'DEADLIEST CATCH' CAPTAINS' ATTORNEY REACTS TO DISCOVERY LAWSUIT WITH SHOT AT ZASLAV (THRE)

By Nancy Tartaglione

Discovery has filed a $3 million breach-of-contract suit against "Deadliest Catch" stars Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand for allegedly failing to perform work on a spinoff. The captains say the suit is an attempt to "extort" them and in a statement their attorney called the actions a "shameful instance of arrogance and greed run amok."

Lawyer Jeff Cohen took a shot at Discovery CEO David Zaslav, writing, "While [he] reaps a $33.9 million bonanza in a single day in January 2010, his company attempts to bankrupt hardworking fishermen."

Footage for the spinoff, "Hillstranded," was allegedly shot but the duo backed out before required voiceover and other work was completed, notes THRE.

"The budget for creating, filming and editing the program was established in significant part on the expectation that the result would be a two-hour television special that told the Hillstrands' story of adventure in their own, unique voice," the Discovery suit stated, according to Variety.

Cohen suggested the lawsuit might force the Hillstrands out of their profession. "Isn't there enough unemployment in America without forcing hard-working sea captains to declare bankruptcy, sell their boats and fire their crews?," he wrote.