Dramatic Chipmunk

Dramatic Chipmunk is a viral Internet video. The video is a 5-second clip of a prairie dog (erroneously referred to as a chipmunk) turning its head while the camera zooms in and dramatic music is played.

Origins
The clip became widely known through uploads on YouTube and CollegeHumor on June 19, 2007. An earlier and identical version, titled as Dramatic Look, had been uploaded to YouTube on June 6, 2007.

The clip of the prairie dog is from the Japanese television show Hello! Morning featuring Mini-Moni's segment, Mini-Moni Chiccha. The clip has a prairie dog inside a transparent box being shown to the hosts in the studio. CollegeHumor also released a longer clip under the title Undramatic Chipmunk, showing how the video looked in the original Japanese version.

The audio used in Dramatic Chipmunk is taken from the score of the 1974 Mel Brooks film Young Frankenstein, which was composed by two-time Oscar nominee (and longtime Brooks collaborator) John Morris, and orchestrated by Morris and EGOT recipient Jonathan Tunick. It uses three dramatic chords (A minor, C♯ minor, and E minor) performed in full orchestral tutti, and has a rumble of kettledrums in the background. The "chipmunk" turns its head and stares at the camera with a "surprised" look while the music is played.

Popularity
Since its release, the video has received over fifty million views. People Magazine named the Dramatic Chipmunk as one of The 10 Wildest YouTube Stars of 2007.

In 2008, South Park released an episode named “Canada on Strike”. At the bank the Dramatic Chipmunk was also featured cashing his "internet money" with the cast. However, all of the celebrities fight each other to the death for popularity. At the end of the fight scene, Chocolate Rain is about to shoot the Dramatic Chipmunk who then turns to look at him like in the video and giving him the Evil Eye. Chocolate Rain's head then explodes and, as his body hits the ground, the gun goes off shooting the Dramatic Chipmunk in the head.

In 2008, The Powerpuff Girls released their 10th anniversary and series finale special, “The Powerpuff Girls Rule!!!”. At the start of the special, Mojo Jojo is seen referencing the Dramatic Chipmunk meme when he is first introduced.

Since 2013, the Minnesota Golden Gophers have been known to play the Dramatic Chipmunk video on the Jumbotron during home football games to distract opposing kickers.

In the video game Overwatch, the Wrecking Ball character – an enhanced-intelligent hamster that pilots a mecha – was given a highlight introduction in April 2019 that spoofs the Dramatic Chipmunk meme.