Deadliest Catch Captains Quit Show

[brad192]

Say it ain't so!

From the NY Times:

"The Discovery Channel declined to comment on Wednesday on a report that three of the stars of “Deadliest Catch” had quit the show.
Filming for the popular reality show about Bering Sea fishermen was supposed to resume in October. But the boat captains Jonathan Hillstrand, Andy Hillstrand and Sig Hansen all said on Tuesday that they were “unable to continue participating” in the show.
In a joint statement to The Hollywood Reporter, the three men implied that their decision was a response to Discovery’s recent lawsuit against the Hillstrand brothers. Discovery asserted that the brothers had breached their contract by refusing to finish work on a television episode about their lives in Alaska.
Mr. Hansen and the Hillstrands said in the statement, “We have been through a lot over the past year and unfortunately given the current situation with Discovery we are unable to continue participating in ‘Deadliest Catch.’ It has been a fantastic ride, and we wish the best to all of the amazing and supportive ‘Catch’ fans we have met over the years.”
If the men do not change their minds, Discovery will have to act quickly to replace them. “Deadliest Catch” is one of the channel’s most valuable properties. In the season that was shown over the summer, the series added a new captain, Bill Wichrowski, and his boat, the Kodiak. Another captain, Phil Harris, died during the filming of that season. Last month, his two sons said they would remain on the series and try to become captains."

I think this show is doomed. With Phil gone, and Sig, Jonathon and Andy leaving, there won't be much personal connection with the audience anymore. I mean, how many times can you watch a big ol' pot of crab being dumped on a deck while everyone complains about how tired they are? Time to move on Discovery.

[Ian]

I gotta believe Discovery is not going to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. I mean not for nothin' here, but this show basically is what launched TDC into the spot it's in today. It is like the number one cable show. They can't lose it and they have to know losing Sig and the Hillstrands will basically mean the show's over.

Personally, I think this has to get resolved. I can't believe TDC would be so short-sighted as to destroy their most successful franchise over a lousy $3 million.

[brad192]

Very true. I bet Discovery would LOVE to settle with these guys, but all of us that watch the show know how stubborn & bull-headed all three of them can be. If they feel like they've been shown a lot of disrespect, their pride won't allow them to return, even though they probably would make a boat-load of cash for doing so (pun intended).

[Ian]

If they feel like they've been shown a lot of disrespect, their pride won't allow them to return ...

Very good point ... TDC would have to do a lot of public apologizing and damage control.

[IloveDisney71]

Wow - I'm not sure the show could survive without Phil, Sig, and the Hillstrand brothers. They are the such an integral part of the show. Losing Phil was going to leave such a huge hole anyway because he had such a HUGE personality. I don't know what Discovery channel is thinking.

[ibrowse17]

I have really enjoyed the show, and think these boats and crews are what make the show. They will be hard to replace, and very much missed. I had the pleasure to meet Sig at Epcot a couple of years ago, and always liked that he was a Disney fan like us

[Ian]

I had the pleasure to meet Sig at Epcot a couple of years ago, and always liked that he was a Disney fan like us

No kidding, I did too! We must have been standing in the same line!

[brownie]

It's an okay show for me. I think Discovery will have to work this out if they're going to continue the show.

[Ian]

Good news ... Sig and the Hillstrands are back on the show. They've reconciled.