‘Deadliest Catch’ Shocker: Did Major Star Just Exit Show?

Deadliest Catch is back in production for its 23rd season, but one of the Discovery Channel series’ most iconic vessels will be absent, according to a new TMZ report. Now fans are wondering if that means a major star has exited the long-running show.

The show follows captains and their crews as they take on a high-stakes crab-fishing campaign in the Bering Sea. Season 22 featured the Northwestern, captained by Sig Hansen; the Cornelia Marie, captained by Jake Anderson; the Wizard, captained by Keith Colburn; Time Bandit, captained by Jonathan and Neal Hillstrand; and the Aleutian Lady, captained by Rick Shelford.

However, according to TMZ, the Wizard won’t be featured in Season 23. Sources told the outlet that the vessel and its crew haven’t been kicked off the show, but production is not currently filming aboard the boat for the fall season. What does this mean for the future of Keith Colburn on the show?

Deadliest Catch often rotates vessels for a number of reasons, but the Wizard has been a mainstay since Season 3. Captain Colburn and his boat have appeared on the show for 20 seasons straight, meaning this will be the first time since the vessel joined the series that it won’t be featured.

TMZ noted that Colburn declined to comment.

Following the report, fans speculated whether Colburn has parted ways with the show. “Keith declined to comment? Well, that’s not a good sign,” wrote one Reddit user.

“I would imagine Keith got into it with Discovery over money or the production crew. After how he treats people, I am not sorry to see him go,” said another.

Another added, “I suspect it’s either something to do with what happened last season or something personal with Keith and production.”

“Going to feel odd without the wizard not being on the show,” one fan wrote.

“Very strange they wouldn’t be filmed. They are a staple boat like NW, Time Bandit etc,” another added.

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Another wondered, “So aren’t they gonna be a boat short? Northwestern, CM and Time Bandit will probably return and maybe Aleutian Lady too.”

Colburn has been part of many memorable moments on Deadliest Catch, including a scary situation during Season 20. He suffered a medical emergency while aboard the Wizard, losing consciousness following an argument with his brother, Monte. When he came to, Colburn noted that he couldn’t feel his arm and his left side was numb.

He was later medevaced to a hospital with fears he may have had a heart attack or stroke. After going through several tests, Colburn told his brother he had a transient ischemic attack (TIA), which is often referred to as a “mini-stroke.”

Despite the health scare, Colburn later returned to the Wizard for the 21st and 22nd seasons. There is no word on whether he’ll be back for future seasons.