Discovery Channel has announced the appointment of its first ever Chief Shark Officer (CSO), Andy Samberg.
As CSO, Samberg will host the network’s 24th annual SHARK WEEK celebration, cable’s longest running programming event and the official mark of summer. He will film on-air wraps for the weeklong event, host a SHARK WEEK special and may even take the plunge and dive with the apex predators. Samberg’s selection was part of a national campaign launched earlier this year.
“SHARK WEEK is a summertime celebration. It’s about being scared out of your swim trunks but it’s also about being entertained and learning something new. Andy Samberg, an incredibly talented comedian and innovator, is the perfect person to bring those elements together and represent Discovery for our biggest week of the year,” said Discovery Channel President and General Manager Clark Bunting.
Said Samberg: “I’m overjoyed about being appointed CSO. Everyone loves Shark Week. It’s the Bill Cosby of week-long television blocks dedicated to sea animals.”
Samberg is a well-known entertainer and comedian who appears regular on the NBC-TV program “Saturday Night Live.”
The 2011 Shark Week schedule will be announced soon according to Discovery Channel officials.
