Keith PlocekNow in its 24th year, Discovery Channel's Shark Week is a testament to just how much people love watching prehistoric death machines create circles of pink in choppy water. This year Discovery has trotted out host Andy Samberg (he's on a boat, with sharks!) and a fancy new iPad app called Ultimate Sharks, complete with exclusive HD video and high-res photos.
It's hard to go wrong with sharks, Samberg and emerging media, but Discovery hasn't always been so on the ball. Take a look at these knockoffs that were surprisingly less popular than Shark Week (probably because we just made them up).
5. Giraffe Week
Credit: Discovery.com
“Giraffes have really long necks,” intoned the series' deep-voice narrator, followed by the sound of papers shuffling. There wasn't really much else to say about these spotted beauties, despite ample sponsorship opportunities from Toys R Us.
4. Raccoon Spring Break
Credit: Discovery.com
Did you know raccoons don't actually wash their food? They just use moisture to help pull dinner apart and remove the inedible parts. They're not really big fans of water, which was why putting a raccoon on a surfboard for Raccoon Spring Break probably wasn't the best idea.
3. Rabbit Season
This series never stood a chance. Production crews kept getting directed to duck ponds by mistake.
2. Beaver Year
Credit: Discovery.com
Isn't every year Beaver Year? Right, fellas? Apparently not, as this series tanked once lonely businessmen discovered it wasn't the kind of hotel-room viewing they were looking for.
1. Sloth Decade
Credit: Discovery.com
This series got off to a slow start and never recovered, but you probably knew we were going to say something like that. You're quick.
For more on the very real Shark Week and the Ultimate Sharks app, visit Discovery.com.
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