Secrets About American Pickers That Producers Tried To Hide

In 2010, the reality series 'American Pickers' debuted on the History Channel and proved to be an instant hit with viewers. Pulling in over 3 million people, it had one of the highest debuts the network had ever seen. That popularity has endured over the years, which is why the show continues to make new episodes.

How much do we actually know about this series and the people who film it, though? There are plenty of behind-the-scenes rumors and stories that even eagle-eyed viewers may not know about after years of watching the show ‘American Pickers.’

People are allegedly warned in advance about the hosts showing up

'American Pickers' might seem like quite a spontaneous show. However, there's a lot more preparation that goes into every episode than it may appear. Supposedly, someone from the crew will show up to the places that the hosts visit well in advance of their arrival. According to Ken Young, this may be as long as three weeks ahead.

This is presumably to check whether or not the site actually has items of worth for the hosts to talk about. After all, there's not much of an episode if they leave empty-handed. According to Young - who appeared in a 2018 episode - someone looked around, gave him their card, and then called him later, saying the show would be coming.

Production supposedly plants some of the more notable items the hosts find

Of course, checking out a place before the hosts get there may not actually be that necessary if another rumor about 'American Pickers' is true. This one states that production will actually plant some of the more notable items in people's homes and storage units to make the episode more interesting. Well, this is a reality show.

Some of the people who have firsthand experience with 'American Pickers' have allegedly confirmed these claims. However, no one from the series has ever outright admitted to deceiving the audience like this. We imagine a lot of people would probably be disappointed if all those hidden gems were just put there by production and not sat in storage for years.

The shots in each episode are apparently sometimes shown out of sequence

When you watch a reality show like 'American Pickers,' you probably assume that everything you see has happened in the way it's presented. After all, the series is structured to make everything flow as a continuous narrative. However, reality programs can be incredibly misleading in this regard, with 'American Pickers' allegedly no different from any other.

According to an interview from a South Carolina auctioneer - which A&E has since had removed - multiple shots get placed out of sequence. So, although the narrative flows nicely, what it presents can actually be an inaccurate chronology. That may not necessarily seem like a big deal, but it demonstrates how easily the series might be misleading people.

Even things like the driving are reportedly staged by production

Once you know that everything is not what it seems in the show, you may start to question how authentic a series like 'American Pickers' truly is. Unfortunately, it appears that a lot of the program may be staged or not as genuine as it initially seems. Something else that's allegedly not entirely real is all that driving footage.

Supposedly, the hosts don't always arrive at their designated location in the van. However, as driving is part of the 'American Pickers' experience, production reportedly uses B-roll footage to give the audience a certain impression. Again, this element reportedly being staged might not matter that much, but it still brings the authenticity of the show into question for some.

Production allegedly agrees to prices with sellers before the cameras start rolling 

When it comes to antiques, finding a fair price can be difficult. There's often a lot of haggling on the show as the hosts try to get a fair deal that benefits both them and the seller. However, while it might seem as though they're trying to do right by everyone, rumors behind the scenes suggest something different entirely.

Allegedly, production actually agrees to a price with the seller before the cameras start rolling, with the hosts then reportedly trying to haggle down from this price. While it might add some drama to the series that keeps things exciting, it leaves people with little room to haggle once the hosts start negotiating prices on camera.

The producers might even tell the hosts what to talk about

'American Pickers' has proven to be so much of a success that it's attracted celebrity attention from the likes of Jack White, Steven Tyler, and Dolly Parton. However, it probably wouldn't have gotten to this point if it weren't for all the input courtesy of production. As much as they allegedly manipulate the show, their efforts have made a difference.

They reportedly have a hand in everything on 'American Pickers,' including what the hosts say. While the show might not be entirely scripted, there are rumors that it's not completely natural either. The likelihood is that people tell the hosts what to talk about, and they take it from there, as is the case in other reality shows.

The history of the items is something that reportedly isn't faked

Hearing all these allegations about 'American Pickers,' it's easy to assume that nothing you see is real. However, that's not necessarily true. While producers may meddle with certain things, and the show might not be edited chronologically, there is at least one thing that's legitimate. We're talking about the history of the items showcased in this series.

Even if everything else about this show may be questionable, what people have to share about these antiques is apparently the real deal. It's reassuring to know that this isn't something that anyone will lie about and that everyone has their facts straight when it comes to the origin stories. It certainly makes up for all the other rumors.

Jared Gutstadt had an interesting vision for the American Pickers theme song

Every show needs a good theme song that instantly makes you think of the series when you hear it. There have been some truly iconic ones over the years, and there's no denying that 'American Pickers' has one of the more interesting ones out there. It actually has quite an interesting story, courtesy of Jared Gutstadt.

Apparently, the intro was taken from a track by Reckless Sons that was then transformed into what we're familiar with from the series. Gutstadt was reportedly looking for a "sound like The Band meets The White Stripes meets seventies-era Rolling Stones." Evidently, he went into the process with a vision, and he came out with a perfect track.

Mike's been passionate about picking since he was a kid selling bikes

Mike Wolfe is one of the leading faces of 'American Pickers,' with the man reportedly responsible for the show even existing in the first place. It seems that he's long been a passionate picker, with his experience outside of the series making him the perfect man for the job. It all reportedly started when he was just a kid.

The young Wolfe apparently came across an old bike and ended up selling it for $5. That might not have been much, but it was more than he had before, and it opened his eyes to the value of picking. Mike reportedly continued searching for bikes and allegedly ended up selling them for $5,000, having bought them for $50.

Frank Fritz reportedly wasn't much of a picker before the show

While picking has been a passion for Mike Wolfe for seemingly most of his life, the same can't necessarily be said of other people on the show. Although Wolfe started the series alongside Frank Fritz, Mike's partner wasn't necessarily as experienced in this area. Supposedly, he was more like your average collector than anything else.

Interestingly, Frank made a living for himself in quite a different way before 'American Pickers' came along. According to Outsider, he spent around 25 years working as a fire inspector, a job that he took up shortly after graduating from high school. Though he continued to collect during this time, antiques weren't where Frank was making his money.

Mike and Frank's friendship reportedly began when they were teenagers

Although Mike's passion for picking may have started a lot earlier than it did with Frank, that doesn't mean the two were complete strangers before the show came along. In fact, the pair have apparently known one another since they were teenagers, with Mike and Frank reportedly becoming friends in 8th grade, long before the show was even an idea.

It was actually because of this friendship that ‘American Pickers’ came to be what it is today. Wolfe had initially planned to film the series alone but then realized that it would be more compelling for viewers if he had a partner to pick alongside. He allegedly settled on Fritz because the man was local and made good company.

Frank Fritz once faced a lawsuit after allegedly swindling someone

Some of the criticism aimed at 'American Pickers' is how little the hosts sometimes buy items for. Given how much of a profit they can make on these things when they sell them later, it can leave a bad taste in people's mouths. That's not helped by the fact that Frank Fritz has been accused of swindling someone before.

Apparently, Fritz was once sued for not sending a polarimeter to a man named Jerry Bruce, with whom he'd agreed to do a deal. Bruce had sent the host a check for $300 plus shipping, but Frank reportedly went dark after that. When the man didn't even show up to defend himself in court, Jerry won the lawsuit.

People have called out American Pickers for having a diversity problem

As with any show, you don't see just how many people work to put everything together when you watch an episode of 'American Pickers.' All the camera operators, editors, producers, and more are very much present while making the series, but you never see them. That's why Mike Wolfe has made an effort to highlight the crew on social media.

Unfortunately, his efforts have sometimes blown back in his face as people have noticed a few things they've found hard to overlook. The lack of women and non-white employees has prompted fans to accuse the show of having a diversity problem. According to Mike, though, the series has no such issue when it comes to its crew.

Mike and Frank have faced questions about the nature of their relationship

Whenever you have a show that's fronted by two people, the chemistry between those hosts needs to be strong. Otherwise, viewers will often have a hard time finding the series enjoyable. Thankfully, Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz have always seemed to have a good partnership onscreen, with some suggesting that their connection is even stronger than it appears.

It seems that since 'American Pickers' started, several fans have suggested there might be something romantic going on between Mike and Frank. Neither host has ever said anything about this, with both of them having wives or girlfriends that seemingly dispel the rumors. Nevertheless, it hasn't stopped talk of the pair having a thing for one another.

Mike and Frank's friendship may not actually be that strong

Of course, just as there have been rumors about Mike and Frank being in a relationship, there has also been talk of them not actually getting along that much. Even though the two reportedly started their friendship as teenagers and worked together for years, they supposedly haven't always been that close. Doing 'American Pickers' may have even pushed them apart.

There were reportedly fears at one point that the supposed animosity between the two would bring the show to an untimely end. However, before that could happen, Frank was allegedly fired from the series, with the last season airing without him. Was this because of a frayed relationship behind the scenes? Some people certainly seem to think so.

Mike Wolfe and his wife got a divorce after years of marriage

One of the reasons why some people have ignored those rumors about Mike and Frank being in a relationship is that the pair have both been with women throughout the show's run. Mike, in particular, has been married throughout most of his run on 'American Pickers.' Unfortunately, it seems that union is now over after his wife filed for divorce.

Jodi Wolfe reportedly decided that there was no going back for their marriage in 2020, apparently citing irreconcilable differences for their split. The proceedings were finalized in 2021, meaning that Mike has been a divorcee for several years now. The split also means he no longer sees his daughter as much, with Jodi reportedly having primary custody.

Mike Wolfe has since moved on with his new girlfriend, Leticia Cline

Not only did the divorce come with heartbreak, but it also had quite an impact on Mike's bank balance as well. The TV star reportedly had to pay his ex over $6 million in the divorce, which included royalties from the show and a $2 million home in Nashville. Luckily, Wolfe has found a way to ease the pain.

Since splitting from Jodi, Mike has seemingly found love with a new woman - Leticia Cline. The two apparently knew one another while Wolfe's relationship was still going strong, with the couple initially bonding over their love for motorcycles. After Jodi was out of the picture, things presumably developed with Leticia until a relationship just naturally blossomed between the pair.

Leticia Cline has accomplished a lot of things in her life

It seems that Leticia was quite a busy woman in the years before she and Mike Wolfe got together. She reportedly had her start in modeling, with the woman working for Playboy and appearing on the cover of Maxim. This apparently led to her starring in the reality show 'Beauty and the Geek' before establishing herself as a journalist.

Along with all this, Leticia races motorcycles in her free time and works as a city councilor for Cave City in Kentucky. She attempted to become mayor here in 2022 but was ultimately unsuccessful, albeit only by 50 votes. Still, Leticia felt proud of what she'd achieved in her efforts, especially as she doesn't have a “typical political background.”

Frank Fritz was engaged to Diann Bankson, but she was allegedly unfaithful

Many of the rumors about Mike and Frank being an item reportedly stemmed from the latter not appearing to have a public love life. However, that doesn't mean the host was single throughout his time on 'American Pickers.' Far from it. In fact, Frank had quite a notable relationship that seemingly wasn't without its share of drama.

His primary relationship during that time was with Diann Bankson, with photos of them stemming back to the mid-2010s. The Sun reported that they were engaged in 2017, but the relationship eventually ended, with Fritz claiming to the publication that Bankson actually cheated on him. Supposedly, she had a secret boyfriend while Frank was on the road with the show.

Diann claimed that Frank was the cheater, something that he denied

Interestingly, Frank isn't the only one who threw out accusations of infidelity. It appears that Diann also accused her partner of the same thing, saying that she once "caught him in bed with another woman." That's what she reportedly told The Sun in 2018, although it's something that Fritz later denied to the same publication.

He apparently informed The Sun that Diann was "cheating a lot longer than me" and that he simply had a woman at the house. Bankson allegedly never caught the pair of them doing anything they shouldn't. In regards to his claims that his partner was unfaithful during the relationship, Frank added: “I don't think she can help herself.”

Diann reportedly sued Frank for negligence after an incident with a firework

Considering that neither party could seemingly trust one another, it's maybe no surprise that Frank and Diann are no longer together. However, it might not have been the infidelity that broke them up but rather an unfortunate incident with a firework. Apparently, the woman was injured after Fritz and a friend set off fireworks at their home in Iowa.

Rather than take his partner to the hospital to treat the third-degree burns he'd apparently caused, Frank allegedly told Diann to "toughen up." She consequently took the man to court for negligence, where Diann reportedly demanded $50,000. That was back in January 2020, with Bankson supposedly dismissing the case a few months later in March 2020.

Mike Wolfe has plenty of ways to make money away from American Pickers

Being the host of a show that's more than a decade old can bring in a decent amount of money. However, 'American Pickers' only makes up a fraction of how Mike Wolfe generates an income. He's found plenty of other ways to boost his bank balance over the years, including opening multiple stores of Antique Archaeology.

Mike has also apparently delved into fashion in the past and even put his hand to creating a sitcom. The idea he pitched was reportedly a "workplace comedy set in an antiques and collectibles shop." Although CBS bought the pitch back in 2012, we haven't heard anything about it since then, suggesting this is one venture that's been unsuccessful.

Danielle Colby allegedly doesn't work in Antique Archaeology outside of the show

Fans of 'American Pickers' should be very familiar with Antique Archaeology, given how it features in the show. It's here that we often see Danielle Colby, another notable name from the series. However, it appears that you shouldn't be fooled by the display she puts on for TV as it doesn't reflect how she works in real life.

According to The US Sun, Danielle only tends to work at the store when the cameras are rolling. Even more,an unnamed source states that she lives in Puerto Rico and spends a lot of time working as a picker. So, Danielle typically only makes the effort to travel to the location in Iowa when they're filming for the series.

Antique Archaeology staff reportedly have to hide their merchandise during filming

This isn't the only secret that The US Sun shared about Antique Archaeology, courtesy of their unknown source. Supposedly, when the cameras are rolling in the store, a lot of things are hidden to make the place look different in real life. You'll apparently never see any Antique Archaeology merchandise on the set of 'American Pickers.'

According to the source, the staff have to hide everything with the logo when the show is filming, then put everything back where it belongs. That must become quite a hassle to do, especially with how much stuff Antique Archaeology sells. After doing it for so long, though, the employees have probably become incredibly efficient at it.

Mike recently refurbished an old car dealership to sell more merchandise

As if all of Mike's other ventures weren't enough, it seems he's recently established a new retail store to bring in more money. Rather than being part of the Antique Archaeology brand, though, it's focused on his love of classic cars. Called Columbia Motor Alley and based in Tennessee, it's a refurbished Chevy dealership from the 1940s.

Although it might still look like a dealership on the outside, the focus is reportedly on selling merch that most gearheads might want to buy. The place is apparently only open on Fridays and Saturdays, though. So, anyone interested in seeing what Columbia Motor Alley has to offer will need to time their visit accordingly.

Mike Wolfe released a book to inspire kids to become pickers

It seems that Mike Wolfe really is a man of many talents. While he might not have had much luck getting his sitcom off the ground, it's a different story for his other creative ventures. Back in 2013, he released the book 'Kid Pickers: How to Turn Junk into Treasure' to help inspire children to follow in his footsteps.

As someone who was passionate about picking from a young age, Mike understands the benefit of getting into picking sooner rather than later. The book has now been out for more than a decade, with Wolfe celebrating the incredible milestone on social media earlier in 2023. Could there be another book to come sometime in the future?

He's a supporter of Operation Smile because of his daughter's past condition

Writing books about picking isn't the only way that Mike hopes to influence the younger generation. He's also apparently a massive supporter of the organization Operation Smile, which exists to provide free surgeries for kids around the world with cleft conditions. It's something that's very close to Wolfe's heart, as his daughter was born with a cleft lip.

Thanks to his success on 'American Pickers,' paying for his daughter's treatment was much easier than it would be for many other families out there. That's why Mike wanted to try and give back by becoming an ambassador for Operation Smile. With his support, more kids have received the surgery they need without their families facing financial stress.

Mike's home is nothing like those that feature on American Pickers

After seeing the state of some of the houses on 'American Pickers,' viewers may well question how anyone can live like this. They may also assume that the hosts' abodes are pretty similar, given their love for collecting antiques. However, Mike has assured that his home is nothing like the ones that are shown on his TV series.

He previously told the New York Times that he could "never live in a place that looks like the places we pick." After the house tour that he gave to Country Living back in 2016, we can believe him. Although it's clear that Mike makes use of antiques in his home, the space is definitely free of clutter.

Frank Fritz has never been interested in buying big houses and fancy cars

Mike Wolfe seemingly has everything he could want out of life at this point. He's created a successful TV show, opened various retail stores, explored a bunch of different ventures, and lived in some great houses. What about Frank Fritz, though? Well, judging by what he told Columbus Dispatch, this stuff isn't necessarily anything that he's really interested in.

He admitted that he hasn't bought a big house or fancy car, stating he still lives in the same home that he's had for decades. Frank also admitted that he would get rid of the stuff he'd amassed once the show was over, presumably because he didn't have that much of a connection with it.

Mike and Danielle met after they both wanted the same lamp

'American Pickers' wouldn't be quite the same if it weren't for Danielle Colby. Not only does she bring a woman's touch to the show, but her vibrant personality and passion mean that viewers stay entertained. Plus, now that Fritz has gone, her presence is more important than ever to retain the heart the show's had from day one.

Apparently, Danielle is also someone that Mike knew before 'American Pickers' existed. They reportedly met when they were both interested in buying a lamp. Although Danielle picked it up first, when she put it down to see how much money she had, Mike swooped in and took it from her. Evidently, she wasn't that upset, given their enduring friendship.

Danielle apparently has an interest in burlesque outside of the show

Everyone on the show has their own life outside of 'American Pickers.' However, some of those lives may be a little more exciting than others. Danielle Colby is an excellent example of that. When she's not busy helping out the team on the show, she's apparently enjoying a pretty successful career as a burlesque dancer.

Not only does Danielle perform, but she's also reportedly had her own boutique named 4 Miles 2 Memphis to help sustain her income. Considering that burlesque is something of a vintage art form, it makes perfect sense that someone on the team would be interested in it. Probably better it be Danielle than Mike, though.

Danielle Colby has a knack for finding vintage costumes

Danielle Colby wouldn't be involved in 'American Pickers' if she didn't have an interest in finding antiques herself. However, she seems to have quite a particular taste when it comes to what she looks for. Apparently, her favorite things to discover are vintage costumes that are over a hundred years old. She reportedly loves stuff from the 1800s.

Unsurprisingly, such outfits aren't in abundance, so it's always a happy occasion when Danielle finds something that fits the bill. Some of the pieces in her collection reportedly include a costume of Lillie Langtry's from the 1890s, a Mata Hari stage costume from the 1920s, and a banana skirt that may have belonged to Josephine Baker.

Danielle was allegedly caught out for not paying her taxes

It's safe to say that Danielle Colby is quite a firm favorite with plenty of viewers of 'American Pickers.' Unfortunately, it seems that the host hasn't been without controversy over the years. The worst of these came in 2013 when it emerged that Colby might not have been paying her taxes like she should have been.

According to the IRS, Danielle owed a little under $6,000 at the time for her shop 4 Miles 2 Memphis. While this wasn't ideal, she could have quickly made things right by paying what she owed. However, it seems Danielle failed to do this, as reports emerged several years later that she hadn't done anything about her tax situation.

She had to have a hysterectomy after suffering from uterine fibroids

Danielle's finances aren't the only thing that have reportedly faced some trouble since Colby began appearing on 'American Pickers.' It seems her health has also taken a turn for the worse in recent years, with 2022 being quite a terrifying time for the TV host. Apparently, she felt "so sick all the time and couldn't figure out why."

The doctors eventually discovered that Danielle had uterine fibroids, a problem that meant she required a hysterectomy. Colby's poor health reportedly put her through a lot of pain, so it's good that she was able to find out what was wrong and resolve the issue. Still, recovering from the surgery wasn't something that came quickly for Danielle.

Danielle lost so much weight after the surgery that her body struggled

Danielle did not feel like herself for much of 2022. Not only did she have to deal with the pain of her uterine fibroids, but she also had to contend with the aftermath of her hysterectomy. According to The Sun, the 'American Pickers' star was unable to eat solid food for around two weeks, which had some significant side effects.

Colby admitted that she "lost so much weight so fast" that her body actually struggled to help her heal properly. Thankfully, she got her energy back with time, which gave her the strength to properly get over what she went through. She confessed that she made sure not to wear herself out unnecessarily during this recovery process.

Danielle's recovery means she can now perform a previously canceled burlesque show

Thanks to these health problems, Danielle actually had to miss out on one of her burlesque shows. Luckily, her recovery means that she's been able to perform again in 2023 and make up for the disappointment of 2022. Scheduled for September at North Tonawanda's Riviera Theater, the show sees her in the lead role alongside various other performers.

Given the unfortunate delay, Danielle has put her all into ensuring that it's everything she wanted it to be last year and then some. Considering there's no certainty about how long 'American Pickers' will remain on the air, being able to make her mark with her burlesque work is definitely to Colby's advantage moving forward.

Danielle's daughter, Memphis, has become an online star and adult model

Along with being a TV star and a burlesque performer, Danielle Colby is also a proud mom. She has a daughter - Memphis - who she brought into the world over two decades ago now and who definitely seems to be thriving in the online world. She's apparently been making waves as an adult model and social media star.

Considering that Danielle's burlesque work involves embracing your body and feeling confident in whatever you wear, the 'American Pickers' star has seemingly inspired her daughter. Unfortunately, not everyone has been supportive of Memphis' posts, with the young star receiving some negative comments. However, as any online star will tell you, that's impossible to avoid with this line of work.

Hobo Jack has written books and released albums outside of the show

While the hosts of 'American Pickers' may be the show's main stars, that doesn't mean they're the only ones who capture the attention of fans. It appears that there have been a number of guests on the series in the past who people still remember fondly today. Hobo Jack is one of them, and he's been quite a busy man.

When he's not featuring in the series, he's reportedly writing books or making music. It seems that the guy has authored several books and released multiple albums over the years, proving him to be quite the creative talent. We wonder if 'American Pickers' has done anything to boost his sales, given the publicity it provides him with?

Prince Mongo is one of the most eccentric stars American Pickers has had

Another of the notable characters to appear on 'American Pickers' is Robert "Prince Mongo" Hodges, who definitely left an impression after just one episode. The man once owned a castle and has a reputation for repeatedly running for Mayor of Memphis, although his efforts have been unsuccessful. That has never stopped him from trying, though.

The eccentric man is seemingly well-known with the locals, especially as he claims to come from another planet. According to him, he was born on "Zambodia" and was sent to Earth as an ambassador more than 300 years ago. Supposedly, Prince Mongo’s purpose for coming here was to "save the City of Memphis" and “protect it from natural disasters.”

Someone reportedly took advantage of Ron "Mole Man" Heist's newfound fame

Ron "Mole Man" Heist is someone else who's appeared on 'American Pickers' and amassed quite a fanbase in such a short amount of time. He was one of the very first people to actually feature on the show, and viewers still remember him to this day. Unfortunately, it seems some fans may have taken advantage of that newfound fame.

A yard sale in 2011 once claimed to be selling items from his home and stated that he'd be appearing from time to time. However, the sale allegedly had nothing to do with him, with Ron not making an appearance at the event. Sadly, he won't have a chance for any future appearances, as he passed away in March 2023.

Several international versions of the show have aired in Australia and Canada

Strong viewership is generally a good indication of whether or not a show is successful. However, there are other ways to tell if something is popular, and that's if it gets sent to other countries for international spin-offs. 'American Pickers' has had several of these now, although none have made a mark quite like the original show.

In 2013, an Australian version of the series - known as 'Aussie Pickers' - debuted down under. However, it only managed two seasons before it was canceled. 'Canadian Pickers,' which premiered in 2011 and was also produced by Cineflix, was a little more successful. This achieved four seasons, with the last airing in 2013. It was called 'Cash Cowboys' in the US.

Ratings have reportedly been low in the most recent season

Whereas the international shows only managed a handful of seasons before their cancellation, 'American Pickers' has now racked up an impressive 24. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean this show is invincible, with rumors emerging that the end could be in sight for this beloved program. That's all down to the ratings, which aren't what they used to be.

When 'American Pickers' debuted all those years ago, it pulled in over 3 million viewers. However, episodes of the show airing in August 2023 were struggling to pull in more than 700,000 people. One episode on August 23 reportedly managed just 620,000 viewers, raising concerns over whether the program has much life left in it.

Frank Fritz allegedly isn't that surprised that ratings are in decline

There are several explanations for why ratings have fallen, with a change in viewing habits being one of them. Thanks to the rise of streaming services and a drop in people watching live TV, most shows don't pull in what was common a decade or two ago. However, it could also be that viewers miss a certain host.

The drop in viewership reportedly became significant after Frank left, something that he allegedly isn't surprised by. According to a source who spoke with The US Sun, he still receives a ton of fan mail and believes that he's the favorite between him and Mike. So, without him on the series, it has naturally suffered in the ratings.

Frank apparently dropped quite a bit of weight after leaving the show

If Frank Fritz were to come back to the show, he'd probably look a little different than people expect. The host has been through a lot since his time on 'American Pickers,' starting with his back surgery. That was actually why he reportedly left in the first place, with Fritz needing time to recover from such a serious operation.

After having the surgery and adopting a healthy new lifestyle, the man started to lose weight, ultimately dropping quite a significant amount. He revealed to The Sun in 2021 that he'd apparently lost 65 lbs, leading him to look somewhat different from what fans remembered. This was reportedly influenced by a diagnosis of Crohn's disease.

He had a problem with drinking that he managed to overcome

Adopting a healthier lifestyle is definitely something worth celebrating for Frank Fritz. Unfortunately, not everything that's happened since he left American Pickers has been positive. Sometime after his departure, he revealed that he'd spent several months getting treatment for a problem with drinking. Luckily, he hadn't touched a drop of the stuff in 11 months when he went public.

Fritz shared that several of his family members had also struggled with drinking and lost their lives as a result. He apparently spent 77 days at the Abbey Center in Bettendorf, Iowa, an experience that really changed his life. Frank admitted to giving his all to the treatment and said he started sponsoring people after he began attending meetings.

Fritz suffered a stroke in 2022 that reportedly paralyzed his right side

Leaving the show that he'd been a part of for a decade could have hit Frank hard. Instead, though, the man managed to overcome his drinking problem and start living a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, that just makes what happened in 2022 even more devastating. In July of that year, he suffered a stroke that left him partly paralyzed.

The attack reportedly affected his right side but thankfully didn't claim the man's life. Still, after all the good he'd accomplished in the last few years, having a stroke must have felt like a huge setback. It stopped him from being able to keep active and could have driven him back to drinking. Luckily, there's no indication that actually happened.

Frank is recovering, but he will likely never be 100% after the stroke

A stroke isn't something that you can typically recover from quickly. It's also not necessarily something you can ever completely move past. However, while that might be the case, it seems that Frank is reportedly doing well over a year since he ended up in hospital. That's according to The US Sun, anyway, which says that Fritz is "walking again."

A supposed friend of the TV star revealed that he "continues to improve daily" and claims the man is still "aware of what's going on" around him. Frank did have to get a ramp installed outside of his home and is largely wheelchair-bound because of the stroke. That's apparently unlikely to change as Frank allegedly "can't walk long distances" anymore.

Frank Fritz is reportedly in a conservatorship following his stroke

After Frank Fritz had his stroke in 2022, he was swiftly placed into a conservatorship a month later. Fans might be concerned about this, given all the drama that's unfolded around the conservatorship that Britney Spears had. However, Frank's will apparently last nowhere near as long, with a friend claiming that they're taking things month by month.

Fritz's friend Chris Davis is reportedly considered his guardian since the stroke, while MidWestOne Bank is acting as his conservator. As Frank was reportedly unable to make money and pay his bills after what happened, the conservatorship was reportedly necessary. With him reportedly recovering well, though, he'll hopefully be out of it before too long.

Mike and Frank allegedly reunited after the latter's health problems

To say that Frank Fritz's life over the last few years has been a whirlwind is quite an understatement. Despite all the hardship that he's faced, though, he reportedly still manages to see things with a positive attitude. In fact, some of his difficulties have actually put a lot of things into perspective, according to the Quad-City Times.

A supposed friend told the publication that Mike and Frank have actually grown stronger as friends recently following their supposed feud. Although there was talk of their relationship being tense, especially after Fritz left 'American Pickers,' things are reportedly much better now. The reunion even allegedly left them both in tears, with Mike telling Frank that nobody can replace him.

Fritz is reportedly in talks to return to American Pickers

With Mike and Frank reportedly in a good place now, is there a chance that we might see the latter return to 'American Pickers?' Considering that viewership is allegedly in decline because people miss him, it would certainly be a massive boost to the show. Plus, with him recovering well from the stroke, Frank’s health shouldn't be a significant issue.

According to The US Sun, the man has supposedly been in talks to make his glorious return. A source allegedly close to the TV host said they have no idea "why he wouldn't return to the show." Fritz reportedly misses the team and the joy of unearthing all those special finds, so going back should be perfect for him.