Wild Side Show

Wild Side Show
GenreNature
Written by
  • Melanie York
  • Jennifer McAuley-Biasi
Presented by
  • Jessica Durante
  • Scott Tunnell
  • Jillian Hirasawa
  • Gordon Michael Woolvett
ComposerBob Wiseman
Country of origin
  • United States
  • Canada
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes26
Production
Production locations
Running time23 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network
ReleaseFebruary 21, 1992 (1992-02-21) 
September 30, 1995 (1995-09-30)

Wild Side Show (shortened to Wild Side for its second season) is a nature documentary series for children, which aired on Nickelodeon and later Noggin. The show originally ran from 1992 to 1995 on Nickelodeon, with reruns from 1999 to 2002 on Noggin. Segments from the series were also included as part of Noggin's Phred on Your Head Show.

The show focuses on up-close encounters with animals, both in zoos and in their natural habitats. The producers wanted to avoid the style of a "nature show with a voice-over narration and no humans in sight," which is why the hosts were "so close to the animals, right next to their faces." Most of the show was live-action, but short animated segments were also used to explain concepts and add humor.

Wild Side Show ran for two seasons and 26 episodes in total. The first season, hosted by Jessica Durante and Scott Tunnell, was taped at the San Diego Zoo. The second season, hosted by Jillian Hirasawa and Gordon Michael Woolvett, was taped at the Toronto Zoo in Canada. Safari scenes were taped throughout southern Africa. Some episodes visited different locations, like Yellowstone National Park.