New National Geographic Show 'Underdogs' Celebrates Nature's 'Terrible Parents'
As parents, we can often make so many decisions through the day. We then usually doubt the decisions once we've made them. Should I really let my 5-year-old stay up until 11:30 p.m. to watch a movie? Or lose my cool on my kid when they've done something questionable? What about the junk food and sugar binge my kid had right before bed?
There's no doubt that parents in the animal kingdom can also make some poor decisions or have some questionable parenting strategies. Just in time for Father's Day, National Geographic is debuting its brand new series called UNDERDOGS, narrated by actor and father of four Ryan Reynolds. And it's definitely not your typical nature show.
The second episode of UNDERDOGS is titled "Terrible Parents," and we are getting a sneak peek at an exclusive clip. In this clip, we meet Larry the Barnacle Goose, known as "Father of the Year" in the episode. His chicks are about to take on the very dangerous art of base jumping, after hatching from the nest at the top of a cliff.
I know I held my breath watching that chick take a leap of faith and then try to survive! But we all have to let our kids spread their wings and fly, even if they fail. They can then learn from those mistakes, right? (I mean, if it's not a threat to their lives like it seemed for this little goose.)
But Larry the Barnacle Goose isn't the only "Terrible Parent" in this episode. Reynolds also introduces viewers to a koala that feeds its baby poop. It also features other animals like gazelles, beetles, meerkats, and langurs. I think we parents can all relate in some way.
"Ryan is a parent himself, and this was always the episode he was the most enthusiastic about when we were developing the series," says Dan Rees, UNDERDOGS executive producer, who works for Wildstar Films. "Every parent makes mistakes, but this show offers some solace because, no matter how bad you might think you are at parenting, you can't be as bad as these guys. Some of the UNDERDOGS parents' decision-making is seriously flawed, and Ryan, with his unique brand of self-deprecating comedy, was the perfect person to tell their stories."
Rees also offers this takeaway for parents who watch the show."So just how terrible are the Underdogs at parenting? You'll have to watch the show to decide for yourselves, but when the chips are down, no matter how much they might have messed up along the way, even the underdogs (with one or two notable exceptions) come through. And if they can do it, so can you," he tells Parents.
UNDERDOGS is all about "the outcasts of the animal kingdom." The show looks at animals' unique behaviors that don't always get the attention, including their hidden talents, "unconventional" hygiene choices, and "unsavory" courtship rituals.
The show is produced by Reynolds' company, Maximum Effort, along with Wildstar Films. And if it's narrated by Reynolds, you know the Deadpool actor will be injecting his own signature sarcasm and humor into each episode.
There are so many, let's say, interesting aspects of the natural world. In one episode, a film crew goes into an unusual cave in New Zealand—a cave no film crew has ever entered. According to the news release, it's "a huge cavern that glows brighter than a bachelor pad under a black light thanks to the glowing butts of millions of mucus-coated grubs."
If that description tells you anything, you and your kiddos will definitely get some chuckles from this series.
The first episode of National Geographic's UNDERDOGS called "Superzones" premieres on National Geographic Channel on June 15, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT. It will also be simulcast on ABC and will be available to stream the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
If you're looking for "Terrible Parents," it will air immediately following the first episode on National Geographic. Here's the full list of episode titles and air dates.
'Superzeroes' - June 15 at 9/8c on National Geographic
'Terrible Parents' - June 15 at 9:54/8:54c on National Geographic
'Sexy Beasts' - June 22 at 9/8c on National Geographic
'The Unusual Suspects' - June 22 at 9:53/8:53c
'Total Grossout' - June 29 at 9/8c on National Geographic
All of the episodes will be available the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
Read the original article on Parents
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