American Pickers

I always enjoyed the Frank and Mike days. They always seemed like lifetime buddies who enjoyed working together. Of course, I understood that wasn't exactly true. There were always 'scandal sheet stories' of Franks alcoholism and Mikes womanizing. But the last season, I watched about half the season and couldn't watch anymore. Frank had hurt his back and needed time off for surgery and rehabilitation and Mike used the 'alcoholism' angle that had never been a problem before to fire him. And then Mike left his wife and child for some 'adult' actress. And Danielle 'fell in line' also making public statements downing Frank because she got his 'on the road picking' job. I used to love seeing her on the show. Now I can't stand either of them. She has no loyalty.

I have always enjoyed American Pickers since I first started watching it in 2012. I had never seen a show like it; the collectors, the inheritors, the bat crap crazy. It has always been interesting to see into the lives of so many people and the stuff or treasure, depending on your view, that they had. Seeing Mike's and Frank's excitement when they see a toy, bike, piece of history, something they have never seen before; it was like 2 kids in a toy store. That being said, it is a shame of bad of a falling out Mike and Frank have had in the past year over Frank's allegations after his back surgery. I don't know who is right or wrong but it is always sad when this kind of friendship ends this way. This is not like Mythbusters, where both Jamie and Adam really didn't like each other but managed to work on a show for years without any real public dust-ups; these 2 were actually friends travelling around buying stuff. Without Frank the show just isn't the same; having Danielle and Robbie on it in a far more prominent picking role never seemed right and still doesn't. They have had a wonderful decade of picking for entertainment but time for the show to end.

Two men "Frank and Mike" travel around the country looking for pieces of American history. From reading other reviews it would sound as if these two men are monsters but that is not the case. They are simply bartering for items that an individual has been storing on his property for years. These collectors live in rural areas and have preserved many items that no longer exist. Yes many of them have long beards, own guns and own large tracks of land that they have stored cars, bikes and who know what else for many years. That is no reason to automatically judge them as being idiots, and bigots. Many of these men know exactly what they have and know exactly what they are worth. Also many of these men are in there 60's and 70's, some older and many feel they have to start selling there collections before they die. Many times when the guys show up to "pick" and they end up buying items from the widow who has know clue and just wants to get rid of her husbands collection.

Frank and Mikey or a strange brew but I think its kinda of funny and entertaining. I often find myself impressed of there knowledge and how polite and respectful they our to the folks they are buying from. Many of the collectors they buy from have very deep feelings about there collection and letting go with there items. I think they do a good job of not insulting the collectors and in a way its kinda like a little bit of therapy. They talk the men into selling some of there possessions and most likely they hadn't sold anything off there property in a long time. In all this is a very good show and it is surprising because you never know what they will find.

From reading other reviews here, there seems to be a trend to judge the show not on it's merits, but rather because of the History Channel affiliation. We don't have that problem in Australia. This shows on normal free TV, just like all other shows. I hadn't even realised it was a History Channel show.

I should say in advance that I enjoy shows like Bargain Hunt (UK)and I really enjoy American Pickers.

So, to the show. Obviously these are setups. But the people who appear seem to be real people, and Mike and Frank put them at ease as much as possible. The boys are funny, entertaining and the show is educational. It is an interesting look at different parts of America and the real people who live there. Usually all we see here in Oz are the cities, and often it's not a very flattering view.

I don't think of this as "reality TV" - I think of it as a fun way of learning a bit more about America, it's people and it's history.

We don't watch much TV, but I do turn it on for this one.

The British often think that 100 miles is a long way. Americans usually think that 100 years is a long time ago.

Mike and Frank seem to think nothing of driving a few hundred miles and often pick items that are a hundred or more years old.

This series is very popular with many of my friends here in the UK.