INTERVIEW & CLIP: Josh Harris prepares for high-risk adventures on ‘Deadliest Catch’
Deadliest Catch, which airs new episodes Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on Discovery Channel, follows the high-seas and high-risk adventures of crab fishers off the coast of Alaska. The reality series, which has been a top cable draw for years, seems to be the real deal in a crowded reality marketplace. The camera operators need to brave the rolling seas as they capture dangerous experiences on the deck and heated arguments in the wheelhouse.
Viewers be warned. This can be intense.
Captain Josh Harris has a reputation and history with the crab industry. His father is the late Phil Harris, a popular captain on the reality series, and now the “young skipper” needs to prove himself in the Bering Sea. His ship is the Cornelia Marie, which recently underwent a state-of-the-art upgrade, and his co-captain is Casey McManus.
On Tuesday, April 19’s episode, Harris is one of the main story lines, and he recently took some time to exchange emails with Hollywood Soapbox. Questions and answers have been slightly edited.
With your family ties to this vessel and this crabbing industry, do you feel added pressure to perform well and bring in a big pay day?
There is always pressure, and it will always be that way. If I mess up, I’m under a microscope. The world is watching — it’s one of the most watch shows on all of television.
What are some of the advancements the Cornelia Marie received after the $1-million overhaul?
I’d say everything is new. Inside and out, everything has been updated except for the upper floor which will be done next year.
As a relatively new captain, what’s going through your mind when you’re in the wheelhouse?
Don’t f#@k up. Simple as that. There are lives at stake.
What’s it like working with co-captain Casey McManus?
If you have to ask … it’s never a dull moment! If he’s not lighting me on fire, then he’s cracking me up with some dumb joke.
What are some of the lessons you learned from your father that you still apply today on the boat?
You need to be [as] humble as you can. Also, you need to realize that your crew is the pumping heart of the boat. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of taking care of them. These are important lessons my dad taught me and still stick with me today.
What’s your ultimate goal with crab fishing? Is it the money? The glory? The challenge of it all?
Yes, yes and yes. All of the above.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Deadliest Catch airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on Discovery Channel. Click here for more information. Click here for Hollywood Soapbox’s previous coverage of Deadliest Catch.
