Several years before Discovery networks came under fire for their “mockumentaries” about mermaids, megalodon sharks and man-eating anacondas — specials that were not explicitly clear at the outset that they were, in fact, fantasies — Animal Planet aired a similar type of program with 2005’s Dragons: A Fantasy Made Real, probably the first of Discovery Communications’ foray into less-factual animal programming. That two-hour program will be re-airing Jan. 25 at 9pm Et on the new Discovery Family Channel, and you can see how it differs from its modern counterparts; namely, it doesn’t try to deceive viewers into thinking it’s actually a true … Continue reading →
The post “Dragons: A Fantasy Made Real” – an early Discovery natural history “mockumentary” – re-airs on Discovery Family Channel appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.
The post “Dragons: A Fantasy Made Real” – an early Discovery natural history “mockumentary” – re-airs on Discovery Family Channel appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.
- 1/23/2015
- by Jeff Pfeiffer
- ChannelGuideMag
Discovery Communications has promoted the guy behind Animal Planet’s controversial mermaid documentaries to oversee a newly created Original Content Group for the whole company of networks. As Evp, Charlie Foley will create, write and exec produce scripted content and nonfiction series and formats for all Discovery networks in this country and internationally. He will report to Marjorie Kaplan, group president and General Manager of Animal Planet, Science Channel, and Velocity. Foley’s the guy behind Animal Planet’s highest-rated program ever: Mermaids: The New Evidence, which averaged 3.7 million viewers in its premiere. That was a sequel to the network’s Mermaids: The Body Found, which was no slouch either in the ratings department, averaging 3.6 million viewers in its premiere. The first mermaid “documentary” resulted in so many inquiries to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that the department decided to post something on its websites stating: “No evidence of...
- 6/26/2013
- by LISA DE MORAES, TV Columnist
- Deadline TV
Mermaids might not be -- Ok, let's face it, definitely aren't -- real. However, the mythical creatures of the sea delivered a very real ratings victory for Animal Planet on Sunday. "Mermaids: The New Evidence" -- Animal Planet's follow-up to last May's "Mermaids: The Body Found" -- premiered as the most-watched telecast in the network's history, drawing 3.6 million total viewers with its 10 p.m. airing. Also read: Animal Planet Documentary Confirms That Heidi Fleiss Is Still a Crazy Parrot Lady Animal Planet's previous most-watched telecast, 2005's "Dragons: A Fantasy Made Real," scored...
- 5/29/2013
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
The most-watched telecast in Animal Planet’s history is about mermaids.
Sunday’s “documentary” Mermaids: The New Evidence delivered 3.6 million viewers, shattering the network’s ratings record. Yup, even bigger than the Puppy Bowl. The program is not only a hoax, but a sequel to a hoax — to last year’s rather effortlessly debunked Mermaids: The Body Found, which fooled more viewers than you’d think.
The straight-faced Mermaids specials (trailer below) basically play like Alien Autopsy for a new generation, though at least the infamous Fox special had “Fact or Fiction?” as a nudge-nudge subtitle. Both Animal Planet specials...
Sunday’s “documentary” Mermaids: The New Evidence delivered 3.6 million viewers, shattering the network’s ratings record. Yup, even bigger than the Puppy Bowl. The program is not only a hoax, but a sequel to a hoax — to last year’s rather effortlessly debunked Mermaids: The Body Found, which fooled more viewers than you’d think.
The straight-faced Mermaids specials (trailer below) basically play like Alien Autopsy for a new generation, though at least the infamous Fox special had “Fact or Fiction?” as a nudge-nudge subtitle. Both Animal Planet specials...
- 5/28/2013
- by James Hibberd
- EW - Inside TV
I have to admit, there’s something about the notion of science entertainment that rubs me the wrong way. Maybe it’s not the entertainment itself, but the venue in which it’s presented. A while back, Animal Planet presented Charlie Foley’s project Dragons: A Fantasy Made Real, and did very well with it. Now Foley and his team are back with a follow-up. Mermaids: The Body Found (premiering Sunday, May 27 at 9pm Et/Pt) is an engrossing two-hour film supposing that a radical, unknown species of marine life bearing human-like attributes had been found in the stomach of a shark, and in [...]...
- 5/18/2012
- by Karl Paloucek
- ChannelGuideMag
Jeff Foxworthy continues to be very good to Comedy Central, which saw its annual Roast devoted to the comedian Sunday become the channel's second-most-watched program ever. The Comedy Central Roast of Jeff Foxworthy drew 6.2 million total viewers, eclipsing the previous second-best set last month on the channel, Blue Collar Comedy Tour Rides Again. This also featured Foxworthy and attracted 6.1 million. Roast finished just behind a 1998 episode of South Park that remains the channel's record holder. Animal Planet did manage to reset its channel record Sunday, with the 90-minute special Dragons: A Fantasy Made Real drawing more than 3 million.
- 3/23/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NEW YORK -- Animal Planet is trying to lure hipster audiences with new hosts and programming while retaining its traditional and kids audiences. That's the plan outlined Monday by Maureen Smith, who was named exec vp and general manager of the Discovery-owned channel in the summer. New primetime programming includes a two-hour Sunday block hosted by Mo Rocca, "Whoa! Sunday". "Wild Wednesdays" block will feature Buggin' With Ruud and a new show by Jeff Corwin. Also on tap are shows about dogs and their owners who do yoga together, a young couple who travel and take nature photographs and a special three years in the making titled Dragons: A Fantasy Made Real.
- 3/15/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.