Latest news with #UNDERDOGS
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
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
Business Wire
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Ryan Reynolds Celebrates Nature's Unsung Heroes With UNDERDOGS Trailer, a Boundary-Breaking Natural History Experience
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For 137 years, National Geographic has been bringing you breathtaking wildlife footage of iconic animals—penguins, elephants, whales and more. As if those windbags need any more free PR. Hold on to your binoculars, folks, as Nat Geo gets up close and personal with the outcasts of the animal kingdom in UNDERDOGS, narrated by . From their hidden talents to their unconventional hygiene choices to their unsavory courtship rituals, UNDERDOGS celebrates the unique behaviors of the animals who don't usually get to be the stars of the show. From Reynolds' Emmy ® Award-winning Maximum Effort and Emmy ® and BAFTA Award-Winning Wildstar Films (a Fremantle company), National Geographic's UNDERDOGS premieres June 15 at 9/8c, simulcast on ABC, and will be available to stream the next day on Disney+ and Hulu. 'Getting to work with National Geographic on UNDERDOGS was a dream come true—mostly because I can finally watch a project of ours with my children. Technically, they saw 'Deadpool & Wolverine' but I don't think they absorbed much while covering their eyes and ears and screaming for two hours,' said Reynolds. 'We're so proud to elevate the unsung heroes of the natural world to the top of the entertainment food chain and can't wait for everyone to see.' Each episode of the five-part series showcases a different aspect of these underdogs' bizarre mating strategies, surprising superpowers, deception, dubious parenting skills and gross-out behaviors. UNDERDOGS features a range of never-before-filmed scenes, including the first time a film crew has ever entered a special cave in New Zealand - 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. All over the world, overlooked superstars like this are out there 24/7, giving it maximum effort and keeping the natural world in working order for all those showboating polar bears, sharks and gorillas. With stunning imagery from the world's leading wildlife cinematographers and music by multiple award-winning composer Harry Gregson-Williams ('Shrek,' 'The Martian,' 'Gladiator 2'), UNDERDOGS is edgy and informative. It's the unexpected superhero blockbuster of the summer that celebrates the oddballs and outcasts while highlighting remarkable survival techniques, mental resilience, and exceptional instincts. ' Underdogs (Original Series Soundtrack)," which will consist of Harry Gregson-Williams' score, will be released on Hollywood Records on June 13 and will be available everywhere you listen to music. Global rock superstars Green Day wrote the original theme song for the series, which is featured in the trailer. Green Day's deluxe edition of their latest album, 'Saviors,' includes seven newly added tracks, including the UNDERDOGS theme song 'Underdog.' 'Saviors (édition de luxe)' is available everywhere you listen to music. Episodes include the following: 'Superzeroes' Premieres June 15 at 9/8c on National Geographic Ryan Reynolds assembles a team of 'Superzeroes,' apparently pathetic animals with unexpectedly awesome superpowers. Forget about the cheetah's speed, the eagle's eyesight or the elephant's brute strength, and say hello to the invisible glass frog, the indestructible honey badger and the pistol shrimp who can fire bubbles that are as hot as the surface of the sun. 'Terrible Parents' premieres June 15 at 9:54/8:54c on National Geographic Ryan Reynolds reveals some highly questionable parenting strategies from the animal kingdom's worst parents, the underdogs. From a goose who lays their eggs on the top of a cliff to a koala that feeds its baby poop, it's uncertain if they are bad parents or just misunderstood. But no matter how bad you think you may be at parenting, you can't be as bad as these guys. 'Sexy Beasts' Premieres June 22 at 9/8c on National Geographic Forget the birds and the bees, Ryan Reynolds reveals the steps to finding 'the one,' underdog-style. From the 'first attraction' in giant-nosed proboscis monkeys to the importance of wingmen in turkey courtship to foreplay in flying foxes, these guys have re-written the rule book on messy and complicated relationships. 'The Unusual Suspects' premieres June 22 at 9:53/8:53c on National Geographic Ryan Reynolds puts the spotlight on the underdogs who get ahead by sneaky tactics. From the master-of-disguise frogfish to a butt-biting jackal and a multi-headed caterpillar playing the decoy, these are the masters of deception and deceit. And bringing all these hustlers together is the greatest con artist of them all—a cunning macaque who feeds on the spoils from unsuspecting tourists. 'Total Grossout' Premieres June 29 at 9/8c on National Geographic Ryan gives his unique take on the animals who use gross-out tactics to achieve their goals, from defending their home to finding a mate and wining at the game of life. His cast includes manatees that use flatulence to control their buoyancy and cave-dwelling fungus gnats that create beautiful, illuminated fly traps from the mucus lit by their bioluminescent butts. UNDERDOGS is produced by Wildstar, a Fremantle company, in partnership with Maximum Effort for National Geographic. For Wildstar, Mark Linfield, Vanessa Berlowitz and Dan Rees are executive producers. For Maximum Effort, Ryan Reynolds, George Dewey, Ashley Fox and Patrick Gooing are executive producers; Sophia Travaglia and Molly Milstein are producers. Polly Billam serves as co-series producer and writer. For National Geographic, Tracy Rudolph Jackson is the executive producer, Janet Han Vissering is senior vice president of Production, Charlie Parsons is the senior vice president of Development, Bengt Anderson is the executive producer and senior vice president of Unscripted Production, and Tom McDonald is the executive vice president of Global Factual and Unscripted Content. About Maximum Effort Maximum Effort makes movies, tv series, content and cocktails for the personal amusement of Hollywood Star Ryan Reynolds. We occasionally share them with the general public. Producers of the Deadpool films, Free Guy, The Adam Project and Welcome to Wrexham. About Wildstar Films Wildstar brings new perspectives and fresh ideas to high-quality natural history content, all powered by an open mind, a diverse outlook, a desire to work with the best in the world, and a commitment to sustainability. Led by co-Founders Mark Linfield and Vanessa Berlowitz whose extensive credits include Planet Earth, Frozen Planet and multiple wildlife feature documentaries for Disney Studios, Wildstar's rapidly growing team is a blend of exciting young talent and experienced hands who have won all of the major industry awards including BAFTAs, Primetime Emmys® and RTS. The company's recent output includes: Queens (Disney+/National Geographic), Secrets of the Octopus (Disney+/National Geographic), Tiger (DisneyNature for Disney+), Tigers on the Rise (DisneyNature for Disney+), America the Beautiful (Disney+/National Geographic), Animals Up Close with Bertie Gregory (Disney+/National Geographic), America's National Parks (National Geographic), Elephant (Disneynature), and Monkey Kingdom (Disneynature). About National Geographic Content Representing the largest brand on social media with over 780 million followers and 1.1 billion impressions each month, National Geographic Content's award-winning and critically acclaimed storytelling inspires fans of all ages to connect with, explore and care about the world through factual storytelling. National Geographic Content, part of a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, reaches over 532 million people worldwide in 172 countries and 33 languages as a digital, social and print publisher and across the global National Geographic channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO), National Geographic Documentary Films, and direct-to-consumer platforms Disney+ and Hulu. Its diverse content includes Oscar®- and BAFTA award-winning film Free Solo, Oscar-nominated films Sugarcane, Fire of Love and Bobi Wine: The People's President, Emmy® Award-winning franchise 9/11: One Day in America and JFK: One Day in America, Emmy® Award-winning series Animals Up Close, series Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller, Life Below Zero, and Secrets of the Whales, in addition to multiple National Magazine Awards, Pulitzer Prize Finalists and Webby wins. Visit and or explore Instagram, Threads, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, and Reddit.
