*3* ---'Deadliest Catch' stars quit Discovery show

[underpants]

Capts. Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand -- who were sued earlier this month by Discovery for allegedly not performing work on a planned spinoff special -- as well as Capt. Sig Hansen, issued a statement to the Hollywood Reporter this afternoon saying they are "unable" to continue on the hit adventure series due to the litigation.

"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,' " the three crab fishermen said in a joint written statement. "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."


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i677c428c4dc16c2c8f016de8423cfb73

[PVnRT]

1. Is there any reason to watch without those three?

Well, not much of one in the first place, but those three were definitely the three most interesting captains on the show.

[semillama]

5. After the death of Phil Harris, no. There's no reason to watch

I like the other captains, but without the Northwestern and the Time Bandit, it loses a lot of its draw.

[PVnRT]

6. I always liked the Hillstrands

They seem like they would be fun to have some beers with.

[underpants]

8. No this was a particular (an early one) dirven by the characters

not ass-clown-buffoonery and not self-promotion or forced drama. It was people at work. Yes there is a PR element to it, that you understand the $15-18 a pound for Alaskan crab legs, but none of it was forced they didn't have time for that.

Sorry for their loss but good on them for realizing that it had run its course.

[mtnester]

2. I always predicted this would be the show where we would see someone die

we kind of did.

[Iggo]

4. I only ever saw one episode.

At least one person died, and I think another one on another boat died, and a message at the end talked about a few more who had died on just that one expedition, if I remember right.

And then a commercial came on with some pitchman trying to sell me products. I got a bad taste in my mouth and I couldn't bring myself to watch any more.

[EnviroBat]

3. Good for them...

Men of principal, all three of them.

[Xithras]

7. So the Northwestern and the Time Bandit are gone? The show is history.

Combined with the loss of the Cornelia Marie (which will be drydocked for an overhaul next season and won't be on the show), and the loss of some of their biggest faces ((Sig Hansen, Phil Harris), the show is in serious trouble. The entire show is built around the Cornelia Marie, Maverick, Northwestern, Time Bandit, and Wizard. Three of those five are now off the show.

It's possible that they can recruit some of the other fleet captains to take their place, but they'll be starting over at square one. I don't see them pulling it off.