Deadliest Catch '08

[thealmighty]

Don't know if this has been mentioned and I missed it but, for anyone else who likes this show as much as I do (Tivo is your friend, here), the new season starts Tuesday night.

[Vegas Vic]

It's one of my favorite shows. The narrator is Mike Rowe, the host of "Dirty Jobs".

[Glengoyne]

Oddly enough, I've been eagerly waiting for the season to start. It is strangely appealing.

[Lathum]

looking forward to it as well

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Over/under on number of fishermen that die this season?

I say 5.

[Kodos]

It seems a bit odd to have a show based on a job that people regularly die doing. I've never watched it. What is the appeal of it?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Kodos

It seems a bit odd to have a show based on a job that people regularly die doing. I've never watched it. What is the appeal of it?

The money is insanely good. A regular Joe who can handle the stress of working long hours in extreme conditions for 3 weeks can make $20K during that time. Boat Captains can make even more. Given that there are 3-4 major fishing seasons during the winter, a hard worker can make 60-80K over the winter months. That's big money.

The draw of the show is the constant danger involved. It's much like a car wreck on the road. You just have to look.

[Kodos]

I think I'd have trouble watching, knowing that when it boils down, the catch of the show is seeing other people die (or at least watch them risk death) for my entertainment. The money is nice, but not worth risking your life for.

I guess I look at this kind of like the faces of death videos. I never understood their appeal. I realize that people die playing football and I still watch that, but it seems like this is being marketed as a chance to watch people risk death. In football, the deaths are incidental, instead of being the main draw.

I'm sure arguments can be made in favor of a show like this. The guys know what they are getting into. I know it's kinda silly to judge the show without ever having watched it, but for me personally, I don't think I could stomach it.

[Scoobz0202]

I don't really know how to explain, but the way they do the show it is just not you sitting there waiting for somebody to die. I know when I am watching, I never am like.. " Alright, when is the first person going overboard, damn it!"

For me personally, when I watch the show there is a lot of.. " Could I fricken do this job? I think I can, but damn that looks tough. "

Kind of surprised to see this thread. Didn't realize how popular this show is, because I know I have been watching a lot of the reruns on discovery this past week. I'm pretty pumped for the new show.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Kodos

I think I'd have trouble watching, knowing that when it boils down, the catch of the show is seeing other people die (or at least watch them risk death) for my entertainment. The money is nice, but not worth risking your life for.

You rarely get to see the actual deaths. They have camera crews on 5 ships usually, but there are many more fishing at the same time. Just because of the odds, it's usually a situation where they report that someone died on another ship, though one of the ships with a camera crew did a rescue and saved someone, which was exciting to watch.

[JPhillips]

For me it's not about death, but about character. I like watching the interactions between people who are somewhat outside the norm of society. I like watching them struggle to complete a task in extreme conditions. I like the competition and gamesmanship. In a lot of ways it's just another form of sport, but in extreme conditions.

[Surtt]

Originally Posted by Kodos

It seems a bit odd to have a show based on a job that people regularly die doing. I've never watched it. What is the appeal of it?

Don't people watch auto racing for the crashes?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

For me it's not about death, but about character. I like watching the interactions between people who are somewhat outside the norm of society. I like watching them struggle to complete a task in extreme conditions. I like the competition and gamesmanship. In a lot of ways it's just another form of sport, but in extreme conditions.

The interactions amongst the crew are pretty interesting. Most of the fisherman aren't that advanced on a social or education level for the most part. When there are disagreements on the ships, they're rarely quiet discussions or rational for that matter. It usually gets pretty ugly with the captain just calling rank to end it all.

[BrianD]

Like most shows, the focus isn't on the death, but more the harsh reality of the job and the excitement that comes from a dangerous situation. These people live and work in an extremely harsh environment and for the most part, they love the work and are surprisingly upbeat. There is the occasional blowout between crew members, but not as many as I would expect. I find it amazing that people actually choose to do work like this and I am in constant awe at how tough these people are.

[stevew]

Now that they aren't derby fishing anymore, I don't know if it will still be as entertaining.

[Lathum]

The show has nothing to do with waiting for someone to die. They almost never focus on that aspect, they skirt around it in a way but the show is tastefully done.

I watch it for the scenery and the sheer WTF of it. The great thing about it is that you never know whats about to happen. One second they will be loading pots when all of a sudden there is a 50 rogue wave smashing down on them, it really gets your blood pumping.

[hawk4669]

Same. I love the show, love the characters (I guess you can call them characters in a reality show), and the sheer "I could not do this job...ever" factor for me.

Personally, I'm a big fan of the "Bering Sea" diet: Eat 6500+ calories a day and still lose weight.

If only.

Cheers!

[Kodos]

Well, the title is "Deadliest Catch". So they are trying to use the danger as a hook.

[rkmsuf]

where's the signup for the fantasy pool for this?

[Scoobz0202]

Not to mention the storylines involving the "greenhorns" (new guys), the relationships amongst the captains of the boats, and just the general comraderie amongst the crew members. There really is more to this show then meets the eye. I absolutely love it.

[spleen1015]

I remember an episode where a rookie captain got a big tip on a good spot from one of the veteran captains. He was told it was a secret and not to share. He ended up telling someone else about the spot, so the veteran captain went to the rookie's cages, pulled them up, took the crab, then welded all of the cages closed to get him back for giving up his good spot.

That shit is funny.

[hawk4669]

Originally Posted by spleen1015

I remember an episode where a rookie captain got a big tip on a good spot from one of the veteran captains. He was told it was a secret and not to share. He ended up telling someone else about the spot, so the veteran captain went to the rookie's cages, pulled them up, took the crab, then welded all of the cages closed to get him back for giving up his good spot.

That shit is funny.

Ah yes....Blake (Maverick) vs. Captain Phil (Cornelia Marie). Good stuff.

Cheers!

[JHandley]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Well, the title is "Deadliest Catch". So they are trying to use the danger as a hook.

Or adventure. It really is a good show.

I liken it to following a climb to the top of Everest. You know their life is in danger, but you aren't waiting/hoping for one of them die.

[MacroGuru]

I can't wait 15 minutes

[Lathum]

OK, that dude puncturing his fingernail was nasty

[timmynausea]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

For me it's not about death, but about character. I like watching the interactions between people who are somewhat outside the norm of society. I like watching them struggle to complete a task in extreme conditions. I like the competition and gamesmanship. In a lot of ways it's just another form of sport, but in extreme conditions.

That totally sums it up for me. It's a lot more about interesting characters and relationships than anything else. Of course, getting to see those characters functioning in tense situations makes it that much better.

A minor thing I've been noticing a lot this season that serves as a good example of what I like about the show: the father son relationships on the Cornelia Marie. Phil Harris has always seemed a little prouder of his younger son, Jake, as he sees a lot of himself in him. It's become more and more clear, this season especially, that the older son Josh actually seems a lot more concerned with caring for his father, though, which I suppose is a fairly common trait for older siblings. He has been up in the wheel house multiple times to check on his dad and express concern over the guy's absurd nicotine/caffeine and red bull habits (56 red bulls in 5 days). Plus after talking with his dad a while, he recently had other crew members give him a mohawk as an offering to the "crab gods" in an attempt to turn their bad luck around. Not a huge deal, but a selfless act in an attempt to help his Dad. Meanwhile, the younger Jake used his dad's credit card without permission to get an $800+ flat screen TV to mount next to his bunk. Phil yelled at the kid, but ultimately not much and with no real consequences. I remember the dad expressing a lot more anger last year when the older kid spent money without permission on crab fishing gear, something completely useful. Maybe it's just me, but I find all of it fascinating.

Like I said, it's a pretty minor thing in the grand scheme of the show, but you just don't really see these kind of subtle aspects of relationships anywhere else on TV.

[Lathum]

well put timmy

[Ksyrup]

The Harris thing is even more interesting in the context of the Hillebrandt thing, where the only son decided he didn't want that lifestyle and left Jonathan's boat. He must have had a really bad childhood, the way he talks about not wanting to put his wife and child through that.

[Izulde]

I keep wanting to see this show, but I'm not sure what day, time, channel it's on exactly.

[Ksyrup]

New eps are on Tuesday at 9pm EST on Discovery Channel.

[AZSpeechCoach]

Captain Sig is one of my favorite people ever.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Izulde

I keep wanting to see this show, but I'm not sure what day, time, channel it's on exactly.

there are lots of reruns also

[SFL Cat]

Really good show. Just amazing the conditions these guys have to work in. I guess I'm like most others who watch...I'm not waiting to see someone die, but I am fascinated by the whole lifestyle. It's life at its most primal, fighting the elements to earn your livelihood.

I'll never forget the episode where a rogue wave hit one of the ships.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_8hOai9hGQ

[Lathum]

We were at the annual Torchlight Parade in Seattle on Saturday night and Sig was tha honerary marshell, he drove by in a car baout 5 feet from us, my wife and I were screaming Sig!! Northwestern!! and he pointed and waved at us, way cooler for me then it should have been.

IT turns out he lives in the same town te just bought in, I hope I run into him at 7-11 or something

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Lathum

We were at the annual Torchlight Parade in Seattle on Saturday night and Sig was tha honerary marshell, he drove by in a car baout 5 feet from us, my wife and I were screaming Sig!! Northwestern!! and he pointed and waved at us, way cooler for me then it should have been.

One of the captains (actually two of them, the one that's a pair of brothers, sorry I can't ID them better but this is one of my wife's show not really mine) were doing appearances at Epcot earlier this month. Seems these guys are starting to turn into at least minor celebs so you probably aren't the first person to have a little celebitis reaction to them if that makes you feel a little less geeky about it.

[TCY Junkie]

Sig was on Conan recently. One weird guy. I really enjoyed it. He was also talking about his new video game.

[JPhillips]

New season starts tonight!

[Lathum]

I have it seasones passed, looking forward to it.

[Ksyrup]

Yep, we set it to record tonight. Tuesday's suck - AI, Biggest Loser, and now this one.

[jeheinz72]

I really hope I remember to double-check that this'll get recorded.

[Flasch186]

MOI RULES!

[CleBrownsfan]

I haven't seen any of these show... I just set it to record (love the online recorder feature Direct TV has). Looking forward to seeing what it's all about.

[jeheinz72]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

MOI RULES!

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

One of the captains (actually two of them, the one that's a pair of brothers, sorry I can't ID them better but this is one of my wife's show not really mine) were doing appearances at Epcot earlier this month.

Oddly enough (since this thread has reappeared) my wife mentioned to me yesterday that those same two guys were going to be back at Epcot again this summer.

On a personal note, I'm hoping she still watches this season but I'm not sure if she will. She got her dad into the show while watching marathons with him at the hospital not long before he died. She's having a tough time even seeing the promos without thinking about him, so I dunno.

[sachmo71]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

MOI RULES!

I'm so tired, man!

[JPhillips]

We should get to see Edgar eat a raw cod tonight. That's good TV.

[Ksyrup]

There are going to be a couple new boats on this season, including the ship that lost the crew member that Phil's boat rescued last season. I'm not positive, but I think tonight's show is kind of a "pre-season" episode focused on the personal lives and getting ready for the season, not the actual start of the fishing. I believe I read that the "captain's wager" airs next week, so that's probably when they head out to sea.

[Ksyrup]

Well, I was completely wrong on that one. The couple of articles I read, including USA Today, I think, said the first ep was entirely about their lives, and one of them said something about there being no fishing. Hmm. Wonder what preview they saw - maybe the first 30 minutes?

Sucks for Phil, although strange that his doc would wait until the last minute to tell him he shouldn't go. And I can't believe Keith did that dive. NOW I bet he's wishing he had kept Moi around for something!

[Logan]

Watched last night for the first time (including about half of the "best of" that appeared before). I can definitely see what the hype is about.

Season recording set.

[JPhillips]

That dive was crazy. He looks like he got a decent concussion from the boat.