On March 6, 1999, the cover story on TV Guide proclaimed 7th Heaven “the best show you’re not watching.”  Well, enough people tuned in to keep the Camdens on the air for 11 seasons, and when Life is Wild took over their Sunday timeslot this year, comparisons were drawn between the two family dramas.  But these series are worlds apart, in every sense of the word.  Filmed entirely in South Africa, Life is Wild offers a unique backdrop of exotic animals and stunning scenery.  Good-looking teens are at the heart of many CW shows, and it’s no different a hemisphere away, with step-sibs Jesse (Andrew St. John) and Katie (Leah Pipes) involved in separate love-triangles that are really compelling.  When “bad boy” Jesse learned that Mbali was engaged, we felt his heartbreak—the same pain Tumelo had seeing Katie kiss suave rich guy Oliver (Calvin Goldspink).  Each of these young people are dynamic actors, blending well with solid veterans D.W. Moffett and Stephanie Niznik, parents of the semi-dysfunctional family.  There are lessons subtlety woven into storylines, and we get to learn about the African culture, with the music, in particular, a stark contrast to much heard on U.S. airwaves.  In fact, the promo alone for this week’s installment will give you goosebumps.  Life is Wild is sort of hidden away on Sunday nights—but if you watch it just once, I guarantee you’ll be back.

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 15th, 2007 at 4:35 am and is filed under Life is Wild. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.