Animal X (TV series)
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| Animal X | |
|---|---|
| Format | Cryptozoology/Documentary |
| Language(s) | English |
| No. of series | 2 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 min. per episode |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | Discovery Channel |
| Original airing | 1997-2002 |
Animal X is an American TV series airing in more than 120 countries. It began in 1997 with its first series of 13 half-hour episodes. In 2002, Discovery Channel in the US co-produced a second series of 13 half-hour episodes with the creators of the series, Australia's Storyteller Productions, for Animal Planet. [1] At this point Animal X episodes generally had 3 stories, with one exception: The Skookum Cast. This was a joint expedition between Animal X and the BFRO which discovered the now famous Skookum Cast.
Contents |
[edit] Animal X: Natural Mystery Unit
In 2004 Animal X spin off, the Natural Mystery Unit, was born. Also a co-production between Discovery US and Storyteller, it was again aired on the Animal Planet Network in the United States, as well as numerous other networks in countries around the world. AX NMU features a male and female investigation team comprised of Daniel Searle and Natalie Schmitt. [2]They visited locations of cryptid sightings and provided background on the possible existence of the legendary animals. A 'controller' character played by veteran actor Bill Kerr tells the story, provides directions and gives orders to the team. In wonderful Vaudeville style, Kerr looks into the camera and addresses the viewing audience directly, calling them "darlings" in comments such as: "Now that is truly frightening, darlings!" Kerr always ends the show with the same line; "There are stranger things in Heaven and Earth. And you've just seen one of them . . . on Animal X."
Animal X Classica (as the first two series have become known) [3]and Animal X Natural Mystery Unit are slickly produced in entertaining segments that often feature eye-witness testimony. AX NMU episodes routinely show the Animal X Team planting motion-activated infrared video cameras to try and capture evidence of the creatures they seek; or discovering some form of physical evidence which they would then send off for analysis. Even so, episodes are careful to avoid making definitive conclusions and the new evidence presented by the Team is usually described as inconclusive or unable to be classified. Animal X adopts a cautious believer approach to Cryptids and rarely features outright skeptical viewpoints. In 2007 the show is on air in various countries, including Poland, Norway, USA (reruns starting again soon) and soon to be available on the web through Google Video and others.
[edit] Episode List
[edit] Series One
- Chupacabra, Magic Cows & Black Dogs
- Killer Crocodiles, Fizo, Howick Falls Monster
- Rainbow Serpent, Lake Monster, Killer Wolves
- Cattle Mutilations, Croc Horror, Black Cat of Killakee
- Dingoes, Fish, Bigfoot
- Komodo, Ghostly Lion, Canadian Lake Monster
- Cat worshippers, Alien animals, Killer Bees
- Salaawa, Dolphin therapy, Jersey Devil
- Goatman, Phar Lap, psychic animals
- Beast of Bodmin, Giant Squid, psychic animals part two
- Yeti, hypnotising dog, Thylacine
- Mad elephants, Biblical lions, Yowie
- Caddy, Red Heifer, Big Cats in Australia
[edit] Series Two
- Chupacabra in Puerto Rico, Panthers in Essex, Dogs who diagnose disease
- Marsupial Lion, Thunderbirds, Animals sealed in stone
- Megaladon, pets that save lives, plagues of animals
- A Bigfoot special
- New England sea serpent, hominids around the world, Beaching whales
- Skunk Ape, animal emotion, frog and fish rain
- Incredible dog journeys, thylacine, Swedish lake monster
- Carnivorous herbivores, Megalania, Animal memories
- Animal heroes, Yowie, Telepathic parrot
[edit] Series Three
- Ghostly Creatures
- Beast of Gevaudan
- Thylacine
- Bigfoot
- Winged Creatures (Mothman, Owlman)
- Monsters of the Deep (Bloop)
- Reptilian Creatures (Lizardmen)
- Chupacabra
- Big cats
- Animal Powers
[edit] Series Facts
Series Premiered: UK: Channel Five 1998, US Discovery Channel (reversioned with the "spookiness" removed), then in its original form on Animal Planet worldwide. It has been seen in more than 120 countries.
[edit] References
- ^ Storyteller Media group Animal X - Series One, Two, Three (The Natural Mystery Unit. Accessed April 11, 2008
- ^ The Investigators from AminalX.Net, the Official Series Website. Accessed April 11. 2008
- ^ AnimalX.Net Supporters: A message of thanks from Mike Searle Creator and Executive Producer of Animal X (page is dated 2004) Accessed April 11, 2008
