Capt. Phil Ordered 'Catch' Cameras to Roll at Hospital
The TV crew for 'Deadliest Catch' was there "the entire time" for Capt. Phil Harris' final days, from when he suffered a stroke on the Cornelia Marie to his near-recovery in the hospital before his
death Feb. 9, an official from the popular show told
EW. The Harris family will decide whether any of the footage will make it to air, but according to 'Catch' producer Thom Beers, Capt. Phil told the cameraman to keep rolling while he was on his death bed because "we need a great finish" to the show.
Beers said everyone was surprised when Harris awoke from a medically induced coma on Feb. 2 following emergency surgery. But when he did, he snapped right back into Capt. Phil mode.
"When he came out, he was trying to talk," Beers recalled. "He couldn't, but he was motioning with his hand to my producer and cameraman. We said we want to give you your space and get out, and he wrote on a piece of paper. It said, 'No, we need a great finish to this story,'"
He added with a laugh: "He's just come out of a coma, and he's producing [the show]."
Harris told the doctors and nurses that were treating him, "Don't f**k up."
Discovery will pay tribute to Capt. Phil this Saturday with a 15-hour 'Deadliest Catch' marathon beginning at noon ET. According EW, Beers will be crafting a tribute special to Harris that he hopes to air in April.
Harris' sons Josh and Jake plan to spread their dad's ashes out on the Bering Sea during crab season this fall.
The deep-sea fisherman, 53, suffered a stroke on Jan. 29 while in an Alaskan port off-loading a catch. He was flown to Anchorage for surgery and showed signs of recovery through the days following, but ultimately succumbed to the trauma.
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Sorry about your guy's dad passing away!!!!! I've watched Deadliest Catch since it first came out!!!! For everything you guys have to go through you should be getting paid 5x as much as you earn!!!! Your dad was a great man!!!! Be Extremely proud of him as he was proud of you TOO!!!!!!!
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I was so saddened to read of Capt. Phils death. He was my favorite character on the show! Josh and Jake my condolences to you. He will not be forgotten.
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May he rest in peace. I am sorry for the boys they really loved him.He was the best captain on the show I think. we will miss him.
If you out there still sailing thank you Captain Phil you gave the world a great insight to what you and your crew go through and entertained us while you worked. To all the entertainment you gave us I thank you and hope your satill hitting the mother load of crab in your new sea in the sky. Rest peacefully and thank you..
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CAPT PHIL was a good captain and an excellent fisherman and I will miss him on deadliest catch.
I however think it is pretty selfish of us to eat the seafood that puts those men in such danger. of course it all about the money. think about it.
rick
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But Rick, these guys love it. Do you think they would put their lives out there like that if they didn't? That's what made Phil so great...the passion he had for what he was doing. He lived for the seas!
First, my condolences to Captain Phil's family...
It's not selfish to eat seafood...this is a business that has a high risk/reward ratio. Drilling for oil and working on an oil rig is extremely dangerous but without people doing that we would not have gasoline for our cars, etc. Is that selfish?
Mike Peerless
Selfish? You serious? His job was to catch crab.. You as a consumer have a choice not to eat it. Stop being self rightous. Think about the food you eat? doesnt someone have to plant it, transport it, cook it etc? you feel bad for the chef and driver too?
Selfish? These brave men crab because 1. That is their career! They choose that career, if we didn't buy the product they catch.. they wouldn't have a job and couldn't support their families. 2. This is what the LOVE to do!! If you watch just ONE episode of The Deadliest Catch, you will see that for yourself!!! Most of these guys are 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation fishermen! It's in their blood.. a part of their gene make up. So selfish.. I do not agree with that statement one bit! R.I.P. Captain Phil Harris! The world has lost an amazing man/father/captain!
Captain Phil...a class act that will be tough to follow.
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Agreed.
Deadliest Catch is a GREAT Show.
I really enjoy watching it, and I don't watch that much television. I believe that Capt. Phil Harris was a Big draw. He was a very good fisherman, and new everything there was to know about catching crab in the Berring Sea. His boat, the "Cornelia Marie" and her crew were one of the better ones that were featured on the show. I will still watch "The Deadliest Catch" religously, but Capt. Phil will be missed very much. I hope that they continue to include the "Cornelia Marie" in the show. I will be very interested to find out, who takes over as her captain.
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I didn't watch the show faithfully but I did see it and liked it but I will say I enjoyed watching Capt. Phil the most. and don't think it is selfish one bit to enjoy eating the crab if that is what you enjoy eating.
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Captain Phil was one of my favorites on the show. My husband and I have been following the show since the first season. We never miss a show. We even went to Alaska in September and went on the Alleutian Ballard and enjoyed it very much. We will really miss Captain Phil h was one of the best.......
We hope the Cornelia Marie with his sons will continue to be on the show.
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ay capt phil was as brany as his boat, as the seafoams, as crusty as his traps a great skipper rest in peace phil you deserve it.
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What more could be said? Fair winds and following seas to the Harris'.
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my prayers are with the harris family. so sorry for your loss. your dad was a class act.
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Dont get discouraged about your Dad passing....just simply remember everything he taught you and Be your Dad....he lives in you.
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My wish for you Captain Phis is clam seas and clear skys. May you rest in peace! My condolences to the Harris family.
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Capt. Phil will be missed! I have watched the show since the beginning and have always enjoyed it. My Thoughts and Prayers are with his Family and Friends.
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