An unfortunate miss or minor misstep against a fallen fan favorite?
We’ll let you decide.
As we reported, Frank Fritz passed away last month due to complications from a stroke. Reality star best known for her time on the History Channel show American Pickers He had been battling health issues since 2022 and was forced to leave the show due to his condition.
On Wednesday, October 9, the latest season of the beloved reality show returned and fans got ready to see how the team would honor them.
Many people became incredibly disappointed.
Season premiere angers ‘American Pickers’ fans
When a longtime cast member dies, customarily the show that made them famous shares a tribute.
sister Wives Its new season began with a mention of Garrison Brown, who died by suicide earlier this year. the same applies days of Our LivesWhen they lost Drake Hogestyn.
Then it seemed like a no-brainer as to when Season 26 would happen. American Pickers Started, it would be dedicated to Frank. After all, it premiered a little more than a week after his death.
The season premiere aired and… nothing. There was no special dedication at all. No opening graphic, no tribute at the end of the episode. Nothing.
Needless to say, fans were not happy at all!
‘This show was dead to me and still is’
Following a stroke in 2022, Frank left the series to take care of his health. Fans have missed him but have also understood his absence.
They were less forgiving of the show failing to acknowledge his passing. Given that the show was filmed months before Frank’s death, it makes sense that there was no footage discussing his demise.
But fans quickly pointed to other ways they could pay tribute.
“There was no dedication to Frank in the season premiere last night. I guess they should have at least made a title card at the end or something in his honor?” Posted in the American Pickers subreddit on Reddit user.
“Complete disrespect! This show was and still is dead to me,” posted another, angry at the slight.
Honestly, I think this show is like Dogs without Frank. I don’t even bother watching episodes without her anymore,” shared another.
History Channel’s tribute to Frank
Now, to play devil’s advocate, the network paid tribute to Frank following news of his passing. The channel created a highlight reel of their favorite moments from their time American Pickers,
This included moments like his big sale to Aerosmith or when he came close to owning a vintage Knucklehead Harley Davidson. But the reel was posted on YouTube, not aired on the History Channel.
However, it was accompanied by this statement:
“We are sad to announce that our friend and beloved member of The History Channel and American Pickers family, Frank Fritz, has passed away on September 30, 2024. Frank filmed American Pickers For more than a decade. We will always remember the ‘Bearded Wizard’ and his never ending search for vintage motorcycles and bikes. Our thoughts are with Frank’s loved ones at this difficult time. He will be deeply missed.”
last days of france
In the end, it’s safe to say that for The History Channel not to include a tribute card at the end of the season premiere was, at the very least, a missed opportunity. But since the 26th season is just getting started, there’s time to correct the error.
In the weeks since Frank passed away, fans have learned more about Frank’s poor health from his longtime friend Jerry Gendreau.
He actually explained in an interview Sun That’s how bad things were for poor Frank in the end.
“You would go to see him in the nursing home and half his body would be completely gone. He would raise his hand up and it would drop down,” Jerry explained.
Saying that it was “hard to stay completely bedridden” for Frank, Jerry explained that he thought Frank was ready to get rid of all the “bad days”.
“I’ve noticed that when people get tired, they get tired. I think if you don’t have the will to live, you won’t win,” Jerry said.
“I think Frank could have lived a lot longer if he had had the will to live.”
Hope he is at peace now.