'Deadliest Catch' Season 16 Episode 8: Discovery pays tribute to George Floyd, screen goes black for 9 minutes
With the US coming out on the streets in support of #BlackLivesMatter, it seems like some of the TV networks weren't far behind when it came to supporting justice for George Floyd. Discovery won hearts of the fans when it showed a black screen for nine minutes straight just before the start of 'Deadliest Catch' Season 16. At first, many of the viewers slammed the channel for poor network, however, nine minutes later, a message was displayed on the screen that saw them appreciate the noble gesture and point out a typo.
"Hello, anybody home? The blank screen here as well... @Discovery#DeadliestCatch," asked a fan. "What’s up @Discovery? #DeadliestCatch is a blank screen!" remarked another. "Ummm Hello.....@Discovery....where is our @DeadliestCatch ?!?!?! #DeadliestCatch" exclaimed a watcher. "Is #DiscoveryChannel pulling some kind of enforced social justice messaging with the 5-minute blank screen? Put on #deadliestcatch already," a fan wrote.
"Well, I see it isn't just me. Blackout. #DeadliestCatch," a fan theorized. "OMFG WHY IS @Discovery channel blank!!!! It's not airing @DeadliestCatch !!!!! I've been watching all day so I know dang well it was just airing!!!!!! #deadliestcatch" said a fan tweet.
They did get the message after nine minutes.
"We honor George Floyd and all those who came before. We stand against discrimintation and social justice" the message read. "#DiscoveryChannel started with a black screen and popped in the following message #DeadliestCatch #BlackLivesMatter #BlackOutTuesday," a fan wrote. "9 minutes of black screen for #GeorgeFloyd #DeadliestCatch@Discovery," another fan wrote. "Wow. Thank you for.your live screen statement @Discovery . Will it end up being 8min 46sec? It seems that way. #BlackLivesMatter #JusticeForGeorge #DeadliestCatch," wrote another.
"That's why @Discovery will always be my favorite channel. #4evermyfave #DeadliestCatch #blackoutuesday," a fan opined. But the typo "Discrimintation" had its share of comments. "#deadliestcatch “Discrimintation” kinda ruined the effect," a fan wrote.
'I applaud you @Discovery! Stay classy with #DeadliestCatch," a fan wrote. "God bless you @Discovery.That's amazing and brilliant I just wish you would have put that message first so we all knew what was going on but kudos to you and we stand with you and that's awesome. #DeadliestCatch #BlackOutTuesday #BlackLivesMatter," a fan tweeted. "Nice touch discovery very awesome! #DeadliestCatch #BlackOutTuesday #Discovery," another seconded.
Episode 8 titled 'Mayday: Scandies Rose' sees the start of the winter season and also the tragedy that befell the fishing vessel on December 31, 2019, killing five people. Meanwhile, currently, the world is in an uproar as protests are on in support of slain Minneapolis resident George Floyd.
'Deadliest Catch' airs 8 pm ET on Discovery.