Animal Planet has a winner in this soap opera/adventure/nature show well deserving of a look-see.
It starts out the usual way; you’re bored out of your mind and so you go channel surfing. That’s how I found The Crocodile Hunter on Animal Planet and The Dog Whisperer on National Geographic. At first, Meerkat Manor was just one of those shows I would flip to when commercials were on whatever else I was watching and then, without realizing it, I got hooked.…
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - nick
Hey All,
Man I really wish I could find that commercial on the internet. (The same one that Big Matt is looking for.) P.S. The song really sound like that one with they line "You drop a bomb on me" but it also sounds a little like the one "You really turn me on," which could be the same song, I really dont know. :) P.S.S. all hope is not lost though, because I was able to find a different song that they used in one of their commercials called Major Tom, the version they used was by a fairly unknown band Dealership.
27 - Jet in Columbus
Nick, I'm still looking, and have made a rather unusual discovery. On one site I found, it's said that when lothario Carlos appears they always play vintage porn music.
Believe it or not vintage porn music is actually material that's produced for various studio artists for a flat fee that the user doesn't have to pay royalties on. If that's the case and the show is produced on a shoestring (remember it's on Animal Planet) it's possible you may never trace the artists.
I'm going to make a point of watching the end credits for "music by". I've tried a couple of times already and haven't seen it, but If I find anything I'll post it here.
Thanks for your interest and your comments
Jet
28 - sr
Dear Mr Incredible Hulk. Nuke the unborn gay meerkats. JUST KIDDING. I also watch it. Excellent show. Have a great weekend green man. Hope your are doing well. sr.
29 - Jet in Columbus
Sr what the hell took you so long, I wrote this two months ago and I've been waiting for your unique seal of approval.
I was beginning to think you didn't care!
sniff
30 - The Monkey Man
Guys, the name of the song is "You Dropped A Bomb On Me" and it's by The Gap.
31 - Jet in Columbus
Hey! Thanks very much. I was going nuts trying to figure that out! They've begun running last season's leading up to the just finished current season toward's next season, so anyone who hasn't caught up can figure out why everyone's so pissed about why the didn't show what happened to Shakespear and why we all loved him so much.
Thanks again
Jet
32 - Big Matt
My God..you have saved my life #31
you are my friend.
take care and keep up teh work you guys.
-Big Matt
33 - Jet in Columbus
Big Matt and Monkey, what's your opinion on what happened to Shakespear?
34 - Jet in Columbus
There are two great episodes of this show on tonight at 8PM eastern on the animal plannet channel
35 - Daniel
I hope shakespeare is ok
36 - Jet in Columbus
Daniel, If you've been watching the program on Animal Planet on Fridays, they've been showing the last two seasons and are about to start up the current season.
We are at the point where the Lazurli are about to invade the Whisker's territory and are in the process of digging out Shakespear who's trying to protect Flower's latest litter underground.
If you can figure it out, you're better than me.
In the episodes to come, her babies are rescued but Shakespear is nowhere to be found and after a while they stop mentioning him.
The only thing I can figure out is that he was killed, but since it's a show geared toward familys and children, they didn't want to show that part. However they've shown when babies have been killed before by predators so I can't figure it out. Unless it has to do with Shakespear being so beloved, especially after he nearly died from the snake bite, your guess is as good as mine.
Stay tuned and give me your opinion as to what happened.
I loved that little guy
Thanks for your comment
Jet
37 - Ally
Maybe Shakespear has simply gone off to start his own group. I mean when Tosca dissapeared they said that she probably died. They haven't said anything like that about Shakespear
38 - Jet in Columbus
Dear Ally, Sadly, they said he hadn't been seen in 2 months. That and Flower changed dens that very day, which tells me that she didn't want her group in a den with a dead animal in it. She also does that after she has a litter.
I'm pretty much convinced he gave his life defending the four pups.
I think they didn't come right out and say it because Shakespeare was such a beloved character that they didn't want to upset the little kids who were watching and are devoted fans.
His little brother Mitch has taken his place as the new hero.
Thanks for writing
Jet
39 - meerkat lover
good article i really love shakes i dont beleive he died at all because i watched the tape of the attack over and over. i noticed that it was a unknown female who was babysitting NO SHAKES!
40 - Jet in Columbus
Much as I'd love to agree with you ML, and I loved him too, he's been replaced by his little brother Mitch in the opening credits and we haven't seen him or heard anything from him for an entire season.
Flower's moved her den dozens of times and he's never mentioned either.
I wish with all my heart it wasn't true too...
Jet
41 - meerkat lover
thanks jet columbus
it says that flower dies on outher sites. because she was bitten by a posiness( my spellin is crap) snake. poor zaphod he's just lost his mate. who do you think is going to be head gal?
whos gunna be dominant female of the group with zaphod on her side?
42 - meerkat lover
what happens to tosca??? does she start a new group with carlos? WHAT HAPPENS I NEED TO HER?
WHAT HAPPENS TO HER NEW PUPS WITH CARLOS? DOES SHE DIE AND HOW?
43 - Jet in Columbus
Having already seen this season ML I can tell you that Flower DOES NOT die and whomever told you she did is lying to you.
However if she did, Mozart would probably take over. Yousarian was the original dominant male and was deposed by Zaphod. As they are the fathers of the entire gang, neither could take Mozart as a mate, so an outside female would have to be brought in. Tosca would be a good choice, if it weren't for the fact that Zaphod is her father and Yousarian is her uncle.
The episodes coming up this Friday will be very powerful so don't miss them!
Yosarian will be put on baby sitting duty again and will irresponsibly get bored and leave Flower's new litter as he's done in the past and endanger their lives. Yosarian got one of the Yasuli females pregnant and goes to visit her leaving Flower's pups undefended. When the Lasuli den is attacked, he has to decide whether to defend his pups or just stand idly by and watch.
Meanwhile Mozart is pregnant again and has her own pups. Flower's litter is now just barely old enough to go out with the adults. Flower pretends to accept Mozart's new litter, but takes everyone including her new kids out on a scavenging trip... and never comes back, moving everyone to a new den a mile away and leaving Mozart to make a painful choice-She needs the rest of the family to raise her pups while she gets enough to eat to produce milk for her litter.
She can't do that if she has to stay and tend them, because they'll die in the first few days without round-the-clock attention.
Flower has forced her to abandon her pups to die in order to rejoin the family. If she stays with her litter to tend to them, she and they will all starve to death. Mozart has been evicted repeatedly for getting pregnant, and she never learns her lesson. This time there may be no turning back.
Such is the cruel life in the calihari dessert.
Trust me here, Flower does not die.
44 - Ann
Flower is dead! Sorry to tell you the truth. But she has passed. I work at a zoo and know this for a FACT!
45 - Jet in Columbus
Ann (if that is indeed your name) At the end of the last season, there was only peace and harmony on meerkat manor. There is on mention of Flower's death except from you, nor is there any mention on Animal Planet's home page.
For those of you uninitiated with this great series, the show goes into repeats this friday night March 30th with the very first episode and goes through to the end of this just-ending season.
Yes, beloved Shakespear dies defending Flower's pups. but Flower is definately still alive...
It is the ultimate if irresponsibility to spread unsubstatantiated rumors on a site where young readers read about the show like this one Ann.
I hope your proud of yourself...
46 - Ann
I am sure if you already allow your child to watch the show then you will teach your child to understand Nature! If and when the producers of the show decide to let the viewers know what truly happened then that's up to them if you allow your child to watch the show with blinders on that Flower is untouchable then you are a hypocrite! AND yes my name is ANN!
47 - Jet in Columbus
Unless your a vet with Cambridge university down in Africa-I'll take Animal Planet's word over yours
48 - Ann
For your information the "GAINES GROUP" the people who run the show told us themselves! They have been at my zoo and informed my coworkers and the visitors (families) on our meerkat day! So I am sure you will see soon this is true. She has passed within 2 months and show are about a year behind!
49 - Ann
No heart feelings, I hope. I love what you have done here and my kids were sick over it too but this is nature and we have to respect it.
50 - Ann
Very sad news. Flower is no longer with us.
Statement posted on Animal Planet's Meerkat Manor fan site at 04:34 PM ET on 2-22-07:
Fan Site Statement from Mick Kaczorowski
Here it the latest update from the Kalahari. The crews have been very busy. It's very hot in the desert filming the members of the Whiskers family for season 3, which you will see this summer. There’s lots of action and intrigue and a new group of meerkats called the Starkies are playing a bigger role in the Whiskers lives. I can't tell you too much more about them, but just like the Lazuli they are becoming more of a threat, as the Whiskers are forced to search outside their territory to find food for themselves and their family. We also continue to film Meerkat Manor: Queen of the Kalahari, the feature film based on the Meerkat Manor television series. I wanted to let you, our most loyal fans, know some sad news about Flower. Like her brave son Shakespeare, Flower was bitten by a poisonous snake and succumbed to her injuries. She was simply not strong enough to live through the attack. Flower's life and reign were longer than most and she will always be one of my favorite meerkats. I know she will be missed by everyone. All of this will unfold in the next season, and we will see who becomes the next leader of the Whiskers as life continues in the Kalahari.
Note: Mick Kaczorowski is Executive Producer of "Meerkat Manor", has many Discovery Channel wildlife documentaries to his credit, including Senior Producer of the 1997 "A Meerkat Family Saga
51 - Ann
Dear Flower. She is gone.
This brave, assertive, loving, caring little meerkat and her family have been the catalyst for many people to learn to care about animals.
Flower was a giant. How many humans have accomplished as much for their family and their world as has Flower?
I am a better person for having learned to care about Flower. Now she
is gone. What can I do to repay her? -- Gene Gaines Meerkats Rule
52 - Ann
By the way Gene Gaines is the President of "Gaines Group" the people who gave us the great show. So tell me is he to making up this story? Once again I am sorry to be the one to break it to you all. But this is the truth!
53 - Jet in Columbus
Good, you can explain why Animal Planet, nor it's parent company hasn't released this news. Just as when Steve Irwin died, you'd think it'd be released so the show's ratings would zoom?
I'll believe it when I see it announced on either the Discovery Channel or the Animal Planet's website and not before.
54 - Ann
Read the Producer's Statement. ON THERE SITE!
55 - Ann
By the way it will be in season 3 from what I understand. Then you will believe it good luck to you! Again Sorry for the reality check.
56 - Ann
Sorry for the spelling "Their site not There" . Working on informing you has made me not concentrate.
57 - Jet in Columbus
...and some people wonder why I'm gay!
58 - Ann
LOL nothing wrong with being gay! Love life and smile.
59 - Jet in Columbus
Ann, as I was not able to find the mentioned statement, I have sent an e-mail to my sources at Animal Planet regarding this issue, and will post their reply here.
I'd like to see a link to that producers statement if you will, as I can't located it anywhere on Animal Planet's website...
Jet
60 - Ann
Gene Gaines is the President of "Gaines Group" He told me himself in person at my zoo. Email him he will answer you.
Try these links Producer's Statement: - Topic Powered by eve community
Meerkats Rule Hope these helps.
I have to say I think it's great that you have fought to keep out the BS and tell the truth.:-)
61 - Jet in Columbus
From Tom Flower, Field Project Manager of the Kalahari Meerkat Project
REGARDING SHAKESPEAR'S FATE, and made up storylines...
In answer to your questions, I can reassure you that the makers of 'Meerkat Manor' haven't been mocking up their story lines, in fact i personally have a great deal of respect for the sincere effort they make to incorporate factually accurate story lines into the series. It is not a case of them writing a few ideas down, coming out to the Kalahari and hoping to pick up enough shots to make up what they want. In fact the 'Meerkat Manor' production has committed huge amounts of time to just being out in the wilderness with the Whiskers group recording the true stories that occur in their lives. To be honest the meerkats may even do a better job of making the script than any writer could.
We the Kalahari Meerkat Project, have been here for 13 years and are fully aware of the fascinating little soap opera that is played out in the population of meerkats we study. The 'Meerkat Manor' producers have taken on ex-meerkat project research staff to correctly inform them about everything they are seeing and have thus far not included any factually inaccurate stories. In fact, they more than any other film production have illustrated the startling conflict within and between meerkat groups as well as their amazing cooperative behaviour. As a scientist i am not so keen on the anthropomorphism involved in creating and developing the characters in the series, scientists tend to avoid assuming animals feel in exactly the same way as humans, we just don't know, however, the events are accurate.
With regards to Shakespeare's story, he was bitten by a snake and did fully recover to become one of the best helpers in the group, in fact it was more spectacular than was conveyed in 'Meerkat Manor'. But we just do not know what his ultimate fate was, meerkats are often killed defending pup's, Shakespeare was a babysitter the day before and Lazuli were in the area. However it is equally possible that he was killed by a predator, dispersed to another group, or was killed by another group whilst trying to join them, we just weren't there on that particular day. This is unfortunate, but we cant know everything about each meerkat. The film producers were stuck and probably drew inspiration from an incident at two other groups in the population of over 250 meerkats, where a meerkat was killed defending pups successfully.
What i can inform you off, is that just as much has happened since and will continue to happen in the future, there are still many frankly amazing events that occur in a meerkats life that have not been covered. I am delighted that you have been able to draw as much entertainment out of the meerkats lives as we do when studying them. I my self have spent over 4000 hours observing meerkats, that's an awfully long time and they need charisma and entertainment to keep you here that long."
Also, knowing that Shakespeare wasn't babysitting that day, look at the DVD(if you have it) and you'll see it was a female babysitter that day. Since they didn't find a body, the babysitter probably survived the attack. The most likely thing that happened is Shakespeare left the mob to start a group of his own. Note: None of us know what really happened, I don't know if this is true, and we'll probably never know what happened. But remember, we probably won't find out by aimlessly starting topics like "I SAW SHAKES IN MY TOAST!".
I hope this helps for some people..
62 - Ann
Jet
I loved reading that PLEASE never stop with the updates. Looking forward to what you can uncover.
63 - Jet in Columbus
There will be a MEERKAT MANOR marathon on Animal Planet tonight beginning at 7PM Eastern... Enjoy!
64 - Jet in Columbus
The 3rd season of Meerkat kicks off tonight at 8:30PM on Animal Planet!
65 - Mak
I saw somewhere that Flower dies and some Meerkat named Rocket takes the lead of her clan.Please someone tell me that's not true.
66 - Jet in Columbus
As of the just aired episode, that hasn't happened, however the unthinkable has... the Commandos joined with the Lazuli and have evicted the Whiskers from their territory/mannor and the clan has to start up their whole life all over again.
Many rumors have come hot and heavy about Flower dying, but so far she hasn't yet, though Mitch and her new litter are in grave danger...
Thanks for contributing
Jet
67 - Sue
Flower was bitten by a cape cobra and died this past February 2007. Her daughter Rocket Dog has assumed dominate female. RIP beloved Flower:(
68 - Sue
PS-her death is shown on 9-28-07 show in the US.
69 - Jet in Columbus
WRONG-the meerkat that was bitten was the dominant female from the Zappa-Frank's wife.
FLOWER IS VERY MUCH ALIVE.
Next time pay attention to the episode you're watching instead of spreading disinformation.
----------------------
Because of a lack of resources, Flower was forced a few weeks ago to split the 40 strong Whisker's gang in two, so they'd have a better chance of survival.
Rocket Dog took over the splinter group, and lost both of Flower's pups due to deglect and inexperience.
WATCH NEXT WEEK'S EPISONDE AND YOU'LL SEE THAT FLOWER IF VERY MUCH ALIVE.
"Punk" the Zappa older sister has taken over as dominant female and after a daliance with the Whisker's splinter group, Houdini went back to the Zappa and assumed the role of Dominant Male deposing and running off his brother Frank.
NO ONE DIED FROM THE COBRA BITE...
Don't believe me? Watch the repeat of the episode this friday at 8PM before the new episode at 8:30...
and pay attention this time.
70 - Jet in Columbus
From Animal Planet episode guide-see comment directly above...
The Tale of Len and Squiggy
After Flower mysteriously disappears, her daughter, Rocket Dog, is put in charge of the group. With the burden of leadership and Flower's pups to consider, she is having a hard time. Things go from bad to worse when roving Zappa males plague the group, and the pups fall victim to the desert.
Premieres Friday, Sept. 14, at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT. Sibling Rivalry
The Zappa gang wake up to find that their dominant female, Lola, is missing. When she returns, her sister, Punk, seizes power and sets about turning the Zappas into a formidable force capable of taking on the Whiskers.
71 - Alswords
I've been away for awhile, and after reading this thread I don't know what to think. I'm watching MManor right now and can see that Flower is not in charge.
Life goes on, but I'd like to know what happened to her.
72 - Jet in Columbus
Shortly after the end of the last season, the Whiskers were evicted from their home manor when the Lazuli and Commandos joined forces against them.
The location of their exile was so bad, that Flower barely found enough resources to feed her huge 40-strong family, so she made the decision to break the Whiskers clan in two. She took her companion Yousarian and most of the adults, and left Rocket Dog with the other half.
Rocket Dog is not a very good leader, and the story has leaned heavily on how the "Zappa" have been taking advantage of "rocket's" inexperience and preyed on the females, getting them pregnant. Zappa's Houdini got Rocket Dog pregnant and was set to take over as Whisker's splinter group's dominant male, when he returned home to find "Punk" willing to make him the leader of his own clan instead, so he abandonded the Whisker's splinter group.
Sue above-obviously wasn't paying attention when she watched last week's episode, easily confirmed by watching it (repeated this friday at 8PM) on Animal Planet.
Lola-dominant female of the Zappa, was the one bitten by the puff adder-now Flower. In her weakened state her younger sister Punk took over as Dominant female. Lola eventually recovered but now serves her sister. Lola's husband Frank was run off by Houdini and so the Zappa has all new leadership.
Flower is still very much alive, it's just that the storyline has been following the splintergroup Whiskers.
All confirmed by watching at 8PM Friday night...
73 - jenni
I'm a Meerkat watcher in England and have watched the episode in which Flower died. She and the Kats had come across this snake and thought they had scared it away, but as they returned to their burrow they could smell it down the hole. Flower went down to search for the babies and baby sitters and that's when the snake attacked her.
Our Lady of the Desert has died.
Totally Gutted!!
74 - Claire
Indeed, the Queen of the Kalahari is no more.
On the Animal Planet website there is an update from the production team stating she died earlier in the year, Obviously we are now watching what they filmed then.
There are differences in the timing of the shows in the UK and the US, that I think is where the confusion is coming from.
RIP beautiful Flower
75 - Jet in Columbus
The new season of Meerkat Manor kicks off controversy as to whether leader Flower was killed over the break or not. so far she's still alive and kicking, though several who aren't paying attention, got a false cue when the Zappa dominant female "Lola" was bitten by a viper, and they over-enthusiastically rushed to announce Flower was dead by mistake... She may well still die yet, such is nature, but as of this posting, she's still alive. See it at 8:30PM EST Friday nights. See your local Animal Planet listings, if you missed last weeks episode, it airs at 8PM the following week before the new one.
...enjoy!!...
Jet