American Pickers
American Pickers has been one of the History Channel’s top shows since it first aired in 2010. Millions of viewers love watching Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz travel around looking for hidden treasures. The show has inspired many to look into their own basements and attics for any potential finds! However, many don’t realize that Mike Wolfe is not just the star. In fact, he’s also the show’s executive producer and creator. Wolfe has been a picker since he was a boy. It was only later on that he realized this hobby could be turned into an actual career. Moreover, a career that the public was so interested in! Thus, Mike Wolfe started to film his journey. Back when he began filming, he could have never predicted the huge star he would become.
In order to make the History Channel show you know and love, Mike Wolfe tirelessly pitched his show to networks for years. Finally, all his work paid off when the History Channel picked up the show. Ever since the very first season, American Pickers has been a huge success.
As far as the American Pickers format, Wolfe keeps it pretty simple. Basically, Danielle Colby is their navigator of sorts. It’s her job to locate potential picking spots by researching online. Once she finds places, Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz go out as the show’s explorers to scout the locations. It’s their job to thoroughly search these places for any gems within the junk. The three meet up at Antique Archaeology, Mike’s store, in order to record what they’ve found.
Between Mike and Frank, there’s no stone that is left unturned. That’s right, these pickers have thoroughly searched underground tunnels, decrepit attics, old factories and abandoned buildings. No matter how dusty and forgotten a place seems, they understand that there may be a gold find inside.
Many of their finds eventually will be recycled or even refurbished to be sold in one of Mike’s stores. Besides, Antique Archaeology, he has another store in Nashville.
Of course, there’s much to know about this famous trio and the show that they never show on television. Much of it goes beyond just antique hunting. Read about the behind the scenes secrets of the show and what Mike, Frank and Danielle are like off-screen.
Most Expensive Find
When Wolfe and Fritz find something valuable, they are more than willing to pay the price. Actually, in season 17, which premiered in April of 2017, we see their most expensive pick. If you remember that season premiere, they visited Oregon’s Zane Leek. At that property, they met the owner, whose late husband collected vehicles. Even Oregon Live reported on their incredible find saying, “Wolfe and Fritz come upon some very rare four-cylinder motorcycles, dating back to the 1930s.” Can you believe they paid $90,000 for those motorcycles?
Most Expensive Find