Really Wild Animals

Really Wild Animals
Presented by	Dudley Moore
No. of episodes	26[1]
Production
Running time	Home video/DVD ~45 minutes TV version - 30 minutes
Production company(s)	National Geographic Society
Broadcast
Original channel	Syndication (1993-1995) Disney Channel (1996-1997)
Original run	December 29, 1993 – December 31, 1997

Really Wild Animals is a children's nature television series comprising 26 episodes that aired between December 29, 1993 and December 31, 1997, starring the late Dudley Moore as Spin, a talking globe.^[1] The series was released on 13 VHS tapes, and later on 13 DVDs.^[2]

Released by the National Geographic Society, the series educates children about many different species of animals. Initially, the series go to every continent describing the wildlife on each one. The series has episodes that focuses on one specific group of animals, such as dogs, cats, endangered animals, animals of the Galápagos Islands, etc.

Billy West was credited in later episodes of the series as doing additional voices.

One of the co-producers of the series was Alan O'Day, writer of #1 pop songs in the 1970s. Songs for each episode were written, produced and performed by Alan O'Day and Janis Liebhart. In the end of an episode or the first half of an episode that is divided into two-thirty-minute long episodes, Spin says, "Spin ya later!".

On VHS/DVD

From 1993-1997, the series was released on 13 VHS tapes. Around 2005, National Geographic began releasing the episodes on DVD.

Pilot episodes: Swinging Safari, Wonders Down Under, and Deep Sea Dive.

Season 1

• Swinging Safari

This first episode features animals from Africa, primarily in the Serengeti Plain, but also the jungles of mid-Africa and the Kalahari Desert. These animals include elephants, zebras, chimpanzees, meerkats, and lions. Throughout the film, the law of survival and the food chain are emphasized. Jane Goodall appears.

This episode contains five songs. The first one is about lions; the second talks about baby animals; the third talks about how humans, monkeys and apes are all related; the fourth is about zebras, and the fifth one is about Africa and is beauty. No official titles are known for the songs.

• Wonders Down Under

In this episode, the animals of Australia are examined. The theme of "weirdness" among Australia's native creatures (compared to the rest of the world) is explored by taking a look at mammals, birds and reptiles. The kangaroo, platypus, emu, dingo, koala, and more are all featured.

This episode contains five songs. The first one is about Australia and how unique it is; the second talks about kangaroos; the third talks about the strange adaptations of animals in Australia; the fourth is about the Outback, and the fifth one is about how despite the "strange" appearances, all of Australia's animals make it a unique land. No official titles are known for the songs.

• Deep Sea Dive
  • Note: This is the first episode where Spin explores around the world instead of just sticking to one continent and the final one where he appears in his original animation.

This episode takes the plunge into the world's oceans and explores underwater life. Key destinations visited include the Great Barrier Reef, and Antarctica. Some of the animals featured are dolphins, octopus, seahorses, fishes, sharks, penguins, and whales. The film attempts to capture the wonders of the sea and the importance of protecting it from pollution.

This episode contains five songs. The first one is about water; the second talks about strange animals that live deep in the sea; the third talks about the importance of keeping the water clean; the fourth is about animal movement, and the fifth one is about the "real" underwater treasure, which is all the wildlife. No official titles are known for the songs.

• Totally Tropical Rain Forest
  • Notes: This is the first episode that Spin appears in his new animation form. He will remain in this form throughout the rest of the series. In addition, this is also the first episode to have less than five songs.

An in-depth look at the rainforests of Central and South America ensues in this episode. The film is structured around a journey though the layers of the forest, from the floor to the mid-layers to the canopy. During this journey the jaguar, cougar, leafcutter ant, howler monkey, Harpy Eagle, and river dolphin are among the animals shown. Environmental issues surrounding deforestation are also looked at.

This episode contains four songs. The first one is about all the life that lives in the rainforest; the second talks about the importance of finding food and the food chain; the third talks about the rainforest canopy and all the flight-capable animals that call it home, and the fourth is about the importance of keeping the rainforest safe. No official titles are known for the songs.

• Amazing North America

This episode takes a look at the North American continent from its deserts and swamps, to its cities and tundra. Squirrels, bears, alligators, mountain lions, bison, wild horses, rattlesnakes, termites, raccoons, porcupines, frogs, and turtles are all featured. The diversity of the North American landscape, and how all its animals have adapted to it, are all key points in the film.

This episode contains four songs. The first one is about what animals need to do to survive in North America; the second talks about the places animals call home; the third talks about difficulties in getting what animals want, and the fourth is about the winter season. No official titles are known for the songs.

• Adventures in Asia

The immense continent of Asia is explored. With such a large area to cover, this episode jumps from one place to the next. Examples include South East Asian islands, the Arabian peninsula, Indian jungles and Chinese mountains. Some of the featured animals in these locations are the sea snake, the Arabian oryx, the tiger, and the Giant Panda. The difference between myth and reality is put to the test in uncovering the lifestyles of all these creatures.

This episode contains four songs. The first one is about all the Asian legends, and how much truth is in them; the second is about territories; the third is about animal roughhousing and how important it is, and the fourth is about all the life, human and animal, in Asia. No official titles are known for the songs.

• Polar Prowl
  • Note: In this episode, the first song doesn't begin until over a minute into the episode, marking the first time this has happened in the series.

In this episode, Spin takes the viewer on a trip to the Arctic and Antarctic regions of the earth. Animals such as penguins, orca whales, polar bears, caribou and walruses are explored. Additionally, the show examines the three ways animals survive the harsh cold; hibernation, insulation and migration.

This episode contains four songs. The first one is about the cold temperatures and how the animals don't mind it; the second talks about ways animals beat the cold; the third is all about penguins, and mentions 17 species by name, and the fourth is a tribute to Antarctica. No official titles are known for the songs.

Season 2

• Hot Dogs and Cool Cats
  • Note: This was the point in the series where Really Wild Animals started airing on TV, and as a result had to cut down on episode length. Instead of one 45-minute episode, all VHS/DVDs released would contain two half-hour episodes. Also, beginning here, all episodes only have two songs in them.

In the first episode, Spin takes a look at dogs and tries to determine if there is a link between wild and tame dogs. The songs in this episode are about why dogs do what they do, and the loyalty that dogs possess. In the second episode, Spin examines cats and learns that no matter how tame, they're always wild. The songs in this episode are about cats having an attitude, and the second is about how they're wild inside. The second episode is the first time Alan O'Day does not appear in a Really Wild Animals episode.

• Dinosaurs and Other Creature Features
  • Notes: This is the first episode in which the background changes from the sky to outer space; this background, which had been in place since the first episode, will remain for the rest of the series. Spin misreads the title card as "Dinos and Other Creature Features," despite it saying "dinosaurs." Robert T. Bakker appears in the first episode, and in the second half, footage from a Three Stooges episode, Disorder in the Court, is shown.

In the first episode, Spin examines dinosaurs such as Hadrosaurs, Struthiomimus, Tyrannosaurus Rex, and Dromaeosaurs, and tries to answer the many questions surrounding them, including how they became extinct, and if relatives still exist today such as Alligator, Snakes, Komodo Dragons, Ostriches, Cassowarys, and other birds. The songs in this episode talk about dinosaurs, and about how their modern-day relatives still "rock our world." This episode is the first and only episode to not feature Alan O'Day or Janis Liebhart singing the songs. It's also the last episode where a guest singer was brought in. In the second episode, Spin looks at some of the world's creepiest creatures, and shows that no matter how scary they are, they all play an important part in the world. The first song is about how even though the creatures are creepy, there's something intriguing about them, and the second song is about how important all of them are.

• Monkey Business and Other Family Fun
  • Note: Janis Liebhart performs both songs in the first episode; she only appears in a duet in the second episode. Also, this episode features a parody of Candid Camera called Candid Critter Camera. It's hosted by "Alan Grunt" (an obvious parody of Alan Funt, who is played by Billy West.

In the first episode, Spin takes a look at primates of all types, including gibbons, Bush Babies, and baboons. He also explains that primates are our distant relatives. The first song is about all primates, and the second song talks about gorillas, our "gentle brothers." In the second episode, Spin takes a look at animal families, and shows that they're not all that different from human families after all. The songs in this episode are about how curious animal children are, and how important families are.

• Farmyard Friends
  • Notes: This is the first VHS/DVD release that doesn't mention the second episode. The TV version of Farmyard Friends was called "Spin's Really Wild Farm Tour." Also, at this point, Warner Brothers became the distributor and started advertising before the episode began.

In the first episode, Spin takes a look at farm animals, such as turkeys, sheep, and cows, and examines their wild relatives from all over the world. The first song talks about all the animals on the farm, and the second asks if the viewer were a farm animal, would they be wild or free? In the second episode, Spin takes a look at how humans help endangered animals and how animals rescue people, and shows that if people work together to help save animals, they'll prevent them from becoming extinct. The songs in this episode are about help being available for animals, and how if humans work together with animals, everybody will be safe at last.

• Awesome Animal Builders

In the first episode, Spin shows animals that their own homes, such as termites, beavers, and naked mole rats, and explains that they build their homes to have families. In the second episode, Spin takes a look at animals that migrate, such as wildebeest, sockeye salmon, tundra swans, and explains that the cycle of migration never ends.

• Secret Weapons and Island Magic
  • Note: Despite this being the last release of Really Wild Animals, the show still ends with Spin saying, "be sure to join me on our next adventure. Until then, this is your pal, Spin. Spin ya later!"

In the first episode, Spin's a spy who's trying to find out how some animals have some ways to defend themselves, such as frill-necked lizards, poison dart frogs, bombardier beetles, and puffer fish, and finds why animals need these defenses. In the final episode, Spin shows animals that live on certain islands, such as lemurs in Madagascar, Tasmanian Devils in Tasmania, and eastern rock-hopper penguins in Snares Island, and shows how unique they are than mainland animals.

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b} "Really Wild Animals". clicker.com. Clicker. http://www.clicker.com/tv/really-wild-animals/#EpisodeList. Retrieved 14 October 2010. 
2. ^ "Really Wild Animals". shopngvideos.com. National Geographic Society. http://www.shopngvideos.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=16053&storeId=15001&categoryId=243393&langId=-1&page=1&viewAll=0&sortValue=0. Retrieved 24 October 2010.