The Real Reason Frank Has Been Absent From American Pickers

One of the best things about American Pickers has to be the banter between Danielle, Mike, and Frank. Except… Frank hasn’t been around for a while now. When the most recent season debuted, he was nowhere to be seen. And there’s a sad reason why he’s been kept away from the hugely successful show.

Best of friends

Frank and Mike are best buds, which makes his absence all the more strange. The pair were so close that at one point, some were even saying they were in a romantic relationship. But that turned out to be just talk, as Mike now has a wife called Jodi Faeth. And it looked for a moment like Frank was going to get hitched to a woman, too, but it didn’t work out in the end. Nothing to do with Mike, we should add!

Growing up together

The pair’s friendship goes all the way back to the eighth grade, and they've bounced off each other perfectly ever since. In their case, it seems opposites attract. “Mike is like an eight-year-old boy in so many ways,” Danielle told the Miami New Times in 2012. “He’s a prankster and a jokester and always the center of attention… Frankie is the exact opposite. He’s the old man of the group.” Did those differences create a rift in the ranks?

Fan following

We don’t know for sure, but we do know that filming American Pickers is no picnic. Maybe that explains why Frank decided to leave? The team are no strangers to working every day of the week. And as they’ve become more popular, they’ve had to put up with fans following them everywhere. That’s something Frank described as “overwhelming” at the 2012 FRY Fest.

Hidden hustle

“What the viewer doesn’t see is the 16 to 18 hours a day we put in,” Frank told the Phoenix New Times in 2015. “They don’t see the crew that comes in at 3:30 or 4:00 in the morning to set everything up. It takes a long time to make a show, and it’s a travel show, so we’re in a different hotel in a different area every night.” We wouldn’t blame him for wanting to say goodbye to all that.

Private guy

Frank doesn’t seem like the type who’d necessarily enjoy that lifestyle. He’s quite a private person – well, for a reality TV star, anyway! He doesn’t use Instagram anymore, and his Twitter account hasn’t been updated since 2016. Oh, and he’s always made it clear that a life in the spotlight isn’t what he wants long-term. Does that explain his absence from our screens?

Staying humble

“When the show’s over, I will get rid of my stuff,” Frank told The Columbus Dispatch in 2016. “I’ll go back to just being Frank, still living in my town. I haven’t bought a big house, no fancy cars. I still drive my ’86 Ford Ranger, still live in the same house I’ve lived in for 26 years.” But that’s not why he hasn’t put in an appearance on the show recently.

Intoxicated driving

Unfortunately, Frank’s personal life has had some major ups and downs since American Pickers debuted. In the summer of 2017, he was taken into custody for driving in the wrong direction on a freeway and appearing to be under the influence. And after failing to pass a sobriety test, he ended up being written up for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. That sounds like a reason to leave the show – or a reason to be pushed out. But as fans know, he managed to bounce back.

A year probation

Frank admitted that he’d used both alcohol and the tranquilizer Xanax. In March 2018 he was given a deferred judgment and was told he’d have to pay a fine, be assessed for substance abuse issues and remain on probation for 12 months.

Angry reaction

And Frank wasn’t happy. In 2018 he gave an interview to the Globe Gazette claiming that some of the reported details of the case were wrong. He said, “They made me sound like Public Enemy Number One. They said I was drunk and weaving all over the road. I blew a point zero, zero, zero on alcohol. There was none in my system.”

Illegal U-turn

Asked why he’d pleaded guilty if that was the case, Frank answered, “For one thing, yes: I did use the illegal U-turn. I missed my exit, and I turned through one of those interstate medians the police use. I did that, yes.” But he insisted that he hadn’t actually been under the influence.

A different story

Frank said the marijuana traces found in his blood were from the batch he’d consumed a few weeks earlier in Colorado – where doing so is legal. He told the newspaper he was “not a big drug user” and that he’d been taking the Xanax to help with anxiety. Plus, the American Pickers star claimed that the police hadn’t actually taken him into custody.

A ride home

“They never arrested me,” Frank said. “They didn’t handcuff me. They gave me a ride home. I got dropped off right in front of my house.” The star admitted that he’d been veering across the road, but that, he claimed, was because he’d been reaching for his phone.

Five offenses

Frank also said, “I hadn’t had a ticket in 34 years. I drive 70,000 to 100,000 miles a year.” But according to the Globe Gazette, this was untrue. The newspaper reported that Frank had been declared guilty of five such offenses between 2003 and 2017 – one of them for “failing to maintain control.”

Getting engaged

Unfortunately, at around the same time, another serious story involving Frank’s personal life was unfolding. The reality star had started dating a woman named Diann Bankson. The two were pictured together quite a few times on Frank’s now-dormant social media accounts. Then, in 2017, it appeared that they had gotten engaged.

Infidelity and fireworks

Sadly, it wasn’t to last – though details about why took a long time to come out. In 2021 The Sun got hold of some legal documents that shed light on what went wrong. Diann, it seems, filed a suit against Frank in 2020 over a fireworks incident. She also claimed that she’d found him cheating on her two years earlier. Could this be the reason he’s been absent from the show recently?

Getting burned

Well, according to Diann, she actually reconciled with Frank after he was unfaithful to her. But not long after that, she was injured when Frank and one of his pals, who she didn’t name, started drunkenly letting off fireworks. And it’s this alleged behavior that ultimately led to the negligence case.

Dangerous negligence

Diann’s statement claimed that Frank and his friend placed a firework “in a closed cylinder vintage ashtray and tried to light it there. The firework did not light, and the defendant just left it in the covered intake ashtray instead of properly disposing of the firework.” And it was Diann who supposedly suffered as a result of these dangerous actions.

Exploding ashtray

Yes, when Diann later went to use the ashtray, the firework exploded. According to the court documents, “the ashtray blew up severely burning her hand and arm with third-degree burns and burnt off eyelashes and eyebrows.” Diann also alleged that Frank then “refused… to take her to hospital.”

Missing Frank

This all came to light in March 2021 when The Sun uncovered and published the court papers. But interestingly, Frank had actually disappeared from American Pickers a couple of months before that. When the show’s 22nd season debuted at the start of the year, Mike and Danielle formed a two-man band. Frank was nowhere to be seen.

Out for recovery

Mike did refer to Frank’s absence from the show – so apparently he hadn’t become persona non grata. According to Mike, Frank wasn’t there because he was having a back operation. This makes sense, as that sort of procedure can take a while to heal from. But along the way, fans may have noticed another sign that Frank has been suffering with his health.

Suffering from Crohn’s

If you look back, it’s pretty hard to ignore that Frank’s weight has fluctuated a fair amount. This was especially noticeable during seasons eight and nine. Lots of viewers talked about it and were wondering about the cause. Well, the answer is relatively straightforward: the star suffers from a condition called Crohn’s disease.

Speaking on his disease

Frank’s been speaking out about his condition for a while, in fact. Back in 2011, he gave an interview on the subject to the Quad-City Times. And he pulled no punches when he said, “Crohn’s is a terrible, terrible disease. It’s a disease that affects so many people’s lives and their family members.”

Intestinal condition

If you’re not familiar with Crohn’s, it’s a disease of the intestinal tract that causes many painful and difficult symptoms. People with the condition may suffer from fever, bleeding, skin irritation and, yes, weight loss. Some with the disease, including Frank, find it helps to be near a toilet throughout the day.

Making accommodations

The American Pickers crew have helped Frank out in that respect. Whenever they went on the road, they had a vehicle with both a portable toilet and somewhere for him to relax. And to make his condition even easier to manage, Frank would usually only eat during the evenings while filming the show.

Planning wisely

Frank told the Quad-City Times about his illness, “I’m trying to show people that regardless of the adversities ... and the social situations, the awkwardness, accidents, that you can live a productive life.” It was a “tough hand” that he’d been dealt, he said, but it could be controlled by “planning and nutrition and making provisions to yourself for your health and safety.”

Constant worry

The following year, Frank spoke to the National Enquirer about how he dealt with the condition. He said, “My entire crew knows about my Crohn’s. They understand it when I need a break. I mean, if I have to go, I have to GO!” He added, “I think worrying about finding a bathroom, or making it to the bathroom, is one of the hardest parts of living with Crohn’s.”

Candid weight loss

When fans started commenting on the change in Frank’s appearance during the ninth season of American Pickers, he took to Facebook to reassure them. In the summer of 2013 he wrote, “A lot of you have been wondering about my health and my weight loss. I have an illness called Crohn’s which at times is difficult to deal with.”

Taking a healthy approach

Frank added that he’d used the medical weight loss as an incentive to shed some pounds healthily as well. He told the fans that he’d been “exercising and eating good… Thanks for all of your kind words of concern! I couldn’t do what I do without all of you!”

Symbol of courage

Many people commented on that post to say Crohn’s disease had affected them, too. Others offered advice on how to control the condition, including diet and the use of medical marijuana. A fan told Frank, “I will certainly say that you are definitely an encouragement for all of us Crohnies out there.”

Stars with Crohn’s

Frank’s not the first star to suffer from Crohn’s disease, and he won’t be the last. In fact, he’s part of a club that includes many big names. Charmed actress Shannen Doherty, pop star Anastacia, Olympic competitor Carrie Johnson and Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready have all been diagnosed with the condition.

Fame and disease

All of these celebs know how difficult life with Crohn’s can be. In 2012 McCready wrote an article about his condition for HuffPost, revealing, “I was successful beyond my wildest dreams musically, but very sick physically. I had ‘accidents’ on stage and spent the first song of my lifelong dream of opening for the Rolling Stones in a side-stage Porta-Potty.”

Minding his diet

But the weight loss at least seems to be a boon for Frank. In 2014 he posted a pic of himself looking skinny, and fans were quick to congratulate him. Frank responded, “Thanks for all the kind comments about my weight loss guys. Been working hard at eating healthy – my Crohn’s kinda demands that I watch my p’s and q’s!”

The pandemic factor

Frank seemed to be controlling his illness, but could it still be the reason he vanished from the show? Some people think that the combination of Frank having Crohn’s and the difficulties of the coronavirus pandemic contributed to his absence. As a person with a pre-existing medical condition, he was probably advised to self-isolate more than others. This could have meant he had to take a break from filming the show.

Personal drama

Behind-the-scenes drama may also have had something to do with it. Interestingly, Frank’s ex-partner Diann Bankson dropped the legal proceedings she’d brought against him in March 2020. But the couple’s shared house was sold for more than $350,000 a few months later, so it seems any reconciliation is pretty unlikely.

Show sustainability

Frank has been name-dropped once or twice in the most recent series, but it all begs the question: is American Pickers actually going to last much longer? If the show’s lost one of its main stars, then perhaps the others won’t stick around, either. Danielle, in particular, has made it clear that the series isn’t her whole life.

More in store

“One never knows what will happen in the future,” Danielle told the Miami New-Times in 2012. “I highly doubt that antique archaeology is the last job I’ll ever have in my life, though it is definitely the coolest job I’ve had to date. It all depends on when my time there has run its course.”

Off and on

“I have an obligation to Mike, who put me in the position I’m in right now,” Danielle added. “And I’ll respect that ’til the end.” But Mike may not remain on the show, either. In 2016 he said he intended to quit after another season – though he later changed his mind, of course.

Not the same without Frank

One thing’s for sure, though: the fans miss Frank very much. Mike currently has a new sidekick on the show, Jersey Jon, but Twitter users are constantly showing up on the official American Pickers account to ask where Frank is and if he’s okay. It seems the show just isn’t the same without him.

Not holding back

Either way, Frank won’t be letting his illness hold him back from doing what he wants to do. “If I met someone today who was just diagnosed with Crohn’s, I’d say, ‘Get out of the house!’ We can’t let Crohn’s stop us,’” he told the National Enquirer. Let’s hope Frank’s inspirational attitude puts him back on the show very soon!

Behind-the-scenes secrets

After all, watching Mike and Frank turn unloved trinkets into wads of cash is pretty addictive. But have you ever wondered whether the pickers really just stumbled across that vintage motorcycle? Or was it was planted for the camera? Well, we can say that not everything is as clear-cut as it seems on screen. Here are 40 secrets about the show that the cast and crew would prefer you never knew about.

40. Mike and Frank apparently drive a hard bargain

While Mike and Frank may seem as nice as pie, they’re still experts at getting the deal they want. It’s even been alleged that sellers agree to a price off-camera only to have the buyers attempt to haggle them down further when filming begins. And while driving a hard bargain is of course part and parcel of being a good picker, some sellers have reportedly left the show feeling a little hard done by.

39. Hobo Jack is an accomplished musician

Fans of American Pickers will be all too familiar with eccentric Hobo Jack. They may even be aware of his talents as a singer and guitarist from the show. What’s less well-known, however, is that Hobo Jack is actually a pretty serious musician. He’s also released an album featuring a number of original tracks.

38. Danielle and Mike have been friends for years

Danielle and Mike became buds long before American Pickers hit our screens. In 2010 Danielle told Yuppie Punk, “Mike has been a really dear friend of mine for almost ten years, and he has helped me on all of my projects for about ten years.” Speaking highly of her pal, she added, “He’s just a really... cool guy.”

37. Mike handpicked Danielle for the show

Mike was eager to get Danielle involved in American Pickers because she didn’t look like your average antique dealer. Speaking at a Q&A session in 2010, he explained, “I wanted someone that did not look like they would work in any antique shop because I wanted our show to be looked at in a different way. I wanted people to look at antiques like they’re fun, they’re rad, they’re killer, they’re awesome.”

36. Pricey items may be planted

Mike and Frank look like they have a talent for finding one-of-a-kind pieces – often stuff that most of us would just walk past. And from time to time, these tchotchkes end up selling for a fortune. Lucky them! Rumor has it, though, that certain items on the series are staged. So, how much of what we see on screen is real?

35. American Pickers was an instant success

It didn’t take long for American Pickers to become a hit with viewers. In fact, its first episode alone attracted an audience of 3.1 million, breaking History’s record for the highest-rated debut. And while looking back on the show’s success, Mike wrote on Instagram in August 2020, “When we aired in 2010, we became the number-one non-scripted show on all of cable television.”

34. A few celebrity friends have come on board

Over the years, a few famous faces have popped up on American Pickers. White Stripes and Raconteurs frontman Jack White has come on board, for instance, as well as Dan Auerbach of Black Keys fame. But perhaps the show’s biggest famous fan is Dolly Parton, who apparently reached out to producers so that she could make an appearance on screen.

33. Pickers has gone international

While the show is “American” by name, that hasn’t diminished its appeal overseas. The series airs across the world in countries including the U.K., Israel, Romania and Spain. Australia and Canada even took their picking passion a step further, creating their own spin-offs. These shows failed to replicate the success of the original, however, as they aired for just two and four seasons, respectively.

32. History didn’t want Danielle at first

American Pickers without Danielle? It just wouldn’t be the same. And that makes it even more of a surprise to hear that History had to be persuaded to hire her. Yep, apparently the big bosses weren’t convinced by the vivacious star and only wanted Mike and Frank on the show. The boys, on the other hand, demanded Danielle on their team – and they put their feet down.

31. Frank is successful outside of the show

Even if American Pickers hadn’t hit our screens, Frank would probably be doing alright for himself. Thanks to his skill in picking out vintage items – particularly cars – and selling them for a high price, he’s been able to earn a decent living away from the screen. He’s also a businessman in his own right, running his own store Frank Fritz Finds.

30. A number of names were on the table for the show

Before the series became known as American Pickers, there were a number of, well, pretty mediocre names being tossed around by production staff. One idea was apparently to have Mike, Frank and Danielle known as “the American Picking crew.” “Flip This Junk” and “Mr. Picker” are also believed to have been contenders.

29. Mike started filming the show on his own

While we couldn’t imagine American Pickers without Danielle, we definitely couldn’t imagine it without Frank. But Mike actually started making the show on his own before he realized that the set-up was lacking something. What he needed was a sidekick, and luckily he found his reliable-yet-charismatic copilot in the form of Frank. The pair had actually known each other since childhood, meaning the chemistry between them was already there.

28. Mike’s picking skills came from his impoverished upbringing

Mike was one of three siblings brought up by a single mother, and he apparently credits his picking skills to not having much as a child. That meant he learned to haggle for stuff from an early age. Money was tight back then, you see. And as it turns out, that skill would come in handy for Mike’s picking career. He doesn’t have to worry about cash anymore, either!

27. Mike sold the show without making a pilot

Usually, a TV show is required to make a pilot before a network will ever contemplate taking a chance on a full-season deal. Mike, though? He managed to convince History to put its faith in his series without making a single episode. Yes, American Pickers is the only show the network has ever launched without a pilot – and that bold gamble paid off.

26. The stars of the show don’t actually work at the store

Tempted to take a trip to one of the Antique Archaeology stores? Well, you should probably know this before you come away disappointed. Basically, you’re very unlikely to see any of the American Pickers stars there. Since they found fame, Mike, Frank and Danielle can no longer work on site as they end up getting nothing done.

25. Mike has a thing for old phones

For Mike, not all antiques are equal. In 2016, for instance, he told Country Living, “I’ve always loved old phones.” He adores the retro devices so much, in fact, that he has a vintage-style booth in his home. But he’s always on the lookout for more. Mike added to the magazine, “I’m still on the search for the perfect phone.”

24. Mike used picking to woo his wife

Mike met his wife Jodi Faeth in 1994 – so, long before he became famous. But even back then, picking played a key part in their romance. In 2011 Jodi told The New York Times, “When I met Mike, he used to disguise picks as dates. He’d say, ‘We’re going to Wisconsin to a bed-and-breakfast.’ We were really going to Wisconsin to meet Speedo Joe.”

23. Danielle wasn’t convinced she was right for the show

While Mike was convinced that Danielle was the perfect woman to join the American Pickers line-up, she wasn’t so sure. Speaking at a Q&A in 2010, Mike revealed, “I asked her to do it, and she’s like, ‘Are you guys nuts?!’” But despite Danielle’s reservations, she eventually came on board. “And it worked out really well,” Mike added.

22. Danielle is a history buff deep down

On her website, Danielle wrote, “My work on American Pickers reflects my real-life passion for history. The beauty lies in the story. Without a back story, there is little value to vintage… My goal is to bring to light all sides of history, lay them out in front of you, the viewer, and allow you to become an involved steward of history yourself.”

21. Mike became a dad late in life

While they’ve been together for many years, Mike and Jodi didn’t welcome their first child together until 2012. And while celebrating Father’s Day 2020 on Instagram, Mike wrote of his daughter, Charlie, “Becoming a dad late in life is never a dull moment, but I know how special these moments are with her. I cannot believe how fast she is sprouting up. I’m loving being a dad to my brown-eyed baby girl.”

20. Picking isn’t Mike’s main income stream

While there’s no denying that Mike’s a skillful picker, that’s not how he earns the majority of his income. In 2015 he told Fast Company that he was practically a clothing retailer, although he’s also a real estate investor. Mike also renovated an old car-manufacturing plant in Nashville that plays home to “a craft beer brewery, photography studios, a boutique candy store and, of course, a coffee shop.”

19. Mike supports a cause close to his heart

After Mike’s daughter, Charlie, was born, she needed corrective surgery to fix a cleft lip and palate. And since then, the TV star dad has supported Operation Smile, which funds surgery for children across the world who are born with defects to the mouth and face. To raise money for the cause, Mike commissioned Isabel Bloom to make statues of his little girl and subsequently donated part of the proceeds of their sale to the organization.

18. Mike wants to inspire the next generation of pickers

Mike started picking at an early age, and it seems that he’s keen to help others to do the same. Alongside writing his book Kid Pickers: How to Turn Junk into Treasure, the TV personality set up a message board and website to show youngsters the ropes. He’s also put on some child-friendly events where he has shared his tricks of the trade.

17. Mike’s impressive pad

When American Pickers first hit our screens, Mike owned a house near to the store in Iowa. But he and his family have since relocated to the suburbs of Nashville, where they own a 5,100-square-foot home nestled in 32 acres of woodland. The impressive pile also boasts a fairytale turret, front doors that are 150 years old and gates dating to the 1860s.

16. Danielle was brought up as a Jehovah’s Witness

Danielle’s life in the limelight is a far cry from her very strict upbringing. Born and bred in Davenport, Iowa, Antique Archaeology’s office manager was, in fact, raised among Jehovah’s Witnesses. But despite the stringent rules in her family home, Danielle has said that there was also plenty of love around when she was growing up.

15. Mike started picking at a young age

The art of picking has always been in Mike’s blood. In fact, the show’s creator and host has been on the hunt for a bargain ever since he made his first pick at the tender age of six years old. The entrepreneurial basement rummager found an old bicycle on a scrap heap, and after sprucing it up, he managed to shift the rusty two-wheeler to another kid for $5. Well played, sir.

14. Frank lost a court judgment for an unsent antique

When antique collector Jerry Bruce saw a polarimeter – an old device used for testing the sugar levels in alcohol – on American Pickers, he contacted Frank about purchasing the apparatus. Apparently, Frank then agreed to sell Bruce the object for $300 – before the reserved seller decided to back out. Frank lost the ensuing court case in 2014, with a judge awarding Bruce compensation of $1,000.

13. Hobo Jack has a literary background

Based on his name alone, you probably wouldn’t guess that Hobo Jack is an accomplished author. But to date, he’s penned three books – all of which operate within the realms of fantasy. Discussing his literary style, Hobo Jack told The Telegraph in 2015, “It almost falls into the category of The Wizard of Oz or Alice in Wonderland, but it’s not a fairy tale.”

12. Mike has written a book for children

Hobo Jack isn’t the only writer in town, either. Yes, it transpires that Mike is an author, too, and he doesn’t want the pursuit of dusty loot to be limited to just adults. Released in 2013, Kid Pickers: How to Turn Junk into Treasure is a children’s guide on how to be the best picker. And really, who’s more qualified to give advice on the topic than the Big Bad Wolfe?

11. The hosts allegedly travel in separate vehicles

Those doubters of the show’s “reality” claims also say that while Mike and Frank are often seen driving together, the hosts actually travel in separate cars. Conspiracy theorists allege that most of the duo’s car conversations are filmed before they set off on their quests for gold. Mike and Frank are said to then jump into separate vehicles before making their way towards their destinations – along with a truck convoy containing all the necessary equipment.

10. American Pickers drove a wedge between Danielle and her ex-husband

Even though stardom has its perks, it can also cause a whole assortment of problems – something Danielle came to realize after the success of American Pickers. Having shot to prominence on the show, she claims that her newly-found fame contributed to the disintegration of her previous marriage. Speaking to WQAD-TV in 2012, Danielle said, “Fame and notoriety are not easy for [my ex-husband] to deal with at all, so the relationship ended up not working out.”

9. Others have tapped into the show’s success

Despite only appearing on one episode, Mole Man Ron certainly made quite the impression. And such was his impact that others have tried jumping on the bandwagon. In 2011 an advertisement for a yard sale began circulating that claimed to feature an appearance from Mole Man – although to this day no one’s sure whether or not he had anything to do with it.

8. Danielle has enjoyed a burlesque career

When she’s not searching for treasure, Danielle has been known to take part in a far more racy activity: burlesque dancing. Having grown up in a devout household, she told the River Cities’ Reader that she “went into that [first] evening thinking that burlesque was taboo and wrong and bad.” Soon, though, the inked-up beauty found herself enjoying it. Oh, and Mike’s “Dannie D” nickname for her? That’s the stage name she uses.

7. They’ve netted a cool $10 million between the three of them

Thanks to the program’s insane popularity, the three hosts’ finances are none too shabby. While Mike has an estimated net worth of around $5 million and Frank $4 million, it’s believed that Danielle has about $1.5 million to her name. Between them, then, the trio are worth just over $10 million.

6. Danielle is a jack of all trades

As if it weren’t enough being a reality TV star and working as a burlesque dancer, Danielle is also a successful clothing outlet owner. She runs a store called 4 Miles 2 Memphis, which specializes in vintage and retro clothes as well as handmade fashion accessories. Proprietor of the swanky boutique, Danielle also serves as one of its primary designers.

5. American tricksters?

As with many reality shows, there are murmurings that American Pickers is staged. In particular, people have questioned the viability of trekking across the country to make a small profit – often less than $100 at a time. But there’s no concrete evidence to support the allegations. And Mike told Script, “I want people to know this show is not fake.” He added, “I’ve always tried to keep it as real as possible to what I actually did.” So, will we ever know for sure? Probably not.

4. Danielle has hinted at her own spin-off in the past

It’s not clear what the future has in store for Danielle, but her own show could be on the cards. In 2012 she told the Miami New Times, “I highly doubt that Antique Archaeology is the last job I’ll ever have in my life… My plan is just to stick around and see what happens. But I have a contract, and I’ll of course honor that contract. I guess that’s a sugar-coated way of saying I’d love a spin-off.”

3. Picking the right theme song was an exercise in reuse

American Pickers’ opening theme song is the perfect introduction to the show – and even more so once you know that the tune is itself recycled. Yes, the track was created by taking a section of a song by Reckless Sons and repurposing it for the hit series. The theme was produced by the head honcho of music licensing company Jingle Punks, who was hired to deliver a rock ‘n’ roll treat – and certainly delivered.

2. Prince Mongo wants to be Mayor Mongo

Remember Prince Mongo? The wacky guy who lives in a decrepit castle? Well, it turns out that his aspirations go much further than his kingdom of junk. The eccentric self-proclaimed “King of Zambodia” has been throwing his tatty hat into the political ring since 1991. During this time, he’s made several bids to become the mayor of Memphis.

1. There’s no place like (an uncluttered) home

Mike may enjoy the process of picking, but that doesn’t mean he’d like to live in the cluttered places in which he scavenges. Speaking to The New York Times in 2011, he said, “I love this stuff, but I would never live in a place that looks like the places we pick.” Maybe he’s just being a bit picky. Too obvious?