LONGTIME fans of American Pickers say they are picking something else to watch, after the show seemingly snubbed Frank Fritz following his massive stroke.
The former co-hosts health troubles have not even been acknowledged yet by the show.
Frank Fritz suffered a stroke, which his former show has yet to acknowledge
Fans are slamming American Pickers, saying the show is not the same without Frank
While Frank, 56, continues to fight for his life, the show has moved on.
A recent Twitter promo for new episodes of the History Channel show completely ignores the off-screen drama, promising instead: “Get ready for a fun-filled summer because new episodes of American Pickers are back!
“Watch as we search for the rarest treasures across America with some of our best finds yet and, you never know, we might be visiting your hometown next!”
But former fans say the show can just stay home instead, as they rallied in the comments around the fallen host.
“Nothing about Frank??? Really?? I’m done,” one person tweeted, as another added: “No Frankie, no watchy!!!”
Another pleaded: “Bring back Frank! I stopped watching when he left.. not the same chemistry very boring.”
And one fan pleaded for a total makeover: “Very dry & boring without Frank – scripted, no freestylin’; a very different show.
“I understand that he isn’t coming back, but you should have ended the original show and started a new one moving forward.”
THE STROKE
Earlier this month, Frank suffered a stroke.
It hit just one year after revealing he was desperate to return to the cast of American Pickers.
His former co-star, Mike Wolfe, 58, whom many fans blame for Frank’s firing, made a lengthy statement on Instagram to share the sad news about his estranged friend.
He began: “I have been very private in the past year in regards to Frank’s life and the journey he’s been on. There have been lots of opinions in regards to mine and Frank’s friendship and the show but now is not the time to set the record straight. Now is the time to pray for my friend.
“Frank has suffered a stroke and is in the hospital. Please keep him in your hearts and thoughts.”
Mike concluded: “Frank, I pray more than anything that you make it through this okay. I love you, buddy.”
Frank last appeared on the show during a March 2020 episode, before he took time off to recover from a grueling back surgery that left him with 185 stitches and two rods in his spine.
Mike was the one who publicly revealed that his friend had been booted from the show in July of 2021.
The pair’s relationship suffered after Frank left for surgery.
READY TO RETURN
But speaking to The Celeb Report in July 2021, shortly after the news broke of his release from the series, Frank stated that he was eager to return to the cast.
He said at the time: “I would like to come back to the show. I was doing it for 11 years. I’m 100 percent recovered now and I’m ready to roll and go back on the show.”
But Frank claimed the network wouldn’t give him a straight answer about returning, as he continued: “They talk out of both sides of their mouth. It would be like me telling you I want to go back on the show and then tomorrow going, ‘I never said that, I never said anything about that.’
“The showrunner called me on my birthday on October 11 of last year and he said ‘I’ll call you back tomorrow,’ but I haven’t heard from those people at all. They don’t contact me.”
Frank insisted he “didn’t leave the show,” as he underwent back surgery and then the pandemic hit.
The collector added: “I don’t know if they can do it cheaper without having me on there or what the situation is.
“I want to go back on the show, but it depends on the network. It ain’t gonna affect me one bit, but I would like to be back for my fans.”
Frank had admitted he wanted to return to the show
He was fired from the show in 2020
Frank’s deteriorating relationship with co-host Mike Wolfe reportedly led to his dismissal
