Guys, I watched the best documentary on OPB last night: a behind-the-scenes look at contestants in the Cat Fanciers’ Association International Cat Show. I am hesitant to post the following clip, because it kind of blows the show’s dramatic apogee (and it’s not nearly as funny as the scene in which Crazy Cat Lady #4 breaks down her cat’s resemblance to Nicole Kidman, or where Crazy Cat Lady #6 makes her cat wear cat diapers, or where Crazy Cat Man #2 explains why Maine Coones are like America), but for some stupid reason it’s the only one I could find:
The Standard of Perfection next airs Sunday, April 3 on OPB. Record that shit and then send me a thank-you note. (And put a few clips on YouTube, while you’re at it. ) If anyone watched it last night, back me up on this. Hilarious! Totally insane! Quite possibly a glimpse of my future!
Speaking as a non-cat lady (Sorry Alison!), I’mma back you up. It was like Best in Show, but about cats and totally real!
It was amazing. I’m bummed I can’t watch it with new eyes again b/c it was that good.
I was shocked at what seemed like a really low attendance at this show. There’s a perfectly good convention center here we can put to good use. I feel something like this in Portland would go over like CRAZY. Come to think of it, there is not a single person I know that wouldn’t be a little curious and want to check it out.
@AdajRosko — You made my kitty cry. We already have a cat show and you missed it. http://www.tncc.org/
Sigh. Todd would have really enjoyed this post.
I, for one, am going to really miss Todd’ witty repartee.
If it’s half as good as the doc about ferret lovers, I’m gonna dig it. Can’t wait for sunday…
3 AM? Christ, only cats are up that late.
Ow wow. AMAZING. Head swimming.
How can Nicole Kidman freak out like that and still win best? Isn’t behavior a factor here?
The crazy cat ladies delivered. There needs to be a cat lady best in show competition for craziest. Criteria could include “the eyes,” number of cats, number of cat tchotchkes. And others.
Theresa didn’t want to over-do it so only has six cats.
OPB’s nailed their target audience on this by still offering this for purchase on video cassette.
I want a doc on the cat photographer and his process.
Alison,
Did you see future Alison in any one of those ladies?
TSW – Thankfully, no, they all ranged from unrelatable to frankly horrid.
My favorite/least favorite was the guy with the black cat named Colin Powell that he “would’ve named Condoleeza Rice if it had been a female.”
Oh and also how the “American frou frou” style of cage decor is ruining cat shows by trivializing the cats’ athleticism.
Oh, totally. They’ve deprioritized (c)athleticism to the show’s detriment. I blame it on the fetishization of the Persian, the most immobile, least athletic of the cats. It’s the same way the toys and puff balls always win the dog shows. It’s time to supplant the Bichon Frisee-lovin’ old-guard of the pet show world.
At least one of those cat ladies gave off a “kitty mill” vibe. Like, she cared about the cats as much as they performed for her in competitions. The brunette lady, I think.
If it’s any reassurance, not all black cats are named after Bush-era Republicans. My one-eyed cat Nickolai is named after Nick Drake but he also doubles as Samuel Jackson as Nick Fury since he lost his eye.