After a very long time away, the “Sharks” are returning a little earlier than expected. The second season of Shark Tank was supposed to kick off on March 25th but will now debut with a special “sneak preview” on Sunday, March 20th — replacing Desperate Housewives for a night. The remaining episodes of Shark Tank begin airing later in the week, on Friday, March 25th.

Here’s the ABC press release:

SNEAK PREVIEW: “SHARK TANK” RETURNS FOR SEASON TWO IN A SNEAK PREVIEW, SUNDAY, MARCH 20

High Tech Billionaire Mark Cuban and Comedian/Self-Made Businessman
Jeff Foxworthy Join Panel as Guest Sharks

Innovative Entrepreneurs Include a Sister Duo Who Have Their Own Shark-Like Tendencies, a Chef with Seafood Products Designed to Whet the Sharks’ Appetites, and a Season One Follow-up from the Maker of the Teaching Tool Known as “Classroom Jams”

ABC will air a special sneak preview episode of Season Two of its hit reality series, “Shark Tank,” SUNDAY, MARCH 20 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET). During its first season, the investors known as Sharks offered over $10 million of their own money in investment deals to bankroll a creative array of innovative entrepreneurs. Season Two of “Shark Tank” will feature two guest Sharks: high tech billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban and successful comedian and self-made businessman Jeff Foxworthy. They jump into the Tank with the other Sharks to appear separately in the show’s nine episodes. “Shark Tank” will air in its regular time slot beginning Friday, March 25 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET).

In the preview, “Episode 205,” the Sharks are stunned to discover the shark-like exploits of a sweet-faced sister duo with a children’s dance company; a chef from Tennessee hopes to whet the Sharks’ appetites with his delectable seafood products; and a winemaker from Oregon believes he has a game-changing new product that will revolutionize the wine industry. Also, an entrepreneur with a line of men’s accessories has his hopes set on partnering with Daymond John – but his big mouth infuriates this Shark and could jeopardize the entire deal.

Last season the Sharks, using their expertise and contacts, along with their own money, made investment commitments totaling an incredible $5 million, and viewers will have the opportunity to see how those investments turned out in follow-up stories this season. In the Special Preview, there will be a follow up from Season One entrepreneur Mark Furigay. All five Sharks invested $250,000 of their own money into his unique business proposition, a DVD collection he calls Classroom Jams — a teaching tool that turns kids on to literacy and learning.

The Shark investors who appear throughout Season Two are Mark Cuban, Jeff Foxworthy, real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran, infomercial industry pioneer Kevin Harrington, technology innovator Robert Herjavec, fashion icon Daymond John and financial expert Kevin O’Leary. The Sharks in “Episode 205” are Barbara Corcoran, Mark Cuban, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John and Kevin O’Leary.

Mark Burnett, Clay Newbill and Phil Gurin are executive producers of “Shark Tank,” based on the Japanese “Dragons’ Den” format created by Nippon Television Network Corporation. The episode is directed by Ken Fuchs. The series, from Sony Pictures Television, is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s HDTV format, with stereo sound. A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to air.

For more information on “Shark Tank,” visit ABC.com.

What do you think? Do you like Shark Tank? Do you think this preview will help ratings or have no effect?

Image courtesy ABC.