Dirty Jobs: Mike Rowe Answers

Narrating The Deadliest Catch

Mike Rowe Answers Your Questions

Where is he?  What's he doing?  Most likely, somewhere dirty, doing something gross.  You may want to bookmark this questions and answers blog so you can stay on top of his latest conversations.

QUESTION:

I know that I have not seen all the episodes of The Deadliest Catch but I have been watching many of them recently.  I heard that you hosted the first season and then did voiceovers after Dirty Jobs started.

Were you actually on one of the fishing boats during the season?

Your narratives are very good.  Do you write them or is there a script written for you?

Your voice shows a lot of passion for this program.  Is this the kind of life or work that gets you excited or are you just very good at putting feeling into your narrative voice? - plantwhisterer1

ANSWER:

My role on Catch began as that of "host".  I agreed to the work because I had failed to sell Jobs, and felt like a little adventure was in order, as well as a little cash.  I flew to Dutch, and walked into chaos.

The show as you know it did not exist.  It was originally structured as a reality show, with a cash prize offered to the boat that brought back the most crab.  This Hollywood contrivance was  conceived in the mind of someone who had no real understanding of the actual risk assumed by the men who do this kind of work.  For the Coast Guard, who were already risking life and limb to rescue fishermen in peril, this notion of a cash prize was worse than was dangerous, and it very nearly killed the series.  Thankfully though, the idea was squashed, and we all went about the business of capturing the work of crab fishing on camera.

My role was not that of a greenhorn, as I am on Jobs.  I was more of an on-camera narrator that popped up in a variety of places, usually a helicopter, on a mountain, a shipwreck, a wheelhouse, etc, to share some insight with the viewer.  I was imbedded in the show, but not the work.  However, I have spent time aboard The Northwestern, Time Bandit, Cornelia Marie, Maverick, and The Bountiful.

In all, I spent 6 weeks in Dutch, shooting Season 1.  Six men died while I was there, and the place got under my skin.  Removing me from the series was painful, but probably the right call.  Like the notion of a cash prize, my presence as host was simply unnecessary, another hallmark of bad reality TV.  Catch is much better than that.

As for the narration, I do not write it.  And frankly, if I were hired today to record it, I would speak the same way I do on Jobs.  The "heavy" read is a throwback to Season 1, when everyone believed the show depended upon a certain production value.  Personally, I think the Bering Sea provides enough drama without any manufactured urgency, but reasonable people can disagree. Besides, no one ever feels comfortable altering a successful formula.  Out of respect to the producers of the show, whom I hold in the very highest regard, I merely follow orders.

Mike

Where is he?  What's he doing?  Most likely, somewhere dirty, doing something gross.  You may want to bookmark this questions and answers blog so you can stay on top of his latest conversations.

QUESTION:

I know that I have not seen all the episodes of The Deadliest Catch but I have been watching many of them recently.  I heard that you hosted the first season and then did voiceovers after Dirty Jobs started.

Were you actually on one of the fishing boats during the season?

Your narratives are very good.  Do you write them or is there a script written for you?

Your voice shows a lot of passion for this program.  Is this the kind of life or work that gets you excited or are you just very good at putting feeling into your narrative voice? - plantwhisterer1

ANSWER:

My role on Catch began as that of "host".  I agreed to the work because I had failed to sell Jobs, and felt like a little adventure was in order, as well as a little cash.  I flew to Dutch, and walked into chaos.

The show as you know it did not exist.  It was originally structured as a reality show, with a cash prize offered to the boat that brought back the most crab.  This Hollywood contrivance was  conceived in the mind of someone who had no real understanding of the actual risk assumed by the men who do this kind of work.  For the Coast Guard, who were already risking life and limb to rescue fishermen in peril, this notion of a cash prize was worse than was dangerous, and it very nearly killed the series.  Thankfully though, the idea was squashed, and we all went about the business of capturing the work of crab fishing on camera.

My role was not that of a greenhorn, as I am on Jobs.  I was more of an on-camera narrator that popped up in a variety of places, usually a helicopter, on a mountain, a shipwreck, a wheelhouse, etc, to share some insight with the viewer.  I was imbedded in the show, but not the work.  However, I have spent time aboard The Northwestern, Time Bandit, Cornelia Marie, Maverick, and The Bountiful.

In all, I spent 6 weeks in Dutch, shooting Season 1.  Six men died while I was there, and the place got under my skin.  Removing me from the series was painful, but probably the right call.  Like the notion of a cash prize, my presence as host was simply unnecessary, another hallmark of bad reality TV.  Catch is much better than that.

As for the narration, I do not write it.  And frankly, if I were hired today to record it, I would speak the same way I do on Jobs.  The "heavy" read is a throwback to Season 1, when everyone believed the show depended upon a certain production value.  Personally, I think the Bering Sea provides enough drama without any manufactured urgency, but reasonable people can disagree. Besides, no one ever feels comfortable altering a successful formula.  Out of respect to the producers of the show, whom I hold in the very highest regard, I merely follow orders.

Mike

Mike Rowe Answers Your Questions

Where is he?  What's he doing?  Most likely, somewhere dirty, doing something gross.  You may want to bookmark this questions and answers blog so you can stay on top of his latest conversations.

QUESTION:

I know that I have not seen all the episodes of The Deadliest Catch but I have been watching many of them recently.  I heard that you hosted the first season and then did voiceovers after Dirty Jobs started.

Were you actually on one of the fishing boats during the season?

Your narratives are very good.  Do you write them or is there a script written for you?

Your voice shows a lot of passion for this program.  Is this the kind of life or work that gets you excited or are you just very good at putting feeling into your narrative voice? - plantwhisterer1

ANSWER:

My role on Catch began as that of "host".  I agreed to the work because I had failed to sell Jobs, and felt like a little adventure was in order, as well as a little cash.  I flew to Dutch, and walked into chaos.

The show as you know it did not exist.  It was originally structured as a reality show, with a cash prize offered to the boat that brought back the most crab.  This Hollywood contrivance was  conceived in the mind of someone who had no real understanding of the actual risk assumed by the men who do this kind of work.  For the Coast Guard, who were already risking life and limb to rescue fishermen in peril, this notion of a cash prize was worse than was dangerous, and it very nearly killed the series.  Thankfully though, the idea was squashed, and we all went about the business of capturing the work of crab fishing on camera.

My role was not that of a greenhorn, as I am on Jobs.  I was more of an on-camera narrator that popped up in a variety of places, usually a helicopter, on a mountain, a shipwreck, a wheelhouse, etc, to share some insight with the viewer.  I was imbedded in the show, but not the work.  However, I have spent time aboard The Northwestern, Time Bandit, Cornelia Marie, Maverick, and The Bountiful.

In all, I spent 6 weeks in Dutch, shooting Season 1.  Six men died while I was there, and the place got under my skin.  Removing me from the series was painful, but probably the right call.  Like the notion of a cash prize, my presence as host was simply unnecessary, another hallmark of bad reality TV.  Catch is much better than that.

As for the narration, I do not write it.  And frankly, if I were hired today to record it, I would speak the same way I do on Jobs.  The "heavy" read is a throwback to Season 1, when everyone believed the show depended upon a certain production value.  Personally, I think the Bering Sea provides enough drama without any manufactured urgency, but reasonable people can disagree. Besides, no one ever feels comfortable altering a successful formula.  Out of respect to the producers of the show, whom I hold in the very highest regard, I merely follow orders.

Mike

Comments

[Mary Arlene]

Mike, I completely agree. Although I do enjoy watching you, having a host was not necassary. Like you said, the Bering Sea provides enough drama. Also, I am glad that the show doesn't have a prize at the end. The contest would have consumed the whole show. People's attention would be on who was winning instead of how difficult and amazing the job is.

[stephanie]

hey mike. i am currently doing a project about your journey being the host for dirty jobs.
it seems that you have learnt many things from this journey.
but have you noticed any change in yourself after you have went through this journey?

[VZWGUYJAY]

Keep up the excitement mike you are a cool guy and its always a blast to see the new and exciting things you do. You are the definition of a true american that likes to experience new and exciting methods of work that have taken you all over the us. And yeah that appearance that you made on deadliest catch was very cool the interaction you had with the captains was interesting to say the least.

[Cara Smith]

Dear Mike, I love your show. It is hard for us to know want you want. I drive school bus. My husband is a machinist.Our children are 6 & 4. We would love for you to contact us. Let us know if you need more info.

Cara Smith

[LeonardW]

Mike, There are two kinds of crab. How do they fish for one type and not the other? Different depths? Different areas?

Thanx I love the show.

Leonard

[shari champagne]

Hi Mike,
First, I'd like to thank you for doing what you do!Aside from being very talented your success is impressive.I'm not sure if this will find you.. However, If indeed it does. I have a huge request.I have implemented a Non Profit Safe Kids / Anti Bullying program in several school systems(stopping violence and making schools safer)of South Louisiana.Many of the children of New Orleans I'm reaching are victims of Katrina faced with more than their share of violence.There is a Graduation Ceremony for each school.My request is,Would You possibly be my guest speaker for one of the graduation ceremonies sometime in the next year.Pleeease!!My reason for asking you... You had an idea,a dream and made it happen!So many children need to hear a story such as yours!
I sent a link to my Safe Kids Webpage if you'd like more information. If this is impossible I understand.If you would consider this the children and I would be eternally greatful!Thank you for your time and consideration!
Shari

[Cari Cline]

Hi Mike:

I started watching Deadliest Catch in 2007 and absolutely love the show. I have all the episodes saved on my compuuter and watch them frequently.
I am 41 years old and last July 07 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Since then my symptoms continue to get worse to a point of sometimes (not all the time) needing a wheel chair and being unable to communicate verbally.
In my past I have had my own business as a Farrier (horseshoer), and was a volunteer firefighter for Douglas County in Nevada for 5 years. I rode racehorses as one of my first jobs when I was 18 and worked on 2 race tracks. I have raised horses and worked with killer whales and dolphins. I have always been very athletic and driven in all my pursuits.
Since being diagnosed with MS my life has taken a dramatic turn. My physical inablities are what led me to watching more TV that included Dirty Jobs and Deadliest Catch.
By the way I really do enjoy your humor.
You are the only narrator on TV that my husband and I can enjot listening to..
Anyways let me get to the point. I have always loved the rush of adventure and danger. I owned a Ninja 600cc Sportbike until I crashed it several times and my friends convinced me to sell it before I killed myself. When I watch Deadliest Catch I NEED to BE THERE!! I grew up next to the ocean and have spent a lot of time on fishing boats. I'm talking about the kind where you pay and they take you say to Catalina Island and you fish all day. The biggest boat I've been on was a 90 footer. I've never been in seriously rough seas but I've seen my share of big swells and have yet to get sea sick (ha ha).
Mike...I was wondering if there is any way that I could have the opportunity of a lifetime and get on one of those crab boats? It is a dream I've been carrying with me since I watched the first episode. I know it is probably an unusual request (or maybe not) but I need to experience this before my MS symptoms get worse. I don't know where this disease is going to take me but it's scary and I don't want my life as a physically able person to end.
I didn't know how to go about trying to accomplish my dream except to try and contact you and see if you could help me. All I want to do is be on the Northwestern, the Time Bandit or the Conrnelia Maria when they go out for Opilio season in 2009.
Most of the time I still walk o.k. but every day is a new challenge. I have some dreams that I want to experience before I die and this in one of them.

I'm very serious Mike.

I'm not some feint of heart woman who can't handle danger and fear. I've fought consuming wildland fires that would make most grown men tremble in fear and run the other way. I always ran to the fire, not away from it. I enjoyed watching your Dirty Jobs show when you learned how to be a firefighter. It's very hard work and can be more then a little dangerous.
MS is a viscious disease that robs you of your abilities and the sense of who you are and what your were. I keep fighting the good fight and refuse to give in and spend my life bedridden or in a wheelchair. I get up every day and just keep walking (literally). I will not let my illness stop me as it so hungrily ties to.

I deperately want to feel the rush and fear that the Berring Sea offers.

Somehow I need to find a way to convince one of those Captains to let me on their crab boat. I sincerely hope you take me seriously and are the catalyst who can help me.
How do I contact these men and make my request. Can you do it for me. I know this is big but I am determined and I really do need your help. Please contact me soon as the Opilio Season is coming quickly and my future is uncertain.
I know there must be huge liabilities to allow someone to do this but I will sign whatever waivers that need signing in order to make this happen. I have no desire to be on one of the shows. I just need to have this experience, whatever it may be it would surely be exciting.

Please help me make this happen.

Sincerely,
Cari Cline

[Mary Meier]

Mike,

Like everyone else, we love watching and listening to you. In fact, we started watching Deadliest Catch because we were flipping channels and heard your voice. We love it and DJ and rarely miss an episode. You do have a lovely voice. And smile.

Have you ever thought about working at St. Joseph Island where they off-load and process the crab? Or have you done it and we somehow missed the show? I know you've worked at a variety of seafood processing places, but I've never seen a crab one. Another idea... my husband is an engineman on an Army boat and I have no doubt he would love to have you come crawl around the bowels of a boat with him here in Virginia.

So anyway, we love you, love the DJ crew, and love the Deadliest Catch guys as well. Everyone is fabulous and we certainly hope you have enough dirty jobs and crabs to keep all of you going for a long time. Take care and be safe.

[Mary Meier]

Okay, I don't know where I got St. Joseph Island from when it's St. Paul. Just consider it a brain malfunction. Everything else still applies.