This just can’t be right. Has it really been 20 years since ‘Shark Week’ began on Discovery Channel? It must be true because the cable network is celebrating the longest running cable event in style. And by style I mean they are throwing as much flesh tearing sharks at your tender bits as they possibly can. The 20th Anniversary of the annual summer event kicks off on July 29th with an excess of shark programming.
To this day I still remember many summers spent watching programming dedicated to the efficient aquatic predator. More than Jaws ever could, Discovery’s yearly showcasing of these animals made me realize the folly of swimming with sharks. Kevin Smith recently spoke about shark attacks on Smodcast (his weekly podcast about whatever) and I think he’d agree with me that the best way to avoid an attack is to not dangle your feet like chum in the water.
Just in case you need reminding of useful facts like the one I shared above, ‘Shark Week’ is being hosted by Les Stroud, who spends most of his time over on ‘Survivorman’ where he explains how to…well, survive crazy stuff. During the 9pm hour of shark infested programming Les will be sharing lifesaving tips on how to not join a license plate in the bowels of a great white. He is also hosting the one-hour special ‘Shark Feeding Frenzy’ on July 31st at 9pm. That sounds like a violent hour of television.
So you’re getting some one-hour specials, and a dude telling you how to survive shark encounters. But is that all Discovery will be offering during this 20th Anniversary of ‘Shark Week?” Oh hell no. The celebration begins on Sunday, July 29th at 9pm with a two-hour special ‘Ocean of Fear: Worst Shark Attack Ever.’ The special is narrated by Jaws alum Richard Dreyfuss and details a horrific shark attack that occurred after the sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis in 1945. Once that’s over ‘Shark Week’ will run straight through Saturday, August 4th from 9am to 3am each day. That’s 100+ hours of sharky goodness my friends.
It wouldn’t be a celebration if the viewers were kept from being involved. Until July 1st viewers can visit the ’Shark Week’ website to vote on the 10 highest-rated shark programs to appear over the past 20 years. Those user chosen shows will air during the 8pm hour each night. Users can also visit the website and access a video mixer to create their own documentaries.
Prepare yourself for one hell of a ‘Shark Week’ season as it kicks off Sunday, July 29th at 9pm. You’ll probably need a bigger boat and a little extra space on your DVR.
