Celebrity Animal Encounters
Animated retellings have broad appeal but some iffy stuff.
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Celebrity Animal Encounters
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Celebrity Animal Encounters is a collection of stars' memorable experiences with animals of the domesticated and wild variety. In each episode, two or three celebrities from entertainment, music, or sports offer lengthy recollections of unusual happenings involving animals like coming face to face with a bear, losing a friend's cherished pet, and fending off coyotes looking for a meal. Some stories are funny, some tug at the heartstrings, and some involve mild scares, so if you're watching with very young kids, it's best to preview first. Expect some infrequent strong language like "hell" and "f--ked," which is edited. Also know that the cartoon re-imaginings often exaggerate for effect, so a beautiful woman in a swimsuit will reveal much, for instance. That said, there's broad appeal in this unique show that will appeal to all different kinds of viewers.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
In CELEBRITY ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS, stars from the entertainment, music, and athletic fields share personal stories of experiences with animals that remain fresh in their memories. There's Aimee Teegarden's inspiring tale about her mom's dramatic rescue of an injured seagull, Moby's chance discovery of a tiny kitten that needed a miracle to survive, and Kristen Bell's once-in-a-lifetime birthday celebration with her favorite animal, the sloth. As the tellers recall their tales, animated re-imaginings of the events play on the screen.
Is It Any Good?
As with any collection of yarns, these stories are only as good as the person recounting them, so some are more captivating than others. The addition of cartoon visuals, which often exaggerate caricatures and events for comical effect, goes a long way in making all of them more interesting to watch and hear than straight narration would be.
Celebrity Animal Encounters is the kind of show that is fun for the whole family, especially when viewers are familiar with the stars who participate. Occasional language and some wink-wink moments that hint at sexy subjects aside, the show's mostly innocuous content and heartwarming feels about the human-animal relationship will appeal to range of ages and interests.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the relationship between humans and animals. Do the Celebrity Animal Encounters stories change the impression you have of how people and animals relate? Are there human qualities in some animals? How do animals enhance and, in some cases, help protect our lives?
Would this series be as intriguing if the story tellers weren't recognizable celebrities? Which ones did you know before watching? Is it fun to see stars in unscripted roles? Are you more interested in their work now that you've seen them in this show?
Even though the stories focus on animals, they reveal something about each of the tellers. In which cases did you notice character strengths like courage, resilience, or compassion? Who do you know who might respond in a similar way to that same scenario?
TV Details
- Premiere date: July 27, 2018
- Cast: Kristen Bell, Al Roker, Kate Micucci
- Network: Animal Planet
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Cats, Dogs, and Mice, Horses and Farm Animals, Wild Animals
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: December 1, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
The Secret Life of Pets
Adventure is clever and engaging, despite animals in peril.
-
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
Adventurous animal tale will have kids riveted.
-
Unlikely Animal Friends
Unique animal relationships are sweet and strong.
For kids who love animal friends
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate