LAST SEASON? American Pickers star Mike Wolfe’s pal reveals show could be ending as host is ‘ready to retire’ amid brutal ratings
LAST SEASON? American Pickers star Mike Wolfe’s pal reveals show could be ending as host is ‘ready to retire’ amid brutal ratings
AMERICAN Pickers star Mike Wolfe’s friend has revealed the show could be coming to an end, as the host is “ready to retire” amid the brutal ratings.
Mike, 59, and Danielle Colby have starred in the hit series since 2010, and his brother Robbie officially became a full-time cast member to replace Frank Fritz in 2022.
American Pickers could be coming to an end
The hosts are ‘ready to retire’
The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal the brothers may be ready to call it quits soon.
A pal of Mike’s exclusively told The U.S. Sun: “I don’t know how long the show will last. I don’t know how long Mike and Robbie want to do this. I think they would like to retire at some point. It’s been 12 years.
“It’s a strain on your life. They’ve done this a long time. 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.’
“It’s a love-hate like with any job. 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.”
American Pickers coming to an end could be because the series is experiencing low ratings.
The July 5 premiere started off strong with 918,000 viewers watching.
For the July 12 show, 803,000 watched, while 713,000 tuned in for the July 19 episode.
Ratings were better for the July 26 episode with 885,000 viewers.
The August 9 episode had 778,000 viewers, while the August 16 episode had 706,000 people watch.
The August 23 episode brought in just 620,000 viewers, the lowest of the season.
CO-STAR FEUD
Ratings were once in the millions with original host Frank, 59, who is a fan favorite.
Frank left the show to recover from back surgery, leaving him with 185 stitches and two rods in his spine.
During his break from the show, Frank lost 65 pounds and entered rehab for alcohol addiction in Iowa for 77 days.
Frank revealed his feud with co-star Mike during a 2021 interview with The U.S. Sun.
The fan-favorite said: “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.
“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. It’s like you’ve got Aerosmith and there’s Steven Tyler and he’s the frontman.
“I found my spot, I’m second and he’s number one on the show. That’s no problem with me, maybe he does have a problem.”
He also admitted: “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.”
Frank was placed under conservatorship after he suffered a stroke in July 2022 and continues to recover today.
FRIENDS AGAIN
Mike and Frank reunited over Memorial Day Weekend for the first time in years, as The U.S. Sun previously revealed the status of their relationship today.
A source close to Frank told The U.S. Sun: “Everything between them is fine. They’ve known each other for 40 years. They went to high school, they’ve done all this stuff together. They’re very good friends, great friends.”
The insider said Mike has visited Frank a “handful of times” since he suffered the stroke, as the two “call and text” today as well.
NEW LIFE
Mike is busy outside of the show, as he often travels with his girlfriend Leticia Cline.
He owns the store Antique Archaeology with locations in Nashville, Tennessee and Le Claire, Iowa, as well as a real estate company where he owns properties and restores historic homes.
He also owns Two Lanes Guesthouse, which are vacation rentals, and other businesses.
Danielle lives in Puerto Rico and has been focused on her burlesque, as a source previously claimed to The U.S. Sun that she only comes into the store to film for the show.
