ON THE UP? American Pickers’ new ratings revealed after show hits season low following ex-host Frank Fritz’s devastating stroke

AMERICAN Pickers’ new ratings for episode 10 have been revealed after the show hit a season low last week following ex-host Frank Fritz’s devastating stroke.

American Pickers returned on Wednesday, January 4, with stars Mike Wolfe, his brother Robbie, and Danielle Colby.

The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal ratings have increased after last week’s disappointing numbers.

The March 8 episode of American Pickers brought in 844,000 viewers.

The new episode featured Mike taking on a tour of the Packard Plant property in Detroit, Michigan.

This was up from last week’s season low, as only 711,000 viewers watched the March 1 episode.

The season 24 premiere kicked off strong with 943,000 fans watching.

The January 11 episode had just 797,000 viewers tune in.

Ratings were back up on January 18, as 934,000 watched.

And ratings remained in the 900,000s until February 1, before dropping down to the 800,000s through the month.

The February 22 episode dropped to the 700,000s for the first time, with 713,000 viewers tuning in.

SEASON 23
The season 23 premiere in January 2022 brought in a whopping 1,050,000 viewers.

But viewers tuned out toward the end of season 23, as ratings dipped for the August 27 episode to 829,000 watchers.

The series took a week off and returned on September 10 with 928,000 viewers.

WE WANT FRANK!
Fans have turned to social media to demand fan-favorite Frank back.

One person said: “American Pickers without Frank is like… hmm watching the Patriots without Brady. Kinda sucks.”

One person wondered: “How’s Frank doing?”

A third demanded: “Bring back Frank. We miss him.”

Another exclaimed: “It’s a New Year! Bring Frank back! Please!”

IRREPLACEABLE
And Mike has agreed with fans.

Last week, American Pickers host Mike shared that he has finished filming the current season and thanked his crew with a special live video tribute.

He then shifted the conversation to his original co-host Frank.

Mike said: “Nothing will ever replace Frank. We miss him very much like y’all do.”

FRANK’S BACK?
Mike, 58, even recently gave hope that fan-favorite star Frank could return to the show after suffering a debilitating stroke in July.

While visiting Washington, DC, in December, Mike was asked by Capital Paparazzi if he would be willing to make amends with Frank.

He revealed: “Frank and I are friends, he was just at my brother’s graduation for his kids right before he got his stroke.

“If anybody’s thinking about Frank, they should be praying for him.”

When asked if he would ever make a return to the popular History series, Mike shared: “I would hope that he’s gonna be back on the show, but right now he needs to get healthier.

“There’s absolutely hope – 100 percent.”

He laughed off his rumored rift with Frank, saying “that’s absolutely not true.”

FRANK’S FIRING
Frank last appeared on American Pickers during a March 2020 episode, as he took time off to recover from back surgery.

The original cast member’s firing was announced in July 2021 despite his desire to return to the History Channel show.

Frank left the show to recover from grueling back surgery that left him with 185 stitches and two rods in his spine.

During his time off, Frank lost 65 pounds and was sober from alcohol.

He also told The U.S. Sun that he checked into rehab for alcohol abuse in Iowa for 77 days.

Frank said in 2021: “I went to rehab and I’ve been sober now for 11 months.

“I didn’t like drinking anymore. My mom 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 continued that he went to meetings “twice a week” after the stint.

He added: “I don’t think I’ll ever have a drink again because I don’t like the feeling anymore and some of the dumb things that I did.”

Frank continued: “I’m feeling really good. Life is good and I’d like to get back into the swing of things. 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 or I wouldn’t be in the position that I am right now.”

FRANK’S HEALTH CRISIS
Frank was hospitalized for a stroke on July 14 after a friend found him on the floor of his Iowa home.

Frank’s friends filed an emergency appointment of temporary guardian and conservator for the star on August 18, claiming his “decision­-making capacity is so impaired.”

He has been recovering at a rehabilitation facility.

FEUDING COSTARS
Frank revealed his feud with co-star Mike during a 2021 interview with The U.S. Sun.

He 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 even 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 even threw major shade at the show with the merchandise in his Illinois antique store, Frank Fritz Finds.

In photos exclusively obtained by The U.S. Sun, Frank is selling shirts that read: “I want Frank back.”