SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7

SERIES PREMIERE

"LIFE IS WILD" � (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET)

"Pilot" (TV- PG) (HDTV)

SERIES PREMIERE OF NEW FAMILY DRAMA SET IN SOUTH AFRICA � Katie Clarke (Leah Pipes, "Clubhouse") may never forgive her veterinarian father, Danny (D.W. Moffett, "For Your Love") and step-mother Jo (Stephanie Niznick, "Everwood") for dragging their entire blended family out of New York City to spend a year living in a broken-down lodge on a wildlife reserve deep in South Africa. In fact, the one area of agreement among Katie, her 11-year-old brother Chase (K'Sun Ray, "Smith"), their rebellious teenage step-brother Jesse (Andrew St. John, "General Hospital") and 7-year-old step-sister Mia (Mary Matilyn Mouser, "Eloise"), is that Danny has lost his mind. Complicating matters, the family takes up residence at the Blue Antelope Lodge, the childhood home of Katie's deceased mother, where her reclusive grandfather, Art (David Butler), still resides. Things begin to look up for Katie and Jesse when they meet young locals Oliver (newcover Calvin Goldspink), Tumelo (newcomer Atandwa Kani) and Emily (newcomer Tiffany Mulheron). While Jo struggles to adjust to this strange land, Danny immediately begins working on sick and injured animals, much to the relief of the locals. Brian Gordon directed the episode written by executive producer Michael Rauch (#100).