Meerkat Manor Blog : Animal Planet

Baby Mama Drama

Episode 4 recap: “The Family Way”

A storm is brewing over the Kalahari, and the desert sky has a very Tim Burton-esque look and feel. The Whiskers are huddled in their burrow after a less than stellar winter that triggered an unexpected weight-loss plan thanks to bare offerings.

Guess Little Orphan Annie was right, because the sun does indeed come out tomorrow, and with it the revelation of Rocket Dog’s secret – if you guessed hers was of the plus sign on an EPT stick variety, you were right! Not everyone is psyched about this news – namely, Sophie, who may be with child (or actually, children) herself. Iif Rocket Dog perceives her as a threat, Sophie can count on one thing for sure: eviction.

Meanwhile, Seacrest is distracted by a large bird in the sky, but it turns out to be a vulture, which thankfully tends to pass on the meerkat option from the aerial buffet. He gets back to roving around the desert and spies a group in the distance, but this smaller mob smells like meer spirit – familiar meer spirit. It turns out to be none other than sister Maybelline and the Aztecs. It’s not uncommon for male meerkats to jump ship and join new factions, but first they must oust any head male already on the throne. In this case, no coup is necessary because it’s Seacrest’s dad, Zaphod, at the helm, and he’s happy to have the company and the help. The Aztecs are in the middle of a burrow move, after an infestation of fleas in their last home (and I would guess a lack of exterminator options).

The once parched Kalahari is now on the way to renewal again thanks to the storms, and that means better offerings in the meals department. Today’s special is caterpillars, which can be found in surplus under the bark of the camel thorn trees. Digging out these delicacies takes some effort, and Sophie has a momentary lapse of reason in the midst of her foraging, pulling a total squirrel move and climbing a little too high on the tree. She falls and injures her paw, and the others apparently do not subscribe to the philosophy, “Never leave a meerkat behind.” They waste no time in moving on, so Sophie is forced to limp and do her best to follow.

Rocket Dog may be knocked up, but that doesn’t mean she’s not desirable. In fact, another male rover is lurking about, and while she has no use for him, she certainly doesn’t want him looking elsewhere in her mob and causing a ruckus. Solution? Scent-mark the others females so the message rings loud and clear: hands off. Something tells me we won’t be seeing Eau de Meerkat bottled and on sale at Macy’s anytime soon, but regardless, Rocket Dog is certainly demonstrating far more authority than she had before, and it’s working – the others finally seem to be taking her seriously.

Sophie has managed to walk off her injury and catch up to the group, but the others aren’t exactly welcoming her back with open arms. Sophie makes a play for Rocket Dog and manages to win her temporary approval, but flushes that down the toilet as she heads right into the path of the male rover. Sing it with me: “Tempted by the fruit of another! Tempted but the truth is discovered!” Not only does Sophie move in closer to the rover – too close – but she also seems oblivious to the fact that her entire family can see exactly what she’s doing. It’s the straw that breaks the meerkats’ back, and the Whiskers charge the doomed would-be lovers. They try to make their escape to the nearest bolt hole, but the male rover thinks twice and ditches Sophie, leaving her to face the music on her own. The Whiskers give Sophie quite the smackdown and the end result is exile in Kalarahi-ville. It’s an extreme move but one Rocket Dog feels forced to take to protect her status.

Across the desert, Maybelline and her Aztecs have found a potential new home, though it needs a little sprucing up. Thankfully, meerkats have built-in Swiffers of sorts with their paws. Seacrest sounds the alarm bark in the middle of the repairs, but the others can’t get a clear look at the source behind his call, so they let it pass.

Sophie, now outcast, is wandering on her own and the options are bleak. Not only has she been kicked out of the Whiskers, but getting in with the good graces of another group will likely prove to be incredibly difficult as well. For now though, the first task at hand is finding a place to crash for the night – she’ll deal with big-picture plans tomorrow.

Back at the new Aztecs dwelling, the burrow renovations are complete so they’re able to settle in and enjoy a nice meal. The siesta is short lived, as Seacrest sounds the warning call once again. Is he the meerkat who cried wolf? Not this time – it’s Rocket Dog and the Whiskers moving in, and they look like they mean business. Maybelline and the Aztecs are seriously outnumbered, so she’s left with no other option but to high-tail it and run. Rocket Dog has just taken her newfound confidence to a new level – not only has she sent Sophie into exile, but also ousted sister Maybelline from her new home before she even finished unpacking.

What did you think of tonight’s episode? Will Sophie make it in the Kalahari on her own? Is Rocket Dog’s bravado just what the Whiskers need, or do you think it will backfire in the end? And will Maybelline ever be able to set down roots and expand her troops? Share your thoughts and leave a comment!

Open Thread: The Family Way

Well, well, well — apparently it's time to throw a babies shower! Rocket Dog's pregnancy has not only brought her a rounder stomach, but also fully developed her gumption as well. Between kicking Sophie to the curb and running Maybelline out of house and home, Rocket Dog has done a complete 180 degrees — but how long will it last? Let me know your thoughts and check back tomorrow for the full episode recap!

Sweet Caroline

Behind every great idea is a great person, and when it comes to Meerkat Manor, the credit lies with series creator Caroline Hawkins. Check out our chat with this award-winning producer, and find out more about how the show first came to light in the U.K., how it differs from the U.S. version and what she considers her most memorable moments from the Kalahari.

How did you first get involved in the industry as a producer?

It was a classic case of start at the bottom and work your way up. I went to art school and then film school. Sir David Puttnam (Chariots of Fire, The Killing Fields) showcased my graduation film on TV, which helped a little, but I still had to start as a trainee. I took whatever opportunities came along and learned from everyone around me.

Did you always fancy yourself working more on the documentary series side, or were you pull toward other areas as well?

I started off with a burning desire to work in drama. My mother was a senior costume designer at the BBC, and so my childhood experiences were on the set of Doctor Who, All Creatures Great and Small, and Vanity Fair. It’s strange that I ended up in docs, but I actually think there’s probably more creative freedom here than there is in drama. I can make films about subjects that interest and entertain me. I couldn’t ask for more than that.

Where did the idea for the series come from?

I’m often asked this question. My recollection is that in 2004 I was asked to come up with an idea for a long-running series for Animal Planet International. I’d always thought that meerkats were incredibly charismatic since seeing a film by Simon King several years earlier. I also had the feeling that the general public was fond of them too.  Coincidentally, my bosses at Oxford Scientific Films had just seen some meerkats in a TV ad and suggested I look into it further. So that’s really how it all started.

What led you to decide to take a "docu-soap" approach?

I’d just made a film for the BBC’s Natural World in which we followed a wild troop of yellow baboons in Tanzania. Each of the baboons had been given a name by the researchers who were studying them, and we came to know each as an individual character. It was just a natural transition for me then to transfer the strengths of that storytelling approach to Meerkat Manor. It also occurred to me that it would be fun to have several plots running simultaneously in each show – just like a soap.  Then we designed titles to be a bit like Dallas … and the title music to be a bit like Desperate Housewives … and the rest is history.

How do you choose the camera people to work in the Kalahari?  It must be a difficult assignment to be in the dirt face to face with the meerkats all day.  What type of person wants a job like that?

Our cameramen are very special people. I can’t praise them highly enough. Not only are they incredibly dedicated and disciplined (getting up before dawn and spending every day in the heat and dirt), but they also have to have a great eye for an unfolding story and be able to follow it through to its conclusion. They have to cover several different characters and stories simultaneously and then at the end of each day, when they’re hot and exhausted, write it all down in meticulous detail. They’re all incredibly nice guys. They love the meerkats and they are proud of the show.  Most of them have skills gained in other areas of TV as well as natural history.

What are some of the most memorable moments you have from your experiences in the Kalahari with the meerkats?

Every trip out there brings memorable moments. It’s always exciting to sit at the burrow at sunrise and wait for the Whiskers to emerge. Quite often they climb onto my shoulder or snuggle under my arm. Sometimes, if I’m really privileged, they even scent-mark me (not a pleasant aroma)! At the end of the day, we like to sit quietly on the big dune with a couple of beers to watch the sun set over the Kalahari and listen to the barking geckos. It’s magical.

My saddest experience was being out there when Flower died. I’d flown out that day with Mark Wild, the Animal Planet executive producer (in the U.K.) who commissioned the series and with whom I’ve worked closely from the start. He’d never been out to visit the meerkats before and was very much looking forward to meeting the Whiskers. We could hardly believe what we were hearing as Rob (manager of the research team at the Kalahari Meerkat Project) relayed the news to us over a two-way radio. It was like being in a very bad dream.

Explain how you work with the composer to find the right music for a scene. 

Once editing is complete, each episode is sent to Brolly (the composer). The edit producers discuss with him the mood they are trying to create and he offers up ideas. It’s a very collaborative process, but generally Brolly gets it right the first time. Brolly is an integral part of our very small team. He understands the nuances of each character and has opinions about how their characters can be enhanced musically. Think of Carlos, for example. The Kalahari Casanova was often accompanied by a smooth jazz track, which always raised a smile and really defined who he was.

The movie Meerkat Manor: The Story Begins mentioned that Shakespeare's story would be told later. Is there going to be a movie about Shakespeare, or was this just talking about Meerkat Manor?

There are no plans to make a movie about Shakespeare, but you may not have heard the last of him yet (and no, he won’t be making a return to the series!). I can say no more than that at this stage.

Which meerkat do you think you are most like and why?

I think I’ll carefully side-step that one and just say that as head of the team I’m technically the dominant female!

What is the biggest challenge in producing the series?

Well first off, hand on heart – I have to say producing Meerkat Manor is more of a pleasure than a challenge. Keeping the standard high is always a big concern, though. There are other shows out there now trying to emulate what we have done. I like to think that we’re always one step ahead by coming up with clever approaches and surprises that no one else has thought of. 

The other challenge is putting together a great team every year. Making Meerkat Manor is incredibly demanding for the camera teams, edit producers and editors. Therefore I am always looking for new talent to carry the show forward. BUT it’s not just about ability, it’s about personality, about being part of a very special family, because that’s what it’s like here: we’re a close-knit bunch of friends.

How does the American version of Meerkat Manor different from the U.K. version? And do you think there any differences between fans of each version?

There are quite a few differences between the U.S. and the U.K. versions of Meerkat Manor. Most notably, ours has always been narrated by the brilliant Bill Nighy (Pirates of the Caribbean, Love Actually, Valkyrie). He gives a total performance as opposed to just a read.  Watching the pictures and listening to the music as he speaks means that his words really capture the emotion – sad or amusing. The original (British) version of the show is also longer. We’re fortunate in that there is only one commercial break, so each episode runs 23 minutes. We tend to stick with the meerkats’ genuine names wherever possible. We only change them if they are hard to pronounce or subversive. 

I can’t think of any differences between the fans of each version, except that the American ones are more vociferous!

Without giving anything away, what is the most exciting thing we will see this season in the Manor?

Hmm, there are so many great twists and turns this season, it’s hard to pinpoint just one, but I suppose it has to be the surprise that comes in episode 13. None of us could believe what unfolded in front of our eyes. Make sure you don’t miss that last episode!

Let's Get It On

Episode 3 recap: “Rising Stars”

Things kick off at the Whiskers burrow, where Seacrest is the first to awake and explore. Most others his age would have left to become a rover by now, but this 3-year-old is more than content to keep things status quo. Come to think of it, 3 seems a bit young to be allowed to wander around without a curfew. But I’m sure 3 in meerkat years is more like late teens for humans. Speaking of adolescence and angst, over the past few weeks Seacrest has actually started to feel a “change” of sorts; something stirring inside him. Hmm … I can see the book now: Are You There God? It’s Me, Seacrest.

Now that Zaphod has left the burrow to rove on the range, the fate of the Whiskers family is in the hands of his children – but Rocket Dog is still having a hard time getting the others to take her seriously. At least Dad isn’t around to interfere with her love life, but her brother Zorro is certainly throwing his weight around as a temporary commander-in-chief of sorts, thanks to the support of the other males. Whether or not this becomes a permanent position remains to be seen.

Seacrest discovers it’s slim pickings in terms of breakfast options – no Moons Over My Hammy to be seen around here! With the food supply in the area at an all-time low, it’s time to look elsewhere for nourishment, and though Rocket Dog has a hard time motivating the troops at first, eventually they join in on the foraging field trip. Seacrest seems to have found a potential feast, but all his furious digging proves to be futile, while the other Whiskers have moved on farther ahead.

The Whiskers best be careful where they wander – the Commandos territory is less than a mile away, and fearless leader Nikita has made it crystal clear who’s boss. Thanks to their aggressive and intimidating stance, she and the Commandos have managed to carve out a large chunk of land rich with food, and they’ll do whatever it takes to keep it that way.

Apparently the Whiskers neglected to spot the “No Trespassing” signs and have now attracted the attention of the Commandos. It’s Rocket Dog’s worst nightmare, and though her standard tactic is to high-tail it out of Dodge, Zorro has other plans in mind – this could be his opportunity to earn some stripes. But when push comes to shove and the Whiskers attack, it’s Seacrest leading the charge. At first it seems like both sides are evenly matched, but then Zorro suddenly pulls the emergency brake, perhaps realizing they have bitten off more than they can chew. Unfortunately, eager Seacrest has gotten way ahead of his pack, and now he’s flying solo against impossible odds – 25 to 1.

The Commandos spare Seacrest’s life, leaving him a bit roughed up but no worse for wear, though now for the first time, he’s on his own. Nothing like a little comfort food to take your mind off your troubles – I’m partial to macaroni and cheese, but for Seacrest, all it takes is a tasty millipede.

After he recharges, Seacrest sets off to try and track down his mob, while in the meantime enjoying his taste of rover-dom. He spies a group of meerkats in the distance, including some lovely ladies, and moves in for a closer look. Surely he must feel a sense of meerkat déjà vu, because as it turns out, these ladies belong to the same group that only hours ago tried to pummel him – the Commandos!

Nikita spots him and decides to take matters into her own hands. But when dusk begins to settle in and she has yet to reappear, the Commandos wonder what could be keeping their leader at bay. Nothing to worry about, Nikita is just busy teaching Seacrest a lesson or two … in the bedroom!

It should come as no surprise that Nikita is less of a cuddler and more of a love ‘em and leave ‘em kind of meerkat. She heads back down into the burrow to settle in for the night with her fellow Commandos. Perhaps it’s a surge of bravado on the heels of their recent romp, but brave (and somewhat naive?) Seacrest decides to follow her – and lives to see the morning. With this kind of luck, I need to take Seacrest to the roulette table with me!

Sleeping with the enemy has proved successful for Seacrest, but before he heads on his merry way, Nikita wants one more romp for the road. This, of course, has nothing to do with emotions – it’s all business. Another go means another chance for her to get pregnant and bear pups to further ensure her status, because let’s be honest – Nikita’s favorite position? AUTHORITY!

Back at the Whiskers, Rocket Dog is still in desperate need of a leadership training seminar as she finds her chances at connecting with a mate dwindling once again thanks to Zorro and the other males shooing away a party of rovers. But apparently Rocket Dog has a little secret of her own – one that may be the key to finally turning things around to her benefit.

What did you think of tonight’s episode? Who will be the first female to win the pregnancy race? And what’s the big secret?

OPEN THREAD: RISING STAR

After tonight’s episode, I think it’s safe to say our Seacrest is all growed up now! Sing it with me: Nikita and Seacrest sitting in a tree…or in this case, a desert? Sheesh, talk about sleeping with the enemy! This has got to rank as one of the most surprising hook-ups of the year (right behind Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon – anyone want to take the over/under on how long that one will last?). And while Nikita seems to have no problem throwing her weight around, poor Rocket Dog still can’t seem to find her footing. But what’s all this about a secret? Let me know your thoughts and check back tomorrow for the full episode recap!

What’s Brown and White and READ All Over?

I have been a book nerd for as long as I can remember, and I'll tell you what, I am PROUD of it. You're talking about a girl who would read while walking home from elementary school (thank goodness we lived in a neighborhood with little traffic), who used the glow of her clock radio (yes, such things existed back in the day) at night to sneak in a few more pages, who still has all of her summer reading program library certificates displayed in her scrapbook, and whose most prized possession to this day is her collection of signed books from her favorite authors (which may have a lot to do with why I ended up writing books myself).

If you're like me and just can't get enough when it comes to the printed word, I've got a truly unique suggestion to add to your list of poolside reads: Meerkat Manor: Flower of the Kalahari, written by Kalahari Meerkat Project director and Cambridge University professor Tim Clutton-Brock! Learn more about the lives of the Whiskers, including Flower's early years, her fight to rule and her struggle to stay on top. The book also features stunning illustrations, along with an introduction to animal societies, meerkats, their predators and prey.

Be sure to share your book report — gold star for the best one! — and keep an eye out for our upcoming interview with the professor!

Twisted Sisters

Episode 2 recap: “All Manor of Love”

For splintered sisters Rocket Dog and Maybelline, it's a race to see who can find a mate first to help secure their respective family's futures. But with a shortage of men around the Kalahari, this is easier said than done. I mean, really, someone would be wise to develop some sort of eHarmony for meerkats or something — surely this would make the entire process much easier!

Maybelline is really in dire straits, as her posse of Aztecs now stands just seven strong, so it's even more important for her to find a partner who can give her pups. Little Murray begs to be noticed, but let's be honest — is anyone who is referred to as "little" really a contender for a dominant female meerkat? I think we all know the answer to that question, though props to Murray for ousting a mongoose to secure his family a new home.

Meanwhile, separation from Whiskers has turned Zaphod into somewhat of a nightmare bachelor — you know, the kind who leaves half-empty pizza boxes and Chinese food take-out containers lying around, and probably hasn't scrubbed their bathroom since the Reagan administration. In this case, Zaphod is sharing his pad with some fellow rovers and it's become a filthy flea pit. As one might guess, ticks are not the way to woo a lady.

Back at the Aztecs, Mr. White Sheep of the Commandos, Wilson, is eyeballing the ladies. His last paramour was Mozart, until she fell victim to a jackal. Now he's back on the market, and so is Maybelline — could this be a love connection at long last? Wilson makes his move, but sadly not his mark, at least not right away. However, he wastes no time in approaching her sister Angie. Maybelline, of course, is having none of that and makes it clear that this man is hers. Wilson quickly comes to his senses. Angie, Schmangie: pups with a dominant female like Maybelline could bring him prominence and power.

While Wilson seems to finally be making some headway, Zaphod is not faring as well, until he spots a small group in the distance that may provide him with a chance to make his genetic mark. He knows his boys will back him up, but first he needs to ensure they can take on the males in the other group. The playing field seems even, so Zaphod's roving coalition moves in for the coup. But wait — what's that scent? Why does this all seem so fa...mil...i...ar ... oh dear. Zaphod has just stormed his own daughter's mob — and in doing so, he also just put the kibosh on Wilson's budding romance with Maybelline. "Hi Dad ... we were just ... watching TV ..." — awkward! Wilson high-tails it out of there, putting him back to square one, though he may have already left Maybelline with a parting gift, so to speak. Only time will tell.

At the Whiskers burrow, Rocket Dog has gotten rid of her dad, but she's got other threats cramping her style: namely, younger sisters Hawkeye and Sophie, who could potentially attract a mate first. Rocket Dog realizes it's vital for her to bear pups ASAP, or her status as leader could be MIA.

After a busy morning of foraging, most of the Whiskers are taking a break, which could be why Mitch fails to spot a mystery meerkat making his way toward the group. The man in question is none other than Wilson, who eyes Sophie across the way, all on her lonesome.

Following the rendezvous, Sophie makes the mistake of trying to sneak back to her group with Wilson still at her side, so the entire family immediately knows what she's likely been up to. Defiant Sophie gets a bit of a slap in the face from Rocket Dog, whose worst fears might have just come true. If Sophie gets pregnant before Rocket Dog, that slap is going to be only the beginning of her problems!

My, my, my — could it be that Maybelline is not Rocket Dog's biggest threat? Will little sister Sophie be the first to produce pups and potentially take over the reigns? What do you think will happen? Leave me a comment with your best prediction!

OPEN THREAD: ALL MANOR OF LOVE

I’m totally going to sound like my Nana right now, but tonight's episode sure was a doozy. First it seemed like Wilson was looking for love in all the wrong places — until, of course, his path crossed with Sophie's, who may or may not now be knocked up as a result. How mad do you think her sister Rocket Dog will get if that happens? Does Rocket Dog have what it takes to lead the Whiskers? And what about Zaphod being a total buzzkill on his daughter Maybelline's chances to score? What do you think will happen? Give me your two cents and don't forget to check back in tomorrow for the full episode recap!

The Heat is On

I realize every meerkat in the Kalahari would laugh me out of the… desert?...but raise your hand if the heat wave has left you lethargic and bored. All my east coast peeps know what I mean. Four words: hotter than a biscuit! I mean, really – did someone time warp me into a Tennessee Williams play? Because I sure don’t remember getting a mint julep to cool me down!

Okay, clearly the heat wave has made me a little crazy, but I’ve got just the thing to keep your mind off of record temperatures – loads and loads of new meerkat fun for you to explore online! First, dress up your blog or your Facebook and MySpace pages with the Meerkat Manor Widget. You’ll get a preview of next week’s episode delivered to you along with more meerkat games and fun! You can download the widget here. Hungry for meerkat gaming fun ASAP? Try your hand at Meerkat Grab-a-Snack and see how many creepy crawlers you can scarf down before time runs out!

Once you’ve filled your virtual meerkat bellies, head over to the interactive Meerkat Family Tree, where you can brush up on all on the deets about your favorite characters from the Whiskers, Aztecs, and Commandos. Think you know all the meerkats inside and out? Take the “Which Meerkat Are You?” quiz to find out whose behavior you mimic the most! Apparently, I’m a total Wilson, but quite frankly, I tend to be more like Nikita when I haven’t had my morning coffee or when I get a dose of poor customer service (see “New York taxi drivers, shady”).

Let me know which feature is your fav – in the meantime, I’ll be perfecting my latest invention: the personal A/C bubble.

The Blogger Who Cried Nightline

My apologies for the false alarm last week, but such is life when it comes to television and particularly with news programs – things have a tendency to shift without warning. This time, I promise it’s for real – well, barring any breaking news that would bump it out of place (such as Britney being named Obama’s running mate? Stranger things have happened…).

Take note: the special ABC Nightline segment on the pop culture appeal of meerkats and the Meerkat Manor phenomenon airs TONIGHT Tuesday June 10 at 11:30pm e/p - take a sneak peek here! As I mentioned last week, the story should include interviews with executive producer Mick Kaczorowksi, Fellow Earthlings meerkat sanctuary owner Pam Bennett-Wallberg, our very own uber fan Mary Xanthos, plus much more.

Get your DVR fired up, because the meerkat love will be all over the place this week. Prior to the Nightline segment, ABC World News* will be airing a piece tonight as well (check your local listings for air time), and if I were you (hint hint in bright neon flashing lights), I recommend catching Good Morning America* and the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson* on Wednesday June 11 as well.

And don’t forget to come back to Kalahari Confidential after the Nightline piece to tell us what you thought! I’ll be back tomorrow to reveal some cool, new online meerkat fun for you to devour – order up!

*check your local listings for times