Discovery 'extorting' 'Deadliest Catch' captains

7:20 AM PDT 9/21/2010 by Matthew Belloni, AP

EXCLUSIVE: Lawyer says $3m suit will 'bankrupt fishermen'

The two "Deadliest Catch" captains sued by Discovery Communications for allegedly failing to perform work on a spinoff are firing back in a major way. Captains Jonathan and Andy Hillstrand say Discovery's $3 million lawsuit is an attempt to "extort" them and might even force them to sell their boats and fire their crews. They're also not afraid to take a swipe at the network's well-paid top executive.