The 'New Evidence' 2013 mermaid video mockumentary drew millions of viewers and sparked afresh ocean humanoid conversations. An Animal Planet executive neatly implied in an interview the channel wanted some attention. Social media dwellers reacted with more viral funny memes and a mix of reactions.

Funny memes are making rounds on the net in light of the fake mermaid video, 'New Evidence' 2013. The Animal Planet special is a follow-up to last year's "Mermaids: The Body Found." A year apart, the shows separately gathered over 3 million viewers each. The 2013 feature gathered nearly 4 million viewers (3.6m), making a record on the channel's ratings history.

The NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) met queries with regards to the mockumentaries, which many viewers thought were real. The real life institution announced, no evidence of "aquatic humanoids" has ever been documented in the non-fiction world.

Charlie Foley, creator, writer, and show runner of the mermaid video series, told Mother Nature Network his shows work because "you can believe they are real, and personally, I don't think there's any story more appealing than a legend that can be believed."

The presentation, as a whole, has been called a "genius hoax."

"These extraordinary television specials have electrified, challenged and entertained television audiences and online fans alike," Animal Planet president Marjorie Kaplan said, as quoted by Entertainment Weekly.

"Mermaids aren't real: Animal Planet's fake documentaries misrepresent ocean life," Twitter user @Ryan_Wilkins_ opined.

Mixed reactions were sparked by Animal Planet's mermaid series. Some were entertained, others were aghast by the style of presentation or video treatment. Others were simply annoyed by how well the fake documentary was received.

"Mermaids" was the highest rated program in Animal Planet's 17-year history goo.gl/NT0Zs twitter.com/pourmecoffee/s...

— pourmecoffee (@pourmecoffee) May 31, 2013

animal planet really has me convinced mermaids are real — Brandon Roach (@braandonroach) June 3, 2013

'Start' the accompanying slideshow for more fantasy Ariel and mermaid memes.

VIDEO: Mermaids 2013 - The new evidence, interview

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