Good news for fans of cats and Ira Glass impressions: a YouTube series called This American Cat exists. In the first and only episode so far, the writer and creator of this “paw cast,” Daniel Wolfe, heads to Oakland’s Cat Town Cafe to interview several kitties who respond with varying levels of disinterest. Overall, the two minute video offers a pretty good look at the nation’s first cat cafe — plus, the music, nasal voice, and questions about the cats’ “journeys” are spot-on for fans of the beloved WBEZ show.
I spoke with Wolfe about the inspiration for this video and was surprised to hear it was shot by Fawna Xiao during an impromptu visit post-costume contest. As far as tips for visiting cat cafes, Wolfe said, “Go in there with a paper…try to be productive and the cats will swarm you because cats naturally want your attention when you’re busy. Don’t be desperate. Let them come, and listen to their problems. Make sure you adopt at least two.” Good advice, no?
