When NBC decided to make a show about possibly alien, possibly scary creatures living in the ocean, it called that show "Fathom." It made sense, given that "fathom" is both a nautical term for measuring the depth of water and can be used as a verb meaning to understand something.

Plus, you can almost hear the network voice-over guy imbuing the word with all sorts of deep-register portent: "Next week ... on an all-new 'Fathom' ..."

That won't be happening, though, as NBC has decided to rename the show "Surface" -- which, not to put too fine a point on it, is sort of the opposite of "Fathom."

The possibly alien, possibly scary creatures will still live under the sea; in fact, in announcing the title change, NBC describes the show in part as an "undersea adventure." And it will still deal with characters, led by Lake Bell's ("Boston Legal") oceanographer, delving into just what the creatures are and what they're doing here.

NBC doesn't say what's behind the name change in its announcement, and we couldn't reach a network spokesperson for comment.

"Surface" will surface on NBC at 8 p.m. ET Mondays in the fall.