Nickelodeon takes its ‘Wild Side Show’ on safari for a reason of changes

It started off simply enough. The cast and crew of Nickelodeon’s Wild Side Show tracked a pride of lions, camera-ready for a shot of the animals romantically poised against a matchless sunset. Instead, they stumbled upon real life: the lions devouring a large African elk called a kudu. The shock registered on the young hosts’ faces, and that is among the sights greeting viewers as the the show enters its second season this week, with two major changes: new hosts and new locales.

Toronto natives Jillian Hirasawa and Gordon Michael Woolvett, old enough not to require their parents with them as they track wild beasts, will be calling on animals in their native habitats.

The 13 new shows were shot in Africa and in Ontario at the largest game reserve in the world.

“The first year, we spent a lot of time in the zoo, describing how animals fit into our lives, and now we go to them on their own turf,” says producer Dale Burshtein.

“Wild Side” isn’t just another nature show with a voice-over narration and no humans in sight, says Burshtein. The hosts “are so close to the animals, right next to their faces.”

“The magic of the show is we see the reaction of the kids as the camera tracks the animals,” executive producer Marty Katz notes. “The day we shot those lions eating that elk was the first day we arrived in Africa. They were stunned.”

Programs will reflect conditions that the cast and crew encountered, including camping in remote regions and face-to-face encounters with lions, tigers, alligators, elephants, zebras, giraffes and some rare white rhinos.

Also featured this season will be more about ecology and conservation, to the beat of aa new soundtrack with music by Bob Wiseman, producer of Edie Brickell’s new album.

Animated segments, introduced last year, continue to serve as punctuation and sight gags, Burshtein says. “We use the animation a lot to intercut to help explain things to kids visually and add some humor,” she adds.

“Nickelodeon Wild Side Show” premieres Saturday at 5:30 p.m. on Nickelodeon. For ages 6 to 13.

MORE FAMILY SHOWS

The clever and spooky comedy/drama (and former NBC series) Eerie, Indiana (Sunday 1-2:30 p.m. Disney) was an unfortunate casualty during the 1991-92 TV season. Sunday, the Disney Channel will present three episodes of this odd little show, which followed the adventures of Marshall, an observant 13-year-old (Omri Katz), and his devoted friend, Simon (Justin Shenkarow). The boys seem to be the only ones who are concerned with the never-ending weirdness of their own town. For ages 8 and up.

Early male bonding, animation style, from the pen of Ray Bradbury, is the focus of The Halloween Tree (Sunday 3-3:30 p.m. KCAL), which follows four boys who journey around the world and through time to save a friend’s life. For ages 2 to 8.