Entertainment NOW

Entertainment Now | July 3 - 9, 2021 By Kyla Brewer TV Media A s summer kicks into high gear and millions flock to beaches, what better time to learn about the ocean's most fascinating creatures? Celeb- rities, scientists and shark attack survivors take a look at the capti- vating world of sharks in a pro- gramming event that will last most of the summer. Sharks swim across screens in more than 100 hours of program- ming during the highly anticipated ninth annual SharkFest from Na- tional Geographic, beginning Monday, July 5, and spanning Na- tional Geographic, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo Mundo, Disney+ and Dis- ney XD. Many programs will premiere on National Geographic, to be fol- lowed by encore airings on other platforms (and Disney+ later still). With at least 21 hours of premiere content and another 60 hours of enhanced archive footage to please shark aficionados from coast to coast, it will all unfold over the course of six weeks — the lon - gest SharkFest ever. Although many scientists and conservationists have dedicated their lives to raising awareness about sharks, there is so much to learn about the ocean's most often misunderstood creatures. Luckily, SharkFest (not to be confused with Discovery Channel's annual Shark Week) provides a venue for those ready to dive in and learn more. "Like every year, shark scientists and oceanic experts have pulled out all the stops for this year's SharkFest, revealing new discover- ies, shocking revelations and bi- zarre shark behavior never seen before," National Geographic Part- ners executive Janet Vissering said in a statement. "It's going to be jaw-some!" National Geographic and its partners are bringing a variety of documentaries and docuseries to the small screen this summer, be- ginning with the season premiere of fan-favorite series "When Sharks Attack," airing Monday, July 5. The series, which has been around since 2013, features under- water photography, news stories and testimonials from witnesses and survivors who share stories of real-life shark attacks. It also ex- plores what may have caused such events and how they may be pre- vented in the future. While "When Sharks Attack" is one of the anchors of SharkFest's annual programming, this year's event also features a number of standalone premiere documenta- ries. In what has been billed a "marque special," one of Holly- wood's biggest stars is bringing viewers along as he learns about shark behavior. "Shark Beach with Chris Hemsworth," also premier- ing Monday, July 5, on National Geographic, stars the actor best known for playing Thor in the Mar- vel Cinematic Universe. In the wake of one of the worst shark attack seasons in his native Australia, he embarks on a mission to discover how humans can safely coexist with sharks. Meeting with famed shark conservationist Valer- ie Taylor, the two embark on a shark dive to get up close and per- sonal with nurse sharks. SharkFest continues on opening day with "Rogue Shark," as film- makers take a look at a series of shark attacks that occurred in 2018 near the remote islands of Whitsunday in Australia. All of the attacks occurred in the same patch of ocean, causing some to wonder if a "rogue shark" was on the loose. Day 2 (July 6) kicks off when Na- tional Geographic debuts "Orca vs. Great White," a documentary re- vealing that orcas began hunting great white sharks off the coast of South Africa in 2017. Cameras fol- low researchers in New Zealand as they infiltrate shark populations off the country's southern coast and investigate whether it could hap- pen again. The next day (Day 3), scientists look into surprising new shark be- havior in "Shark Gangs," debuting Wednesday, July 7, on National Geographic. Many experts think of sharks as solitary predators, but experts have revealed that the predatory creatures have also been known to hang out in groups. Film- makers seek to find out whether this is a mark of social behavior or a more effective hunting strategy. SharkFest wraps up its first week of programming by premier- ing "Croc That Ate Jaws" (July 8) and "World's Most Dangerous Shark" (July 9). Among the many high-profile SharkFest specials that follow Week 1 is "Shark Attack Investiga- tion: The Paige Winter Story," pre- miering Monday, July 12, on Na- tional Geographic. Winter lost a leg and a part of her hand to a shark when she was just 17. After relaying the details of the attack and exploring what might be done to avoid it, filmmak- ers shine the spotlight on Winter, who, despite her experience, has become somewhat of an unlikely advocate for the creatures. Disney+ also brings viewers more of "Shark Beach" expert Tay- lor in the premiering series "Play- ing With Sharks" on July 23. Direc- tor Sally Aitken traces Taylor's jour- ney from champion spear fisher to shark advocate, using archival footage and conversations with Taylor to look at how the intrepid ocean explorer became a pioneer with regard to underwater film- making and shark research. Shark fans may also want to keep an eye on National Geo- graphic and its partners for other premiere specials throughout SharkFest, including, but not limit- ed to, "Shark Attack Files" (July 12), "World's Biggest Bull Shark?" (July 13) and "Killer Shark vs. Killer Whale" (July 15). There will be plenty of encore programs from past years as well, so keep an eye on your TV listings. So, what are you waiting for? Dive in when SharkFest kicks off with "When Sharks Attack" and "Shark Beach with Chris Hems- worth" on Monday, July 5, on Na- tional Geographic. A tiger shark swimming Taking a bite out of summer: SharkFest runs for six weeks 2 | Cover story A/Grindstone Charlie's B/Norris Insurance 1 x 4" Moore's Home Health 5 x 2" 3833 S Lafountain 455-2700 www.NorrisInsurance.com Great insurance. Local Service.

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