Pit Boss: Review of Animal Planet's Newest Television Program

Animal Planets newest addition, 'Pit Boss' premiered Saturday evening at 10:00 which stars 35 year old little-person, Shorty Rossi. Shorty Rossi left home in his early teens as to avoid interpersonal conflict with his dwarf parents. Rossi also left the comforts of an upper-middle-class home in suburban LA to reside at the Nickerson Gardens Housing Projects in South Central LA in the city of Watts.

Shorty Rossi's Life As A Teen Before Animal Planet's Television Program: Pit Boss

Apparently Shorty Rossi's self-inflicted socioeconomic status may have played as a negative part in Shorty's young life, for he was lodged into a youth facility for a gang-related shooting, and by the age of 18 years old Shorty Rossi was sentenced and imprisoned to a ten year, ten month and ten day stint in the infamous Folsom State Prison for a litany of felonies.

Shorty Rossi's Turns His Life Around In Film Before Animal Planet's Television Program: Pit Boss

Shorty Rossi's time served in prison also apparently had an influence on him, however this time in a more positive manner. Shorty Rossi was bitten by the acting bug where he played Alvin of 'Alvin and the Chipmunk's stage-show fame at the Universal Studios. He later went onto play roles in several other films and worked along side the likes of: Bruce Willis; 'The Kid', Eddie Murphy; 'Daddy Day Care, Jim Carrey; 'The Grinch', and Whoopi Goldberg in 'Call Me Claus.'

Shorty Rossi's Deep Roots Stem Into Hollywood Before Animal Planet's Television Program: Pit Boss

Shorty Rossi's entertainment resume' also credits many TV shows and he also went back to the stage in more serious productions. However, after a stunt resulting in an accident, Shorty Rossi refusing to be side-lined by this debilitating accident turned it into fuel for his entertainment fire by founding the 'Shortywood Production Company.' Shortywood Productions vision is to manage little thespian's and provide them with entertainment work for all types of TV shows, film, private parties and corporate events.

Shorty Rossi's Passion For Pit Bulls Stems Into Animal Planet's Television Program: Pit Boss

One of Shorty Rossi's other passion's run deeper than the acting bug, and that is his devote love for the species of dog known as pit bulls since he was a child, and asserts for their love by claming that one has saved his life more than once while running the mean-streets of South Central Los Angeles California. Rossi employee's a crew of little people from his Shortywood Productions Rolodex as pit bull animal rescuers by forming Shorty's Pit Bull Rescue.

Shorty's Pitt Bull Rescue is a second business endeavor that rescues, rehabilitates and places neglected and abused pit bulls in kinder, and gentler homes. Shorty's Pitt Bull Rescue is more of a pit bull information service that uses one-part education, mixed with one-part activism. Shorty's is not a shelter nor a charity; for they employ the use of independent, student and short films, culminated with public-service commercials, as well as various forms of print ads. They also contribute many volunteer hours by visiting nursing homes, hospitals, schools, and awareness functions.

Shorty Rossi's First Episode Of Animal Planet's Television Program: Pit Boss

Animal Planet's newest television program addition, 'Pit Boss,' features Rossi and his crew of little people employee's known as; Ashley, Sebastian and Ronald, in an episode coined, 'The Big Dog Is Back,' which aired January 23rd at 10:00. Rossi and his crew attempt to rescue an ill-treated pit bull, where then thereafter the crew visits an animal shelter where they give it their last ditch efforts to save a dog about to be euthanized.

A 1-10 Rating Of Animal Planet's Television Program: Pit Boss

Overall: 5
Violence: 6 - What little physical altercations that are shown seem staged and or provoked by director for production "value." Discussion of Shorty's attempted murder charges are discussed, as well as prison life.
Language: 7 The use of words such as; piss, damn, hell and ass are audible; whereas _hit and _uck are bleeped-out.
Sex: 4-5 Mild sexual innuendo, and a scene were cast members are pole dancing with "exotic-dancers."
Positive Role Models: Shorty seems to mean well, however his methods of "acquiring" mistreated pit bulls are more often than not. questionable to say the least.
Negative Practices: Shorty smokes cigars, drinks wine, however no gratuitous drug usage is shown.
Recommended Viewing Audience: Over 13 years of age and older.

Sources: The Animal Planet Channel