Shocking News! American Pickers, will start filming the upcoming season. It Will Shock U!
Shocking News! American Pickers, will start filming the upcoming season. It Will Shock U!
### *American Pickers’ Mike Wolfe to Begin Filming New Season of Show Despite Retirement Talks*
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Mike Wolfe, star of *American Pickers*, is set to begin filming for a new season of the popular History Channel show, despite discussions surrounding his potential retirement. Mike, 60, co-hosts *American Pickers* alongside his brother Robbie, 57, and longtime co-star Danielle Colby. The first half of **season 25** is scheduled to premiere on **December 27**, with fans eagerly anticipating more episodes. A source close to Mike confirmed to *The US Sun* that more seasons are on the way, with filming for season 26 already underway.
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### Filming Schedule and Changes to *American Pickers*
While the first half of season 26 wrapped in the fall, Mike and his team will be filming the **second half** from **January to June**. The filming schedule is demanding, with Mike working through the year but getting the entire summer off.
Despite the busy schedule, Mike and Robbie have been expressing frustration with the way *American Pickers* episodes are being rolled out. A source close to the brothers explained, “They’re pushing episodes back far—why, I don’t know. They’re trying to keep up with streaming services instead of having a full season with a new episode every week. They do 10 episodes and then stop. It frustrates them.”
Robbie has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with how episodes filmed a year prior are being aired much later. The insider added, “They are trying to experiment with different formats to see what works, but it’s been confusing for both them and viewers.”
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### **Viewership Dip and the Impact of Streaming**
Season 24 of *American Pickers* has seen a dip in ratings compared to previous seasons. The January 4 premiere of season 24 garnered over **918,000 viewers**, but that number dropped significantly with later episodes. For instance, the episode aired on **July 12** saw only **830,000 viewers**, and by **August 23**, the season finale had just **620,000 viewers**—the lowest of the season.
A second source told *The US Sun* that the decline in ratings can be attributed to the growing dominance of streaming platforms, which has led to fewer viewers watching traditional cable TV. Moreover, since *American Pickers* episodes are not available on any streaming services—only reruns—the show has struggled to retain its audience.
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### **The Departure of Frank Fritz and Fan Backlash**
Another key factor contributing to the dip in ratings is the departure of fan-favorite star **Frank Fritz**, who was last seen on the show in March 2020. Frank’s exit came after he suffered a stroke in **July 2022**, and fans have since expressed their displeasure with the show’s new direction. Some viewers have gone as far as boycotting the show since Frank’s departure. One fan commented on social media, *“I’ll only watch *American Pickers* if it’s a rerun with Frank.”* Another added, *“The only episodes I watch are the ones with Frank. I miss him, and I haven’t liked the show since he left.”*
Frank’s health issues and absence have left a void for many viewers, and it’s clear that his departure has impacted the show’s ratings and fan engagement.
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### **Frank Fritz’s Health and Conservatorship**
Frank’s health became a serious concern after he suffered a stroke in July 2022. Legal documents obtained by *The US Sun* revealed that Frank was placed under **conservatorship** due to the severe impact of the stroke on his decision-making abilities. According to the documents, Frank’s condition impaired his ability to care for himself and make important financial and medical decisions. His decision-making capacity was described as so diminished that he could not provide for necessities such as food, shelter, or medical care.
The court papers further stated that decisions regarding Frank’s care and placement must be made by a guardian to avoid any immediate harm. A long-time friend of Frank’s, who had been assisting him with decisions since the stroke, was appointed as his guardian to help with Frank’s recovery, including his ongoing treatment for **Crohn’s disease** and **physical therapy**.
A friend of Frank’s recently told *The US Sun* that **Frank is improving** today, although his full recovery is still ongoing.
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### Retirement Talks and Mike’s Future on *American Pickers*
In addition to the challenges surrounding ratings and the show’s format, there have been ongoing discussions about Mike and Robbie’s potential retirement. A source close to Mike said, *“I don’t know how long the show will last. I think they would like to retire at some point. It’s been 12 years, and it’s a strain on your life. When they’re on the road again, it’s ‘I ain’t got time to do this or that.’ It’s a love-hate relationship, like any job. Some days you wish you could do whatever you wanted, other days you’re excited to get back to work.”*
Despite the uncertainty about their future on the show, both Mike and Robbie remain committed to continuing their work for now. However, their discussions about retirement remain part of the ongoing story behind the scenes.
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### Conclusion
*American Pickers* will continue to roll out new episodes, with **season 25** debuting on **December 27** and **season 26** filming through 2024. While Mike Wolfe’s potential retirement looms, and the departure of Frank Fritz still impacts fans, the show presses on. Whether the series can regain its former viewership or find a new direction in the world of streaming remains to be seen. Regardless, Mike’s commitment to preserving the past—and exploring new frontiers—continues to be a driving force behind his career.