PICKERS PLUMMETS American Pickers ratings drop after hitting season-high as fans accuse episode of ‘fakery’ and ‘overpriced’ antiques

AMERICAN Pickers ratings have dropped after a recent episode brought in season-high numbers as fans have accused the series of fakery by “staging” antiques.

American Pickers stars Mike and Robbie Wolfe, Danielle Colby and Jon “Jersey” Szalay.

Mike Wolfe on the December 4 episode of American Pickers in Arizona

Robbie Wolfe and Jon ‘Jersey’ Szalay picking through items in Georgia on the episode

On the December 4th episode, Mike, 60, traveled to Arizona to “relive the thrill of speedway history” as he picked through a garage filled with rare racing antiques.

As for Robbie and Jersey, they found antiques from a 1950s Razorback ride to vintage signs in Georgia.

The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal ratings dropped to 584,000 from the week prior.

Fans turned to social media to slam the episode, as one viewer posted on Instagram of a rival History Channel series, “This show is faker than Oak Island!”

second said on Facebook, “I like Robbie & Jersey. People have to realize over the years a lot of this is set-up before hand, just like most of these shows.”

A third wrote, “I’ve loved Pickers since the very beginning but it seems so set up and contrived now. I expect a lot of it was set up going back to the Frank days but it seems obvious stuff is set up for them to ‘find’ and Jersey always having to give a retail number (guess) is painful to watch, put it to bed guys you’ve made your money.”

STRUGGLING SEASON

On the November 27 episode The Toy Godfather, Mike and Jersey traveled to Chicago to pick through a historic home.

The episode brought in 623,000 viewers, the highest-rated of the season.

The November 20, 2024 episode Surfs, Signs, Savage brought in 521,000 viewers.

The November 13 episode, Picken’ Wall to Wall had 582,000 people watch.

The November 6, 2024 episode, Carnival Cashout, had 547,000 viewers.

DIY Delorean, which aired on October 30, brought in the lowest ratings of the season with just 442,000 viewers.

The third episode of Season 26, The Great Razooly, saw a slight surge with 566,000 viewers on October 23.

The second episode of the season, Wolfemen vs. The Automations, brought in just 463,000 viewers on October 16.

The premiere episode on October 9 brought in 565,000 fans as Mike picked through Evel Knievel memorabilia.

The show stars Mike, Robbie, Jersey and Danielle Colby

SEASON 25 RATINGS

The ratings for Season 26 are low compared to last season.

Season 25 brought in 723,000 viewers for part one of the premiere and 676,000 for part two.

Episode three had 880,000 viewers tune in.

By the January 24 episode, ratings increased to 948,000 viewers.

The February 28 episode brought in 966,000 viewers.

The season finale on March 27 had 832,000 people watch.

STILL PICKING

Despite the low ratings, the show revealed filming will resume in February.

“Do you have a unique collection? The Pickers are heading to SOUTH CAROLINA and NORTH CAROLINA this FEBRUARY, ready to dig through rare, unique, and historically rich treasures,” a Facebook post read on the show’s official page.

“They’re searching for private collections filled with fascinating items and captivating stories. If you or someone you know has a hidden gem waiting to be discovered, let us know, we may just find our next big pick!”

FAN REACTION

Fans have been calling for the show’s cancellation during Season 26.

“This show needs to go… cancel this show it’s a husk of what it was,” one fan wrote.

Another said, “It was never good. This show ruined the buying/selling market.”

A third asked, “Will American Pickers continue?”

MORE PICKERS

But The U.S. Sun reported in May 2024 that the series has even more seasons left in its contract.

“They’re filming for Season 26, and they have signed on for three more years,” the show insider claimed.

When original cast member Frank Fritz was on the show, ratings were over a million viewers.

Frank last appeared on American Pickers in March 2020.

He then suffered a stroke at his Iowa farmhouse in July 2022.

He passed away in hospice two years later on September 30, 2024, at 60 years old.

Robbie on the December 4 episode

Original cast member Frank Fritz left the series in 2020