Life Is Wild (CW)

LIFE IS WILD (adapted from the British show Wild at Heart) follows a blended family's struggles to embrace one another and their new home. Veterinarian Danny Clarke (D.W. Moffett), decides to uproot his family from New York and transplant them to the wilds of South Africa for a year. 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 Katie Clarke (Leah Pipes) and her stepbrother Jesse (Andrew St. John) and their younger siblings: Jo's daughter, Mia (Mary Matilyn Mouser), and Danny's son, Chase (K'sun Ray).

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.