‘It’s playschool does wildlife’: New BBC nature show Serengeti is slammed for its ‘ridiculous, made-up stories’ and decision to use multiple animals to play one character
- First episode of new show broadcast on BBC One this evening, but was criticised
- Viewers complained of the ‘kindergarten narration’ and ‘horrendous scene cuts’
- Series director Rob Stowers addressed ‘dramatised’ story before show started
- He earlier said: ‘the named characters aren’t always the same animal every time’
- But not everyone was critical, with some viewers noting ‘stunning photography’
A new BBC nature series has been slammed as ‘playschool does wildlife’ as the dramatised story and use of multiple animals to play one character is criticised.
Serengeti, which started tonight on BBC One, has been met with a frosty reception after the series director, John Downer, admitted the show has been ‘dramatised’.
The dramatisation is said to include several animals having the same name and producers using previously shot footage to enhance their behaviour.
One of the episodes will feature lioness Kali (above fighting with a warthog). The show has been created to show how animals face similar challenges
The dramatisation is said to include several animals having the same name and producers using previously shot footage to enhance their behaviour
Serengeti, which started tonight on BBC One, has been met with a frosty reception with viewers criticising the show for its dramatised approach (above and below)
John Boyega (right) will narrate the programme which will made its debut on BBC One this evening and is directed by John Downer (left)
One irate viewer, Rob Stowers, wrote on Twitter: ‘Always happy to see African wildlife footage but utterly ridiculous made-up stories are completely and utterly unnecessary. This is playschool does wildlife.’
He wasn’t the only person to slam the new show, with another viewer, Lionwolf Lou, criticising the show for using the same name on several animals.
They said: ‘Watching Serengeti. Can already tell this dramatised approach is going to annoy me. About five lionesses have been called ‘Kali’ so far.
While another said: ‘Please stop trying to tell us the lions are little furry people. Enough with the kindergarten narration, we’re adults.’
And another wrote: ‘It’s the Serengeti so why the over the top treatment? It’s a beautiful place not an EastEnders episode.’
The director of the new wildlife show issued some guidance ahead of the broadcast of the first episode, saying the nature of the series had led the production team to use memorable and appropriate names to identify the animal characters.
One viewer wrote: ‘Watching Serengeti. Can already tell this dramatised approach is going to annoy me. About five lionesses have been called ‘Kali’ so far’
Many viewers criticised the ‘humanising of animals’ saying dramatic approach the show had taken didn’t work (above and below)
And at the beginning of the show, narrator John Boyega said: ‘A dramatized story based on the real lives of Africa’s most charismatic animals.’
But the warning has done little to suppress the ire of those finding out the show is dramatised, and that multiple animals are used for one animal.
One viewer wrote on Twitter: ‘Stunning camera work. Unfortunately the commentary is more anthropomorphic than Disney.’
While another said: ‘Did you get the idea for Serengeti from the old Tarzan films? These scenes are horrendously cut together. Not only do the colours not match, but even the b***** animals are not always the same.’
And another joked: ‘All I can say about Serengeti is, well done editors and producers, you can almost believe the two groups of animals were there at the same time.’
The use of multiple animals for one character was noted by Mr Downer, who said ‘the named characters aren’t always the same animal every time they see them’.
The new series will feature a range of animals from across the African savannah but some could have the same names
Animals featured in the programme include Kali the lioness, Bakari the baboon (pictured above holding a baby baboon) and Tembo the elephant.
CGI is not used during the show but some previously filmed material is used. Pictured above Cheetah cubs with mum on lookou
Animals featured in the story include Kali the lioness, Bakari the baboon and Tembo the elephant. But they will incorporate more than three animals between them.
Mr Downer said: ‘Sometimes they are the same individual throughout but the more complex storylines are enhanced by behaviour captured of similar animals facing the same real-life challenges.
‘By using composite animals, united by the same name, it is possible to tell a comprehensive drama showing all the trials, disappointments and triumphs these species face.’
He added that the dramatised account aims to present a complete picture of an animal’s life that he claims ‘would be difficult to show any other way’.
Not everyone was critical of the approach the show took, with one viewer saying: ‘Serengeti is full of stunning visuals and much expected drama – including acts of love and loyalty. Wonderful.’
While another wrote: ‘I’m only five minutes in to Serengeti and it’s already pulling at the heartstrings. Don’t think I’ll be able for this.’
And another viewer, Marva Longmore, wrote: ‘I’m Hooked On This Programme Already. Stunning Photography.’
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