I can't believe they really made this.
I know it's the kind of thing I've thought about making. Or, at least, that I thought they should make. My family has been watching nature documentaries since I was a little boy, and I'm sure at some point we all imagined what would happen if someone tried to parodize them.
Lo and behold, now one exists.
A Nature Documentary...Parody
After completing its landmark nature documentary series Planet Earth and also the sequel series Planet Earth II, it would appear that a question arose in the BBC main offices:
"What do we do with all the footage we didn't use?"
Because BBC nature filmographers collected hundreds of hours of video in their quest to make the most beautiful documentaries ever. And quite a lot of that was left on the cutting room floor. Some of the footage was simply of too low quality to make it into a landmark series, but no doubt there was still a lot of useable footage left out.
Futhermore, some of that footage was likely deemed too controversial, for Planet Earth, particularly the parts that included
- Animals defecating
- Animals copulating
- Animal afterbirth
- Animals tearing each other to pieces (even more gruesomely than in most nature documentaries).
Meet Your Host
Comedian Matt Lucas plays Armstrong Wedgwood, the eccentric septuagenarian voice actor renowned the world over for his documentaries.
Whether he is actually senile or simply too old to care, Mr. W approaches his work as a nature documentary narrator with a devil-may-care demeanor, being so brazen as to make demands during the recording and even crack jokes when he's feeling naughty. He occasionally brings his dog into the recording studio, assuring the producers that the pup will be no trouble at all.
He may also have been involved in some illegal dealings in the past, and he has a low opinion of the BBC and is not afraid to vent his frustrations.
As he is the show's only character, a lot rides on Mr. W's shoulders to make the whole experience entertaining, but he's really only interested in pleasing himself, much to the consternation of his never-seen-nor-heard producer Tabitha, who sits just outside the soundproof recording room trying to get him to stay on script.
Meet Your Planet
Inasmuch as the footage here is left over from the making of BBC's Planet Earth series (though mostly from Planet Earth II, if my guess is right), everything is just as beautiful and well captured as you would expect from a real nature documentary. This is top notch wildlife photography.
It's all presented in high definition, and if you were to watch it with the TV muted, there would be almost no way to tell that you were not watching something a bit more respectable.
Meet Your Music
Round Planet, strangely enough, also features a musical score that sounds like it would fit right in with Planet Earth. To have a sarcastic voiceover narrating the action while such swelling music plays is a delicious contrast, and ratchets up the humor aspect of the show.
I wonder, however, if the poor composer did not know that his music was actually going to be put in a parody. That would be a rude awakening.
Or perhaps all the music was somehow left over from Planet Earth, as well. I wish I could say for certain.
Meet Your Crew
Another fun addition to the show is the occasional "making of" featurette that plays at the end of some episodes.
These depict the actual camera crew in their natural habitat, and are also narrated by Mr. Wedgewood. He takes a kind of haughty pleasure in being able to lampoon them. They're a great addition to the show.
My Judgment
Round Planet is a stroke of genius. The genre of parody documentaries is vastly underserved, and we as consumers ought to demand more of it.
I will say, however, that I wish the show had gone more "balls to the wall" with its humor. The runtime has plenty of laughs, but little escalation. Once the audience is laughing, you should pull the rug from under them to get even bigger laughs. And, unfortunately, the show is too polite to do that.
That said, it is an excellent comedy series. Sadly, there is only one season, but that entire season is currently on Netflix. Add it to your queue. You will be glad you did.
Previous entries in the Netflixing series:
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@talanhorne,
I also like wild life documentary! Therefore, wish to watch this TV series as well.
I like what you said in the Judgement! It's easy to figure whether this is worthy or not to watch!
Cheers~
Another wonderful and interesting review by @talanhorne sir....
Actually I'm really like and respect to ur uncommon ideas....ur writtern skills id execellent sir...
I'm always try watch comedy movies in my free time...
Wel done and perfect work...
Cheers~~~
@talanhorne sir...
Like Earth, the one rock in the solar system that you'd save if you could only save one, this show has changed my life. Round Planet, unmissiable!
Cheers~~~
You are right, my friend, the Round Planet has interesting moments and there are comic situations where you can laugh, but it is desirable that there would be more fervent humor. In general, the idea is good and for family viewing is quite suitable. Thanks @talanhorne for the excellent review.
I really liked the documentary, apalgi associated with nature, due to my nature-lover with a classic pastime.
Nature seems to me personally: what I see in nature is a order of songs that we can not understand with not very thorough, and it should make someone who is always thinking in the scope of feeling low careful, there could beat to this great indahan.
Thanks for this Great article for today @talanhorne
This is valuable post. very Netflixing movies and good think.
@talanhorne
Have a great day.
@talanhorne sir...
I stumbled on this by accident in the kids section, but while my kid enjoys watching the animals, I'm having some sensible chuckles over the goofy, sometimes snarky commentary, and frequent breaking of whatever the narrator's equivalent of the fourth wall is.
Wel done and perfect work sir...
Great fan of netflix,talanhorne and netflix is the amazing story one can see.
found another good tv series to watch. impressive review & nice judgement. @talanhorne
@resteemia
reteemed & upvoted
Now that's looks to be perfect have to see this :D
Great post sir.😀
I completely agree with you sir.
Nature documentaries looks so amazing.
Your judgement is always right.
You have a great knowledge of various kind of things.🤗💙
I learnt most of things about this platform from your posts.
platform.
I really appreciate your work.💚
Thanks @talanhorne sir for sharing this post.
Upvoted + resteemed your post.
Best movie review there @talanhorne. You very simply given whole movie. We can understand better like as watch these. Outstanding characters there. I like most to see nature included movies.
This kind of documentary is not common in my list so I have to try it and watch it.
wonderful and interesting review by @talanhorne pak ....
Actually I really like and respect your unusual ideas.
I'm a comedy movie lover, so movies related to comedy I think I need to watch it.
great recommendation from you thank you sir.
and I will also meresteem or share your post @talanhorne.
@talanhorne - Sir I think I want to watch this series... You nicely reviewed it with your fluent & excellent English writings... Thank you Sir...
+W+
This is very interesting article and this is a great netflix.thanks for sharing.
((((((( Resteem Service )))))))
Great review
Definitely gonna try this one
Good job my friend,, success for you
Woww another beautiful writing
Netflixing 'round planet'.
I will watch this.
Wonderful share
Have a great day @talanhorne
Really sir, greet review and i enjoy reading very much.You doing very good job. Thanks for sharing with us. Keep it up brother and i waiting for you next post
Very beautiful. life blog netflix tv post to you for thank you very much, and this post a lot like and like post vote and comments and post share, I like this post a total of all see and this post to everyone can vote
@talanhorne, Round Planet wanna better story indeed Netflix movie. I prefer to watch it. It's genius movie instead. Better explain by you there. Thanks for whole effort.
As per your excellent review, I will add “Round Planet“ to my watchlist.
When it comes to “Planet Earth” series, I love it. It always amazes me the way they film it. And add the amazing picture quality to it. It’s almost like you are there.
This kind of documentary is no common in my list so i have to try it and watch this season if i liked that will be sad because we just have a unique season. Regards
This is pretty good! Have to watch it soon! Thank you @talanhorne! ☺
Cool..
I wanted to watch a comedy
Seems like this would do the job
Thanks man
Thank you for your efforts. it is interesting tv series and great work.And you are very good at writing articles.
100% like and resteem
I just love the handle! Your mixed review of both Planets is humorous and adventurous. As always, I enjoy reading you reviews!
Woww another beautiful writing
Netflixing 'round planet'.
I will watch this.
Wonderful share
Have a great day @talanhorne..
I agree with you, there are very few parodies of documentary films. After reading the message, I wanted to see this movie. Thank you for the information.
Great TV series . wonderful experience @talanhorne
For your post propagation.
Upvote/Resteem
Hello @talanhorne,
Extraordinary good review of 'Round Planet' TV program.
~@mywhale
Excellent story sir. Thank you for sharing us. I always like your post because something really important thing in your post. Specially your story.
Excellent tv series, Great post. @talanhorne
Resteem
Watching nature in its natural habitat is always bring wonder and amazement of such powerfull power at work. I always think it is a good choice in spending time compare to watch fake news or politics that unrelentlessly try to fill up our head with rage and discomfort. Understanding how nature at works always nurture humanity and understand our part in larger ecosystem. thanks for sharing.
upvote and resteem sir
Incredible survey, Certainly going to attempt this one, resteem
wow cool
great review.. @talanhorne
Round Planet you reviewed well. I didn't know this TV Program until today. Excellent work done well.
This report seems to be of new type ;)
Liked it by the way .
What do you think of about La.casa.de.papel (Money Heist)
I am watching it and kind of getting the Prison Break feeling once again ;)
added to the list
plenty of laughts ,whatelse i want
awesome review
Congratulations @talanhorne
Now you are in the MinnowsPower Loyalty Member List...!!!
You made an exceptional review on 'Round Planet'...!!!
100% Upvoted by @MinnowsPower
It looks very interesting,my dear @talanhorne,Very beautiful. life blog netflix tv post to you for thank you very much, and this post a lot like and like post vote and comments and post share, I like this post a total of all see and this post to everyone can vote,
Always best part netflexing channel.
Wonderful writing and
Great sharing .
👌
#upvote and #resteem.
@talanhorne
Wow amazing sir i am great fan for your netflix edition,great to see such amazing stuff from you sir.
This is valuable post and excellent writing with hopefully tv series .thanks for sharing.
Upvote Resteem
Better explain netflix movie again @talanhorne.
I'm interesting with this movie.
Amazing story dear.Really awesome post.
Thanks for sharing your writting with us.
Your professional review of 'Netflix Round Planet' makes me crazy to watch it~