by HelpMeBeFree

Created on: May 14, 2008

Think of Deadliest Catch as condensed TV. The long repetitive weeks on the water are evaporated so we can enjoy the guts of what really happens out there on the Bering Sea. All reality/docudramas do this to keep the show a viable viewing length. And to keep the audience's attention.

That said, the producers do need to start watching themselves more closely. A scene in last night's episode (originally aired May 13, 2008) had Captain Sig growing/shaving/re-growing his beard in less than 30 seconds. While it may be acceptable professionally to splice scenes together this way, the obvious gaffe broke the spell of the show. It would have been better to have Mike Rowe change his narration to say "Later, after he's given it some thought during a shower and a shave, Sig decides to run his decision past his crew."

The audience does not need to be fooled' into thinking events happen in perfect sequence. They don't and won't. These guys are out in the middle of the Bering Sea, not sitting on a dock fishing for bluegills. I stopped watching Man vs Wild because it felt too staged. Sure enough, it leaked to the press that it was. I'm now worried Deadliest Catch is taking that route. The men in this show are real, take real chances with their lives and they deserve nothing but great respect from the producers and the Discovery Channel. And that respect should be shown by honest editing.

Some critics complain the cameras are too intrusive and do not make for real television'. The fans see it as a blessing, allowing them to invest a little of themselves into the lives of these courageous men. The viewer not only cares about the crab count, they care deeply about the human beings on those boats.

The fans worry about Captain Phil's health, if Deckhand Matt's recovery stumbles, if both Jakes will become full-share deckhands and how fortunate Captain Johnathon was to have been saved after ending up in the water. The show would be much less without Edgar Hansen's or Jake Harris' direct-to-the-camera comments on their captains and jobs. Those captured moments gives us incredible insight into the relationships they have with their captains as family and crewmates, and it brings wonderful humor to an otherwise dramatic show.

My advice to the Deadliest Catch producers before the great reputation of the show is ruined with overzealous editing stick to the formula of the first three seasons. Northwestern + Cornelia Marie + Time Bandit + Mike Rowe = success. Remove "edit to taste" and replace it with "accurate narration". Stir it altogether. Let it sit for another season or two.

Now - I want the crab count, and I want it now.

Learn more about this author, HelpMeBeFree.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.