I am disgusted and really amazed that Animal Planet would choose Whoopi Goldberg to narrate the Meerkat Manor movie.

Does anyone there remember that she defended Michael Vick's actions on "The View?" Could they not have found ONE celebrity who also happens to be an animal lover?

I was looking forward to this movie, but I'm not watching it now.

No Whoopi did not defend Michael Vick. What she said was to look at cultures and what happens where. Some places there is dog fighting some places there are cock fighting. She did say what he did was a foolish thing in any case. By the way I thought I was Stockard Channing narraating, at least that is what the credit listed where I read.

I thought Whoopie Goldberg did a great job narrarating the movie. Can't wait to see how Stockard Channing does.

Hi all! I do not follow celebs and what they do, but if Ms Goldberg did defend someone who it appeared was abusing animals, then the choice was poor.

My problem is that she sounded half asleep. I feel the voice should have had more life to it...Mr. Astin...where are you?

I will say that she did appear to have wiped the sleep out of her voice at the end, the epilogue was stunning...no matter the voice and she did deliver that well.

ALL HAIL THE QUEEN
Flotosbea

zactly what i say. Why they didnt choose Sean? I dont know. But the absulute truth? THEY SHOULD HAVE! Still flowe has her movie now! Which is well deserved.

quote:

Originally posted by altheapitts:
No Whoopi did not defend Michael Vick. What she said was to look at cultures and what happens where. Some places there is dog fighting some places there are cock fighting. She did say what he did was a foolish thing in any case. By the way I thought I was Stockard Channing narraating, at least that is what the credit listed where I read.

She ABSOLUTELY defended him. Google "Goldberg defends Vick" and read the articles to see exactly what she said. To imply that the murder and torture of dogs is a "cultural issue" is absolutely absurd. And if that's a "foolish thing" to her, well....it's a felony to the rest of the world, and than God for that.

It was a disgrace for her to narrate that show, and Sean Astin would have done a much better job.

This narrator was the worst! I was really disappointed in the movie ... was watching it as a guest in another household and we turned it off as although Meerkat was cute .. couldn't really follow the storyline. There was no life or energy behind the speaker. Agreed, wished we had Mr. Astin or even Dudley Moore (remember Otis and Milo).

I dont really think anybody liked the narration. I didnt.

Not a big Whoopi fan to start with, but I really disliked her narration style last night.

I miss Sean terribly. I don't have anything against Stockard Channing (I've always liked her ~ since Grease), but I would much rather have Sean back!

MM without Sean will be like mac without cheese!

Oh, and as to her defending Michael Vick. I took great offense that she said, "from where he comes from in the South, dogfighting isn't that unusual."

Beg your pardon, Ms. Goldberg, I grew up in the South, and it was VERY unusual!! It's considered just as horrible in the South as any where else in the country.

I felt like she was making excuses for him...and unfounded ones at that.

**climbs down from soapbox**

Hated it, hate the new narration of Season 4 too. There is nothing like the delivery of lines by Sean Astin. I could only assume that he possibly has other projects going on that maybe interfered? I hope he visits the site to see how much we all loved him as the voice of our meerkats!

As for the Michael Vick thing, disgusting! Appauling! To think that is acceptable anywhere is just downright ignorant! I can't watch a documentary with animals killing each other in the wild, I couldn't imagine purposely doing that to an animal! No excuse, just plain appauling!

I posted my disappointment with the movie and Whoopi's narration on another thread, so I won't repeat, but I am absolutely furious that she would say the dogfighting is a cultural thing in the south. It is not a cultural thing; it's a criminal thing. And if she thinks it only happens in the south, she needs to visit Detroit! Why AP would have chosen her over a true animal lover is beyond me. SEAN ASTIN is and always will be the best voice of the Meerkats, and if they don't get him back, they are going to lose viewership.
MaryJane (Cola SouthCarolina)

Whoopi was an extremely disappointing choice. She sounded like she was reading a boring book to put a child to sleep. I adore this show and Flower but Whoopi made it sooooo uninteresting. From the sneak peak, I don't like Stockard Channing for the upcoming season either. Sean was perfect and losing him as narrator is like losing Flower. Bring Sean back!!!

I am watchng the movie now, how am I enjoying it? Well I am on here posting arent I i nstead of paying attention. What the F were they thinking, Woopie Finf goldberg, REALLY? Seriously? In my are season for starts next friday, I dint even know that i want to watch, what a nightmare. Poor Flower, she is rolling in her grave.

I cannot agree more with all who were disappointed with Whoopi's narration. It isn't the same without Sean's voice. Come on Animal Planet. Lets get him back.

It didn't sound like Whoopi if you are talking about the 'Beginnings' movie, but whoever it was, the narration for it was terrible. I admire Stockard Channing, I prefer Sean Astin. His narration was perfect and I want to see him back.

I think Whoopi was great. It was something different. Hey, we can't have Sean Astin everytime. A narrator's a narrator. Get over it folks.
=)

Sean Astin said in a radio interview that it was AP's choice to replace him. Since the new season was about new beginnings, they wanted a new narrator.

Flower_is_forever, a narrator is NOT a narrator. There are voices to which viewers become accustomed and changes are sometimes difficult to accept. My dad was blind and a change in narrators didn't meet with good results.

BTW, meerkat_mama, Dudley Moore passed away several years ago. His voice was wonderful!

I wrote AP about the changes in narrator, but I know it won't do any good.

I think they picked the WRONG person to narrate. Whoopies New York accent and the phony inflections are horrible. It made the whole movie seem like a joke. Too bad. Sean Astin was truely missed.

Does anyone know why Sean Astin isn't going to be the narrator this year? If it was his choice is one thing but it seems like up ole timers are out dated and Meerkat Manor wants more viewers so did Sean not what to do it or was it Animal Planet? What else is left to change? I think that we are going to see more of some of the other mobs and hear more about them. The only thing that is sure is that this season is going to be a very different one.

quote:

Originally posted by kellyjello:
Does anyone know why Sean Astin isn't going to be the narrator this year? If it was his choice is one thing but it seems like up ole timers are out dated and Meerkat Manor wants more viewers so did Sean not what to do it or was it Animal Planet? What else is left to change? I think that we are going to see more of some of the other mobs and hear more about them. The only thing that is sure is that this season is going to be a very different one.

Kelly, I answered your first question a few posts above. He was replaced, he did not quit or ask for more money.

I'm hoping to buy the movie with Sean Astin's voice dubbed over Whoopi's, but I know that's just a dream!

I thought Whoopi did a great job - Sean is better but maybe because he is the original narrator and it's his voice I was expecting. Who ever you choose just so the Meerkats are back on TV. I relish those fearsome little animals.

Just tried to post so many times CLEANING it up
ever time, still wont go thru

here it is straght up
the new voice doesnt work
ap admit you made a misteak
wont anybody think diff of you
buy out her contract
give Sean a raise
have him RE VOICE THE remaining
season 4 epps SAVE MEERKAT MANOR

Hi Chris323,

Please watch the movie. I have had it taped for a few weeks now and finally decided to watch it. Although, like everyone else, I really would like to see Sean doing the narrating but the movie is good and Whoopi is not that bad. I just watched the first Meerkat Manor on June sixth and as much as I like Stockard Channing as an actor, it really bugged me with her when Rocket Dog had to decide whether to run or attack. Stockard says, "RD started a counter attack" then when they had to retreat, Stockard said, "RD slams the Whiskers into full throttle". We really don't need all the "neat" way of telling what the meerkats are doing, we are watching along with the narration......Kelly

Whoopie was a snoozer and Stockard doesn't quite cut it. Sean was PERFECT!!

Animal Planet what were you thinking when you fired Sean Astin?? Stockard Channing is an absolute bore! I am falling asleep just listening to her. She adds nothing to the show except for stupid little remarks that are unnecessary. The direction of the show is taking a nosedive and I suggest bringing Sean back and reevaluating the show's format before you lose many many devoted fans. You have really botched up a good thing.

quote:

Originally posted by razzyjuju:
She adds nothing to the show except for stupid little remarks that are unnecessary.

razzy just for the record the only remarks SC gives in the show is from a script. So those aren't her words but those of the writers. I'm thinking based on the time frame, lol, maybe all the good writers were still on strike when they needed the scripts for season 4 finalized

I own the movie and the first 3 seasons, I'll buy season 4 as well. Narrators will come and they will go, I loved Sean as well but if it means losing MM completely I'll listen to whoever they hire (or use the little feature that allows me read while I mute the show, lol)

I haven't seen the movie since it aired, but I think Whoopi did ok. I'm still not completely comfortable with Stockard Channing. I can't quite pinpoint it; maybe a sense/lack of "energy" in the narration. Probably a little bit of missing Sean Astin too. It's good to know for sure why he's not the narrator anymore; I kinda thought that was why when I read there would be a new name and a new narrator. I guess it makes sense from the "Hollywood" perspective. We lost a lot of kats last season who'd been there from the start, and I think with that much change, they probably felt that they needed to try to make a "new start."

Where, oh where, is Sean Astin. He was so perfect as narrator of the meerkat's story. I vote to get him back as soon as possible. Also, is there a new writer for the script. It just is not as good as last season.

I MISS SEAN TOO. HE WAS A GOOD NARRTOR I RELLY WISH HE WAS STILL THE NARRTOR he was relly was good at his job the girl is not so bad u know

Well, i think they had Whoopi narrate because when they did the top 100 animals on AP, and showed Meerkats 47 they gave a fun fact that Whoopi Goldberg and some one else loved watching MM. So i guess they thought it appropriate to have a celebrity fan to narrate. Considering they probably wanted some ratings on this movie. Although the whole dog fighting thing, well it's bull with what she did or did not do.

Honestly guys we can't change the movie, it's out, it's done. we can only hope one Season they will let Sean back. For i did favor his voice better than the new girl Stockard Channing( Who is she??? ).

quote:

Originally posted by tammynshae:
Oh, and as to her defending Michael Vick. I took great offense that she said, "from where he comes from in the South, dogfighting isn't that unusual."

Beg your pardon, Ms. Goldberg, I grew up in the South, and it was VERY unusual!! It's considered just as horrible in the South as any where else in the country.

I felt like she was making excuses for him...and unfounded ones at that.

**climbs down from soapbox**

She said that? That is the biggest lie I have ever heard! I've grown up in the South for as long as I can remember...

quote:

Originally posted by tammynshae:
I miss Sean terribly. I don't have anything against Stockard Channing (I've always liked her ~ since Grease), but I would much rather have Sean back!
MM without Sean will be like mac without cheese!

Hi everyone, I very much agree. For whatever reason the narration was changed, I think it was a mistake. I like Stockard Channing also, but with the loss of Flower, everytime I hear the new voice at the show's begining, it just reminds me all over again of the loss of Flower. I'd rather have had Mr. Astin continue on as the narrator, to provide the needed transition from last seasons sadness to this new season's new generation.

While reading your posts, I had a great idea
(or so I think), if AP won't bring Sean back,
what do y'all think about Sally Field? I think
she has a great voice for the Manor. Not to
mention, I am sure she would be committed to
our beloved "kats", whereas SC is disconnected.

I really, really, really, really hate Stockard Channing voice and naration!!! she have no flavor, no soul, no nothing! Sean Astin was the best!

"She ABSOLUTELY defended him" QUOTE

If you "You Tube" you will see both episodes from the view. The original discusson where she said it was a "Cultural Issue", though she sterotype southerns, its unfortunate that she is about 30% correct (not a 100%) on this. And if you are from the South (as I grew up here) you would know that it's true. She wasn't making excuses for him. Then you should watch the next day, where she apologized for her poor choice on words and that she didn't defend Michael Vick in anyway. She was appauld as was most of the country in regards to this. She is an animal advocate. Don't read articles, "YOU TUBE" the episodes and you will see for your shelf what she said and how she handled the after math.

As for her narration, it wasn't good at all. I like WG and she loves the show (she even talked about it on the view) however I too think she was a poor choice.

I miss SA, but I really like Stockard Channing. I think she brings a twinkle in her voice.

HI

I, too, miss Sean Astin. I have liked Stockard Channing on film and stage, but this is not the right job for her. BRING BACK SEAN ASTIN AND HAVE HIM VOICEOVER THE REMAINING EPISODES (AND ALL THE EPISODES FOR THE DVD THAT WILL BE RELEASED).

I think Stockard Channing is a terrible narrator. Her tone is obnoxious and condescending. It affects the feeling of the show. Bring back Sean Astin. It would restore continuity. I feel he's the right person to narrate the show. I saw no reason to replace him. SC sounds like she's telling a children's story and is emotionally disengaging. If they absolutely had to replace SA, they could have made a much better choice. Bring back Sean Astin.

I haven't actually seen the movie yet (where I live the show was cancled due to 'lack of veiwers X|') so the movie never premiared. I have veiwed the first 5 minutes of it though, when I heard Whoopi's narration my first impression was....

"I thought Whoopui was a chick O-o"
She talked like a guy <.< I agree, a different narrator would earn it more stripes.

But I do believe they should use a different narrator rather than Sean/Bill/Mike, I can't think of a reason at the moment, but it seems right that way...

I was also dissapointed with the selection for season 4, Stockards voice is less than suitable for a documentary, they changed the way we look at meerkats, all mating, no basic drama like they use too

Meerkat Manor's going downhill...I personally believe a season 5 isn't neccesary, I love the show, but from what I've been told, season 4 ended with RD surviving the snake bite, a happy ending. I think we should leave it there...Sorry everyone =[

Bring back Sean he was the 1st narrator we should keep him the movie was okay but hearing Whoopi's voice surprised during the movie in my head i was saying what is this? is meerkat manor going to be good as seasons 1 and 2? poor mozart and shaksapere if it wasn't for him mitch would be dead and so would flowers pups during the lazuli attack