Anyone who knows me knows that I adore all things Craig Ferguson and so I watched his Shark Week special on The Discovery Channel. I normally shy away from Shark Week and shows like it; I feel they sensationalize animal attacks and are far too forgiving of the humans who caused the trouble to begin with.
If you’re in a wild animal’s environment then respect the animal. I was pleased that this was the exact philosophy of Craig’s dive buddy - a lovely young man named Chang Sein Chin. I can’t find much info about him but you can check out the Dive Center they used HERE
I learned a few things – a Bull Shark has a testosterone level of 900. The average human male’s level is 40. Imagine a Bull Shark at a frat party!?
Sharks hold onto each other with their teeth when mating. This leaves bite scars. Been there – Done that.
Interwoven with scenes of Craig being adorable and funny and scared shitless at the notion of hand feeding sharks there was (for me) far too many scenes of hanging human flesh and blood in the water. There goes Discovery again – if it bleeds, it leads.
Yet – Craig and his dive buddies so clearly felt a sense of wonder while among the sharks and so I ignored the unnecessary shark attack footage.
The best part of the 60 minute show is the last 15 minutes. Craig is taught how to hand feed the sharks and they all descend to a prepared area and then later move onto a beautiful old wrecked ship. The warmth of the rusty colors beside the shimmer of sharks and men in metal mesh suits was beautiful.
The look of awe and enchantment on Craig’s face when he came up from the dive is one of his most endearing moments. “I fed them, I really fed them” he tells everyone on deck.
He goes on to describe the sharks as beautiful, magnificent, amazing, and my favorite – “they’re just like big dogs” - said with a giant grin.
You can view some great clips from the show HERE
I got the above photos from TMZ. Who knew there was paparazzi underwater!!
31 comments:
I'm not a big fan of sharks so I have not been watching this. But I know my Little T is gonna be sorry he missed it. He is a shark lover and I am a slacking mama cause I have not taped it for him! Nice underwater shots here!
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And I soooo agree with you...
"If you’re in a wild animal’s environment then respect the animal."
Amen!
"This leaves bite scars. Been there – Done that."
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...you KILL me, woman!
"a Bull Shark has a testosterone level of 900."
OMG!!!
Come to think of it, I actually work with a few aggressive BULL SHARKS, trust me!
Bwhahahahahahahahaha!
FAB post, Dianne! Thoroughly enjoyed!
You have to be crazy to get into shark-infested waters like that!! Wow.
Nicely stated...all of it
I didn't get to watch all of it because when it was on the first time, I was overruled. lol And the second time it was on opposite the LLS, so I was conflicted. LOL But the parts that I did see with Craig were very good. Someone mentioned that it was a chance for the "Dirt Detective" to get washed off. :)
Scary stuff .. there was a guy on the street last weekend wearing a Shark Week 'hat' and I had to snap a shot ...
Is THAT what's swimming below me at this moment here on my boat?!!
Aloha from Honolulu :)
Comfort Spiral
Somehow this makes me love sharks. I especially love the mating habits. Very well written.
I watched it, too. Loooooooove Craig Ferguson. And sharks.
Everything that tickled me also tickled Rob and he said it first so yeah...
I missed that show, but I am going to go look at the clips....I LOVE Craig, too and I'm glad to know he had such a WONDEROUS experience....!
Just posted an "update" on Sweetie....Thanks SOOO Very much for coming by and asking about him. He is still in the Hospital....!
I'm against the killing of sharks and a big fan of respecting other life. Those pictures were amazing but I don't think I'd want to get that close.
I so totally agree with you on having respect in another's environment no matter what species you are.
I'm not so sure I totally agree on Craig's assessment of sharks being like big dogs, though - that might be stretching it a bit!
I’ve encountered a shark two times in my life and probably pissed myself both times. Cause they say to do that. And also because I lost control of my bladder.
One time I was surfing in Costa Rica and the fin (a really big fucking fin) got to within 30 feet of me. The other time, I was wading in 4 or 5 feet of the crystal clear waters of Treasure Island and a bull shark swam within 10 feet of me. To see something that big that close when you are that vulnerable is a bladder loosening feeling.
I was married to a shark. Cheers Di!!
Since Jaws scared me away from a Marine Biology career, even love of Craigy couldn't get me to watch.
You do crack me up though lady. Good to see your humor is quite well. Hope the body is also.
Amazing! Thanks for the link to the video clips. They were great. I just caught up with your last post and I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling unwell. Right now, I can relate. Here's hoping we both feel better soon!
At first I thought "feeding the sharks" referred to Craig interviewing some politico! Thanks for sharing a very cool story and pictures.
Just watched the clip (was amazed it didn't say 'not available in your country') and it was great. Thanks for adding the link to your great post.
Looks like there is a paparazzi there in front of your TV too! You take good pictures, Dianne.
Got to watch that biting, it can leave scars. I bite a lot but I generally put my lips over my teeth. :) Mostly I bite hard only when the full moon comes.
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BTW, our Craig Fergusen is a weatherman on Channel 13. He is young and cute too!
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You wouldn't catch me doing that! LOL
No way I would ever do that--but I love the way you wrote it!
What amazing shots of sharks... Love the way he says they are just big dogs... Dogs with big teeth too!
Thanks to you, I've become a Craig Ferguson fan too. I missed the shark show so I'm glad to be able to go see some clips. I did read his biography, which is quite well written. Glad you are posting again. Hope that means you are feeling better.
I love Craig Ferguson. I DVR his show because I am too old to stay up that late. He joins me for coffee each morning.
I was a guest at a few frat parties in college and found there to be more than one shark in the room. Yikes! This was a delightful and informative post.
Big dogs, eh? Well, maybe. I don't mind watching shows about sharks on the tube, but I wouldn't go in with them on purpose!
Well, to each his own, I guess. Thanks for coming by!
Darn, I missed the men in shiny metal suits :)
I like your description of the show better than I would have liked actually watching it - you make me grin.
cool! I missed this show so thanks for the update.
& I've just caught up on what is happening here. I loved your ode to Hope's first birthday, so sweet Dianne.
& I love to see the touching tribute to Bobbie on your sidebar, so perfect.
& I hope you are feeling much better by now too.
I don't know what was more intriguing, the 900T level or the bite scars, the sharks and yours.
Never watch "Shark Week" but I'm bummed I missed Craig! I'll watch anything with him in it!
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