An unfortunate oversight or a disdain for a fallen fan favorite?
I’ll leave it to you to decide.
As we reported, Frank Fritz passed away last month due to complications from a stroke. Reality star best known for appearing on History Channel shows american picker has been suffering from health issues since 2022, and was forced to leave the show due to poor health.
The latest season of the popular reality show returned on Wednesday, October 9, and fans flocked to see how the team would honor him.
Many were incredibly disappointed.
Season Premiere Angers “American Pickers” Fan
When a longtime cast member dies, it’s customary for the show that made them famous to share a tribute.
sister wife started the new season with a mention of Garrison Brown, who died by suicide earlier this year. the same applies days of our lifewhen we lost Drake Hogestyn.
At the time, as of season 26, it seemed like a no-brainer. american picker Once we kick off, it will be dedicated to Frank. After all, it premiered just a week after his death.
The season premiere aired and…nothing happened. There were no special preferences at all. There’s no opening graphic, no homage at the end of the episode. there is nothing.
Needless to say, fans weren’t happy at all!
“This show was and is dead to me.”
After suffering a stroke in 2022, Frank left the series to manage his health. Fans will miss him, but understand his absence.
They were less forgiving of the show’s failure to acknowledge his death. Given that the show was filmed months before Frank’s death, it was no surprise that there was no footage discussing his death.
However, fans were quick to point out that there were other ways to pay their respects.
“There was no dedication to Frank in last night’s season premiere. I think they should have at least made a title card or something to honor him at the end, right?” posted a Reddit user on the American Pickers sub-Reddit It was done.
“Totally disrespectful! This show was and is dead to me,” wrote another, enraged by the disrespect.
“Honestly, I think this show is boring without Frank. I don’t even want to watch another episode without him,” another woman shared.
History Channel’s tribute to Frank
Now, to play devil’s advocate, the network aired a tribute to Frank following news of his death. The channel has compiled a highlight reel of his favorite moments from back in the day american picker.
That included moments like the big sale to Aerosmith and the time he came so close to owning a vintage knucklehead Harley-Davidson. However, the reel was posted on Youtube and was not aired on the History Channel itself.
However, it also included the following statement:
“We are sad to announce that our friend and beloved member of the History Channel and American Pickers family, Frank Fritz, passed away on September 30, 2024. Frank was photographed.” american picker Over 10 years. We will always remember “The Bearded Wizard” and his never-ending quest for vintage bikes and motorbikes. Our thoughts are with Frank’s loved ones during this difficult time. He will be greatly missed. ”
Frank’s last days
All in all, it’s safe to say that the History Channel was a missed opportunity by not including at least a tribute card at the end of the season premiere. But the 26th season has just started, so there’s time to correct any mistakes.
In the weeks following Frank’s death, fans received further information about Frank’s deteriorating health from his longtime friend Jerry Gendreau.
In fact, he explained this in an interview. solar How bad things were for poor Frank towards the end.
“When I went to see him at the nursing home, half of his body was completely complete. He would raise his arm and it would just fall off,” Jerry explained.
Jerry added that it was “hard for Frank to be completely bedridden” and explained that Frank felt ready to put all his “bad days” behind him.
“I’ve seen this, when people get tired, they get tired. If you don’t have the will to live, I don’t think you can live,” Jerry said.
“I think Frank could have lived much longer if he had the will to live.”
I hope he is at peace now.
