Chief Mouser - The Downing Street Cats

July 9, 2024 4:21 PM

YouTube video about the history of cats at 10 Downing Street (11 minutes). Has transcript.
posted by paduasoy (13 comments total)

the bow tie!
posted by HearHere at 4:30 PM on July 9 [5 favorites]

Watched the whole thing. Can confirm: the cats are excellent.
posted by bunderful at 4:56 PM on July 9 [3 favorites]

Better than many of the other inhabitants of the house.

I do like the police officer having to knock to get the cat let in.
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:47 PM on July 9 [3 favorites]

Don't mess with Nelson.
posted by humbug at 5:57 PM on July 9 [2 favorites]

Nice tie. Was a disapoint that there was not a Churchill-style bowler. That cat would wear it well, indeed.
posted by BlueHorse at 9:03 PM on July 9 [2 favorites]

The dramatic music! Love it. Humphrey seemed aptly named. I do love the low-stakes high-stakes nature of it all -particularly the secret trip to show journos 'proof of life' for a cat that had been retired (and not murdered by the PMs wife as rumours suggested).

There are more recent stories on the changing of the guard at Number 10 from the recent election - CBC covers Larry, AFP on Britains true ruler - Larry, CNN - Larry the Cat greets media after election, an older story Number 10 Official Boo'd for removing Larry for Bidens visit.
posted by phigmov at 10:31 PM on July 9 [4 favorites]

Yay SBS!
posted by freethefeet at 12:23 AM on July 10

You might also like 7 Times Larry the Cat Caused Mischief - I particularly like the time when he upstaged an important interview by dashing out the door and enthusiastically dismembering a pigeon.
posted by rongorongo at 5:26 AM on July 10 [2 favorites]

The still of Palmerston being escorted out by the police is just the best thing. The absolutely best thing. OMG his little expression.
posted by Hypatia at 9:30 AM on July 10 [7 favorites]

Yes, you can tell Palmerston is thinking "I'll fucking get you for this, Larry, just you wait ..."
posted by essexjan at 12:31 PM on July 10 [1 favorite]

Much as I love Larry, the best cat though was Peta, who absolutely did not give a fuck.
posted by essexjan at 12:32 PM on July 10 [1 favorite]

Also, in that clip of Larry where the policeman knocked on the door so he could go in, you just know that Larry immediately turned round and sat by the door waiting for someone inside to let him out again.
posted by essexjan at 12:51 PM on July 10 [4 favorites]

Much as I love Larry, the best cat though was Peta, who absolutely did not give a fuck.
“Idle, ill suited to the job and not toilet trained” - yet so adored this could never be mentioned in public . Surely a character aspiration for all of us?
posted by rongorongo at 2:55 PM on July 10 [4 favorites]