Danielle Colby Announces End of New “American Pickers” Episodes
After nearly 16 years and 402 episodes, the History reality series “American Pickers” will not film any more new shows, co-star Danielle Colby said recently.
“We all have so many projects that we’re working on. I think it’s just the time for it,” she said Thursday, Nov. 20 from her new burlesque museum, Ecdysiast Arts Museum, in downtown Davenport. “I love my job. I’ve loved my job for almost two decades and it’s been amazing, but this is like, I’m so excited to just focus on this right now.”
In early November, “Pickers” creator and star Mike Wolfe (who has been called “America’s curator”) began filming for his new History Channel series, History’s Greatest Picks With Mike Wolfe.
On Nov. 3, Wolfe, 61, took to Instagram with a video as he and crew members kicked off production for the upcoming history show.
In the post, Wolfe explained that the new series is “shot totally different” from American Pickers.
“I’ll be in a studio setting introducing stories of epic artifacts cut to experts and reenactments that visually bring these incredible finds to life!” he explained. “There will be 8 stories per episode so it’s gonna move fast.”
Danielle Colby, who turns 50 on Dec. 3, performing burlesque at her Ecdysiast Arts Museum in downtown Davenport, Oct. 25, 2025.
To conclude the behind-the-scenes sneak peek, Wolfe said: “I’m excited and nervous at the same time. Which is where I’m usually at on camera all the time! This will air in January and I’m stoked for y’all to see it.”
“American Pickers” – which debuted on the History channel in January 2010 — follows antique and collectible picker Mike Wolfe and a co-host (originally Frank Fritz until 2022), who travel around the U.S. to buy (or “pick”) various items for resale, for clients, or for their personal collections. Danielle Colby formerly ran the office of Wolfe’s business, Antique Archaeology in LeClaire, Iowa (115 Davenport St.)
Fritz died Sept. 30, 2024 at age 60 after a stroke. Since 2023, Colby, Wolfe’s younger brother Robbie, and friend and antiques expert “Jersey Jon” Szalay took turns accompanying Wolfe on his road trips. They also occasionally make their own trips independently.
The show has taken Colby (a veteran burlesque performer, expert and history buff) all over the U.S., plus Italy, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, Indonesia and the Dominican Republic.
“I liked doing it because I got to stay free in places and experience things I wouldn’t have otherwise experienced on a budget I didn’t have,” Colby said. “There were a lot of really neat opportunities like that to travel.”
“But Mike has a new project, which will allow him to spend a lot more time at home,” she said Nov. 20. “We all are old. We’re too exhausted. Like, we’re ready just to kick it at home.
Danielle Colby was a co-star on “American Pickers.”
“So it’s been fantastic,” Colby said of the “Pickers” journey. “But I think all of us are like, okay, we’re ready to take a break. I felt it winding down. I have felt it winding down for a year.
“I kind of knew that I would not be going back in any sort of full-time way,” she added, noting the new burlesque museum opened this past summer at 322 Brady St. “I’ll always help my friends if they need help. If they want my help, you know, if they want me to pop in here or there and help out, I’m here for it. But no, I just feel like this is my dream.
“But yeah, it’s wild to think that it’s done. It’s given us so much,” Colby said. “It’s a great run. A 17-year career and it’s been nuts. It’s exciting. Mike’s new project’s gonna be great.”
Colby – who turns 50 on Dec. 3 – has been pouring all her time and energy into the colorful new museum showcasing a fraction of her extensive collection of adult entertainment (including costumes, books, posters, and art). June 21, 2025 was the grand opening of the Ecdysiast Arts Museum, a one-of-a-kind celebration of burlesque, artistry, and unapologetic expression, unique in the region and the nation.
Behind a pink door, the ground-floor museum is in an 1895 building owned by Trish Duffy, last used for PMR Marketing and vacant for several years. The term “ecdysiast” (pronounced “ehk-DEE-zee-ast”) was coined by H.L. Mencken, based on a Greek word for a performer who removes their clothes.
The History reality series “American Pickers” debuted in January 2010.
The place’s mission isn’t limited to burlesque, Colby said, but encompasses nudity in film, video, photography and books.
Colby will host a big birthday party for herself at the museum Saturday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. This week, on Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m., she and Mandy Harvey (LeClaire’s Crane and Pelican Café) will host an Open Minds Open Mic, featuring burlesque, comedy, music, poetry, and interpretive dance. (No cover, but patrons are encouraged to bring a canned good to help those in need).
The museum is open (ages 18+) from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and by appointment, and available to rent for private events.
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