As it turns out, Andy lives just a few miles up the road from my parents in Chandler, Indiana--when he's not out risking his life on the crab boat. Mom said they were promoting the book, Time Bandit: Two Brothers, the Bering Sea, and One of the World's Deadliest Jobs, at the Evansville Barnes & Noble just a few weeks ago. Yesterday he was here for the Brickyard 400 race, so he decided to squeeze some PR out of his visit.
I used to think that constantly watching "the crab show" was my household's own secret shame. But everywhere I turn, I find someone else who admits to watching it all the time. I mean, really--what's the appeal of this crazy show and why can't we ever turn it off? Here's my best guess:
- Like all good reality shows, it gets you interested in the lives and stories of the characters.
- There seems to be a lot of manufactured drama in addition to the real drama, so you have to keep watching to see what happens next.
- People get a gambler's rush when they pull up those pots and they're just teaming with crab. Sometimes there's nothing there but a trash bag and an old shoe, so the uncertainty keeps us investing more of our time in hopes of the big payoff.
- It's an interesting look into a lifestyle that's so different from ours. I like to sink back in the leather couch, stare at the 40-inch plasma, dig into my bowl of ice cream, and think, "Man, I'm glad I'm not on that boat!"
4 comments:
Everyone in my home is a big fan of Deadliest Catch! And of MythBusters.
See--everybody loves this show. I used to think it was more of a "guy" thing and would roll my eyes when my husband watched it. But inevitably, I always get reeled in!
Another well-done show of this type is "Ice Road Truckers," but after I saw it a couple of times I didn't see what I'd gain from watching it a third time. It's interesting to note that these two shows both deal with very hazardous occupations. It reminds me of the observation that the most reliable TV formats--cop shows, medical shows--always deal with death. I guess you wouldn't have much success with a show about accountants, although AMC seems to be succeeding with a fictional show about advertising execs. Then there's "Dirty Jobs," which has mostly gross-out appeal.
I know what you're thinking: a new book called Best Jobs for People with a Death Wish!
We watch the trucker show sometimes, too, but somehow it's not as good or not on as often.
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