The rest of 'Deadliest Catch' season devoted to Captain Phil Harris

When Captain Phil Harris of Discovery Channel's hit series "Deadliest Catch" died in February, the network didn't know how -- or if -- it would follow the tragedy on air. The tough-as-nails fishing boat captain had insisted that producers keep filming to capture the aftermath of his stroke and what turned out to be his final days.

Discovery has now decided how to pay homage to the reality show star, a salty, tattooed chain-smoker and fan favorite, by devoting a number of upcoming episodes to him. In essence, the remainder of the current sixth season will focus on Harris, including remembrances from his crew and other cast members, a retrospective of his life's work and never-seen footage of the fisherman.

"Deadliest Catch" is in the middle of a ratings tear, with double-digit audience increases over last season.  It's been winning its time period consistently since its April premiere, when it pulled in 4.6 million viewers, its biggest audience ever.

Next Tuesday, fans will see an episode that will include the stroke Harris had while offloading snow crabs with his Cornelia Marie crew, including sons Jake and Josh. (Crews from Original Productions, the company behind "Deadliest Catch" and a number of other extreme job series, had been filming at the time). Later episodes will focus on Harris' death at an Anchorage hospital and a crew celebration of his life, New Orleans-style.

The dedicated special, "Deadliest Catch: Captain Phil Harris Remembered," will air July 20.

"I wish this would never have been a story line of the series," said Clark Bunting, president and general manager of Discovery Channel and Science Channel, "but I am proud of the heart and emotion we have worked so hard to put into these very special episodes as a tribute to Phil."

It was important for the network to be sensitive to Harris' family and yet accurately capture the tragic turn of events for the docusoap, Bunting said. The result is meant to give fans "a sense of closure and a chance to grieve," he said.

Fans, already bracing for the upcoming episodes, have been blogging Wednesday about Tuesday night's show and its confrontation between Harris and his heir-apparent son, Jake, who's fallen into addiction and stolen some of his father's pain medication. "I want you out of my life," Harris yelled at his son. "You're out of my life." The blowup between the two was shocking and heartbreaking, fans wrote, because of Harris' death not long afterward.

"It was such a big reveal, and it was even more poignant because I'm watching these relationships so closely and so differently now, knowing what's happened," said David Bulhack, a longtime fan. "I'm more glued to the show than ever."

Harris, whose dangerous job and unhealthy lifestyle had obviously been catching up with him for some time, said during episodes this season that he didn't feel like he'd live to a ripe old age.

The rest of the season may be painful because everyone knows the outcome, but fans say they'll keep watching.

"How can you not keep watching?" Bulhack said. "We only have so much of Phil left, and I think I'm watching with a greater appreciation of him."

-- T.L. Stanley

 Photo: Jake and Josh. Credit: Discovery Channel.

 

 

 

Comments

[Imad]

Fair Winds and Followind Seas Captain Phill, We will miss you. My family and I have been watching you and your family since the start of the Deadliest Catch, Your love and dedication to your family and the crew is honorable. RIP Captain Phill and may God bless you and yours, Your dedicated fans

[Sharon Lepore]

I have been watching the show since the beginning with my family. It really has been an intriguing series. After the years go by, even though we have never met you start to feel that these people are a part of the family.
They are not characters made up and written for TV. Each is a real human being with a life, family and story.
I am going to miss Capt Phil Harris. He was a sweet and funny man, but knew when to be hard and was able to do it. He conveyed his true self into my house every week and for that I will always be grateful. Not everyone would be willing to share their true lives with the world. Spots and All

My heart truly goes out to the family and his sons. As well as everyone else on the boat, you coudl easily see how broken they all are.
God Bless Capt Phil and God Bless The Cornelia Marie

Rest In Peace Captain

[Liz Taylor]

Josh and Jake, I am so sorry for your death of your dad. I never mis a show. I love it and will mis seeing him on it. I hope you keep the boat going for him. Best of luck, and love you all, Liz

[Keith Scott]

God Bless you Captain Phil. May your boy's Jake and Josh continue in your name, and make you PROUD.

K.Scott
V-Burg, Ms.

[Etta]

Kia Ora korua, greetings to you both,I hail from an island country called New Zealand in the heart of the pacific.

To Josh & Jake I extend to you my heartfelt sympathy at the devastating loss of your beloved father,no words can take away the pain of your grief, perhaps the knowledge that your fathers passing has been so keenly felt by millions of people may be of some comfort.Arohanui Etta

[Dawn Hohnholt]

I feel the boys and my husband and my self have been fans of the show since it stated and what a very sad Show this past Tuesday and I knew that this was going to air but cryed anyways and feel very sad for the boys. ]
How are they today.
I look forwaord to the new show every Tueday, sad for the other captins too that were his friends. Take care Jake and Josh I know that America is pulling for you both and I hope that you have your biggest demon took care of....

[Kim]

We faithfully have watched The Deadliest Catch from the beginning, and absolutely love the show. We are heartbroken with the loss of Captain Phil. We feel like we have lost our best friend. We just want all those involved with the show to know just how much all of you have impacted our lives - the viewers. Thank you. Our hearts go out to you and your families. There is no one like Captain Phil. He is one of a kind. We love him and will truly miss him. It is currently hard to watch, but out of respect and honor to Phil, we will do so and all mourn him together. Thank you to the Deadliest Catch for allowing us viewers to say our goodbyes.

[ralph]

Im a big fan of da deadliest catch. it brought me tears 2 hear about captain phil's tragedy. it is saddened dat he's no longer with us. he was a great father 2 josh nd jake. we will miss em. R.I.P Captin.

[Jeff Deutsch]

God Bless.

[Melisa]

R.I.P. Capt.Phil u will be missed ...i have watched deadlist catch every since it came on...and i have watched all the capts.argue with their crews and all and have liked it ....to the familys and all of Capt.Phil...my prayers are with u all......

[Rick McCallum]

RIP Captain Phil Harris, We here on Cape Cod are really going to miss you. You reminded me every bit of my father "James Stuart McCallum" who passed on Feb 6th 2005 during the Super Bowl When our / his Patriots were playing the Eagles.

From the McCallum Clan to the Harris Clan, Jake and Josh you are all in our prayers and thoughts!!

To Josh and Jake I can only wish I had the memories taped you guys have with the show .In fact my father hated to be filmed and never was a few Military pictures is all we have and a wedding photo with our dearly departed mother Kathryn Francis McCallum.. miss you Mom $ DAD love Rick & Scott
Your in our prayers Josh and Jake keep on fishing MEN!!!
Respectfully
Richard J McCallum

[A.J. Marhofke]

Capt Phil,
May God be your co pilot. My thoughts and prayers to you and your family. You will be missed...

[evee cross]

I don't want to say anything that's been run into the ground or keep making anyone especially his kids, keep having to hear, read and relive, what they really shouldn't keep having to. But I do want to say I watched every season That had Captain Phil Harris in it and If I could have chosen who would be my dad, I would definitively have picked him instead of my dad. Jake and Josh, if you ever read this, your really really lucky kids to have walked with him as your dad and friend. He loved you both, and I think he would be proud of each of you.

[paul]

We found out by accident as the show is a few months behind here in Melbourne AUSTRALIA.(we have yet to see that episode) My wife and family is in shock and tears at the death of the man of steel with a heart of gold. Rest in peace fellow Captain. "You dont know what you have until its gone.." Fond memories of the loveable larrakin and your one liners in the wheelhouse will be missed. Smooth sailing in the heavenly high seas.

Condolences to the boys and all his fishing fraternity on the other side of the world. Regards, Captain K, Melbourne Australia.

[robbo]

we are a bit behind the show here in darwin australia but rearly miss a show just heard the news about phil he will be sadly missed may the boys have the strength to carry on good luck and fair weather to all sailing on the marie robbo and family