The classic Brit comedian’s interaction with the goofy yet cute primates was pure genius and showcased on the Into the Wild series. Cleese confessed a long-running fondness for lemurs: he not only observed them from a distance, but sunned and fed them, hunted for them at night, jumping and even swore at them.

Now, we don’t expect that kind of stuff on the mostly U-rated Animal Planet, so Lemur Street is “a story of love, loss and betrayal”, according to the press release. The series has been filmed over the course of a year and follows the lives of two rival groups of ring-tailed lemurs living in the beautiful protected reserve of Berenty on the island of Madagascar, off the coast of Africa.

The story so far? Lemur Street introduces you to gangs of about 20 ring-tailed lemurs, both ruled by a dominant female. Roving opportunistic males trying to join the troop, babies and juveniles causing havoc and the constant threat of eagles, hawks and territory wars ensure that the lives of lemurs are filled with colour and action. Every aspect of their complex lives; from wars with neighbouring gangs and troop leadership battles to political alliances and illicit relationships is covered in the series.

What’s hot? Like the truly modern dilemma, and irony, of breeding animals in captivity, so they can flourish in the wild, wildlife television presents increasing challenges in making content palatable to viewers without being repetitive. Animal Planet, at least, has discovered a formula (not so secret, though). Since lions spend more than 20 hours a day asleep, it’s infinitely more challenging to discover active creatures whose lives can be dramatised for television.

What’s not? What’s not to like in a series that looks at the lemur code of honour, the destruction of their habitat and still that show then lunging at each other like characters from that crazy spoof Kung-Pow. Is overt attention to details a crime? We think not.