NATURE's THE JOY OF PIGS explores the extraordinary variety and success of these often misunderstood mammals.

Pigs may be in vogue today among filmmakers and Beverly Hills society matrons, who stroll around with potbellied porkers while shopping on Rodeo Drive. But this ubiquitous animal has been around since before the Ice Age -- and in some parts of the world, pigs have been treated like stars for centuries.

The surprising allure of this creature in all its astonishing varieties is the subject of THE JOY OF PIGS The program guides viewers around the globe for a look at exotic wild pigs and an exploration of the different roles that domesticated pigs play in human societies.