Frank Fritz - American Pickers (2010) Discussion

He came to NJ and off camera he is a total Douche.

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In addition to being a douche, Fritz was declared to be in default and ordered to pay $1000 plus $80 in court costs for breach of contract.

"It's the principle of the fact that they go around the country promoting themselves as honest people and a deal is a deal and a handshake's a handshake," he told The Greenville News. ~ Jerry Bruce

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/10/08/sc-man-wins-judgment-against-american-pickers-host/16895823/

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[–] 8 years ago

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[–] terp34 8 years ago

I couldn't agree more. He's constantly boasting about his self and it couldnt be more annoying. Like the last episode talking about how he's the king of Octobefests or something and making up his own nicknames. And when he brags about his dates and female conquests I find that very hard to believe. When he's sitting in their van all you see is that massive gut hanging out yet he thinks he's God's gift. I guess when you're 5 foot nothing, balding and fat you have to pretend to be confident and make up stories. The Bearded Charmer? Psfft... Yeah right...

Just the way he conducts his self is so awkward it seems forced like he still doesn't know who he is in life. Like the one episode when he was practicality begging Mike to be his kid's godfather was sad. Who asks someone that? You're just putting them in a bad spot. If Mike said yes is it just because he asked? Or if Mike says no then he's wondering if they're as good of friends as he thought and everyone feels weird. Also, didn't Mike tell him that he was taking applications for his daughter's godparent(s) position? Who does that, is that really a thing people do? Never heard of that.

Then again what else should anyone expect from a grown man who's best friend is a cat? The way he talks about it and some of the pictures they've shown of the two of them are just down right weird. Everything this guy does and says is either bragging or seeking sympathy. One minute he's Mr. Popular tough guy, the next he's complaining because he went to his class reunion alone. He's just a d-bag.

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[–] sparklingly 8 years ago

Like the one episode when he was practicality begging Mike to be his kid's godfather was sad. Who asks someone that? You're just putting them in a bad spot. If Mike said yes is it just because he asked? Or if Mike says no then he's wondering if they're as good of friends as he thought and everyone feels weird.

I haven't watched that episode but how else are people supposed to appoint a godfather if they don't ask? Just take it for granted?

When your mind breaks the spirit of your soul.

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[–] 8 years ago

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[–] terp34 8 years ago

I think you're misunderstanding. Of course you need to ask if you're the parent(s) but in that episode Frank asks Mike if they (Mike and his wife) decided on who the godparents would be. Mike tells him they were still thinking about it and taking applications. Frank then proceeds to beg Mike to be the godfather while listing all the reasons why he'd be the greatest one ever. Going by Mike's reaction this obviously makes him uncomfortable as I suspect it would most parents. I think it's up to the parents to choose who they want and not be asked. If you're who they want they will ask you and asking someone this, to me is awkward. If they say no then I would imagine it would hurt your relationship. If they say yes is it because they really wanted you or did they feel pressured because you asked and they felt obligated?

I'm certainly not an authority on this but every parent I know chose who they wanted and were never asked by someone. Frank just made the whole thing weird.

Like I said I think you are thinking I couldn't believe that Mike was asking Frank. Of course the parents (Mike in this situation) have to ask, or like you said, how else would they get someone?

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[–] sparklingly 8 years ago

Oh you're right, I definetely misunderstood then.  I thought you meant that Frank asked Mike to be the godfather to his kid. I was confused since I didn't see the problem with that. But I agree, what you describe is just awkward and I can understand that it made Mike uncomfortable. I wonder if he was just playing it up for the cameras to have something happen in their interactions or if he was really serious about it.

When your mind breaks the spirit of your soul.

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[–] terp34 8 years ago

You definitely have to take the being on TV angle into consideration, but considering the way he is you really have to think he was serious. It struck me as odd when Mike said him and his wife were taking applications for godparents, but that was after Frank asked if he could be the godfather.

I would think if they were actually taking applications and wanted Frank to apply he would have told him to fill one out, lol. It's weird even writing about an application for godparents.

You just have to see the episode and judge for yourself. Of course I'm building it up and probably making it a bigger deal than it was, but the whole thing was very odd and the way Frank handled the whole thing was uncomfortable.

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[–] Cydnee9999 8 years ago

Odd that these two clowns would be talking about choosing godparents in 2015 when on June 14, 2013, Wolfe posted a photo of his daughter and her godmother on Facebook.

Mike Wolfe American Picker

This is Alex, my friend and godmother of my daughter, Charlie. She was the decorator who helped Frank and I with William Shatner's place on American Pickers on History. If you are ever in Leipers Fork, TN, you should stop in and see her store....

MW
June 14, 2013

If you've ever seen the infamous photos of Fritz and his participation in a wet t-shirt contest, it is highly unlikely that Wolfe's wife would EVER entertain the idea of Fritz being her daughter's godfather.

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[–] terp34 8 years ago

To be honest I'm not sure which episode it was where they talked about the godfather thing. Now I wish I would've paid closer attention to what episode it was. You know how The History Channel loves to show 12 hour blocks of reruns? Well I think I had AP on during one of those blocks a few weeks ago when I saw / heard their discussion. So it very well could have been from a few years ago, but still the whole thing was odd.

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[–] Cydnee9999 8 years ago

The Coupe to Nuts episode premiered on August 26, 2015.

I don't think the supposed 25-year long relationship between Wolfe and Fritz is as close as they or the producers would like to have the viewers believe.

In this article Fritz complained about the the lack of recognition he has received from his hometown; then again, reading between the lines it would seem that Fritz's real complaint is, “Why do Wolfe and LeClaire get all the press – what about me?”

http://qctimes.com/news/local/homegrown-picker-pines-for-recognition/article_84cc6035-9aff-5a4f-a5a1-ba064835dd66.html

And Wolfe responded:

http://qctimes.com/lifestyles/mike-wolfe-expanding-too/article_15d09e56-8fb7-5733-aa56-b7b6379e9b6a.html

Wolfe puts Fritz in his place and again the underlying sentiment is that Fritz should be eternally grateful for all that Wolfe has done for him.

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[–] SoForgetIt 8 years ago

Cydnee9999 whined:

"If you've ever seen the infamous photos of Fritz and his participation in a wet t-shirt contest..."

What's wrong with a wet T-shirt contest, exactly?

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[–] terp34 8 years ago

Was watching a repeat from season 2. Anyone remember Frank shooting a basketball? For some reason Mike said one of Frank's many nicknames was "Frankie Free Throw", lol. Now of course the editing shows him making 4 or 5 in a row, yet he misses the one that counts for the bet involved and costs Mike $75. Frank's shooting form was right out of the non-athetic geek handbook. He puts a hand on each side of the ball and shot it from behind his head. It was so pitiful looking, but almost exactly like you'd imagine he'd do it. How this guy is as cockey as he is is remarkable. It must be the money. What a fat lump of sh!t.

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[–] Gubbio 8 years ago

For some reason Mike said one of Frank's many nicknames was "Frankie Free Throw"...

Maybe he meant "Frankie Free Hole." 

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[–] cosmiccharlee 8 years ago

Frank is just a regular guy. If either of them is arrogant it is mike although he is likeable anyway. If you think frank is some egomaniac you are not very perceptive.

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[–] bsowles 7 years ago

I thought it was my own perspective, but I have to agree with the OP. The little guy strikes me as a "hanger on" who tags along with a high school acquaintance in the course of his business. It's almost painful to watch how he puts people off when he tries to "negotiate" a deal. Frank is a entry-level collector at best, although he does seem to have a little knowledge about old toys - and oil cans! Who doesn't aspire to have a primo oil can collection, eh?

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[–] rmontro 7 years ago

You guys make me feel kind of sorry for Frank. I've always seen him as sort of an underdog. Mike owns the show, and it's obvious on the show that he has a lot more money to spend. Mike is tall, married, successful, has had erotic dancer Danielle as a good friend for years (surprised his wife puts up with it), in good shape, and has a full head of hair.

Poor Frank is fat, short, and balding. What choice does he have but try to believe in himself? But when he does it comes off as douchey. The main thing he's got going for him is his celebrity.

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[–] bsowles 7 years ago

I can understand that to a point - but Frank does nothing to improve how he comes across. His constant low-ball offers are painful to watch, and he's not one to walk away when someone can be taken advantage of. Despite his best efforts, the poor guy is an amateur collector at best. Maybe some day he'll find himself a nice gal.

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[–] liscarkat (16476) 8 months ago

I sometimes feel sort of sorry for him, too. Mike is clearly the cool guy. Frank is just sidekick material, and he knows it.

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[–] liscarkat (16476) 8 months ago

"Husky"

I'd forgotten that term. That's how we used to refer to my fat cousin, so as not to hurt his feelings.

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