Megalodon: The Monster Shark Lives

Megalodon: The Monster Shark Lives is a 2013 film purported as a documentary by the Discovery Channel, about the potential survival of the prehistoric shark. The story revolves numerous videos, photographs, and firsthand encounters with megalodon, and an ensuing investigation that points to the involvement of the prehistoric species, despite the long-held belief of its extinction. The film is presented as a factual documentary that includes accounts of "professionals" in various fields such as marine biology. Soon after the film premiered however, the "documentary" was swiftly debunked as a fictional production with actors posing as scientists, accompanied by "evidence" which was completely manufactured. It wasn't until public outrage had followed that the network was forced to add brief disclaimers at the beginning and end, indicating the program is in fact fictional.

The show, similar to the Animal Planet's pseudo-documentary Mermaids, came under heavy criticism by both scientists and viewers due to the blatant attempt to present something fictional as a documentary.[1] Despite the disclaimers, viewers were offended that a docufiction would be aired on Discovery Channel; the preeminent network for producing educational and credible scientific programs.

Megalodon: The Monster Shark Lives now ranks as the biggest Shark Week show to date, with 4.8 million viewers. Much of the infamy it gained from this was mostly backlash at the network itself, though the host Brian Switek said that the film "gave science communicators like me an easy target."[2] The special received a sequel titled Megalodon: The New Evidence. During Shark Week 2018, Discovery aired Megalodon: Fact vs. Fiction, a new special with experts that reflects on the original.[3]

See also

References
  1. "Discovery Channel defends dramatized shark special 'Megalodon'". cnn.com. Retrieved 2014-02-12.
  2. Switek, Brian (2013-09-08). "It Came From Basic Cable – Phenomena: Laelaps". National Geographic. Retrieved 2014-02-02.
  3. Yahr, Emily (2018-07-26). "A fake Shark Week documentary about megalodons caused controversy. Why is Discovery bringing it up again?". Washington Post. Retrieved 2018-08-19.


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