New York (AP) — Discovery Channel’s ‘Shark Week’ kicks off Sunday with a lineup of 20 new hourlong programs that explore the world of sharks through daring dives, scientific investigations, and personal stories.
Among the highlights is Rei Ami, a singer whose voice helped propel the film ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ sharing her experience observing reef sharks from the ocean floor. Ami said she was overwhelmed by the encounter, describing it as witnessing nature firsthand. Viewers can see her story and others as the week unfolds.
Actor-comedian Ken Jeong joins the event with the show ‘K-Pop Shark Heroes,’ but he plans to stay on land, joking that he’s the overseeing director of the shark expedition. Ami has participated in cage dives and free dives with hammerheads and bull sharks, while Jeong prefers to observe from above.
The week concludes Aug. 1 with segments on how great white sharks are moving further up the East Coast and how thresher sharks use their tails to stun prey. One notable event features high diver Molly Carlson leaping 50 feet from a helicopter into a cage surrounded by circling reef sharks. Carlson, who has been open about her anxiety, hopes to inspire others to face their fears.
Other programs include an attempt to locate a rumored 15-foot mako shark off Southern California, possibly the largest ever documented. Marine biologist Kendyl Berna, a ‘Shark Week’ veteran, said increased prey due to a marine heatwave could explain the shark’s growth.
‘Shark Week’ combines entertainment with education, aiming to dispel myths and promote understanding of sharks. Despite its dramatic titles and visuals, the programming emphasizes scientific insights and safety advice, such as how humans should react if they encounter a shark in the water.
This year’s event also faces competition from National Geographic’s ‘SharkFest’ and the release of Amazon Studios’ film ‘The Devil’s Mouth,’ which features bull sharks terrorizing students in a flooded cave. Discovery’s ‘Shark Week’ continues its tradition of blending thrilling content with educational messages about these ancient predators.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
