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| "Nostradamus: The Truth" and "Doomsday 2012: End of Days" - Reveal the Science Behind Centuries of Speculation airing on Discovery Channel |
| Posted
on Thursday, October 25, 2007 - 03:42 PM |
Your days are numbered - if the predictions of ancient oracles and soothsayers are to be believed. Discovery Channel presents two new back-to-back specials that explore the roots - and disturbing accuracy - of centuries' old prophesy.
First, "Nostradamus: The Truth," premiering Sun., Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. ET/9 p.m. PT, offers a revealing portrait of one of the most acclaimed seers the world has ever known: Nostradamus. A 16th century mystic, he predicted major world events, including the rise of Napoleon, both World Wars, the Apollo moon landing, and even the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center - but what's next? Premiering Sun., Nov. 18 at 9 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT, "Doomsday 2012: End of Days" explores how various cultures have remarkably arrived at the same consensus when predicting the end of the world - just five years from now - on December 21, 2012. Passing up tea leaves for technology, see how today's seers - and skeptics - are testing the prediction.
Highlights from "Nostradamus: The Truth" and "Doomsday 2012: End of Days" include:
"Nostradamus: The Truth"
Sun., Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. ET/9 p.m. PT
This one-hour special tells the true story of Nostradamus, uncovering the myths and speculations that surrounded the life of this legendary figure. He battled against anti-Semitism and the Inquisition to become the confidante of some of the most powerful and dangerous figures of his time. Nostradamus was a man who tried to ignore his "visions" but, forced by poverty and prejudice, he decided to capitalize on them. It was this fateful decision that would bring him into conflict with the establishment, as well as a poisonous rival who would stalk him throughout his life. In the end, the rise and fall of dynasties would rest on his words.
Doomsday 2012: End of Days
Sun., Nov. 18 at 9 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT
There are various prophecies and oracles from around the world that seem to point to December 21, 2012 as Doomsday. The ancient Mayan Calendar, the medieval predictions of Merlin, the Book of Revelation and the Chinese oracle of the I Ching all forecast this specific date as the end of civilization. A new technology called "The Web-Bot Project" undertakes massive scans of the Internet as a means of predicting the future... and this new technology has turned up the same dreaded date: 2012. Skeptics point to a long history of "failed Doomsdays," but many oracles of doom throughout history have a disturbingly accurate track record. As the year 2012 ticks ever closer, this one-hour special speculates whether there are credible reasons to believe these doomsayers.
OTHER PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS FOR DISCOVERY CHANNEL:
Emmy® Award-Nominated Two-Part Documentary, Mammals Vs. Dinosaurs, Scheduled for Canadian Premiere, Nov. 9 and 16 on Discovery Channel
Nominated for an International Emmy® Award earlier this month, Discovery Channel presents the Canadian premiere of the two-part special Mammals Vs. Dinosaurs, with part one "The Age of Gigantism" airing on Fri., Nov. 9 at 9 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT (part two - "The Rise of the Mammals" - debuts the following week, on Fri., Nov. 16 at 9 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT). Mammals Vs. Dinosaurs is the story of an evolutionary competition that lasted for 150 million years - a war between reptilian giants and warm-blooded mammals. From dino-hunting mammals to mammal-hunting dinosaurs, Mammals Vs. Dinosaurs explores environmental change and the biological and social developments of these creatures, with sometimes surprising results!
Mammals Vs. Dinosaurs: "The Age of Gigantism"
Fri., Nov. 9 at 9 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT
The journey begins nearly 200 million years ago, long before evolutionary competition develops between the first dinosaurs and early mammals. Through computer-generated animations, see how dinosaurs evolve into giant creatures that could live for hundreds of years. Then, watch dinosaurs battle each other and prey on mammals in the world they rule. First changes appear: Dinosaurs are getting bigger and badder; while mammals, despite their small size, are developing sensory abilities in order to survive.
Mammals Vs. Dinosaurs: "The Rise of Mammals"
Fri., Nov. 16 at 9 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT
The evolutionary battle between mammals and dinosaurs continues with a host of new characters from dinosaur-eating mammals to the appearance of quick and deadly feathered dinosaurs. Each side has continued to evolve. On the dinosaur side, discoveries reveal that they are social animals living and hunting in packs; while others have evolved into bird-like animals with the sky as their domain. Mammals on the other hand, with greater adaptability, are prospering despite their small size. A shorter life span allows for faster evolutionary changes and that leads to new species that can adjust to a changing world. In the end, mammals' flexibility and variety ensured their survival. Ultimately, dinosaurs were defeated, not by mammals, but by a huge meteor collision with Earth 65 millions of years ago. Dinosaurs couldn't adjust to the radically changed world and mammals began their rise to the top.
Mammals Vs. Dinosaurs is a Discovery Channel Canada international co-production with the National Film Board (NFB), NHK (Japan), The Science Channel (U.S), and France Télévisions Distribution and France 5. In December 2005, Discovery Channel
Canada entered into a partnership and co-venture agreement with the NFB; followed by a strategic partnership agreement with NHK in April 2006. This Emmy® nomination marks the first award accolades resulting from these production partnerships. Mammals Vs. Dinosaurs is nominated in the Best Documentary category at the 2007 International Emmy® Awards, which acknowledges outstanding programs produced outside of the United States. The awards ceremony will take place in New York City on Mon., Nov. 19.
Are Wild Animals Targeting Humans or Simply Acting on Instinct? Find Out When "Rogue Nature" Premieres Nov. 15 on Discovery HD
When an animal attacks a person, oftentimes the immediate consideration is euthanasia for the troublesome creature. But what causes an animal to go "rogue" and harm humans in the first place? Are these animals acting on instinct or are they simply vicious to the core? Canadian predator expert Dave Salmoni poses this question in "Rogue Nature," a six-part series that gets up close and personal with some of the world's most dangerous wild animals. Premiering Thurs., Nov. 15 at 9 p.m. ET/PT exclusively on Discovery HD, each episode features a species known for their frequent attack on humans. From bears and lions to hippos and elephants, Salmoni studies each animal's predatory profile and documents stories of survival from attack victims to try and gage how dangerous these species inherently are. He then sets out into the wild to observe the animals in their natural habitat to observe if a violent reaction is automatic or just left to chance.
Episode highlights of "Rogue Nature" include:
"Rogue Nature" - Bears
Thurs., Nov. 15 at 9 p.m. ET/PT
Do bears have it out for humans? Or are humans invading bears' habitats and leaving them no choice but to approach people for food? With over 100 fatal bear attacks in North America in the last 100 years, Salmoni is eager to find out.
"Rogue Nature" - Chimps
Thurs., Nov. 22 at 9 p.m. ET/PT
Humans share over 98 per cent of their DNA with chimpanzees and just like humans, chimps battle with weapons and have been known to hold grudges and seek revenge. Salmoni examines different chimp attacks to figure out what causes conflict with humankind's closest relatives.
"Rogue Nature" - Squid
Thurs., Nov. 29 at 9 p.m. ET/PT
Measuring over two metres long and weighing more than 65 kilograms, the monstrous Humboldt Squid has been dubbed the "Red Devil" by Mexican fisherman. Salmoni dons scuba gear to find the truth behind the tale of a sea creature pulling fishermen from their boats and killing them.
"Rogue Nature" - Hippos and Crocs
Thurs., Dec. 6 at 9 p.m. ET/PT
We all know crocs are not to be messed with, but few realize that the hippo is considered to be the number one killer of humans in Africa. Extremely aggressive and unpredictable, Salmoni studies hippos and crocs to find out if they are "rogue."
"Rogue Nature" - Elephants
Thurs., Dec. 13 at 9 p.m. ET/PT
In Zambia, elephants and humans have had trouble coexisting. Salmoni travels to South Africa to determine if it is possible for an entire elephant population to turn "rogue."
"Rogue Nature" - Lions
Thurs., Dec. 20 at 9 p.m. ET/PT
In Kruger National Park there is a startling trend developing: the lions living on the safari are targeting humans as a food source. Are these lions the embodiment of rogue nature?
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