Life Is Wild - TV-PG

Blended-family show mixes drama and nature.

TV Rating: TV-PG Network: CW Cast: Leah Pipes, Andrew St. John, D.W. Moffett Genre: Drama
Available on: Download

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this drama about a blended family's struggle to find common ground in unexpected circumstances isn't a typical primetime teen soap. Even though two of the central characters are teens -- so flirting and rebellious behavior are par for the course -- they're a lot more like real kids than the over-the-top characters on shows like The O.C. and Gossip Girl. Expect to see some teen drinking (which, at least initially, occurs without consequences) and sarcastic and/or angry exchanges with parents (some of which include words like "hell," "bitch," and ass"). Note that the show takes place in South Africa, which means beautiful scenery, inspiring background music ... and some tense wildlife encounters (adult characters carry guns for protection), which could upset young viewers.

Families can talk about whether this show is more realistic than other primetime shows featuring teen characters. Why or why not? Do you think the kids on the show behave in ways that real teens might? What consequences would there be for that behavior in the real world (particularly drinking)? Why do you think some of those consequences aren't shown here? Families can also discuss the challenges of combining two families. What struggles do the Clarkes have to overcome? How are they addressing them? And, for fun, how do you think you'd react to moving halfway around the world? Would it be scary or an exciting adventure? If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Emily Ashby

When her veterinarian dad, Danny (D.W. Moffett), decides to uproot the family from their New York home and transplant them to the wilds of South Africa for a year, Katie Clarke (Leah Pipes) doesn't exactly buy into his promise that she'll thank him for it someday.

For Katie, the move means only two things: She'll be spending long months thousands of miles away from her boyfriend, and the only person her age she'll know in her new home is her obnoxious, rebellious stepbrother Jesse (Andrew St. John) -- whose recent arrest seems to be behind her dad's insistence on the change of scenery.

LIFE IS WILD (adapted from the British show Wild at Heart) follows Katie's blended family's struggles to embrace one another and their new home. Danny is thrilled to be working with the native wildlife instead of spoiled Manhattan pets, and he and his wife, Jo (Stephanie Niznik), hope the change will bring their four kids some sense of family unity. But that's easier said than done for the constantly bickering teens and their younger siblings: Jo's daughter, Mia (Mary Matilyn Mouser), and Danny's son, Chase (K'sun Ray).

To make matters worse, their new home is a shabby old lodge whose only resident is Katie and Chase's maternal grandfather, Art (David Butler). He turns out to be veritable recluse with a sporadic drinking problem who harbors long-standing secrets about his troubled relationship with their deceased mother.

As the weeks pass and the family settles in, tension seems to dissipate as each person strives to find his or her niche in their new surroundings. But only time will tell if the wilderness can work wonders on this family.

Life Is Wild is an endearing drama about the struggles to blend two families. Its setting in the wilds of South Africa gives it an aesthetically beautiful quality, and the native background music and wildlife footage are a real treats for viewers.

But it's not quite a "fun for all ages" family show. Jesse's rebellious nature leads him to disobey and disrespect his parents, drink, and steal. Guns are prevalent (although they're intended for protection from dangerous wild animals), there's some teen flirting, and language can be strong on occasion ("damn," "bitch," etc.). Last but not least are some suspenseful wildlife-encounter scenes that may be too much for younger viewers.

Fans might also enjoy Everwood and Gilmore Girls. For tweens, try Scout's Safari.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Some mild teen flirting, which leads to a couple of kisses. A few somewhat skimpy swimsuits.
Violence On the game reserve, adults often carry guns for protection. In one scene, a man shoots a lioness with a tranquilizer gun. Run-ins with wildlife are suspenseful. The occasional fistfight may draw a little blood; veterinary scenes are occasionally bloody as well. Parents bicker/argue.
Language Fairly infrequent use of words like "bitch," "ass," "hell," and "damn." Other language includes "loser," "freak," "piss up a rope," and "sucks."
Message
	Social Behavior A rebellious teen steals, drinks alcohol, gets arrested, and acts disrespectfully toward his mother and stepfather, but his relationships with them slowly improve as they begin to understand one another. A blended family struggles to find common ground.
	Commercialism Cell phone use among teens; Katie and Jesse envy Oliver and Emily's posher lifestyle.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco One adult character is shown drinking, and it's implied that he's a heavy drinker (though drunkenness isn't obvious in his actions). Jesse sneaks sips of alcohol and, in one scene, steals a bottle of it, with no obvious consequences. He and Oliver go drinking (off-screen). Phrases like "crack high" and "acid-flash crazy" are used sarcastically in response to off-the-wall ideas.