Weird, True and Freaky

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Strange animal tales focus on shock value.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

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.

  • Overall, the show sensationalizes and exploits the unfortunate nature of some of its animal subjects. But experts make things somewhat educational by explaining scientific terms like "cyclopia," and computer graphics help illustrate the narration.
  • The experts who participate are knowledgeable, but the sensationalistic context doesn't do too much for their status as role models.
  • Mention of animal slaughter, stillbirths, and fatal genetic mutations. Some segments discuss surgical procedures and mention animals eating and/or attacking people.
  • Some episodes touch on animal birth/mating facts.

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.


Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!

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?


This review was written by Emily Ashby
Teen, 17 years old
November 29, 2008
 
if your bord...
if your bord put this on its good.

Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 9 years old
January 6, 2011
 
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.

Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 12 years old
May 4, 2010
 
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).

Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 12 years old
August 6, 2010
 
I like the show. It teaches u stuff.

Flag as inappropriate 

This review was written by Emily Ashby
TV rating:TV-14
Network:Animal Planet
Genre:Reality TV

This review was written by Emily Ashby
 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

 

vote now

Will you see Weird, True and Freaky?


Already seen it? What do you think?

 

Been There? Tell us about it