The Most Extreme (Animal Planet)

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.

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.