I got hooked on this show for 2 years, but I just can't do it any more. I thought I was strong enough to watch it, but the first recap I saw had pups being pulled out of the burrow and killed by a rival gang. Life is life, and death comes to us all, but the show gives these little one's personalities and makes us care about what happens to them. The Desert is a killing machine, and I don't argue that this is a documentary, but if I care I just can't watch this anymore. I watched thru Mozarts death last season and I just don't need more tears.

Hi hidden!

Thanks for your post, you make some good points. I, too, started having problems watching the show fairly early into season 3. The "Len and Squiggy" episode is the one that did it for me. While I did eventually watch the rest of the season (not the first airing, though, and usually only after seeing what people here had posted), I wasn't able to watch the re-runs AP aired last weekend. Each time I caught a minute or two while I was surfing, someone was dying (Carlos, Flower, pups, etc.) or being abandoned by humans (yes, Squiggy). I don't think I've forgiven the humans for that one, maybe I never will. I watched the movie last weekend and the two specials, they were okay overall. But frankly, I'm hesitant about watching the new season.

One thing I would like to point out: MM is *not* a documentary, it's a soap opera.

Take care,
Lexie

HiddenDoubleX:

I understand why ou wouldn't want to watch the show. This show is not for the faint-hearted... Death is a fact of life and in any documentary series you'll see death. If you can't take the deaths of animals, perhaps you might want to stop watching AP alltogether. In every program (with the exception of Groomer Has It) I've seen the deaths and injuries of animals.

Lexie_Kat:

MM is a documentary. Just because they change some names and use some anthropomorphism here and there doesn't mean it's just a scripted soap opera. It sticks close enought to real live events to be considered a documentary. If they staged scenes and wrote scripts, the thing at the beginning "Meerkat Manor depicts the real life and death events that take place in the Whiskers Meerkat family" would not be there.

Hi Roscket Dog Whiskers,

I must respectfully disagree. Because AP has made up so many story lines and animals, MM is not a documentary. I've posted in this forum and to Jason that starting with season 3, the producers/AP need to drop that introductory statement because it is incorrect. I'll concede somewhat and label MM as a "docudrama," as I've also done elsewhere on this forum.

And don't forget, "MM: The Story Begins" was completely scripted! It contains some factual information so it could fit under the "docudrama" category, too, I suppose.

Thanks!
Lexie

This is how I see it and I may be wrong, but...

AP films a bunch of Meerkats in action. They have to put a story together that will get our attention. Since not all Meerkats are actors/ actresses, they make a story and name a Meerkat and place that name on that particular Meerkat to get the story. i.e...Mitch... how many have there been? Also, Len and Squiggy were never really named as far as I can see in the book. That was a story that they made for us and like you lexie_kat, I still have not forgiven them for that episode. And the Mozart episode? Come on....to me it is a soap opera and then some...now, about a docusoapdrama? But I am hooked and I love watching them but I HATE when one dies...It was so tough for all of us in season 3......so many deaths...and now....season 4...

I think by saying it depicts the real life and death of Meerkats in the Kalahari, it means that there is life and there is death..it is real, but maybe the names have been changed to protect the innocent...oh, sorry that was Dragnet... 1950's show.....

Janelle

Christopher9691:

I don't really think that's the case. Shakespeare really was a helpful meerkat, Flower really was an excellent leader, Mozart really was resilient, Tosca really was rebellious, Youssarian really did have a quirky personality, Zaphod really was a bit over-protective, etc., etc. Mitch... I'm really getting tired of "Mitch". They talk about him in every episode. But the Mitch we saw in the sneak peek may have been the real Mitch, since Mitch disappeared in late '07 and that episode was from early '07. But they do make up characters sometimes, but for the most part they portray the real personalities of the meerkats, not just made up ones.

I like to think of the name changes as nick-names. It doesn't bother me in the least; I find it to be a fun challenge to figure out who's who.

I prefer not to dwell on its little imperfections ad just enjoy the show as a whole.

Hi Roscket Dog Whiskers,

Thanks for your follow-up. We obviously disagree, and that's okay. For me, these points affect the integrity of the show and of the people who put together MM.

Take care!
Lexie

rdw:

I was actually generalizing. I did not mean all Meerkats. Yes, Flower was real and so was Shakes, and many others. Just that sometimes they are not really THE Meerkat and a stand in is often put in. They need to make a show so they use footage to portray the kats...i.e.Mozart....in some cases. Just like the movie.....

what i dont understand is that they have have 15 years to study them, i think it is time that when there is an injured meerkat that they need to show some compassion and render medical aid. like you i have a hard time watching the show because of the suffering, its needless! i realize these are wild animals and life is tough there, there are other animal studies going on through out the world and usually when there is an injured animal they render help and release them back into the wild when they are better. maybe we should start a petition to put a little pressure on the kmp to render aid when its needed

Tony you are totally missing the point. They are doing research so they can't stop and heal meerkats. If they do then the blow all the hard work that they put in. Life is tough out in the wild. But that doesn't mean that we should interviene.

Driftyalison:

You are exactly right. I feel the same way. By the way, how does intervention have anything to do with this topic?

Christopher9691:

I guess I misunderstood. Sorry! But they do, for the most part at least, show the real personalities of the meerkats.

I AGREE with you but i just can not seem to stop watching it. i love that show but now that flower is gone(but not forgotten) i said i was not ever going to watch mm ever agin but as soon as the next one came on i found my self watching it agin. so i just say if thear is any more deths i will just change the channel untill the sad part gose off.

I could never stop watching either, Flower death was sad and heartbreaking but her legacy is carried on in her children and grandchildren! I think we should watch them make their own legacys and never NEVER stop! *meerkat hugs*, Lilly

i cant either, i love them way to much!

I also agree that mkats must experiance life. Every animal has its season. Death is another part of life, and it will always be here, no matter how much it hurts us..... also, im sure it would be very very very hard to heal something as small as a meerkat.

{~Twiggy~}

RDW, I do agree with you on the aspect of the Meerkats personalities. All animals have personalities if you observe them enough to notice this. Think of the animals we have in our lives, cats and dogs, I know that my cat has a very definitive personality. I know he is strong willed but very caring. I know when he is happy, sad, and angry. So yes, the personalities depicted are hopefully the true "observed" personalities of the meerkats. Mozart was my favorite and I saw her caring nature to everyone around, she was fighter and did her very best to survive in the Kalahari.

Some kats they show are though not in fact that actual meerkat they say it is. Not that I am telling you anything new, when they have said Shakes, it may have been another meerkat. I don't always mind the storylines and yes they are storylines, the meerkats have personalities but they do "write" around that. I was ok with Mozie's final story, I will always believe that this dear kat experienced true love before her untimely death, though I know it's not tue, it is a good thought.

As for Squiggy, well I won't accept that he is not with the researchers or at a reserve somewhere, I won't allow myself to believe he was left there alone!!

Yeah, that is definitely not something new. =P

Wasn't Flava Flav Shakes' stand-in?

Acually, RDW, Flava Flav is Tosca's son, according to Tim Clutton-Brock book.

I agree, all. Flower's death nearly drove me away. I stopped watching. But, next week, there I was, watching "A New Day" From now on, I always remember this:
"Meerkat Manor Depicts the Real Life and Death Events that Take Place in the Whiskers Meerkat Family"

Tosca had a litter before MM started, including Flava Flav, Bad Boy Bubbie, and Arrested Development. I think I've read in a lot of places that Flava Flav was a stand-in for Shakes... I'll have to go make sure.

I find it difficult to watch sometimes, but I keep watching. I want to see what happens to Flower's family. It doesn't sound like it will get easier any time soon, but we'll have to wait and see.

I can't imagine how the researchers must feel when any meerkat dies. After all, they see them in person every day. Flower's loss must have been very difficult for them. I didn't watch the movie...maybe someday I will.

just take my advice if u feel like u just can not take any more heart brake then u do not need to watch it but please try to watch it u will fine a meerkat that u love agin i did rocketdog is my favorit now but she will never take the place of flower....

neverforgetflower...

Your name says it all for me...I will never forget her. Her legacy lives on in her family. That is why I watch. When Carlos died in Season 3 episode 4, I cried. Then Len & Squiggy died the next episode and I cried for those little ones. Then the ultimate happened and Flower died...and Mozart right after her...Mozart was a very caring and wonderful Meerkat.... Flower was an incredible leader and mom. I cannot begin to think of MM without thinking of her. She is Meerkat Manor, the Queen of the Kalahari. I watch because it is brilliant filming, and then one dies. That happens and it is always hard to watch.

My friend on this site, Meerkata, always calls me after each episode to tell me if there were any deaths. I asked her to and she calls every Friday night. See.. I have a hard time too. Just come on here and talk with us. You are not alone in your feelings.

Janelle