THE SHOW fate of American Pickers has been revealed after the network pulled new episodes following low ratings.
American Pickers stopped airing new episodes for season 23 in September despite not announcing a season finale.
Fans have been left wondering if the series was cancelled, as ratings have declined since the firing of fan-favorite cast member Frank Fritz.
The US Sun can exclusively reveal the network has no plans to cancel American Pickers because they have filed for new merchandise.
According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, A&E Television Networks filed for a new trademark on September 7, 2022.
The trademark will cover gift bags, gift boxes, paper gift cards, note pads, occasion cards, social note cards, paper table napkins, paper table cloths, books, magazines, pamphlets, and brochures in the fields of historical items and based on a television series, stationery, series of non-fiction books based on a television series, activity books, novels, graphic novels, picture books, coloring books, pens, pencils, erasers, markers, crayons, highlighter pens, folders, notebooks, paper clips, pencil sharpeners, glue for stationery and household use, bookmarks, calendars, stickers, posters and stencils.
The trademark will also include sports bags, handbags, clutches, purses, overnight bags, tote bags, gym bags, beach bags, backpacks, carry-on bags, cosmetic bags, umbrellas, belts, and more.
SLUMP RATINGS
Season 23 of American Pickers kicked off 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 interest, as only 830,000 watched the March 12 episodes.
Most read in Entertainment
The March 19 episode, which was the final one before the months-long break, had just 804,000 viewers.
The show returned on July 9 with just 833,000 viewers tuning in.
The Saturday, August 20 episode finally put the show back in the millions with 1,007,000 viewers.
But ratings dipped for the Saturday, August 27 episode, as it brought in 829,000 watchers.
The series took a week off and returned on September 10 with 928,000 viewers.
The Saturday, September 17 episode brought in 762,000 ratings.
This was the lowest-rated episode since the series returned on July 9.
Robbie Wolfe, 62, Mike Wolfe’s brother, recently posted an update on the show’s status with a photo on his Instagram.
The photo shows Robbie piled with two other crew members in the front passenger seat of a car as the trio wrestle for “shotgun” privileges.
The post was captioned: “It’s Monday and I called shotgun. The crew working hard bringing all-new American Pickers in January.”
BOYCOTT FANS
Fans have boycotted the show since Frank’s firing because of Robbie.
One viewer wrote: “The show needs Frank, Mike & Dani. Stop changing it. I’m sure Robbie is a nice guy but comes across boring on TV.”
A second commented: “I watched the new season with the Wolfe Brothers. Need to bring Frank back. Robbie has no personality, he is absolutely boring!!!”
Another tweeted: “Is Robbie in the episode? If so, I can’t watch. He shouldn’t be on camera. Leave him to come and pick up cars. That’s where he belongs! The rating drops are directly tied to him.”
A fourth said: “Unless Frank is in the new episode, it won’t be worth watching! Robbie is a disaster, but Mike won’t admit it!”
FRANK’S FIRING
Frank, 58, 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 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 the show, Frank lost 65 pounds and was sober from alcohol.
Frank also told The Sun that he checked into rehab for alcohol abuse in Iowa for 77 days.
Frank said last year: “I went to rehab and I’ve been sober now for 11 months.
“I don’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 smell.
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.
His “longtime friend” filed an emergency appointment of temporary guardian and conservator for him on August 18, claiming his “decision-making capacity is so impaired.”
Frank has been at a rehabilitation center since he was released from the hospital on September 6.