Forget cuddly pandas and majestic lions. Planet Weird is here to celebrate the freaks, the geeks, the downright bizarre members of the animal kingdom. This new series, narrated by the delightfully offbeat UK comic Ross Noble, takes a humorous look at the evolutionary quirks that make certain creatures so…well, weird.
The premiere episode, “Origin Stories,” explores how some animals are born with their unusual traits hardwired from the get-go. We meet the bowerbird, a creature whose courtship rituals involve elaborate displays of interior design that would make even the most discerning Pinterest user jealous. Then there are the Christmas Island crabs, whose annual migration involves navigating busy roads with all the grace of a drunken sailor on roller skates. And let’s not forget the sockeye salmon, whose epic upstream swim is a testament to the power of instinct (and perhaps a touch of masochism).
Noble’s narration adds a welcome dose of levity to the proceedings, with pop culture references and comparisons to human behavior. It’s a refreshing change from the usual dry, nature-documentary tone. While the show revels in the weirdness of its subjects, it also explores the evolutionary advantages of these seemingly strange traits. Because even the most bizarre behaviors often serve a purpose, whether it’s attracting a mate, ensuring survival, or just getting across a busy road without becoming crab paste.
Planet Weird premieres Sunday, January 26 at 7:00 pm on Sky Nature.