 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Most Extreme
- Animal Planet
- Genre: Educational
Common Sense Media says
Glitz overshadows good information. Tweens and up.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this show presents amazing animal feats in countdown form and then compares them to human capabilities. Unfortunately, the over-the-top glitz of the production values overshadows the information. Some sensitive content about aggression, mating, and humans' own habits makes the show a better fit for more mature tweens.
What's the story?
In MOST EXTREME, each episode counts down, from 10 to 1, the "best" in animal attributes, while also comparing the particular topic or skill to humans' abilities. Who are the best jumpers, builders, stinkers, predators, and biters? The show uses real-life footage of and information about animals, as well as expressive narration, bad jokes, computer animation, and dramatic music. Occasionally, footage from old black and white movies are even tossed into the mix -- for example, snippets from The Bride of Frankenstein were shown in the context of discussing the platypus' peculiar assembly.
Is it any good?
Most Extreme is a great idea that suffers from too much production pizzazz. Certainly, the snazzy graphics are part of the reason that Most Extreme is popular with adolescents and adults. But the over-the-top production values overshadow the information being presented. That, combined with a narrative tendency toward sometimes-racy humor (talking about animals that make the best lovers, commenting on mating habits, etc.), makes the series a better fit for older tweens.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how the animals on the show compare to family pets or neighborhood critters. Why do opossums and raccoons prefer to come out in the evening? Why do dogs howl when fire engines go by? Parents can help kids appreciate animals' special characteristics -- like how their senses are more- or less-finely tuned than our own. The show may also spark a discussion about careers working with animals, or a trip to the library for more information.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Kid, 12 years old
May 4, 2010
AGE
Awesome, interesting show.
It's pretty cool. It basically shows you how awesomely talented animals can be. I also learned a lot. I especially loved the smartest animals episode. The crow can't get nuts open with their beaks, so they sit on a powerline in the city street. When the light turns red, the crow flies down and puts the nut on the road. Then, a car runs over the nut, cracking it open. The next red light, and the crow is feasting. Cool, huh?
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Kid, 12 years old
August 6, 2010
AGE
Perfect for 7+
I LOVE THIS SHOW! I want to record this show every time it comes up! i wish they had it evrey day on and 4:30
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AGE
Me and my brother love it.
My brother is 7 almost 8 and when i tell him that this show is on he gets soooo excited. He loves it. I think this is a good educational show for kids who want to learn more about the animal kingdom.
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AGE
Extreme!
This tv show is very cool. If you like animals this is the show for you.
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AGE
Awesome.
I don't know why there isn't an educational value mouser for this show, because it deserves 5 of them. It's usually an hour long with a top 10 countdown of neat-freaks, workaholics, etc. I have always loved animals and I probably always will.
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AGE
interesting
It's educational that's for sure, it is cool. They sometimes compare people to the animals by mixing body parts. It can really help people understand animals a little better.
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| Topics: | science and nature, wild animals |
| TV rating: | TV-G |
| Network: | Animal Planet |
| Cast: | Adam Harrington |
| Genre: | Educational |
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