Animal Planet Reality TV Shows
Even animals are getting in on the reality television show craze! The Animal Planet offers several reality shows for those that want to take a break from the overly theatrical human reality shows:
It's the Dog or Me
This show features dog trainer Victoria Stilwell who is also a guest judge on the Greatest American Dog doing what she does best - training unruly dogs. Victoria visits home that have been torn apart by their beloved, yet rowdy pooches. She observes the dog's behavior, conducts interviews about the dog, and even uses a hidden "pet cam" to spy on the animal's behavior. After she is able to diagnosis the problem, she helps both the pets and the owners make changes so life in the home can once again be harmonious.
Animal Cops
Animal Cops is a show that follows five animal cruelty agents (Mark Ramos, Debby MacDonald, Shawn Hairston, Mike Dowe Jr., and David McLeod) who attempt to stamp out animal cruelty. The agents not only focus on stopping the animal abuse, but also prosecuting those responsible for it. The show originated in Detroit, Michigan with the Michigan Humane Society, but has now expanded to New York City (Animal Precinct), Houston (Animal Cops Houston), Miami (Miami Animal Police), San Francisco (Animal Cops San Francisco, and Phoenix (Animal Planet Heroes: Phoenix).
Escape to Chimp Eden
Escape to Chimp Eden follows chimpanzees that have been rescued from captivity, where they experienced such cruelty as physical abuse, malnutrition, and abandonment. Now safe in a South African sanctuary, the show follows the chimps as they recover and form a community before being returned to the wild.
Groomer Has It
Groomer Has It is a competitive reality series between twelve of the best groomers in America. The groomers live together in the "Dog House." Each week, there is a Quick Sniff Challenge. The winner of the Quick Sniff Challenge gets a Leg Up for the Elimination Challenge. The winner of the Elimination Challenge not only gets to go through to the next week, but also gets a Leg Up for the following Quick Sniff Challenge. The show is hosted by Queer Eye for the Straight Guy Jai Rodriguez and features a grand prize of $50,000 as well as a mobile grooming salon.
Meerkat Manor
Meerkat Manor follows the Whiskers family and other families of meerkats in the Kalahari Desert. The meerkats are part of the Kalahari Meerkat Project, which is to study the ecological causes and evolutionary consequences of the meerkats. The camera follows meerkats who are given names such as Flower and Zappa and there is dramatic narration as well as romanticization of the lives of the animals. Meerkat Manor, now in its fourth season, is the Animal Planet's highest rated shows and has been nominated for two Emmys.
Orangutan Island
Orangutan Island is similar to Meerkat Manor in that it follows a group of orangutans and it includes dramatic commentary. The orangutans the show focuses on are orphaned and being raised at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Palangka Raya, the Capitol of Central Kalimantan.
Tiger: Spy in the Jungle
Tiger: Spy in the Jungle uses spycams to follow tiger cubs in the jungle of India. The truly incredible thing is the "cameramen" are elephants. The elephants carry the Trunkcam on their tusks and the steadicam on their heads to film the cubs. Because the cubs respect the elephants, but do not fear them, the elephants can get close up action as the cubs interact. The elephants are able to take us deep into the jungle; areas humans wouldn't be able to make it into. The show follows the playful cubs and they grow into young adults, following their changing relationships.
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