The indomitable spirit of Gloucester grabbed Hollywood's attention yet again when three local fishermen impressed a casting crew for a new ABC reality show "Expedition Impossible" that debuts tonight — on the eve of the annual St. Peter's Fiesta's official opening ceremony.
Brothers Gus and Nino Sanfilippo, along with their cousin Joe Sanfilippo, passed muster with producer Mark Burnett of "Survivor" and "Apprentice" fame. The three fishermen from Gloucester came to the attention of the casting crew through Jimmy Tarantino, a fellow Gloucester resident, who appeared in the latest "Survivor" series.
The way Tarantino tells the story, Burnett and the casting crew were particularly interested in finding Gloucester fishermen who never "cross the bridge" — or head off the island portion of the city. And all three Sanfilippos nodded in agreement with big smiles because they knew that description was fitting.
The Sanfilippos will appear tonight on the new series as The Fishermen team — one of 13 teams who faced successive adventures over 20 days of shooting in the ancient kingdom of Morocco.
The teams will battle "rugged terrain, untamable animals and each other," according to the show's website.
Once they got the nod of approval in Los Angeles during their casting call, the Sanfilippos found themselves on a jet bound from New York to Casablanca. After that eight-hour flight, they waited another eight hours before a two-hour flight to Marrakesh, their final destination at the edge of the Sahara desert in northern Africa.
The three fishermen who brave 20-degrees below zero winter temperatures out at sea in the North Atlantic were about to face new trials of physical hardship in the snow-capped Atlas Mountains and nearby rivers and canyons. But the challenges did not daunt these men whose life has been connected to the sea since they were children. They work aboard the 72-foot dragger called Captain Dominic.
Gus Sanfilippo, 48, Nino Sanfilippo, 43, and Joe Sanfilippo, 44, also have longtime ties to the St. Peter's Fiesta, which began in earnest Wednesday. Nino is a champion Greasy Pole walker from 1998, while Joe is part of the reigning seine boat crew "Kaos" as well as an international dory competitor.
All found themselves like fish out of water in Morocco, yet their fishing experience helped them through.
Gus Sanfilippo said he returned to Gloucester from the show 20 pounds lighter than when he left town.
"We were running through the desert, climbing mountains, and rapelling 500 feet from canyons and mountains," he said. "The temperatures ranged from the upper 80s to the 30s at night in the desert. We were in all kinds of terrain.
"There were so many hard things," he said, "but fishing prepared us. I would never have imagined in a million years that I would do something like this. It's crazy. It was a chance of a lifetime and we just had to do."
Missing the pasta
His loss of weight was not just attributed to the extreme physical elements. This Italian was not too fond of curry and cous-cous cuisine — common in that region — and he couldn't wait to bite into a steaming plate of pasta on his return to Gloucester.
Their stint in Morocco meant enormous physical hardship, packing up backpacks weighing between 30 to 40 pounds depending on the day's packing list. They camped in tents in the desert, climbed steep mountain faces, rapelled down jagged rock walls and trekked 15 to 20 miles a day. They rode camels as well as horses and kayaked in rivers. They even cooked Moroccan sea bass.
"We cooked them a piece of fish that they are still talking about," said Gus Sanfilippo.
The other team members came back with some souvenirs from their desert experience.
Joe Sanfilippo lost a couple of toenails from blisters, Nino Sanfilippo's feet swelled for two weeks upon his return to the United States — the effects of an African spider bite. Joe and Gus, who previously were afraid of heights and who gave any climbing-of-the mast duties to Nino, both say they learned to get over that phobia after this experience.
For men always surrounded by water, it was a strange experience to be in such arid territory where water is a life-saving element.
"We kept asking where was the water," Joe said with a capricious smile.
Yet they found a collegiality with many of the other participants.
"We would often hear other team members comment 'Here come the fishermen,'" said Joe Sanfilippo.
'Slow and steady'
Nino Sanfilippo characterized their performance as slow and steady.
"We all know the story about the tortoise and the hare," he said.
Before they left the United States, all team members had to be certified in ropes training.
The TV show's website describes The Fishermen team as follows:
"Ready to represent the storied Northeast fishing community of Gloucester, Gus (the captain), Nino (the engineer), and Joe (the deckhand) are three old-school Italian fishermen with small-town values and big-time hearts. Bonded together by blood ... they also work side-by-side as crewmates aboard the Captain Dominic. They believe their experience working together under pressure and routinely risking their lives while out at sea gives them an inherent 'toughness' that will help them win. "
On the show, the Sanfilippos go up against teams of men and women of all ages from around the country.
The opposition
There's Latin Persuasion out of New York City comprised of three young women as well as Moms Army, The Cops, The Gypsies, Team Kansas, Country Boys and California Girls. The team Grandpa's Warriors bridges three generations with members age 23, 48 and 69.
The overall cast is drawn from all professions, with a sustainable farmer, a student, entrepreneur, those who work in health and fitness and even a team made up of former NFL football players.
Tarantino said he believes many viewers across the country will support the Gloucester fishermen.
"These guys aren't professional athletes competing in these adventures. I think the American people will root for them because of who they are," he said. "I know the casting crew was looking for hardworking guys that will be amazed at being at the top of a mountain and amazed at going across the desert and guys that won't be intimidated — and they were perfect for the role."
Tarantino said he grew up with the Sanfilippos, and Gus is one of his best friends.
"This show is going to be a lot of fun and I know they are going to do Gloucester proud. Their Gloucester spirit and passion will shine through," said Tarantino, Survivor's "Jimmy T."
'Genuine' in nature
"They are genuine in their nature," he said. "It's no coincidence that these fishermen make their debut during Fiesta week."
The team members tonight will be watching the premiere show with their families and friends upstairs from the St. Peter's Club at a private gathering.
"When I look back, I just can't believe it, but I'm a little nervous about how it will be on TV," said Gus Sanfilippo.
Angela Sanfilippo, president of the Gloucester Fishermen Wives Association, knows these strength of the men — who happen to be her nephews.
"It's great that they had the courage to travel outside of Gloucester and show what fishermen in Gloucester are made of," she said
The Gloucester fishing stories may have influenced the casting crew to put their faith into this team.
"We were sequestered during the two-day audition and the final day we met Mark Burnett and Gussie started talking about fishing and they were intrigued," said Joe Sanfilippo. "Before we left the office, Mark Burnett said 'What do you think?' — we were all in."
One of the casting panel had questioned whether Gus could handle the show's challenges because he was carrying some extra weight on his frame.
"I told them I ready to give 120 percent," said Gus Sanfilippo. But he even faced some doubters at home.
When Gus, a father of four, broke the news to his children, one of them said, "Dad, you're nuts — you're not going to be on TV."
Indeed he is — starting tonight.
Gail McCarthy can be reached at 978-283-7000, x3445, or at gmccarthyQ@gloucestertimes.com.
Latest on Reality TV
What: The premiere of ABC's new reality show "Expedition Impossible," featuring three Gloucester fishermen.
When: Tonight, June 23 (9-10 p.m.)
At stake: The winning team members will receive $50,000 each and a new Ford Explorer.
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
