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Life Is Wild

(Rated TV-PG, Drama, Starring Leah Pipes, Andrew St. John, D.W. Moffett, Where to watch: CW, Online)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Blended-family show mixes drama and nature.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    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.
 

What to watch out for

  • 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.

  • Sex:

    Some mild teen flirting, which leads to a couple of kisses. A few somewhat skimpy swimsuits.

  • Language:

    Fairly infrequent use of words like "bitch," "ass," "hell," and "damn." Other language includes "loser," "freak," "piss up a rope," and "sucks."

  • Consumerism:

    Cell phone use among teens; Katie and Jesse envy Oliver and Emily's posher lifestyle.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    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.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Life Is Wild

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.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • 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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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    peapod1
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    why?

    How could no one watch this show. When it was cancelled I cried.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Adult Reviewer
    mzkat7
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 0.0

    I thought this would be a good family show

    This is all about drinking, sex, and interracial relationships. So if that is what your into, this is the show for you.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Dj15Bs
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    I Love This Show!!!

    I love the African Culture in this show!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  4. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Mojo02
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Good Show

    Some of the content is good. Some bad.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  5. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    bookworm108
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    i'm the first!

    I love this show! The first episode, I was addicted!! The main actress has my first name, random, I know. The dude is so hot! This show is really good!! =]

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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