Chompie is the shark ambassador for Discovery Channel’s Shark Week, the annual television event that celebrates the feared sea predators. Though he won’t be fixed atop Discovery’s headquarters in Silver Spring this year, he will be traveling (in an albeit smaller persona) to promotional events around the area this week. What is new about Shark Week this year?
Strangest thing, people tagged my cousins Curly, Ruthless and Wilson, who vacation off the coast of Massachusetts. They tracked them for months. I still can’t figure out why people care so much about our travel habits. But they’re happy because they think they’ll get famous once the show comes out. They even have agents lined up.
Why do you think Shark Week has such a following?
Let’s be honest: Who wouldn’t want to celebrate the ocean’s apex predator? And despite your super-smart scientists and their super-fancy equipment, we sharks have still managed to elude you for much of our lives.
How can the average person celebrate Shark Week?
Make some Bloody Marys and tuna tartare and put on V.V. Brown’s song “Shark in the Water.” That always gets me in the mood.
What do you do during the other 51 weeks of the year?
Hunting for food is hard work, it’s really takes up the bulk of my time. But a vacation to the warmer waters of Mexico is always in order.You can find me off the coast of Guadalupe from July to December.
How does the shark community feel about Shark Week?
Are you kidding? We love it! Do giraffes get their own week? I don’t think so.
How do kids usually react when they see you?
Kids really love me. I’ve been in so many pictures, the camera flash really wreaks havoc on my nictitating membranes!I think kids love me because their parents haven’t let them watch “Jaws” yet.
Amy Myers
