 | 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. |
Weird, True and Freaky
- Animal Planet
- Genre: Reality TV
Common Sense Media says
Strange animal tales focus on shock value.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that, overall, this docuseries emphasizes shock value over education -- while there are some scattered opportunities for families to learn about animal behavior and science, they're usually overshadowed by the greater factor of curiosity. The amount of over-the-top/iffy content varies by episode, but it's safe to say that sensitive young viewers might be disturbed by scenes of mutant animals (a cyclopic piglet and a dog with no front legs, for instance) or stories of animals eating humans.
What's the story?
WEIRD, TRUE AND FREAKY shines a spotlight on some of the strangest biology and behavior ever recorded in the animal world. From a man-eating snake to a cat with two faces, these creature curiosities are often stranger than fiction. Throughout the amazing (albeit often over-the-top) tales, experts are on hand to explain the science behind them.
Is it any good?
If the likes of Ripley's Believe It or Not! tickle your curiosity, this series is sure to do the same. Its stories are certainly fascinating, and the often-bizarre images are sure to stick with you long after you've turned off the television. (After all, who's going to turn down the chance to see a giraffe with a crooked neck or a six-legged cow?)
But if you're seeking a quality show to share with your whole family, this isn't it. Its focus on shock value sometimes feels as exploitative as a carnival sideshow, and young kids especially may be more disturbed by the images than intrigued by their curious nature. There's not really enough educational content to make it worthwhile for older kids, either. So if animal oddities are a fascination for you, this is a guilty pleasure probably best indulged on your own.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether they think this show takes advantage of its subjects. Does the fact that they're animals make it different than if they were human? Why or why not?
What other types of entertainment are based on people, places, or things that are different from the norm?
Do you enjoy comedy that pokes fun at certain races or socioeconomic classes? Why or why not?
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- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
if your bord...
if your bord put this on its good.
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Kid, 9 years old
January 6, 2011
AGE
Trust The Name Of This Show!
I think Weird True and Freaky is a good show but can be disturbing at times. I think that even though I am eight, the show is iffy for age eight. I watch the parts that don't totally freak me out. One episode was about creatures that were medicine for people. Those creatures are creatures that I really don't want to use as medicine for me, such as bees and leeches. That episode got changed to TV 14. All but the medicine episode are TV PG. If you can handle TV PG, you should watch the show.
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Kid, 12 years old
May 4, 2010
AGE
A bit scary at times, but not as bad as they say.
I think cs went a little hard on this show. I like to watch it, and it's actually very educating. The things shown really separate fact from fiction. I also see that cs is worried about it being like a carnival show for deformed or strange animals. However, it doesn't always focus on animals. There was one about medicines that INVOLVED animals, but were for humans. And the animals are completely normal in that one. For example, a bee sting can help cure some conditions. Not a deformed bee, not a giant bee, not different in any way. Just a plain old bee. I do admit that some focus completely on animals and their conditions, but then they talk about how people help them and how they are saved if diseased. The albino gorilla at the top is an excellent example. I saw that episode. It had a condition where the sun burned it too hard. They literally tried EVERYTHING to cure it. Unfortunately, that gorilla died, but still. At least they put real EFFORT into it. The only thing is that some of the stuff might disturb little kids, like leeches sucking people's blood as they swim in an infested pool (also on the medicine episode; completely normal leeches).
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Kid, 12 years old
August 6, 2010
AGE
I like the show. It teaches u stuff.
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| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Network: | Animal Planet |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
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