Shocking News! Very Sad! American Pickers’ season premiere ratings fall their lowest level in years

Last pick: American Pickers season premiere ratings dropped to their lowest in years after ex-host Frank Fritz’s tragic death.

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Season 26 of American Pickers premiered on October 9 with Mike and Robbie Wolf, John “Jersey” John S., and Danielle. The hour-long premiere episodes saw Mike, 60, picking through Evel Knievel memorabilia, including a one-of-a-kind billboard from his Snake Canyon jump. Meanwhile, Robbie and Jersey John checked out a late car bus collection.

However, the episode failed to bring in many viewers, as the US Sun can exclusively reveal that 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. The classic car cemetery raked in 723,000 viewers, and part two of the premiere, “Hidden Cash Stash,” had ratings drop to 676,000.

Episode 3 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 final episode on March 27 brought in 832,000 viewers.

The last time ratings dropped to the 500s was on August 30, 2023, with 554,000 fans watching 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 1 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.” Another commented, “This show was and is still dead to me.” A third added, “I saw the title card on one of the Frank-centric reruns last night, but not on the new episode premiere.”

In an exclusive interview with the US Sun, Frank’s close friend Jerry Gendro revealed he would have 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. 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 have gone 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, which 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.’ He made a mark on history.”

The US Sun previously reported that the stars have signed on for three more seasons after the current one, but despite the contract, the US Sun 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 US 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 relationship, like with any job. “Some days you wish you didn’t have that job and could do whatever you wanted. Other days, you’re all excited about your job.”

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 that the two had a falling out, as Frank exclusively told the US Sun in a 2021 interview, “I haven’t talked to Mike in 2 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 a stroke in July 2021.