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''Meerkat Manor'''s success led to a release of a prequel film chronicling the life of the show's "main character", along with an assortment of merchandise, including a video game. A sequel series, ''Meerkat Manor: Rise of the Dynasty'', was launched in 2021.

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''Meerkat Manor'''s success led to a release of a prequel film chronicling the life of the show's "main character", along with an assortment of merchandise, including a video game. A sequel series, ''Meerkat Manor: Rise of the Dynasty'', was launched in 2021. [[https://deadline.com/2024/04/warner-bros-animation-animal-planet-meerkat-manor-1235887095/ An animated film adaptation is currently in development at Warner Bros.]]
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They Fight Crime is no longer a trope


So one day, someone thought, "Hey, how about we [[TheyFightCrime follow a bunch of meerkats out in the wild doing their day-to-day activities and make a TV show out of it!]]" And somehow, it worked. In its day, ''Meerkat Manor'' became Creator/AnimalPlanet's top rated show, and its success led to the network [[FollowTheLeader creating more documentary shows revolving around different species' of animals]]. The show debuted in 2005 and ran for four seasons until 2008.

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So one day, someone thought, "Hey, how about we [[TheyFightCrime follow a bunch of meerkats out in the wild doing their day-to-day activities and make a TV show out of it!]]" it!" And somehow, it worked. In its day, ''Meerkat Manor'' became Creator/AnimalPlanet's top rated show, and its success led to the network [[FollowTheLeader creating more documentary shows revolving around different species' of animals]]. The show debuted in 2005 and ran for four seasons until 2008.

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''Meerkat Manor'''s success led to a release of a prequel film chronicling the life of the show's "main character", along with an assortment of merchandise, including a video game.

to:

''Meerkat Manor'''s success led to a release of a prequel film chronicling the life of the show's "main character", along with an assortment of merchandise, including a video game. A sequel series, ''Meerkat Manor: Rise of the Dynasty'', was launched in 2021.


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** ''Rise of the Dynasty'' shows that the Whiskers clan survives as of 2021, with it and two breakaway groups still under the leadership of Flower's great-granddaughters. The social impact of Rocket Dog's demise and the hardships which the family endured in the 13-year hiatus remain undetailed.
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Of course, when one thinks of a NatureDocumentary, what usually comes to mind is a narrator covertly explaining what is going on in a matter-of-fact fashion. ([[Series/CrocodileHunter Either that, or Steve Irwin wrestling with crocs.]]) ''Meerkat Manor'', however, is very much unlike these type of documentaries. Instead, it [[{{Dramatization}} dramatizes]] the meerkats' lives in a way more reminiscent with a TV drama, inviting the viewers to become much more emotionally invested than what is considered the norm in a documentary. As a result, it can actually be quite devastating for some viewers once RealityEnsues.

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Of course, when one thinks of a NatureDocumentary, what usually comes to mind is a narrator covertly explaining what is going on in a matter-of-fact fashion. ([[Series/CrocodileHunter Either that, or Steve Irwin wrestling with crocs.]]) ''Meerkat Manor'', however, is very much unlike these type of documentaries. Instead, it [[{{Dramatization}} dramatizes]] the meerkats' lives in a way more reminiscent with a TV drama, inviting the viewers to become much more emotionally invested than what is considered the norm in a documentary. As a result, it its realistic outcomes can actually be quite devastating for some viewers once RealityEnsues.
viewers.
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[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/meerkatlogo.jpg]]
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So one day, someone thought, "Hey, how about we [[TheyFightCrime follow a bunch of meerkats out in the wild doing their day-to-day activities and make a TV show out of it!]]" And somehow, it worked. In its day, ''Meerkat Manor'' became Creator/AnimalPlanet's top rated show, and its success led to the network [[FollowTheLeader creating more documentary shows revolving around different species' of animals]].

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So one day, someone thought, "Hey, how about we [[TheyFightCrime follow a bunch of meerkats out in the wild doing their day-to-day activities and make a TV show out of it!]]" And somehow, it worked. In its day, ''Meerkat Manor'' became Creator/AnimalPlanet's top rated show, and its success led to the network [[FollowTheLeader creating more documentary shows revolving around different species' of animals]].
animals]]. The show debuted in 2005 and ran for four seasons until 2008.
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* NarrativeDrivenNatureDocumentary: The TropeCodifier. It's a series showcasing the lives of two groups of meerkats in a RealityTV-esque manner. In its case, it was known that the show uses some manipulative editing for narrative reasons. ''Meerkat Manor'' uses several different individuals to 'play' the same meerkat.

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* LeftHanging: In the last episode of The Next Generation, Rocket Dog was showing improvement with her snake bite. Not only were the KMP planning a season 5, but also a special about her recovery. Her untimely death prevented the special, and would have been too much to explain for between seasons.



* LeftHanging: In the last episode of The Next Generation, Rocket Dog was showing improvement with her snake bite. Not only were the KMP planning a season 5, but also a special about her recovery. Her untimely death prevented the special, and would have been too much to explain for between seasons.
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* CompositeCharacter: Some portrayals on the show use footage from multiple individuals who otherwise would pop in and out of the Whiskers' lives with no narrative rhythm; Carlos was played by a number of roving males, though it was indeed a Lazuli male who [[spoiler:founded Starsky and later died]]. There are even composite ''groups'': The Commandos often used storylines from the Vivian group, while the Zappas retained their dominance storyline but included film of the Young Ones group, with Axel being a Young Ones pup.
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So one day, someone thought, "Hey, how about we [[TheyFightCrime follow a bunch of meerkats out in the wild doing their day-to-day activities and make a TV show out of it!]]" And somehow, it worked. In its day, ''Meerkat Manor'' became AnimalPlanet's top rated show, and its success led to the network [[FollowTheLeader creating more documentary shows revolving around different species' of animals]].

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So one day, someone thought, "Hey, how about we [[TheyFightCrime follow a bunch of meerkats out in the wild doing their day-to-day activities and make a TV show out of it!]]" And somehow, it worked. In its day, ''Meerkat Manor'' became AnimalPlanet's Creator/AnimalPlanet's top rated show, and its success led to the network [[FollowTheLeader creating more documentary shows revolving around different species' of animals]].
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Hey Its That Guy cut by TRS decision. Ditto for Hey Its That Voice.


* HeyItsThatVoice - Bill Nighy is the narrator of the series in the UK. Trope subverted since you may not realize it's him untill the credits.
** Australia got the guy who narrated Aussie BigBrother. From bogans to meerkats - it's quite a step up.
** The US version got Sean Astin from ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings'' and ''Film/TheGoonies''.

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* DownerEnding - The original show. Next Generation is NOT the original show.
** Due to their short life spans, pretty much any meerkat or family of meerkats is going to face this at some point.
*** Mozart's group was a downer from the start. Carlos died as the only male in the group, and soon only Mozart and her two sisters were left. As the other two died, she met a male from another group. He was going to bring her into his group (although they may have killed her there), but there was a storm that prevented it for the night. The next day when the male saw her, she was dead.
** Also for the Next Generation. The last episode shows Rocket Dog recovering from a snake bite, which is what killed her mother Flower. Several months later, she became roadkill.

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* DownerEnding - The original show. Next Generation is NOT the original show.
**
: Due to their short life spans, pretty much any meerkat or family of meerkats is going to face this at some point.
*** ** Mozart's group was a downer from the start. Carlos died as the only male in the group, and soon only Mozart and her two sisters were left. As the other two died, she met a male from another group. He was going to bring her into his group (although they may have killed her there), but there was a storm that prevented it for the night. The next day when the male saw her, she was dead.
** Also for the Next Generation. The last episode shows Rocket Dog recovering from a snake bite, which is what killed her mother Flower. Several months later, she became roadkill.
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Of course, when one thinks of a NatureDocumentary, what usually comes to mind is a narrator covertly explaining what is going on in a matter-of-fact fashion. ([[CrocodileHunter Either that, or Steve Irwin wrestling with crocs.]]) ''Meerkat Manor'', however, is very much unlike these type of documentaries. Instead, it [[{{Dramatization}} dramatizes]] the meerkats' lives in a way more reminiscent with a TV drama, inviting the viewers to become much more emotionally invested than what is considered the norm in a documentary. As a result, it can actually be quite devastating for some viewers once RealityEnsues.

to:

Of course, when one thinks of a NatureDocumentary, what usually comes to mind is a narrator covertly explaining what is going on in a matter-of-fact fashion. ([[CrocodileHunter ([[Series/CrocodileHunter Either that, or Steve Irwin wrestling with crocs.]]) ''Meerkat Manor'', however, is very much unlike these type of documentaries. Instead, it [[{{Dramatization}} dramatizes]] the meerkats' lives in a way more reminiscent with a TV drama, inviting the viewers to become much more emotionally invested than what is considered the norm in a documentary. As a result, it can actually be quite devastating for some viewers once RealityEnsues.
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So one day, someone thought, "Hey, how about we [[TheyFightCrime follow a bunch of meerkats out in the wild doing their day-to-day activities and make a TV show out of it!]]" And somehow, it works. ''Meerkat Manor'' is currently AnimalPlanet's top rated show, and its success has led to the network [[FollowTheLeader creating more documentary shows revolving around different species' of animals]].

Of course, when one thinks of a NatureDocumentary, what usually comes to mind is a narrator covertly explaining what is going on in a matter-of-fact fashion. ([[CrocodileHunter Either that, or Steve Irwin wrestling with crocs.]]) ''Meerkat Manor'', however, is very much unlike these type of documentaries. Instead, it [[{{Dramatization}} dramatizes]] the meerkats' lives in a way more reminiscent with a TV drama, inviting the viewers into becoming much more emotionally invested than what is considered the norm in a documentary. As a result, it can actually be quite devastating for some viewers once RealityEnsues.

''Meerkat Manor'''s success has led to a release of a prequel film chronicling the life of the show's "main character", along with an assortment of merchandise, including an upcoming video game!

to:

So one day, someone thought, "Hey, how about we [[TheyFightCrime follow a bunch of meerkats out in the wild doing their day-to-day activities and make a TV show out of it!]]" And somehow, it works. worked. In its day, ''Meerkat Manor'' is currently became AnimalPlanet's top rated show, and its success has led to the network [[FollowTheLeader creating more documentary shows revolving around different species' of animals]].

Of course, when one thinks of a NatureDocumentary, what usually comes to mind is a narrator covertly explaining what is going on in a matter-of-fact fashion. ([[CrocodileHunter Either that, or Steve Irwin wrestling with crocs.]]) ''Meerkat Manor'', however, is very much unlike these type of documentaries. Instead, it [[{{Dramatization}} dramatizes]] the meerkats' lives in a way more reminiscent with a TV drama, inviting the viewers into becoming to become much more emotionally invested than what is considered the norm in a documentary. As a result, it can actually be quite devastating for some viewers once RealityEnsues.

''Meerkat Manor'''s success has led to a release of a prequel film chronicling the life of the show's "main character", along with an assortment of merchandise, including an upcoming a video game!game.

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natter


** Due to their short life spans, pretty much any meerkat or family of meerkats is going to face this at some point. In the case of Mozart it was a total TearJerker was left alone and not modified for the narrative.
*** Left alone? That wasn't even actually how she died. They found her inside a hole in a tree after a bird of prey had killed her, but decided that was too gruesome to show on screen.

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** Due to their short life spans, pretty much any meerkat or family of meerkats is going to face this at some point. In the case of Mozart it was a total TearJerker was left alone and not modified for the narrative.\n*** Left alone? That wasn't even actually how she died. They found her inside a hole in a tree after a bird of prey had killed her, but decided that was too gruesome to show on screen.
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** The US version got Sean Astin from ''LordOfTheRings'' and ''TheGoonies''.

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** The US version got Sean Astin from ''LordOfTheRings'' ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings'' and ''TheGoonies''.''Film/TheGoonies''.
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So one day, someone thought, "Hey, how about we [[TheyFightCrime follow a bunch of meerkats out in the wild doing their day-to-day activities and make a TV show out of it!]]" And somehow, [[BetterThanItSounds it works]]. ''Meerkat Manor'' is currently AnimalPlanet's top rated show, and its success has led to the network [[FollowTheLeader creating more documentary shows revolving around different species' of animals]].

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So one day, someone thought, "Hey, how about we [[TheyFightCrime follow a bunch of meerkats out in the wild doing their day-to-day activities and make a TV show out of it!]]" And somehow, [[BetterThanItSounds it works]].works. ''Meerkat Manor'' is currently AnimalPlanet's top rated show, and its success has led to the network [[FollowTheLeader creating more documentary shows revolving around different species' of animals]].
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So one day, someone thought, "Hey, how about we [[TheyFightCrime follow a bunch of meerkats out in the wild doing their day-to-day activities and make a TV show out of it!]]" And somehow, [[BetterThanItSounds it works]]. ''Meerkat Manor'' is currently AnimalPlanet's top rated show, and its success has led to the network [[FollowTheLeader creating more documentary shows revolving around different species' of animals]].

Of course, when one thinks of a NatureDocumentary, what usually comes to mind is a narrator covertly explaining what is going on in a matter-of-fact fashion. ([[CrocodileHunter Either that, or Steve Irwin wrestling with crocs.]]) ''Meerkat Manor'', however, is very much unlike these type of documentaries. Instead, it [[{{Dramatization}} dramatizes]] the meerkats' lives in a way more reminiscent with a TV drama, inviting the viewers into becoming much more emotionally invested than what is considered the norm in a documentary. As a result, it can actually be quite devastating for some viewers once RealityEnsues.

''Meerkat Manor'''s success has led to a release of a prequel film chronicling the life of the show's "main character", along with an assortment of merchandise, including an upcoming video game!
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!!This show provides examples of:

* DashedPlotline: Each episode spans a month or two of time, as people who watch a marathon will feel like the seasons are changing every half-hour or so. A lot of uneventful activity must hit the cutting room floor.
* DownerEnding - The original show. Next Generation is NOT the original show.
** Due to their short life spans, pretty much any meerkat or family of meerkats is going to face this at some point. In the case of Mozart it was a total TearJerker was left alone and not modified for the narrative.
*** Left alone? That wasn't even actually how she died. They found her inside a hole in a tree after a bird of prey had killed her, but decided that was too gruesome to show on screen.
*** Mozart's group was a downer from the start. Carlos died as the only male in the group, and soon only Mozart and her two sisters were left. As the other two died, she met a male from another group. He was going to bring her into his group (although they may have killed her there), but there was a storm that prevented it for the night. The next day when the male saw her, she was dead.
** Also for the Next Generation. The last episode shows Rocket Dog recovering from a snake bite, which is what killed her mother Flower. Several months later, she became roadkill.
* {{Dramatization}}
* TheFilmOfTheSeries: Chronicled Flower's rise to glory. It actually used ManipulativeEditing and meerkat "actors" to play the meerkats from the show--the actual Whiskers appear at the end, thanks to Flower dying during production.
* GenreBusting
* HeroicSacrifice - R.I.P. Flower
* HeyItsThatVoice - Bill Nighy is the narrator of the series in the UK. Trope subverted since you may not realize it's him untill the credits.
** Australia got the guy who narrated Aussie BigBrother. From bogans to meerkats - it's quite a step up.
** The US version got Sean Astin from ''LordOfTheRings'' and ''TheGoonies''.
* TheHeroDies
* KeepCirculatingTheTapes: Played with, since home videos exist; but people follow the drama from the researchers themselves because the show has been out of production for a few years and meerkat life moves on.
* ManipulativeEditing - Fans who try to keep track of what's going on in the Kalahaari Meerkat Project which follows the Whiskers and numerous other families practically need a roadmap to figure out what meerkat goes by what name on TV, since the names often are not kept between the show and the project. Made more frustrating that one name on TV can be several Meerkats; see next trope for why.
** Mozart's death.
* NeverSayDie - Mostly subverted, but there are exceptions. Because real Meerkats have a tendency to just disappear anticlimactically and never be seen again, some names in the narration are attributed to multiple meerkats so as to keep the drama flowing. The name Carlos has been given to maybe as many as a dozen meerkats who have played the role of TheCharmer over the year
* LeftHanging: In the last episode of The Next Generation, Rocket Dog was showing improvement with her snake bite. Not only were the KMP planning a season 5, but also a special about her recovery. Her untimely death prevented the special, and would have been too much to explain for between seasons.
* TheOtherDarrin: Carlos has been the name given to quite a few of the "wandering male meerkats".
** Also, Mitch. Everywhere, all the time.
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