Pick of the Litter (TV series)
Pick of the Litter | |
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Docuseries | |
Developed by |
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Composer | Dave Tweedie |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 6 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Running time | 30 min |
Production companies |
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Original release | |
Network | Disney+ |
Release | December 20, 2019 January 24, 2020 | –
Pick of the Litter is an American documentary television series by Dana Nachman and Don Hardy for Disney+ based on 2018 film of the same name, also written and directed by the duo, that began streaming on December 20, 2019.[1]
Premise
The series follows six potential guide dogs named Paco, Pacino, Raffi, Amara, Tulane, and Tartan and how they are nurtured, trained, loved, and shepherded along the way forward potentially changing a blind human companion’s life and working as their guide dog.[2]
Production
In August 2019, Kidscreen reported that
Shortly after the trailer for the film was released, Disney put out an idea to adapt the film into a series and the negotiations began for making the series. When the idea about this series was pitched to Chris Beginner, CEO of Guide Dogs for the Blind, he accepted as it would increase awareness of their organization. Instead of repeating the content of the 2018 film, the directing duo decided to instead focus on the transition period from getting the puppies from puppy raiser homes to the twelve weeks of guide dog training by focusing on a specific litter.
As the production didn't want to disturb the training process, they used smaller camera on a gimbal that then went onto a monopod that could be flipped upside down. Another challenge they had faced was the question of whether the puppy raisers would be willing to open their homes for the documentary crew.[5]
Episodes
No. | Title | Directed by | Original release date | |
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1 | "Meet the Dogs" | Don Hardy | December 20, 2019 | |
Focuses on the six puppies and their puppy raisers and the bond between them. It also focuses on how the dogs undergo the evaluations to become guide dogs for the blind before advancing to professional training. | ||||
2 | "Off to Puppy College" | Don Hardy | December 27, 2019 | |
Focuses on how the puppies are recalled to the guide dog facility for their training and their medical tests at the center. It also touches on how visually impaired individuals can opt for a guide dog. | ||||
3 | "Training Begins" | Dana Nachman | January 3, 2020 | |
Focuses on how the puppies are trained as guide dogs, including undergoing testing with their trainer blindfolded. It also focuses on how puppies selected for breeding undergo distraction and other testing. | ||||
4 | "Next Level Training" | Don Hardy | January 10, 2020 | |
Focuses on advanced levels of training from phase three to phase seven, where guide dogs in training have to use all their skills to pass the test in phase eight. It also focuses on the match-making process between dogs and clients. | ||||
5 | "Meet Your Match" | Don Hardy | January 17, 2020 | |
The dogs in advanced training take their final exams in the hopes of being matched with clients. | ||||
6 | "Together at Last" | Don Hardy | January 24, 2020 | |
The graduating dogs meet with their puppy raisers before they go home with their new partners. |
Release
The first episode premiered on Disney+ on December 20, 2019 with the following episodes debuting weekly on Fridays.[6] The series was removed from Disney+ on May 26, 2023.[7]
Marketing
The first poster and trailer for the show were released on November 19, 2019.[8]
Reception
Allie Gemmil of
References
- ^ "Disney+ chases "Pick of the Litter" docuseries". Reelscreen.
- ^ "Docu-series 'Pick of the Litter' about Bay Area guide dogs coming to Disney+". abc7news.
- ^ "Disney+ chases Pick of the Litter docu-series".
- ^ Conte, Erin (October 12, 2019). "The 30-day countdown begins! PICK OF THE LITTER... On Disney Plus... Watch for the Launch!!! @DanaNachman @IamDonHardy @evilcannoli @KTFfilms @ErinC2011 @disneypluspic.twitter.com/1LpM8NOJOh".
- ^ Turchiano, Danielle (December 18, 2019). "'Pick of the Litter' Team Talks 'Magic' in Making Guide Dog Matches".
- ^ "Every guide dog has its day. Start streaming the #DisneyPlus Original Series Pick of the Litter on Dec. 20.pic.twitter.com/dLPWqrGxJL". November 19, 2019.
- ^ Weatherbed, Jess (May 19, 2023). "Disney will remove over 50 shows from Disney Plus and Hulu this month". The Verge. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
- ^ "Ruff, rewarding, real — this is the path to becoming a guide dog. Pick of the Litter, a #DisneyPlus Original Series, premieres Dec. 20.pic.twitter.com/7ewFCogYny". November 19, 2019.
- ^ Gemmill, Allie (December 20, 2019). "Disney Plus Pick of the Litter Review: A Sincere, Insightful Look at a Special Kind of Dog". Collider. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ "Stream It Or Skip It: 'Pick Of The Litter' On Disney+, An Adorable Docuseries About Six Puppies Training To Be Guide Dogs For The Blind". Decider. December 20, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ "Pick of the Litter - TV Review". www.commonsensemedia.org. December 12, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
External links
- Pick of the Litter at IMDb
- Pick of the Litter on Disney+