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'Deadliest Catch': Mike Rowe talks Jake, Josh and Phil Harris and the reality behind TV
Since the premiere of Discovery's "Deadliest Catch" in 2005, "Dirty
Jobs" host Mike Rowe has provided the voice for the show's narration.This season, he's also returned as host of "After the Catch," which launched last week, the companion roundtable show to "Deadliest," in which he shares tales of the sea with the captains and crew of the featured Bering Sea crab-fishing vessels. It airs at 10 p.m. Eastern, right after new episodes of 'Deadliest."
Of course, this year, there's an empty chair, since Capt. Phil Harris of the Cornelia Marie lost his life to the effects of a stroke (which viewers will see in Tuesday's "Deadliest Catch" episode).
Harris suffered from ailments common to many men, not just crab captains, and the event that eventually ended his life took place on land. Although few viewers will captain a vessel in heaving seas, Rowe feels that fans could definitely relate to Harris, his problems and his rocky relationships with his two deckhand sons, Josh and Jake (caught stealing his father's pain medication in the last episode).
"You can relate to Phil," says Rowe, "because his problems are so mundane and everyday. To me, that's the big lesson of the show. On the one hand, it's so extreme that people shake their heads, 'It's the most dangerous job in the world. How do they do it?' On the other hand, there are a thousand instances in every episode where people shake their heads and go, 'Yeah, you know what, I feel that way at work sometimes.'"
The Harris boys have also become a large part of the show, as they work side-by-side with each other and with their father -- a situation that makes for much yelling and conflict, along with humor and deep affection.
The July 13 episode of
"After the Catch" focuses on Harris and the Cornelia Marie and features
guest appearances by Jake and Josh Harris."There's a ton of pressure on these kids," says Rowe, "because even though it's unscripted and it's nonfiction, the public understands narrative thought. What's supposed to happen is these two kids are supposed to take over the boat. The crew is supposed to rally behind them, and through a stiff upper lip, uncommon courage and some good luck, they're supposed to bring in a giant catch and save the day.
"So, the problem is, you go down an unscripted, real road, and the pressure to deliver some kind of wish fulfillment doesn't go away. I can't speak for the kids, but I do know there's an enormous amount of pressure, both on the production and the crew and the boat and Jake and Josh, because they all feel it.
"They understand what we would like to see, and whether or not that's going to happen, of course, is an entirely different matter."
It's obvious to fans that Phil Harris believed -- or wanted to believe -- that younger son Jake would follow in his footsteps. But Rowe believes, as it's real life, it's more complicated than that.
"Josh is affirmatively interested in being an entrepreneur, a captain, an owner," says Rowe. "He wants to make a run, and he also wants, to the extent he's able, to leverage his notoriety. He's looking at all angles.
"Jake, I think, is just trying to figure it out. He's just a kid, it seems to me -- a savvy one, a helluva worker. You just can't keep peeling the onion layers back on a situation like this, because in the end, you're way past the narrative, and you're really into somebody's life."
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Photo credits: Getty Images, Discovery Channel
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I always thought that Josh had a strong head on his shoulders too. I could almost see Jake as the workhorse and Josh with the business sense but whatever they decide to do, I wish them the best. I do hear that Josh has said he will not let his dad's dream die and that he and Jake plan to make a go of it with the boat, so again, best wishes.
They are young men,but if Phil could run a boat at 21, I think with them working with him all that time they can run that boat. I wish them the best of luck in what ever they decide to do.
They are young men,but if Phil could run a boat at 21, I think with them working with him all that time they can run that boat. I wish them the best of luck in what ever they decide to do.
The show deadliest catch has got to be the show on tv, and I would really love to sport one of the shirts from that show. Whats up? Is it possible for this peckerwood to get a deadliest catch shirt? Mucho gracias, with respect always. mike creed
I was favorably impressed with son josh's mature and responsible actions when his father suffered his fatal stroke. Though Jake appeared to be his dad's favorite, the skills required of a deckhand and those of a captain are different.
While Jake was still high on pills, and his father was being readied for the hospital, Josh appeared to plan to contact the boat owner so they could make necessary moves.
Unlike other boats in the series, the captain did not own the CM. I hope someone gives Josh a shot.
You are wrong Luther...at least partially. Phil was a part owner of the CM along with the boat's namesake Cornelia Marie. On their official web site (run by her son) he likes to repeatedly state that she is the majority owner, but the percentage I read was something like CM owning 51% and Phil 49%. So those boys already own nearly half a boat. I'm not sure why it's so important that they buy her out now or what is going on behind the scenes. I wish someone would address that, not that it's any of my business. But I'd by lying if I said I wasn't curious. Glad Josh has been showing such maturity and really glad Jonathan Hillstram has been there so much to help and guide!
My husband and I thought Phil Harris was a great guy---he seemed to love his boys so much,and was aware of what he thought were his past mistakes---I think he critized him self too harshly---you boys are so young but theres nothing you can't do if you put your mind to it be honest and walk down your dads path.don't either of you feel guilty -listen to each other love and help one another---be true to yourself..Ishall miss your dad.BPandHp
Yes I'm very sure that Jake and Josh do very much miss their dad, very strong man,and yes you both do take after your dad, and I do have alot of faith in both of you top run the boat with no problems, ya I know their may be some yelling or whatever, but you both can handle it. I'm like every one else I do wish you both the very best of luck, you both do Rock!
Whenever you have a partnership, and one partner is a 51% partner, they can control everything unless there is a specific written provision otherwise. Many times there will be an insurance policy that covers the value of the loss of a "key man" which PH was. If a majority partner decides to block out the minority partner, then the only thing that partner can do is move a court to dissolve the partnership. Partnership interests do not always transfer to heirs, and (again) unless there was a provision, the kids could be out.
does jake and josh fart?