’s loved ones during this difficult time. He will be deeply missed.”
