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June 14, 2010
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WITH A HEAVY HEART AND BLUNT EMOTION,
DISCOVERY CHANNEL BEGINS ITS FAREWELL TO CAPTAIN PHIL HARRIS
-- Episodes of Beloved Skipper’s Last Days Begin Tuesday, June 22 --
(Silver Spring, Md) –Discovery Channel bids a final farewell to one of its own, with several upcoming premieres designed to honor and pay tribute to Captain Phil Harris. As part of its sixth season, the Emmy®-award winningDEADLIEST CATCHlaunches its emotional climax sharing the story of the death of theF/V Cornelia Marie Captain beginning Tuesday, June 22 at 9 PM ET/PT. Additionally, the July 13 episode of AFTER THE CATCH will include a farewell tribute to the late Captain, and a special tribute show – DEADLIEST CATCH: CAPTAIN PHIL HARRIS REMEMBERED – will premiere July 20, featuring one-on-one interviews with the fellow captains and Phil’s sons, Josh and Jake Harris.
Captain Phil Harris suffered a stroke on January 29, 2010, while the Cornelia Marie was offloading in the small Alaskan port town of St. Paul. He was transported to Anchorage where he battled through surgery and treatment but ultimately passed away on February 9.
“Captain Phil was a father, fisherman, funny man and, most importantly for fans worldwide, a friend. We celebrate his life and all those he has touched through DEADLIEST CATCH,” said Clark Bunting, President and General Manager of Discovery Channel and Science Channel. “I wish this would never have been a storyline of the series, but I am proud of the heart and emotion we have worked so hard to put into these very special episodes as a tribute to Phil.”
The full list of upcoming episodes featuring Captain Phil’s last days and honoring his legacy is as follows:
DEADLIEST CATCH: Episode 11 - Tuesday, June 22 at 9PM ET/PT
The opening episode includes Phil’s initial stoke and the quick action taken by his sons - Josh and Jake - and the rest of the crew to get medical attention. The severity of the situation weighs heavily on the close-knit Cornelia Marie crew as they pray for the best and are left to wonder who will take the boat out without Phil there.
DEADLIEST CATCH: Episode 12 - Tuesday, June 29 at 9PM ET/PT
The rest of the fleet begins to hear the unsettling news of their friend and fellow skipper. Captains Sig Hansen, Andy and Johnathan Hillstrand and Keith Colburn all react with stunned disbelief while still keeping an eye on the turbulent waters, as the Bering Sea stops for no one.
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DEADLIEST CATCH: Episode 13 - Tuesday, July 6 at 9PM ET/PT
Josh and Jake Harris continue to watch over their dad at the Anchorage hospital. They are joined by Johnathan Hillstrand as well as Phil’s inner circle of biker buddy friends. Ever the stubborn fighter, Phil rallies in the ICU.
DEADLIEST CATCH: Episode 14 - Tuesday, July 13 at 9PM ET/PT
Despite small signs of encouragement, Captain Phil loses his battle. He passes away surrounded by family and friends.
AFTER THE CATCH: Episode 5 - Tuesday, July 13 at 10PM ET/PT
The fleet wraps up its time at the French Quarter's Blue Nile bar in the season finale of AFTER THE CATCH. Captain Phil Harris is remembered in true 'Nawlins style as fans pour onto Frenchmen Street for a traditional, raucous Jazz Parade. The celebration brings together all the captains to pay tribute to their friend and colleague.
DEADLIEST CATCH: Episode 15 – Tuesday, July 20 at 9PM ET/PT
The news of Phil’s death reaches the rest of the fleet. Captains Keith, Johnathan, Andy and Sig all struggle to come to terms with their friend and colleague’s passing.
DEADLIEST CATCH: CAPTAIN PHIL HARRIS REMEMBERED - Tuesday, July 20 at 10PM ET/PT
A special one-hour look back at the life of Captain Phil Harris, skipper of F/V Cornelia Marie. The special includes interviews with fellow captains and deckhands, memorable "Phil moments" from the past six seasons of DEADLIEST CATCH, never-before-seen footage from behind the scenes and fan remembrances recorded at CatchCon 2010 and Phil's public memorial service in Seattle.
DEADLIEST CATCH: Episode 16 – Tuesday, July 27 at 9PM ET/PT
On the finale of the sixth season of DEADLIEST CATCH, the fleet is still absorbing the news about Phil. But the stormy waters of the Bering Sea never take a break, and the Captains and the crew must soldier on in the race to make their quotas, as the Opilio season comes to an end.
About Discovery Channel
DISCOVERY CHANNEL (DSC) is dedicated to creating the highest quality nonfiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which reaches 98.1 million viewers in the U.S., can be seen in over 170 countries, offering a signature mix of compelling, high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres, including science and technology, exploration, adventure, historyand in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world. For more information, please visit
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DISCOVERY CHANNEL/CAPTAIN PHIL’S LAST DAYS – Page 3
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 180 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Investigation Discovery, Planet Green and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, please visit
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