I certainly watch enough reality TV — in actuality not all that much, but even a little is an over-abundance — but I’ve never checked out the kind of reality shows that follow real people around as they go about their daily lives (Does The Office count?). My choices usually involve contestants of one ilk or another. So it was with a healthy dose of trepidation that I checked out this week’s new-to-me show — Deadliest Catch.
Don’t know what I’m doing here? Well, here’s where I review an episode of a show that I don’t normally watch, in an attempt to expand the audience for series that clearly weren’t good enough to interest me in the first place. You’re welcome, The CW!
Episode Summary – It definitely took me more than the blink of an eye to realize that the show chronicles the trials and tribulations of more than one boat. Each one is fishing for the same thing — King Crab — and each seemed to be facing the same bad weather and/or luck, although in different parts of the ocean.
The first boat decided to hunt for blue King Crab after bringing in their haul of red. It’s interesting to imagine how tough a business decision like that is to make when you’re talking about the dangers of what these guys do, and that working means being far away from home.
The second boat finished its fishing and was headed home, when a monster storm threatened its survival. Not to say that the boat’s crew doesn’t matter as well, but I started to wonder if the film crew knew what it was getting into when it signed onto this show. Do they have any input into the decisions that are made aboard the boat, or are they just along for the ride?
The third boat was facing failure, as the crew’s lack of intensity seemed to threaten the haul. There must be a lot that goes into strategy for these boats, but that’s color I didn’t have the opportunity to get on a drive-by. But my impression was that it wasn’t just about where they had chosen to drop their cages, or what the weather was like. And these guys must be there for more than their ability to lift a cage out of the water.
Deadliest Catch is definitely different from reality shows that I watch, like The Celebrity Apprentice and American Idol, and clearly the quality of the program was much higher. But I’m not sure that I agree with the common perception that shows like this appeal to a broader base of people than its target demographic. The drama and intrigue is hard to appreciate in isolation when it revolves around 25 crabs that get dumped out of a cage into a holding bin.
Conclusions – Something that rubbed me the wrong way almost immediately was the overly-dramatic voice over, a staple of reality shows but possibly more out-of-place here. The natural tension that existed was undermined by the inorganic set-up of the narrator. I think the show might do better without it … this is a series where an entire crew could drown in a storm! This is no boardroom bickering; this is real. Let the players in this story speak for themselves.
My biggest question was, “Who does this kind of work?” Not in a disparaging way. Rather, I was surprised that there was so much whining and complaining, because as opposed to an office setting, or even a blue collar job, I’d think people who went out and risked their lives on these fishing boats would do so because they love to fish. Wouldn’t you expect that they’d be more amenable, even in a tough situation?
I’m glad this show is not shot live — one, because the language would give this a hard “R.” And two, because what would happen if a ship went under and the producers didn’t have time to evaluate whether or not to use the footage? Then again, what would happen? If there was something along those lines — injury, death, other — that might be hard to watch, would the producers not air that segment from the beginning just to avoid it? I heard one of the captains was very sick this season; had he not insisted that his footage be used, would they have left him out? Because that sounds like what all the other reality garbage out there would do.
And I loved the Coors Light Crab Count near the end. Sweet marketing tie-in!
This was definitely head-and-shoulders above any other reality programming I’ve ever watched. But I think it’s for an audience that is not me … I don’t agree that the story transcends demographics. But it was a wet and wild ride while it lasted!
Have something in mind that you think I’ll enjoy? Let me know which of your favorites you want me to watch. I promise I’ll try to play nice!
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on May 17, 2010 @ 15:00 EST5EDT
Review Survivor please. I’d love to hear your take on the show.
About Deadliest Catch: I think it’s funny you chose a shot of the production crew and none of the actual crab fishermen. I haven’t seen anyone on that photo and I have watched every single episode of the show. But I guess the shot was all about the crab so I’ll let that one slide ;-)
Anyway, I like the show but have pretty much the same things to criticise. Mike Rowe is the guy who does the voiceover, the guy who’s doing “Dirty Jobs”. Might be another show for you to try. I also don’t like the way the show is cut – it tries to produce drama were there is none. At the beginning of the current season one Captain showed another – I think that one was set up. Also in last week’s episode, Sig Hansen in the way the show was cut was shown with a beard, then without, then with one again, then without… all for the sake of added drama. Which reminds me of what stands on the “Survivor” Wikipedia page – that show is re-filming stuff with standinds and many of the contestants are for California (= actors).
Final note: the Crab Count is another sham by the way. First of all the fishing vessels are all of different sizes. Meaning that the Time Bandit for instance is done fishing in about a week or two while the other boats easily take another two weeks for the opie season. That also means that it doesn’t really matter what the count says because in the end, the big ships will win this way or another because they are alotted a higher quota. Took me two seasons to find that out which is kind of a shame but still ^^;
All in all I have to agree with you and can understand that the show is not for you. Much like “The Apprentice” will never be a show for me because of the Don. I just can’t stand the guy :-)
Thanks for writing this. It’s nice to see what people like you (judging from your writing and what you like/dislike on TV) think about this show.
Sebasatian,
I have to agree with you about the picture, he should have at least found one that represented one the boats and not the camera men!
That’s where my agreement with you ends however. You “criticize” (with a Z) the show the same as Aryeh but yet you have watched every episode – that is a little two faced!
You “don’t like the way the show is cut”. I bet you are one of those irritating continuity people that sits and points out every single thing that production misses aren’t you?! Again, why do you continue to watch?!
“The crab count is a sham!” Be still my heart. Really?! What pleasure do you get from dashing everyone’s dreams about a show they so dearly love and you obviously merely tolerate.
You a true fan – I think not!!
Critizicing *snicker* is the thing I love more than the show you got that right :-)
Continuity has nothing to do with showing a captain yelling “Get the hell off of my boat” and in the end it just being a warning that (if you don’t shut up, then you can).
Same with the beard thing. The statements were put in à different order to make it Look as if Sig was afraid being so far northwest.
*POST AUTHOR*
Sebastian lives to criticize TV. I don’t know where he’d be if he couldn’t! :)
*POST AUTHOR*
I just missed the end of a Survivor season, right? I’d be interested to review it when it comes back though. Thanks!
Yes, I went with a picture of the crabs. Everything I could find that had the right dimensions for what I needed said “Deadliest Catch,” which I felt, considering the title of my column, would look kind of silly. I wanted a picture that didn’t scream the name of the show … and I liked the idea of including the people who risked their lives and didn’t get their faces on TV. :)
Dirty Jobs is on my list as a thought, but does Mike Rowe do similar voice over work there too?
Is there something to the fact that you said “win” in reference to the Crab Count? Is there a competition between these boats?
Where do I begin…
As an avid “Deadliest Catch” watcher I found your review – appalling! How can you review a show if you don’t know the background, the people involved or the stories? I would certainly hope everyone would take your comments at face value only. “The first boat” – they do have names, stories and family members, you may want to take notes the next time!
Of course the production crew knew what they were getting into when they signed on and continue to sign on for the last 6 seasons. They get yelled at, pushed around and generally don’t have much say. If they can’t hack it they “get off the boat”! If you had watched the show and done your homework you would have known that vessels have “gone down” and “people have died” and they have aired portions of the footage in an appropriate manner. That is what the show is about!
As far as the “overly dramatic voice-overs” of Mike Rowe – don’t go there!!! He completes the show for us avid watchers. Where would “American Idol” be without Seacrest, “The Apprentice” without Trump, “Survivor” without Probst, “Twilight Zone” without Rod Serling or Rod Roddy on “The Price Is Right”?!
The Captain “who is sick” was Phil of the Cornelia Maria. He died! Two years ago we watched him survive a blood clot and this season he had a stroke while off loading crab. This reality show has chronicled Phil’s relationship with his two sons who work for him on the boat. You can’t discount this man’s life or his life’s work!
Here is your demographic – I am an under 40, married, mother of two, working class person, moderately intelligent who loves “Deadliest Catch”! Their viewership (if you had done your homework once again) is mostly women. The Catch-Con in Seattle for two years now, celebrating these heroes, has been attended primarily by women!
To each his own – and mine is completely and totally loyal to Mike Rowe and the men of “Deadliest Catch” every Tuesday night (and reruns too)!!
Fanboy :-)
*POST AUTHOR*
I’m sorry that you were so disappointed, but the point of my column is to review a show that I have no frame-of-reference for. The idea is to see what a show looks like to a viewer who pops in somewhere in the thick of it. And, for instance, referencing the boats without naming them was a reflection of how quickly the action moves for someone who isn’t familiar with each cast and crew.
My questions about the footage that the show does and does not air was, again, my own observations as someone who doesn’t know the answers to those questions … and hopefully it elicits answers from someone who knows them. Thank you for that.
Obviously people enjoy Mike Rowe, or else he wouldn’t be there, but I found him to add a surrealistic dimension to the proceedings, almost as if he took reality and made it staged drama. To each their own, but Donald Trump is a bad example – he’s not the narrator of The Apprentice (thankfully!).
The only reason I knew about Phil of the Cornelia Maria was because my wife had read something about him recently, in reference to the current season. The truth is that I wouldn’t normally have mentioned it, because I didn’t pick it up in the one episode I watched and I don’t want to be doing background research before or after watching the episode, but considering the seriousness of the situation, I didn’t want to ignore it after learning about it. I absolutely, in no way, discounted him, his work, or the show.
I also didn’t reference the demo except to correctly assess that I’m not a part of it. Like I said above, I’m sorry if you saw this as slamming a favorite show of yours, but my actual experience watching was a pleasant one. It just wasn’t for me! :)
Thank you Deanna. You did a great job setting the record straight.
As the webmaster of the corneliamarie.com and part of the family that owns the F/V Cornelia Marie – Deanna actually represents our fan base well. The fan base fills the spectrum of demographics but I do notice the commonality of certain traits – hard working, honest, self-sufficent, humble Americans. They don’t ask for any special treatment and believe in the idea that with hard work and determination – a guy or gal can still get ahead in this country. I’m proud to have Deanna has a fan (hopefully a Cornelia Marie fan:)
BTW – the picture is of the crew F/V Rollo.
*POST AUTHOR*
Thanks for dropping in, Morgan. Like I said to Deanna, this column is an experiment in extreme television watching, so my comments are usually less about the show themselves as they are about my observations during the course of a particular episode.
Specifically, I simply could not wrap my brain around the concept that people can be so dedicated to something that they’d risk their lives every time they go to work. I thought it was incredible, and I’m glad that a show like this is around to chronicle people who really deserve a spotlight. Like I said, it’s not for me, but that doesn’t detract from the quality of the programming, or the seriousness of what the crews do every day.
Thanks again!
Mike Rowe is one of the best things about DC. He used to be on the show and interview the captains and crew. I’m guessing his presence wasn’t needed as much once the captains got used to the routine, etc. I don’t know which aired first, DC or Dirty Jobs but I bet one influenced the other.
I am also a married mother of two. I live on the East coast and my husband is retired from the US Navy. I’ve enjoyed this show since the first season and can’t really explain why. Maybe it is because they aren’t playing a game or trying to best someone else. They are just doing what they know best and trying to make a living like the rest of us.
BTW, they are dropping pots, not cages. They must use that term at least a dozen times each show.
*POST AUTHOR*
Thanks! They do use the word a ton, but in appearance they are cages, and I try to write for people reading the post who’ve never seen the show — with no frame-of-reference, you could understand why fisherman would drop cages into the water to catch crabs. But if I said dropping pots … would someone who doesn’t know understand it? But you are 100% correct.
The amount of crab that is caught by each boat is determined by the season quota they have, not the size of the boat.
If you want to criticize a show, watch it for 6 weeks, then make a decision as to whether it is good for your tastes. You’re better at dealing with criminal minds than you are with deadliest catch. Everyone likes what they like and pretty much ignores what they don’t like. Sorry you don’t care for it. It is about the only reality show I like. But who am I?
*POST AUTHOR*
That’s fair. But this is an experiment in seeing what a show looks like to an outside observer. And aside from coming in in the middle (although I’m not sure that matters quite as much with a reality show), I don’t think this is much different than watching a new show’s pilot and making a decision on it right then and there. True one might get a better perspective after six episodes, but who puts in that kind of time without being given a reason to each and every week?
And I don’t think I ever judge Deadliest Catch so much as try to get a handle on what I was seeing. I had questions, but that’s to be expected. I think the farthest I went in making an opinionated statement was to say that the show’s better programming than most reality fare, but that it wasn’t for me. All true.