AMERICAN Pickers’ new ratings have been revealed as the first episode since Frank Fritz’s stroke was bought in shocking numbers.
Frank58, wash hospitalized for a stroke on July 14 after a friend found him on the floor of his home in Iowa.
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Mike, 58, announced his ex-boyfriend’s hospitalization on July 21.
The Sun can exclusively reveal the first episode after the news brought high ratings compared to previous shows.
The July 23 episode brought in 901,000 viewers.
The new episode came after a weekend marathon with old episodes of Frankthe last episode of which aired in March 2020.
LOW REVIEWS
American Pickers returned on July 9 with hosts Mike, his brother Robbie, who replaced Frank, and Danielle Colby after a hiatus since March.
Reviews for the July 9 Premiere had only 833,000 viewers tuned in.
Season 23 of American Pickers began on January 1, 2022 with 1,050,000 viewers.
The January 8 episode had 1,011,000 people watching.
But by the end of the season viewers lost interestas only 830,000 viewers watched the March 12 episode.
The March 19 episode, the last before the months-long hiatus, had only 804,000 viewers.
SELECT FRANK
Fans have been boycotting the show since Frank’s resignation.
As one viewer wrote on Twitter: “Very dry and boring without Frank – scripted, no freestylin’; a very different representation. I understand he’s not coming back, but you should have ended the original show and started a new one.”
A second commented: “Haven’t watched since 2020 when Frankie was canned. I’m never going to waste my time on this stuff again… I wish they’d take this new garbage off the History Channel. It’s a great station.”
A third said: “Not the same without Frank.”
FRANK’S FIRE
Frank last appeared on American Pickers on a March 2020 episode, when he took time off to recover from back surgery.
The original cast member’s resignation was announced in July 2021, despite his desire to return to the History show.
Frank left the show to recover from a grueling back surgery leaving him with 185 stitches and two rods in his spine.
During his absence from the show, Frank has lost 65 kilos and was sober from the alcohol.
Frank also told The Sun that he admitted to rehab for alcohol abuse 77 days in Iowa.
Frank said last year: “I went to rehab and I’ve been sober for 11 months now.
“I didn’t like to drink anymore. My mother was an alcoholic and she died five years ago and it was alcohol related. My grandfather was an alcoholic and he died. That didn’t sit well with me.”
Frank went on to say that he went to meetings “twice a week” after the stint.
He added: “I don’t think I’ll ever drink again because I don’t like the feeling and some of the stupid things I did.”
Frank continued: “I feel really good. Life is good and I would like to get back into the rhythm. I wish I had done it five years ago, I would have been a different person.
“It was the best thing for me and I wish I had done it sooner, otherwise I wouldn’t be in the position I am in now.”
FEUDENDE COSTARS
Frank too revealed his feud with co-star Mike during the interview.
Frank previously told The Sun: “I haven’t spoken to Mike in two years. He knew my back was messed up, but he didn’t call me to ask how I was doing. That’s just how it is.
“The show is 1,000 percent tilted towards him. I can’t even bend down that far to show you how much.
“That’s fine. It’s like you have Aerosmith and Steven Tyler and he’s the front man. I’ve found my place, I’m second and he’s number one on the show. That’s not a problem for me, maybe he has a issue. “
He even admitted: “I think Mike would like to have his brother Robbie join in to replace me. I don’t know why he’s acting like that to me.”
MIKE CALLS FOR PRAYERS
Despite the feud, Mike was the one to notify fans of his stroke.
He captioned an Instagram photo of the reality star: “I’ve been very private over the past year regarding Frank’s life and the journey he’s been on. There have been many opinions regarding me and Frank’s friendship and the show, but this is not the time to set the record straight.
“Now it’s time to pray for my friend. Frank has had a stroke and is in the hospital.
“Please keep him in your heart and mind. Frank, I pray more than anything that you get through this. I love you friend.”
have fans hit Mike for being “fake” for asking for prayers despite their years of feud.
911 CALL
The sun got the 911 call posted by Frank’s friend from the star’s ranch in Iowa on July 14 just before 11 a.m.
The friend said: “I just showed up at my friend’s house here and he was sprawled on his floor. He can’t talk to me. [sic] I’m not sure.”
LIFE AFTER PICKERS
As The Sun previously reported, Frank in talks for a spin-off show before the stroke.
Frank’s Illinois Antique Store, Frank Fritz Finds, stays open despite his hospitalization.
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