The Most Extreme
By Pam Gelman,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Glitz overshadows good information. Tweens and up.
Add rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
In MOST EXTREME, each episode counts down, from 10 to 1, the "best" in animal attributes, while also comparing the particular topic or skill to humans' abilities. Who are the best jumpers, builders, stinkers, predators, and biters? The show uses real-life footage of and information about animals, as well as expressive narration, bad jokes, computer animation, and dramatic music. Occasionally, footage from old black and white movies are even tossed into the mix -- for example, snippets from The Bride of Frankenstein were shown in the context of discussing the platypus' peculiar assembly.
Is It Any Good?
Most Extreme is a great idea that suffers from too much production pizzazz. Certainly, the snazzy graphics are part of the reason that Most Extreme is popular with adolescents and adults. But the over-the-top production values overshadow the information being presented. That, combined with a narrative tendency toward sometimes-racy humor (talking about animals that make the best lovers, commenting on mating habits, etc.), makes the series a better fit for older tweens.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the animals on the show compare to family pets or neighborhood critters. Why do opossums and raccoons prefer to come out in the evening? Why do dogs howl when fire engines go by? Parents can help kids appreciate animals' special characteristics -- like how their senses are more- or less-finely tuned than our own. The show may also spark a discussion about careers working with animals, or a trip to the library for more information.
TV Details
- Premiere date: July 1, 2002
- Cast: Adam Harrington
- Network: Animal Planet
- Genre: Educational
- Topics: Science and Nature , Wild Animals
- TV rating: TV-G
- Last updated: February 28, 2022
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
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
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