Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Celebs learn survival skills in tense, exhilarating series.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Running Wild with Bear Grylls
What's the Story?
It seems like Average Jane and Joe viewers aren't alone in envying nature superhero Bear Grylls for his survivalist skills: Celebrities, too, have watched his shows and wanted to play (fight, climb, kill, camp) along. In RUNNING WILD WITH BEAR GRYLLS, an hour-long series, famous people from Zac Efron to Channing Tatum to Tom Arnold do just that. Each week, a different celebrity takes a two-day adventure with Grylls, always getting from one point to another in the most adventurous way possible. You wouldn't want to try these stunts at home, but they're a lot of fun to watch on TV.
Is It Any Good?
You probably already know if you're the kind of person who will enjoy Running Wild with Bear Grylls, and that answer is best predicated on whether you enjoyed Grylls' other one-lone-man-against-cruel-nature shows, such sa Man vs. Wild. The chief appeal is Grylls' go-for-broke spirit. A 150-foot waterfall stands between you and the thing you want to get to? Wrap a rope around your body and lower yourself down! Can't find any food? Dig yourself up some healthy worm protein!
Adding in a queasy, nervous celebrity gives the whole undertaking more cringe appeal. Grylls has no trouble tucking into a pot of worms, but the look on Zac Efron's face is worth it. Viewers who don't enjoy watching others in physical jeopardy (albeit well-planned and picturesque jeopardy) will be turned off by the derring-do; those with a sporty or survivalist bent themselves will probably want to watch for a bit of wish fulfillment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether the adventures Bear Grylls and his guests go on look fun and exciting or scary and miserable. Are they supposed to look like fun? Why, or why not?
Shows in which people are put into difficult situations and then watched as they struggle are common on television. Why? What's interesting about these situations? Are they particularly pleasant to watch from the perspective of a comfy couch?
Did watching any of Bear Grylls' celebrity guests make you respect or like them more or less? Do you think this was the reaction the celebrity was hoping for when he or she agreed to appear?
TV Details
- Premiere date : July 28, 2014
- Cast : Bear Grylls , Zac Efron , Channing Tatum
- Network : NBC
- Genre : Reality TV
- Topics : Adventures
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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
Suggest an Update
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