New TV series features the adventures of two Iowa The History Channel follows Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, co-owners of Antique Archaeology in LeClare, Iowa, through small towns and back roads in a new 10-part series premiering January 18.
How The Earth Was Made, Ice Road Truckers, Pawn Stars and The Universe, as well as acclaimed specials including 102 Minutes That Changed America, 1968 with Tom Brokaw, King, Life After People, Nostradamus: 2012 and Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed. HISTORY has earned four Peabody Awards, seven Primetime Emmy® Awards, 12 News & Documentary Emmy® Awards and received the prestigious Governor's Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for the network's Save Our History® campaign dedicated to historic preservation and history education. Take a Veteran to School Day is the network's latest initiative connecting America's schools and communities with veterans from all wars. The HISTORY web site, located at www.history.com, is the definitive historical online source that delivers entertaining and informative content featuring broadband video, interactive timelines, maps, games, podcasts and more.
MEET THE ‘PICKERS’
Mike Wolfe – Mike is a 20-year veteran picker and owner of Antique Archaeology, a specialty shop based in LeClaire, Iowa that sells vintage objects, folk art, unusual antiques, collectables and more. With his formidable reputation as one of America’s top pickers, Mike’s clients range from interior designers, art directors and photographers to ordinary people who just love old things. He’s been picking since he was 4 years old and always gets a buzz out of the back-story behind every object he buys. He spends as much time as he can on the road, often digging through someone’s beaten-down barn in the middle of nowhere, in search of neglected and forgotten items of value. Mike sees himself as the “guy behind the guy” in the antique industry.
Frank Fritz – Frank is Mike’s childhood friend and business partner who was a fire and safety inspector for many years, but always had a passion for antiques, junk and anything with an engine. He now picks full-time with Mike, indulging himself in searching for the things he loves and can sell at a profit. Like all great doubles acts, the two friends have a chemistry that makes them naturally funny. Frank’s calm voice of reason plays off of Mike’s intensity. His friend jokingly calls him the “bearded charmer.”
