Animal Planet has gotten some flak in recent years for its “mockumentaries” about mermaids, which have been presented in a realistic format, albeit with quick disclaimers at the end indicating that they were more speculative than anything. For the network’s Monster Week 2014, Animal Planet can’t really be criticized in that regard for its new production Blood Lake: Attack of the Killer Lampreys, which an Animal Planet release plainly indicates is a “horror film” (but they also do call it a “marquee two-hour special”). To further let you know that this program should not be taken as scientific fact, it stars Shannen Doherty, Christopher Lloyd and Jason Brooks. And on top of that, the film comes from The Asylum, the production company behind Syfy’s Sharknado films (perhaps the answer as to why Blood Lake sounds like a Syfy title).
Now, even though Animal Planet isn’t billing Blood Lake as a “documentary” along the lines of Mermaids, you could probably still critique them for showing something that does sound more in line for Syfy. But during Monster Week, Animal Planet tends to play even looser with its format than it may usually do (Monster Week has traditionally been when Mermaids specials debut), and it was probably only a matter of time before the network started leaning more toward science fiction than fact. Monster Week 2014, the third annual programming event, is no exception.
Although Blood Lake: Attack of the Killer Lampreys does not lead off Monster Week 2014, it seems, for now, to be the centerpiece of the nine-day event that runs May 18-May 26. The film, debuting May 25 at 9pm E/P, is a thriller set in small-town Michigan, where lampreys — those bloodsucking, eel-like fish — terrorize residents via the pool, or even a trip to the toilet, according to the release. I’m guessing you’ll learn as many real-life facts about lampreys here as you did about sharks in Sharknado.
Other currently announced programs featured during Monster Week 2014, which is hosted by Eric Young, will include the just-as-sensationally titled Man-Eating Zombie Cats, and the season 6 finale of River Monsters on May 26 at 9pm E/P.
UPDATE 5/2/14: Animal Planet has announced some more of the specials slated to premiere during Monster Week 2014. Descriptive info from Animal Planet:
River Monsters: “Bone Crusher” — May 18 at 9pm E/P. When a corpse is found with highly unusual injuries, Jeremy Wade knows he may be on the trail of a new monster.
River Monsters Unhooked: “Amazon Apocalypse” — May 19 at 9pm E/P. Jeremy Wade uncovers the truth behind the sinking and tragic deaths of hundreds aboard the Sobral Santos.
Man-Eating Zombie Cats — May 20 at 8pm E/P. An incurable, zombie-like pathogen is spreading fast and giving big cats around the world a thirst for human blood.
Devoured: Man-Eating Super Snake — May 22 at 8pm E/P. South Florida is under siege from a new invasive species: African rock pythons.
Mermaids: The Body Found — The Extended Cut — May 24 at 8pm E/P.
Mermaids: The New Evidence — The Extended Cut — May 24 at 10pm E/P.