“Meerkat Manor:” “Massacre Manor,” more like

When one thinks of a show that rather sadistically offs its principal characters, “24” comes to mind, perhaps “Prison Break.” (Not “Heroes,” though given how cluttered with characters that show’s become, they better start a death march quick.)

But there’s another series that has become absolutely zealous about imperiling its beloved characters – and a kids’ show, at that.

Yes, I’m talking about “Meerkat Manor.”

What started out as a charming little nature program about some cute critters has turned into a plaintive rumination about how short and brutish life can be. First, we lost our intrepid, snake-bite-surviving hero, Shakespeare, who simply disappeared, likely killed by a predator. At least his death occurred off-camera.

Since then, a number of meerkats have bitten the dust, among them Big Si, Cazanna, Carlos, Mozart’s pups, Kinkajou, pups and more pups and, most recently, Flower. Tonight – and there really is no delicate way of putting this – the carnage continues.

One wonders if the producers understood their show would have such a high body count when they pitched it, or if Animal Planet thought luring kids into the tent with the promise of pictures of cute animals then turning the tables on them with tragedy after tragedy constituted a sobering life lesson delivered tough-love-style. Whatever the case, keep it up!

- “Meerkat Manor,” 8:30 tonight, Animal Planet.