Tools for this page
Print

Living with the Wolfman

(Rated TV-PG, Reality TV, Starring Shaun Ellis, Helen Jeffs, Where to watch: Animal Planet, DVD)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    UK couple's wild life is eye-opening for families.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The series gives viewers a unique view of wolf behavior, and Shaun explains in detail the animals' actions and what they mean. Helen talks about her fears about getting close to the wolves, and Shaun sometimes seems to push her into encounters before she's ready, but she always says she trusts his expertise and is glad he nudged her along. Some scenes are emotional; in one, Helen cries as she talks about her fears for a wolf having difficulty giving birth.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Despite Shaun's trust that the wolves won't hurt him, the animals' actions are always unpredictable and could turn dangerous at any time. Shaun and Helen are often stepped on, knocked over, and nipped at as they interact with the wolves. In at least one scene, Helen is bitten by wolf cubs as she feeds them regurgitated meat from her mouth, but she explains that it's their natural behavior. Some scenes show Shaun dissecting animal carcasses to feed the wolves.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Nothing of the human variety, but one episode centers on a female wolf's pregnancy. The birth itself isn't shown, but her labor discomfort is evident.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Living with the Wolfman

Parents need to know that the animal experts in this series interact closely with a pack of wolves, often playing, hugging, and nuzzling the animals. Though the humans usually appear at ease with the wolves, the series plays up the ever-present potential for danger. Occasionally the humans do suffer minor injuries (for example, when they feed cubs by mouth), but they're quick to remind viewers that the animals' actions are normal. Young kids may be upset or confused by the wolves' behavior or close shots of them baring their teeth, but families with older kids will learn a lot from this informative series. Even so, be sure to follow up with reminders about never approaching strange animals and rules for interacting with friendly ones.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about wolf behavior. In what ways does the animals' behavior in this series surprise you? How were your impressions of wolves changed by what you saw? Do you think this show gives an accurate view of how these animals behave in the wild? How do you think their human interaction changes them? What measures do Helen and Shaun take to ensure that the wolves' primal instincts aren't affected by their presence? Do you think they do enough in that regard? Why isn't it safe for just anyone to behave the way they do around wolves?

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Living with the Wolfman?
  •  I think this show is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Iowa
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    ouch!!!!!!!! what a shooker!

    Ouch!!!!! That must of heart Helen when the dog scrached her eye, and it must of been scarry when Helen had to go in with the pack LEARDED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Age-apropriate 3-D food adventure doesn't fully satisfy.

  • Tech Tip

    How to help them think more ... and want less.Making the Sale

    How to help them think more ... and want less.

  • Book of the Week

    Million-Dollar Throw

    Million-Dollar Throw

    Another Lupica sensitive dad/son sports story.

  • Pick of the Week

    Holiday Websites

    Holiday Websites

    Where to surf, turkey time and beyond.

  • Game of the Week

    LEGO Rock Band

    LEGO Rock Band

    Simplified, no-fail Rock Band with a whimsical story.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name