Shark Week: Analyzing the Sensationalism Behind the Science
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Shark Week has become a spectacle that combines sharks, allure, and questionable facts, often prioritizing sensationalism over substantive content.
Previously, I explored the popularity and viewership of Shark Week and its impact on audiences.
A Feast for the Eyes
The Frenzy of Feeding
While watching Maco Mania and Monster Eiko: Fresh Blood last Thursday, I noticed something alarming—the excessive focus on sexualized imagery of scientists overshadowed the thrilling visuals of sharks. I had assumed that the audience tuned in for the jaw-dropping, toothy encounters, not for glimpses of scientists’ physiques. Why has Shark Week taken this turn?
The show is hosted by Jason Momoa, known for his role as Aquaman. His energetic personality likely attracts a larger female viewership, but the addition of scantily clad scientists seems unnecessary.
Previous hosts have included celebrities like Tracy Morgan and Dwayne Johnson. While it’s not unusual for Shark Week to feature well-known figures, the heightened focus on the physical appearance of scientists raises eyebrows. The portrayal of toned divers with perfect appearances appears unrealistic, akin to a reality show featuring sharks.
Endless promotions for shows like Naked and Afraid during Shark Week may explain the trend of close-up, slow-motion shots of scientists that seem to prioritize ratings over content. The unnecessary focus on a female scientist’s chest while she works is puzzling. Why introduce such distractions when the sharks themselves are captivating enough?
Could it be that the Discovery Channel is substituting genuine scientists with actors? Although I couldn’t find definitive evidence, some viewers suspect this to be the case.
Are the producers of Shark Week catering to a less discerning audience? Have the realms of science and marine life been compromised in the quest for entertainment?
Moreover, the representation of female scientists lacks depth and respect. Marine biologist David Shiffman pointed out in a recent article that while over half of U.S. shark scientists are women, their representation on Shark Week is minimal.
> While more than half of U.S. shark scientists are female, you wouldn’t know this from watching Shark Week. Among people featured in multiple episodes, there were more white male non-scientists named Mike than women of any profession.
In contrast, the National Geographic network is collaborating with the Minorities in Shark Sciences organization to showcase a more diverse group of experts.
Shark Week is also criticized for disseminating misleading information. According to marine biologist Kristine Stump, some scientific research is deemed "too dull" for Shark Week, leading to sensational tales about creatures like the Megalodon or dramatizations of shark attacks. One scientist expressed outrage when his statements were manipulated to support an erroneous narrative about the survival of Megalodon.
A recent article from CNET highlights the backlash against a Shark Week documentary that viewers deemed inauthentic.
> A fake documentary from a science-based network has drawn fervent criticism from viewers across the Web and on social media.
Many voiced their disappointment, claiming that Shark Week has lost its credibility. Actor Wil Wheaton lamented that the network should present factual content rather than fictionalized accounts.
Shiffman previously accused Shark Week of "inventing nonsense" and spreading myths, stating:
> Terrifying reenactments of shark attacks are a longtime staple of Shark Week, even though such events are rare and probably make people less inclined to protect the animals.
Scholars and conservationists have reached out to Discovery Channel for years regarding their concerns about the programming. While there have been promises of improvement, many episodes continue to feature misleading portrayals of sharks.
Ultimately, it's wise to approach Shark Week with skepticism. Whether it’s the portrayal of glamorous scientists or the resurrection of extinct sharks, take everything presented with a grain of skepticism.
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© August 2023 A. Roe
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