Deadliest Catch is one of Discovery Channel's most popular shows. The TV series follows the real-life adventures and struggles of Alaskan crab fishermen. Deadliest Catch depicts the dangers that crab fishermen frequently face while hunting for crabs on fishing vessels in the Bering Sea. Since its debut in 2005, the show has won the hearts of millions of viewers who can't get enough of the action-packed series. The show is in its 18th season, with its third spin-off titled Deadliest Catch: The Viking Returns currently running.
Despite airing for over a decade, Deadliest Catch has not been without its challenges. The constant tragedies that have followed many of the cast members over the years have caused fans to call them the most cursed reality TV cast ever. Close to these tragedies are dark histories and controversies that have continually trailed the show and its cast members.
8 A Deadliest Catch Production Manager Was Arrested For Selling Drugs
One of the scandals that rocked the fast-paced series was the arrest of a production manager over drug charges leveled against him. In 2010, Matthew Schneider was one of 18 people apprehended in a drug bust after delivering drugs worth approximately $300 to an undercover officer.
The production manager also used these drugs in the presence of the police officer, further compounding his case. The channel distanced itself from Schneider, claiming that he was employed by Original Productions.
7 Deadliest Catch's Josh Harris Sexually Assaulted A Minor
In August, Josh Harris was ousted as a sexual predator in a now-deleted Reddit post. The heinous crime resurfaced online over 20 years after the crime was committed. According to an allegation-filled report, the Cornelia Marie's co-captain sexually assaulted his neighbor’s four-year-old daughter.
In 1999, Harris was sentenced to nine months in prison after DNA testing confirmed the allegations against him. The hit cable TV show has severed ties with Harris in light of his horrendous past.
6 Most Of Deadliest Catch's Cast Struggled With Alcohol And Drug Addiction
Alcohol and substance abuse was major issue for the cast of Deadliest Catch. While some cast members were able to curb these addictions and excesses, others still struggle with their dependency troubles to this day. But in one unfortunate case, a former cast member lost his life. In 2018, Blake was found dead in his home with substances believed to be drugs near his body.
5 Deadliest Catch’s Spinoff That Never Was
Following their refusal to appear for pickup shots and interviews for a one-time spinoff titled Hillstranded, Discovery Channel slammed a $3 million lawsuit against the Hillstrand brothers in 2010. Although most of the work had already been done, Jonathan and Andy Hillstrand backed out, citing the death of captain Phil Harris as the cause.
As a result, the show got canceled, and the brother exited the franchise. After the situation was resolved, the brothers returned to filming Deadliest Catch.
4 Deadliest Catch Drama Is Exaggerated
Deadliest Catch is far from being the fakest Discovery channel show, but even supposedly real reality TV series need exaggerated drama to keep fans interested. Discovery’s hit show is mostly publicized as totally authentic, but the show has also been criticized for editing and faking scenes.
The biggest uproar erupted when it was revealed that the raging storm in the 2008 episode was combined from multiple time frames of entirely different events. On-screen Injuries and facts are also exaggerated to increase drama and suspense.
3 A Bank Robber Was Cast On Deadliest Catch
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Bank robbers are known to be cunning and strategic, but Joshua Tel Warner, a former deckhand on the FV Wizard, was neither. Joshua boldly robbed two banks three times without covering his face. He robbed Washington Mutual Bank before appearing in the first season of the Deadliest Catch series.
After his first successful robbery, Warner robbed the Pacific Continental Bank branch in Washington, twice before being identified by viewers and apprehended by police.
2 Is Climate Change Affecting Deadliest Catch?
For the Deadliest Catch series to happen, fishermen have to be able to catch crabs. Unfortunately, rising temperatures have caused cold water crabs to migrate further into colder areas. This means that the cast has to search in mostly uncharted and more dangerous territories to keep the show going.
The Bering Sea is already known for its unpredictable storms and waves, so going further away from rescue services makes crab fishing more dangerous thereby jeopardizing the show's continuity.
1 Deadliest Catch's Sig Hansen Was Accused Of A Weighty Offense
Deadliest Catch fan-favorite Sig Hansen has also had several run-ins with the law, including spitting on an Uber driver and hitting his car. But all of that pales compared to the sexual assault lawsuit filed by his first daughter against him.
Melissa Eckstrom claimed that the Deadliest Catch star molested her as a child, but Hansen insists that this is not the case. In 2018, a panel of judges ruled that a civil trial can proceed in the lawsuit against the reality star.
