You might think that a show about mythical creatures would just be good for a laugh, or maybe for indulging in a fantasy about how awesome it would be if there were weirdly beautiful almost-people living in the ocean. And you’d be right. But you would also be correct in assuming that some people believe everything they see on television, and therefore a show about mermaids has become Animal Planet’s most popular event to date. <\/p>\n
“Mermaids: The New Evidence” brought in 3.6 million viewers<\/a> last Sunday night, which broke all kinds of ratings records for the network. The show, which was a sequel of sorts to “Mermaids: The Body Found”, showed “video footage” of mermaids in the Greenland Sea and suggested that there was a government cover-up of the creatures. While it was done in a documentary style, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association released a statement<\/a> to clear up the confusion:<\/p>\n \u201cMermaids \u2013 those half-human, half-fish sirens of the sea \u2013 are legendary sea creatures chronicled in maritime cultures since time immemorial. But are mermaids real? No evidence of aquatic humanoids has ever been found.\u201d<\/p>\n Apparently, people really love fake versions of “reality”…which is fairly evident, considering the success of “found footage” type films and the barrage of “reality” shows on television. <\/p>\n \u201cThe phenomenon of Mermaids has truly been a watershed \u2013 and a watercooler \u2013 moment for Animal Planet,\u201d said Animal Planet president Marjorie Kaplan. \u201cThese extraordinary television specials have electrified, challenged and entertained television audiences and online fans alike.\u201d<\/p>\n