Cowboys of the High Seas: Representations of Working‐Class Masculinity on Deadliest Catch

These lyrics make clear two important aspects of the show and how it is being marketed: crab fishing is dangerous, even deadly, and the men who work the crab-fishing vessels are American icons, cowboys of the high seas, cheating death and redefining working-class masculinity. These two themes reveal a great deal about the series as well as the American psyche. Portraying working-class males in popular culture, particularly on television, is a complicated endeavor. For decades, these characters were portrayed as one-dimensional, often ridiculous caricatures who seemed to contribute little to society. Instead, they provided a type of comic relief that, unfortunately, also created problematic stereotypes about working-class males. However, more recent television, particularly in the genre of reality shows, demonstrates that bluecollar men are no longer perceived in this way. Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch reveals that working-class males are being represented as hard-working icons trying to achieve the American Dream. When