"Deadliest Catch" - Deadlier For The Crabs

“Deadliest Catch,” the smash-hit reality show on the Discovery Channel is full of non-stop excitement, and hundreds of thousands of tons of delicious crabs.

For both of these reasons, it’s one of my favorite shows on TV. If you haven’t had the opportunity to watch, you’re long overdue.

When you think about it, it’s really the perfect combination of adventure, stormy weather, fascinating personalities, and delicious seafood.

Crab legs are one of my favorites. Admittedly, those big, burgundy, gnarly-looking king crabs don’t look so appetizing straight out of the briny deep. But after a quick 15 minute boil, and a little cup of melted butter, they are truly a treat from the deep.

Terrifyingly delicious - This large crab almost killed the man on the right before being subdued with 16 rounds from a shotgun, and 5 hand grenades. The guy on the left is still missing...

Perhaps I digress. Or do I?

I believe the main reason I love “Deadliest Catch” is because of the fantastic crabs these guys are catching. It’s so comforting to know that Captain Sig Hanson of the “Northwestern” and Captain Phil Harris of the “Cornelia Marie,” just pulled into Dutch Harbor, Alaska to offload 370,000 pounds of fresh Alaska King Crab.

And they’re only halfway through their quota.

In a world where we’re surrounded with dwindling fish stocks, or mercury-laced tuna, or ever-increasing numbers of endangered species, it’s great to hear about a very delicious animal that’s not about to be wiped from the face of the earth.

The fleet seems to do a pretty good job of fishing in a sustainable manner. And Discovery Channel does a great job of showing us what it’s like to fish in the Bering Strait.

It looks like it really sucks.

And people do indeed die from time to time during crab season. Although I wonder if the “deadliest” moniker refers to the crabs or the people. I doubt that any of these crabs will be kept alive as pets, so it’s extra deadly for them.

Still, I can’t help but imagine myself out on that boat - the icy waves crash across the deck, a steady blast of wind-whipped sleet lashes my ruddy cheeks, a camera crew in my face, and thousands of tasty crabs await their imminent capture.

But then I remind myself of my tendency for seasickness, my loathing of cold rain, and my fear of live crabs.

The dog looks even less thrilled than the crabs.

It’s best that I just sit on my couch and watch from the warmth, safety, and stable floor of my own apartment.

So grab a cold beer - and some warm, drawn butter - and sit down for an action-packed episode of “Deadliest Catch” on the Discovery Channel. It’s on like 10 times a day, so you practically can’t miss it.