Cat Clips - - Cats of the Titans

(Part Four of the special "Tipi in Blunderland" mini-series.) Please click on the photo above to watch the next episode in the "Cat Clips" series. In this episode, as Tipi learns more about the Anti-Tea Party members, Tuck is led to "Boots" by the red shoes.

Cat Clips -- Mad Anti-Tea Party

(Part Three of the special "Tipi in Blunderland" mini series.) Please click on the photo above to watch the next episode in the "Cat Clips" series. In this episode, While Tuck tries to pass a test, Tipi stumbles upon a rather unusual party.

Cat Clips -- Queen of Farts

(Part Two of the special "Tipi in Blunderland" mini series.) Please click on the photo above to watch the next episode in the "Cat Clips" series. In this episode, Tipi and Croc-Full-of-Nuts try to avoid the Queen of Farts, while Tuck must pass a test before he can see Boots.

Cat Clips --Tipi in Blunderland

Please click on the photo above to watch the next episode in the "Cat Clips" series. In this episode: (The first of a multi-episode mini-series) When Tipi follows Tuck as he tries to find Mr. Boots, they both fall down a hole and end up in the mysterious Blunderland.

Cat Clips -- Stepford LIves

Please click on the photo above to watch the next episode in the "Cat Clips" series. In this episode: While the cats discuss Tipi's new affectionate behavior, Tuck tries to escape from her grasp long enough to find the ghost cat, Mr. Boots.

Cat Clips--Kittens of the Caribbean

Please click on the photo above to watch the next episode in the "Cat Clips" series. In this episode, Tipi and Tuck disagree over who gets to play what role in their playdate presentation of "Kittens of the Caribbean."

Cat Clips--The Maltese Bengal

Please click on the photo above to watch the next episdoe in the "Cat Clips" series. In this episode, when Tuck hears scratching noises in the basement, he decides to do a little detective work to see what's causing it.

Cat Clips--Queen of Crazy

Please click on the photo above to watch the next installment in the "Cat Clips" series, called "Queen of Crazy." In this episode, Tipi's singing in the bathroom prompts another one of Honey's multiple personalities to emerge.

Cat Clips--The Dreamcatcher

Please click on the photo above to watch the next episode in the "Cat Clips" series, called "The Dreamcatcher." In this episode, another one of Honey's multiple personalities makes an appearance. This time it's the famous Dreamcatcher, Madame Olga Bellyvonskaya.

Cat Clips--Personality Plus

Please click on the photo above to watch the latest episode in the "Cat Clips" series, called "Personality Plus." In this episode, one of Honey's multiple personalities finally makes an appearance.

Cat Clips--Hide and Speak

Please click on the photo above to watch the next episode in the "Cat Clips" series. Synopsis: As part of his "training" to become a Guardian of the Magic Wand, the male cat tries to teach Tuck how to hide in plain sight.

Cat Clips--Magic Wand

Please click on the photo above to watch the next episode in the Cat Clips series, called "Magic Wand." In this episode, Honey tries to figure out the "secret" behind a Magic Wand the male cat and Tuck are playing with.

Cat Clips--Sunny & Share

Please click on the photo above to watch the next installment in the "Cat Clips" series. In this episode, the two older cats try to teach Tipi and Tuck a few things about sharing, with mixed results.

Cat Clips--Fashion or Famine

Please click on the photo above to watch a very special episode of "Cat Clips." In this episode, Tipi introduces a new line of "Cat Clips" t-shirts and buttons, while Honey complains about her constant cravings.

Cat Clips--History Lesson

Please click on the photo above to watch the final episode in the special five-part mini series on Honey's Birthday. Now that Honey's birthday is finally coming to an end, Tipi urges her to share some memories of her youth.

Cat Clips--Diet Device

Please click on the photo above to watch the next episode in the "Cat Clips" series. In this episode, Tipi and Tuck are scouring the office trash can, when they come upon a device that might help Honey lose some weight.

Angela’s Back and Better Than Ever!

Over the July 4th holiday weekend, I had the extreme pleasure of watching Angela Lansbury perform on Broadway in the Noel Coward classic “Blithe Spirit.” And even better, I had tickets in front row center. How I was lucky enough to get these prime seats, I don’t know, as I only called up the night before to make reservations. But it was well worth the trip into the city, as the play itself is a classic bit of comic genius, and the rest of the cast (including Rupert Everett, Christine Ebersole and Jayne Atkinson) were equally superb.

In the play, Ms. Lansbury plays a somewhat questionable medium, who somehow manages to conjure up the dead wife (Ms. Ebersole) of Mr. Everett, much to the chagrin of his current wife (Ms. Atkinson). I’m sure you can imagine what ensues from there, complete with clever, witty dialogue provided by Mr. Coward. All in all, it was a great day at the theater, and a nice reminder of what a great actress Ms. Lansbury still remains, even in her eighties. (I’d actually seen her a couple years ago on Broadway, when she was in the tennis comedy “Deuce”…but that was not a great play, and she seemed to struggle with her lines in that one.) But with Noel Coward’s hilarious storyline as a backdrop, Ms. Lansbury shined brighter than ever.

The only thing I found a little odd is that Ms. Lansbury appeared to be wearing the exact same wig she’d worn as Mrs. Lovett in the original Broadway production of “Sweeney Todd.” Even had the same accent. Not sure if there was an intentional reference or whether it was pure coincidence, but the similarities were rather obvious. Other than that, the entire show was “like butter.”

The play closes later this month, so if you’ve been thinking of going to see it, you’d better hurry. Ms. Lansbury waits for no one.

The Trouble with Tony

The minute the Tony Awards started on Sunday night, I knew we were in trouble. Elton John’s microphone wasn’t turned on, so the first few notes of his song were sung into a black hole. This was only the beginning of what I felt was a poorly executed television program, with so many sound issues throughout, you’d think you were watching Amateur Night at the local Rotary Club. Especially when you constantly heard people talking offstage, or into microphones that shouldn’t have been turned on yet. But the worst moment came during the “Guys and Dolls” number when you could hear a technician talking offstage louder than you could hear the singer onstage. That was quickly corrected, thankfully, when the aforementioned tech ran onto the stage with the live microphone he had just been speaking into. INEXCUSABLE.

And then there were the endless musical numbers from shows that are out on tour, that we’ve already seen a million times. I mean, did the “Dancing Queen” number inspire anyone to get up off their butts and boogie? No.

I thought Neil Patrick Harris did a great job of holding it all together. His personality is very likeable, although I’m sure there’s a lot of stuff going on under that perfectly honed façade that’s probably pretty scary. No one is THAT nice.

The most disappointing moment for me was the choice of number from the musical “Billy Elliot.” This number DOES NOT do the show justice. Not that it isn’t impressive to watch someone that young take such command of the stage. But out of context, I don’t think Middle America will really make much of that number. In fact, the people who were initially turned off by the idea of a musical about a boy who wants to dance will probably not be swayed by what they saw on Sunday night. It was so poorly edited and presented that it didn’t make me want to spend the money to go see it. And that’s from someone who has already seen the show three times. (And believe me, it is well worth the investment and it rightfully deserved the title of "Best Musical." So don’t let the Tony number influence you negatively against this show---if it did. It is possibly one of the most grounded and emotionally charged musicals I’ve ever seen.)

Which brings me to the musical number from “Next to Normal,” which actually made me want to go see the show. I’d already heard good things about the show from friends, but was never really motivated yet to plunk down the money to get a ticket. I mean, a show about an emotionally disturbed woman and the toll it takes on her family is not exactly fodder for a fun evening out. But then I heard their voices, and I saw the commitment coming from the actors, and all of a sudden I was excited see this show. Finally, something that doesn’t run around in a costume or come pre-packaged from a movie or TV show. And that’s what the Tonys are supposed to do. Get you excited about going to see a live show, an experience unlike anything else in the world.

So, before I close, let’s not forget Liza Minelli, whose overzealous and perpetually bubbly personality makes me nervous every time I see her. In her heydey, she was spunky and funny and had a quirky personality that made her the life of the party. But now the party has run its course, and the band has gone home, and she’s still out there plugging away. I say retire from singing, because the voice just ain’t what it used to be. As for acting, there will always be roles for over-the-top people with bizarre affectations, so her career prospects are good. But come on, there’s only so many songs I want to hear that are sung with that many strained and missed notes. Even Stockard Channing sounded more on point, and I heard she was horrible in “Pal Joey.”

So though I’m glad they put a lot of money and effort into the production, I think they maybe strived to do too much with what they had. And yet, the show pulled in it’s best ratings since 2006, so who am I to judge? I’m just glad the Tonys are televised at all.

But that’s just me. What did you think of the Tony Awards?

Cat Clips--Stair Wars

Please click on the photo above to watch the next installment in the ongoing "Cat Clips" series. In this episode, Tuck makes a secret deal with the male cat.

Cat Clips--Catzaphrenic

Please click on the photo above to watch the next installment in the "Cat Clips" series, entitled "Catzaphrenic." In this episode, as "Honey" discusses her mental condition with the male cat, Tipi and Tuck eavesdrop on their conversation.