Deadliest Catch airs Tuesday nights at 9:00 EST on the Discovery Channel. The show follows 5 crab fishing boats that dock in Dutch Harbor, Unalaska through the 2 annual crab fishing seasons: October for king crab and January for "opies" (opillio crab). These boats' fishing grounds are in the dangerous, tempestuous Bering Sea. The show has aired for 5 seasons and has a surprisingly large fan base as evidenced by all the fan sites and blogs dedicated to it. Its popularity is well deserved. Whether or not it's considered a "hit", this show deserves an Emmy.

No one could tell me one of my favorite shows would be on the Discovery Channel, let alone a show about fishing! Yet, here I sit on a Saturday afternoon - evening, watching a marathon. The production is top notch from the fearless camera work on each boat to the moderately employed computer graphics used to explain under-water mechanics. Professional yet raw, the footage takes us up close to the amazingly brave and hard-working crews of 5 vessels.

So, what's so interesting? The work itself, for starters. These men work anywhere from 24 to 50 hours straight to meet quotas in a matter of days. Exposed to North Pole, winter temperatures, they move pots (cages baited to entrap crab) weighing about 1400 pounds. They have to set a string of them while the boat moves. The pots "soak" for 12 - 24 hours at which time, the boat turns around and the crew pulls them back up and, hopefully, unload and sort the crab. All this can be done during a storm spanning 200 - 300 miles and waves exceeding 40 feet, or beautiful Artic weather. It's gruelling and dangerous - hence, the name of the show. For a season, deckhands earn between 30,000 and 55,000 dollars. They deserve every penny.

Although we get to see some colorful personalities, this show is not bogged down with extraneous drama. These are men, after all. Generations have fished these same grounds. We are watching grandsons of fishermen. Brothers work together and sons are indoctrinated every season. But this ain't no mushy, feel-good B.S! When the crab aren't popping, fatigue and worry can cause some pretty hot tempers to flare. However there is an admirable amount of comraderie, even between the competing captains.

The 5 ships are the Northwestern, Cornelia Marie, Time Bandit, Wizard, and the Lisa Marie. One or two are switched out some seasons but the mainstays are the Northwestern, Time Bandit, and the Wizard. The crews aren't pretty but they are endearing. You can't help but root for all of them as they race to the finish line. The danger is real and suspensful. Give it a watch and you will be hooked!