Have you noticed this ridiculous trend of attempting to turn nature programmes into Big Brother? You turn on the telly thinking you’re in for an educational half hour on the mating practices of prairie dogs or the avarice appetite of the mink. Instead we are treated to an embarrassing family quarrel in the latest celebrity meerkat tribe. The narrative runs along the lines of ‘Emily hasn’t been seen all day after her flirtatious behaviour yesterday with the neighbouring pack of males. Meanwhile Sandy and Gemma scramble about happily in the shade of Alfie’s foreboding figure. Alfie is more troubled than normal as it has now been two days since a successful hunt and food is scarce’. Now just what evidence have the programme makers of any of this? I want to see birth certificates that prove their identities or at the very least one of them sporting a gold necklace with their name engraved on it before I believe any of this crapology. And then just how can they assume what these animals are thinking – for all we know Emily’s a whore, Sandy and Gemma are just downright lazy goodfornothings and Alfie’s having one of his existential crises. Before you know it they’ll have us texting in to vote off our least favourite meerkat each week (it’ll be Emily no doubt – the public just won’t understand her coquettish ways). The Serengeti is not a reality TV theme park. Leave it alone I say.
I know, it’s really dodgy, but I’d still watch it because it’s on before Top Gear. Sorry.
It’d be so much better if they dubbed voices over them and made it into a proper drama. Meerkat Eastenders. Meerkenders.
Meerkenders! Oh I like this. It would have to be more interesting than the real thing surely – some of them are pretty meerkat-like as it is. Dot and Ian Meerkat – just what the beeb needs.
I’m scared. I’ve become addicted to this. And I think I’m actually dubbing their voices in my head.
Still it’s just not a proper soap opera without fat Sonia.
Jovica – maybe you can write updates on the web for those of us who can’t tune in