On Land, “Deadliest Catch” Fishermen John And Andy Hillstrand Are Every Bit The Characters You Think They Are.

By Karl J. Paloucek
You know things have gotten wild in the world of television when Alaskan crab fishermen become TV stars. But as unlikely as it may be, it’s also undeniable: The captains of Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch (Season 5 premieres April 14, part of Discovery Channel’s “Alaska Week”) have attained household-word status in many households across America. We recently caught up with Captains John and Andy Hillstrand while putting together a spread in our print edition of Channel Guide Magazine about the various manly personalities who have become the face of Discovery Channel. Many of the network’s hosts’ answers revealed pretty tough backgrounds, but the Hillstrand brothers’ took the cake … and crushed it to dust. But as tough as they are aboard the Time Bandit, they’re also pretty funny — when they’re not talking about the death that stalks them at sea.
Channel Guide Magazine: Deadliest Catch is heading into Season 5 now, but going back to the beginning, how did all of this begin for you guys?
John Hillstrand: They originally asked us and we said, “No, we’re too cool.” No one would let them on the boats. And then, the second year, we go, “We might as well, so we have a good documentary.” Because they have professional guys filming. We make little boat films all the time.
Andy Hillstrand: I’ve made boat films since the ’80s.
JH: But not a complete story of start, the whole trip, you know? So we go, “Well, we might as well do it, and then our grandkids will be able to see it, see what Gramps did.” And then the third year we come back —
AH: We saved that guy.
JH: And people start following us at the airport and stuff.
AH: The third year of the show took off big-time, because we saved a guy. And then, after that, it seemed like it exploded. After that, it just got even bigger.
JH: So I think this year’s going to be even more people talking about the show, because once you think you can’t get any more crazier, it gets crazier out there. [Read more →]
Tags: Documentary, Reality TV by kpaloucek
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