Pond Stars
Common Sense says
- NatGeoWild
- Reality TV
- 2014
Parents say
Kids say
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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 Pond Stars is a mild reality series about a team of water-gardening experts building animal-friendly ponds and waterfalls. It's a promotional vehicle for the American Aquascapes company (whose logo is prominently visible) but offers some information about the design and function of various water features, as well as the wildlife they attract. There are a few minor mishaps during the building process (no one gets hurt) and a few scenes that might be a little disturbing (including one where a live grub is eaten). Kids probably won't be clamoring to see it.
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- Kids say
My 4 year old and I both love Pond Stars
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What's the story?
POND STARS is a reality show about a team of water-gardening experts as they design and build a wide variety of water features for various clients. It stars Greg Wittstock, whose childhood love of turtles led to the creation of his suburban Chicago business American Aquascapes. Joining the CEO is the science expert Ed Beaulieu and construction foreman Brian Helfrich. Rounding out the group is rookie Chris Hanson. From building a pondless waterfall to attract birds in a Georgia homeowner's backyard to creating a trout-filled stream behind a California fisherman's house, the team travels around the country designing, digging, building, and filling water features that are both beautiful and animal-friendly.
Is it any good?
The mild series highlights the science and creativity that goes into the wide variety of water features that act as animal habitats while still offering a beautiful landscape for people to enjoy. It also offers details about some of the plants and reclaimed wood features they use to promote moss growth, attract insects, and create self-sustaining animal-feeding grounds.
The projects are impressive, and the few details the show offers about the wildlife that will benefit from them are informative. Explanations about the design and construction of the various ponds and waterfalls also are offered. Most folks won't find it very entertaining, but viewers interested in these topics will find it worth watching.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about the reasons individuals or organizations get their own reality shows. What is it about what they do that makes them interesting enough for a TV show? Is it what they do? Or how they do it?
TV details
- Premiere date: September 9, 2014
- Cast: Greg Wittstock, Ed Beaulieu, Brian Helfrich
- Network: NatGeoWild
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-PG
For kids who love reality shows
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