"The arctic: here, everything is frozen. This bit, this bit..."

December 25, 2017 8:45 PM

"The chamelion's tongue is one of the wonders of the natural world. Unless you're an insect, then you'd call it the death rocket." This is natural history, but not as you know it. Narrated by off-kilter natural history doyen 'Armstrong Wedgewood' – played by the inimitable Matt Lucas – this is blue-chip rebooted. This is Round Planet, a Planet Earth parody that uses stunning BBC footage with amusing narration, and it's on Netflix (at least in the US). [IMDb]

As noted on the Reddit discussion of the show, it's like a modern remake of National Geographic's Really Wild Animals with Dudley Moore, but as a proper British production, not a goofy American kids' show (sample episodes: Swinging Safari, Deep Sea Dive, and Wonders Down Under).

posted by filthy light thief (14 comments total)

Man, I wanted to like this so much more than I did. Needs more straight-faced “I’m a scientist” Monty Python absurdity and less corny dad jokes. Thank you for posting, I applaud the idea but the execution is way off.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 11:14 PM on December 25, 2017 [2 favorites]

Makes me miss Ze Franks True Facts that much more.
posted by progosk at 11:40 PM on December 25, 2017 [12 favorites]

Required related YouTube link: The Honey badger
posted by Start with Dessert at 12:26 AM on December 26, 2017 [4 favorites]

I wanted to like this so bad, but it was too self-aware for someone like me who is in love with 4th wall breaking series. Too much emphasis on getting a laugh and making off-hand irreverent comments and not enough observational absurdity, definitely needed some feedback before going to air.
posted by yueliang at 12:51 AM on December 26, 2017 [1 favorite]

This makes me miss the drama and tragedy of "Constable Beetle of The Yard"
posted by BinaryApe at 2:34 AM on December 26, 2017 [2 favorites]

Ah, beat me to the Squawky Talkie reference, Binary Ape! I'm so pleased to see that someone's posted what looks like the whole series to YouTube.
posted by scruss at 5:45 AM on December 26, 2017 [1 favorite]

A bit more on Squawkie Talkie from the British Comedy Guide.
posted by filthy light thief at 5:52 AM on December 26, 2017 [1 favorite]

For slight rebuttal, my 12 year old loved this, though yes, it was not the pinnacle of sophisticated comedy.
posted by emjaybee at 5:59 AM on December 26, 2017 [1 favorite]

For context/reference, my 40 year old sister-in-law recommended this to us, and she and her husband (as well as me and my wife, and our six year old animal fanatic) were well entertained on Christmas afternoon by this. Also informed, as it seems that the basis for this show is factual information, but with Dad Joke level humor for levity.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:40 AM on December 26, 2017

I really enjoyed it this morning at 4 am when I couldn’t sleep. It’s both soothing and goofy, like old radio episodes of Hitchhiker’s. Plus he is telling actual nature facts I didn’t really know.
posted by Countess Elena at 11:05 AM on December 26, 2017 [1 favorite]

I too was hoping for "absurdist interpretation of animal behaviors," but what I got was also amusing, albeit in a gentler and unchallenging way. The odd, meandering story of the imaginary production crew was entertaining enough.
posted by Scattercat at 2:53 PM on December 26, 2017 [1 favorite]

Yellowstone: A delicate pine fragrance with just a hint of deer urine.
posted by Nanukthedog at 3:17 AM on December 27, 2017 [1 favorite]

If your looking for a fun spoof of british nature films, I highly recommend the Onion's 11 part Horrifying Planet

I still find myself quoting bits to my kids years after first watching it!
posted by Greasy Eyed Gristle Man at 9:41 AM on December 27, 2017 [2 favorites]

Err... I should also add that on a full rewatch, there are definitely a few things that are NOT child appropriate as well :-P
posted by Greasy Eyed Gristle Man at 10:30 AM on December 27, 2017 [1 favorite]