COMMENTARY: Shark Week’s controversial ‘Submarine’ special

Shark Week, the annual TV event that takes over the Discovery Channel, is arguably one of the best weeks of the TV year. For more than two decades, the programming has consisted of interesting and engaging examinations of these fascinating animals and their deep blue habitats. From Air Jaws to Alien Sharks, there are many episodes to enjoy of this reality extravaganza.

To kick off the 2014 edition of Shark Week, Discovery decided to pair a new Air Jaws (see our interview with the filmmaker behind the piece) with a “documentary” called Shark of Darkness: Wrath of Submarine. The two-hour Submarine film features supposedly real footage of an enormous shark that measures approximately 35 feet.

At the beginning of the film, Discovery placed a disclosure that the existence of Submarine is highly controversial and that events in the film are dramatized. Spoiler: Viewers should expect a program similar to the infamous Mermaids and Megalodon films. The premise seems to be based on urban legend and perhaps some truth, and then fiction likely takes over for the duration of the program.

Several audience members have cried foul over Discovery’s decision to insert “fake” material into its illustrious week of programming. If the shaky-camera footage is not real, there is still a genuine thrill in watching the story of this massive shark. In some ways, the film becomes a cautionary tale on what could happen given the unbelievable circumstances of a 35-foot shark in the water. It’s cinematic (although those shark fins looked fake).

TV should educate and entertain, and Shark Week should feature real documentaries. However, throwing in a fake-umentary once in a while — especially for younger viewers and even older viewers who like the exploration of legends — can be a nice fit for the Discovery programming. If one were duped into believing Submarine is real, is there much lost? If one figured out the truth, isn’t there fun in trying to discount and question the supposed fictionalization?

Shark Week continues to dominate. New episodes air in primetime while older, popular episodes air during the day. This combination of old and new makes for a full-spectrum look at the evolution of Shark Week. The programming is diversified, and, in some ways, it has rightly and swiftly reacted to the public’s interest in the unknown. Discovery has simply gone one step further and crossed the line from reality to dramatization. Some will say that line should never be crossed; others will say it’s fine to be crossed. Still others, like myself, believe that as long as most of the audience knows the line is being crossed (with the requisite disclaimers), what’s the harm in having a little fun?

Shark Week is not exactly Shakespearean drama. Viewers tune in for scientific information, amazing visuals and clever storytelling. Many of the TV specials are centered on great whites that swim, breach and eat. It’s a week celebrating carnivorous diets. In other words, it’s a lot of fun and doesn’t need to be taken seriously 100 percent of the time; Shark of Darkness is not journalistic and should be labeled as entertainment. There’s time for education (and Shark Week should have a lot of education and awareness over the plight of sharks; how about a documentary on the shark-fin trade?), but every once in a while it’s OK to throw in a Submarine or two.

No matter what one believes about the decision to air Shark of Darkness: Wrath of Submarine, I will think twice about swimming in the ocean, especially near famed Seal Island. After all, I may encounter any number of beasts, from Submarine to mermaids to Megalodon. I’m not sure if this fear is a good byproduct of a week celebrating the uniqueness of sharks. But who has time to swim with so much shark programming on TV?

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

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