Top 20 Cats in Pop Culture: 20 - 11

Hold on to your hats kids, because Podcats, the Podcast presents it's definitive Top 20 cats in Pop Culture!

Places 20 - 11:

In 20th Place - Si and Am from Lady and The Tramp:  

We all know these guys are assholes, but to top that off they are creepy too. However, Lady and the Tramp would not be the same without them. 

In 19th Place - Lucifer from Cinderella: 

Again, an asshole. The way he walks through that dust pile after Cindy has spent all day cleaning up  ...ASSHOLE  (sidebar: Angel, our social media manager, hates this cat). But he is chubby - so has bonus points for being cute and for his owner being more evil than him. #poorlucifer

In 18th place - Felix the Cat:  

Felix the cat became the most prominent cartoon from the silent film era. He gets points for being around for so long - but he's also a little bit crap. Sorry Felix, you're stuck up here until you get an attitude.

In 17th Place - Angus from Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging: 

He is world-renowned since his owner Georgia and her little sister started dressing him up and pulling them around with him - but being a Scottish Wildcat he's a tiny bit feral. Cute but dangerous - we appreciate that at Podcats, The Podcast.

Feli

In 16th Place - Cat from Breakfast at Tiffany's:

While having a seemingly low-key role in this mega-block buster, Holly Golightly's cat functions as a constant reminder of the lack of connection she feels to those around her. For much of the story, he represents her unwillingness (or maybe her inability) to feel tied down to anyone or anything, and the fact that she won't name him further emphasizes that. So, that - and  the fact Cat's the reason she ends up with Paul Varjak. #clevercat

In 15th place - Mr Bigglesworth:

Mr Bigglesworth is Dr. Evil's pet Persian Cat - who lost his hair in an unfreezing process. This already gives the kitty points for sympathy. The fact he is a villain's bestie makes him lose points, that and he is UGLY - however, comedy value all the way!

In 14th Place - Scat Cat:

The trumpet-playing jazzman (voiced by the legendary Scatman Crothers) is leader of a gang of musical alley cats. Could he be any cooler? Downside is he doesn't get a lot of screen time...Aristocats 2 perhaps?

In 13th Place - Snowbell, from Stuart Little:

Family moggy Snowbell ain't to pleased when Geena Davies and Hugh Laurie bring a mouse (inherent nemesis) into the fam and start treating him like a son. We'd say your better off without him Snowbell, but it turns out the cat is the Snape of Stuart Little. 

In 12th place - Sassy from Homeward Bound:

The cat that keeps the dogs in check, Sassy is on a mission to keep the three of them together  She's got the right amount of attitude and heart, but her fatal decision to walk the line and fall over a waterfall brings too much heartbreak for her to be in the Top 10. #toomuchsassforonecat

In 11th Place - Oliver, from Oliver and Company:

 

In this retelling of Dicken's Classic - it's only fair that the cat takes the lead. Taken in by a pack of dogs when he is an orphan lost in the city, Oliver is led to a life of crime. Absolutely adorable, but that's no excuse for his actions, he ends up back where he belongs in the end. 

To be continued...

Podcats, The Podcast: Ep 2

So cat-lovers - the second episode of Podcats, The Podcast is here!

Give us a listen and let us know your thoughts either in the comments box or via our twitter where we will be keen to respond to any questions or queries you may have about our feline friends.

As you'll see - some of this content involves interaction from you! So if you want to see our resident cat allergy-haver Collin wear tiny hats then comment below. Or for a chance to win a prize - tweet us pictures of your cat to @PodCATS_Podcast!

Happy Listening!

Celeb Catz

First things first, where would we be without Twitter? Podcats, the Podcast <3's Twitter!

This social networking site has enabled us to get all kinds of personal with celebs, giving us cat-aholics some up close and personal time with their furry friends as an added bonus!

So, Podcats, the Podcats - in addition to being all kinds of jelly - presents these famous cat owners (and their associated Twitter) whose fortunate felines live charmed lives as the lap cats of the rich and the famous.

1. Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi (@snooki):

Although she's recently replaced her cats for her kids, there was a time when the Jersey Shore star was obsessed with sharing photos of her cats: Rocky, Tommy and Vito - the trio who she once referred to as her "3 bosses/ husbands/ best friends."

2. Katy Perry (@katyperry)

The undisputed queen of crazy cat crap, Perry often shares cat related content with past tweets including updates on her cat-themed fragrances Purr and Meow, trips to Tokyo cat cafes, and pictures of her own cats, Krusty and Kitty Purry. 

3. Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13)

The tween pop star caused an internet frenzy when she used Twitter to introduce the world to her new bestie Meredith. The Scottish Fold, named after Ellen Pompeo's character on Grey's Anatomy, also prompted a very public Twitter cat chat between Swift and Katy Perry, who proclaimed, "I want to cuddle that kitten so hard!"

4. Kat Von D (@thekatvond)

When the former LA Ink star isn't busy giving killer tattoos, writing books, and working on her makeup line for Sephora, she spends quality time with her beloved Sphynx, Piaf. The hairless kitten came into her life after her previous feline, Valentine, tragically perished in a house fire in 2010, and also follows Von D's first feline love, another Sphynx named Ludwig, who passed away in 2009. Ps. This cat is scary. 

5. Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais)

 Gervais regularly gives gratuitous tweet time to his gorgeous cat Ollie, a striking Siamese who loves being in front of the camera as much as her famous owner. Gervais is an animal rights advocate who admirably uses his massive Twitter following to promote these issues! #goGervais

10 unconventional things to do with cats:

Because we all think our cat is better than everyone else's cat.

1. Cat Beards - where the name of the game is in the title. Grab your cat, make him your beard. Mega Lolz.

2. BatCat - which can be done in a variety of ways. Either wear your cat, dress them up or put them in the shadows. #catlife

3. The Simba - There are three parts to The Simba. 

           Option 1: Shave your cat to make him a mini Simba (works best with gingers.)

           Option 2: Present your cat to the world while playing Circle of Life. 

           Option 3. Christen your cat Rafiki style.

4. The Glass Table - Take a picture of your cat on a glass table and Photoshop it anyway you like. 

Simple - yet classic.

5. Cats in Tights - 'cos their little legs just aren't long enough. Plus it's really funny.

6. And while we're on a fashion theme - Cats in Tiny Hats. Because Cats like to party too. And look dapper while they do it. 

7.  Bread Cat - There are no words for this.

8. Pizza Cat - There are even less words for this.

9. RockCat - Wouldn't we all love our cat to be in a rock band? Costume, Photoshop and a little creativity and you are halfway there.

10.  The Laser Cat - Follow in the Steps of Samberg and Hader and make your cat into your weapon of choice. Apocalypse who?

(For full Laser Cats fun click here)

Podcats, The Podcast: Ep 1

So cat-lovers, it's the moment you've all been waiting for - the first episode of Podcats, The Podcast is here!

Give us a listen and let us know your thoughts either in the comments box or via our twitter where we will be keen to respond to any questions or queries you may have about our feline friends.

Today's episode includes some extra content which you can find listed below including  Henri 2, Paw de Deux, which won the "Golden Kitty Award" for "Best Cat Video on the Internet" at the Walker Art Center's Internet Cat Video Film Festival, and T. S Eliot's famous poem - "Gus The Theatre Cat."

Happy Listening!

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Henri 2, Paw de Deux:

Gus The Theatre Cat - T. S Eliot:

Gus is the Cat at the Theatre Door.
His name, as I ought to have told you before,
Is really Asparagus. That's such a fuss
To pronounce, that we usually call him just Gus.
His coat's very shabby, he's thin as a rake,
And he suffers from palsy that makes his paw shake.
Yet he was, in his youth, quite the smartest of Cats--
But no longer a terror to mice and to rats.
For he isn't the Cat that he was in his prime;
Though his name was quite famous, he says, in its time.
And whenever he joins his friends at their club
(Which takes place at the back of the neighbouring pub)
He loves to regale them, if someone else pays,
With anecdotes drawn from his palmiest days.
For he once was a Star of the highest degree--
He has acted with Irving, he's acted with Tree.
And he likes to relate his success on the Halls,
Where the Gallery once gave him seven cat-calls.
But his grandest creation, as he loves to tell,
Was Firefrorefiddle, the Fiend of the Fell.

"I have played," so he says, "every possible part,
And I used to know seventy speeches by heart.
I'd extemporize back-chat, I knew how to gag,
And I knew how to let the cat out of the bag.
I knew how to act with my back and my tail;
With an hour of rehearsal, I never could fail.
I'd a voice that would soften the hardest of hearts,
Whether I took the lead, or in character parts.
I have sat by the bedside of poor Little Nell;
When the Curfew was rung, then I swung on the bell.
In the Pantomime season I never fell flat,
And I once understudied Dick Whittington's Cat.
But my grandest creation, as history will tell,
Was Firefrorefiddle, the Fiend of the Fell."

Then, if someone will give him a toothful of gin,
He will tell how he once played a part in East Lynne.
At a Shakespeare performance he once walked on pat,
When some actor suggested the need for a cat.
He once played a Tiger--could do it again--
Which an Indian Colonel purused down a drain.
And he thinks that he still can, much better than most,
Produce blood-curdling noises to bring on the Ghost.
And he once crossed the stage on a telegraph wire,
To rescue a child when a house was on fire.
And he says: "Now then kittens, they do not get trained
As we did in the days when Victoria reigned.
They never get drilled in a regular troupe,
And they think they are smart, just to jump through a hoop."
And he'll say, as he scratches himself with his claws,
"Well, the Theatre's certainly not what it was.
These modern productions are all very well,
But there's nothing to equal, from what I hear tell,
That moment of mystery
When I made history
As Firefrorefiddle, the Fiend of the Fell.

Cat Selfies: a temporary epidemic or up and coming art form?

So, while the rest of the global population is trying to see how many likes they can get on their instagram picture, cats are coming to take over the world, one selfie at a time.  

And while it was funny for a while - and I mean FUN-NAY - this craze seems to be getting bigger and better. You can say what you want about your feline friends - but these crazy cats know how to handle their technology...

But they aren't showing signs of stopping. Not content with being the best thing on the internet, these mad mogs are branching into a new style of shoot. They are arty, focused and expressive. And they are being embodied and enabled by Snapcat - the aptly named variant of the phone photo sharing app Snapchat.

Snapcat is an Android app that baits house cats with an irresistible red dot jumping around the screen. The cursor doubles as a camera shutter button so that when the cat slaps the dot, a picture is taken. 

Move over Andy Warhol - PiCATto is in town.

What the unnerving thing is, is that Cats really get the concept. They put themselves in their selfie. Look at our buddy on the right - you feel his anger, his self-respect, his magnificence.

And with that - they are a little bit more than narcissistic cuties. They, once more, prove themselves to be geniuses. For the most part anyway.

But we can't forget the amateur cats. The one's who came, who tried, who almost conquered. The one's to whom the internet will always be thankful for their existence. To those cats - we salute you. Keep up the war brave warriors - the digital stratosphere will always love you.

20 little known facts about cats:

Because there isn't too much you can know about cats...

1. A cat lover (aka, Podcats, The Podcast) is called an Ailurophilia.

2. Cats "paw" or "knead" (treading on a spot) to mark their territory and sweat through the bottom of their paws. This action rub off the sweat as a marking mechanism.

3. If your cat is near you, and their tail is quivering, this is the greatest expression of love your cat can give you. Appreciate it.

4. Only domestic cats hold their tails straight up when walking - wild cats hold their tails horizontally or tucked between their legs while walking.

5. Sir Isaac Newton, discoverer of the principles of gravity, also invented the cat door.

6.  Cat Grouping: A group of kittens is called a "kindle," a group of grown cats is called a "clowder," a male cat is called a "tom," a female cat is called a "molly" or "queen" and young cats are called "kittens."

7. Cats can make over 100 vocal sounds, while dogs can only make 10. (Cats, 1 - Dogs, 0)

8. Cats have been used to deliver mail: In Belgium in 1879, 37 cats were used to deliver mail to villages. However they found that the cats were not disciplined enough to keep it up.

9. The oldest cat that ever lived is Creme Puff who was born on August 3, 1967 and died ages 38 in 2005.

10. The biggest breed of domesticated cats are called a Maine Coon cat and weighs up to 11kg. They also make really good doorstops.

11.  Every year, nearly four million cats are eaten in Asia - and Podcats, The Podcast is not happy about this.

12. The technical term for a cat's hairball is a "bezoar."

13. A cat can't climb head first down a tree because every claw on a cat's paw points the same way. This probably explains why they get stuck up there. #meowmoment

14. According to Hebrew legend, Noah prayed to God for help protecting all the food he stored on the ark from being eaten by rats. In reply, God made the lion sneeze and out popped a cat. (Thanks big guy in the sky!)

15. The first cat in space was a French cat called Felicette (aka "Astrocat"). In 1963, France blasted the cat into outer space. Electrode implanted in her brains sent neurological signals back to Earth. She survived the trip.

16. When a family cat died in ancient Egypt, family member would mourn by shaving off their eyebrows. They also held elaborate funerals during which they wine and beat their breasts. No Jokes.

17. The ability of a cat to find its way home is called "psi-travelling." Experts think cats either use the angle of the sunlight to find their way or that cats have magnetized cells in their brains that act as compasses.

18.  The first cartoon cat was Felix the Cat in 1919.

19. Food that should not be given to cats include onions, garlic, green tomatoes, raw potatoes, chocolate, grapes and raisins.

20. Perhaps the most famous comic cat is the Cheshire Cat in Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. With the ability to disappear, this mysterious character embodies the magic and sorcery historically associated with cats.

Welcome to PodCATS, The Podcast –

Welcome to Podcats, The Podcast - you’re first stop for all feline related facts and entertainment. We love cats, and we love you, other people who love cats.

We also love radio, and while we can’t have our own radio show, we can talk to you, our devoted listeners about the cat stuff you love most, be that cat facts, breeds, treats, anecdotes or noises. So, check in here or via our Twitter page for the latest instalment of the series and other multimedia that builds on what we say and what you want to see.

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The Team:

Kyle:

Role: Content Creator and Host   

Favourite Cat: Norwegian Forest Cat. Boom.

Logan: 

Role: Content Creator and Host

Favourite Cat: Salem, from Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Nuff said.

Angel: 

Role: Social Media Manager

Favourite Cat: Grumpy Cat aka Tardar Sauce (her real name)

Rebecca: 

Role: Blog Writer and Manager

Favourite Cat: Harry P's Crookshanks - for being a total badass. 

Emily:

Role: Graphic Content Creator

Favourite Cat: Kitten fan only - no cats allowed.

Collin:

Role: Promotional Material Manager

Favourite Cat: Ocelot (despite the cat allergy)