This month, PBS Kids brings Dr. Seuss’s classic character to television
with “The Cat in The Hat Knows A Lot About That,” starring funnyman
Martin Short as the voice of the Cat. But this time, the Cat isn’t
causing trouble with kites and polka-dotted dresses; he’s helping Sally
and Nick learn about science. Here, producer Julie Stalls
talks about the Cat’s prankster past and how the show will help inspire
budding scientists.
What were some of your challenges in trying to maintain the Cat in the Hat’s mischievous behavior?
The
Cat was very much a prankster in the original book, and he had Nick and
Sally scared out of their wits. Who was this crazy, zany character in
their house? So we looked at what it is about the Cat’s character that
makes him appealing. He’s silly, he’s fun, he has an outrageous amount
of energy and he’s not afraid to try new things—those are fantastic
characteristics for a host!
So unlike the original book, the Cat doesn’t decide what games Sally and Nick should play?
It’s the kids who drive the plot line; it starts with a question or problem they have and the Cat shows up to help. We kept his curiosity and zest for exploring. The Cat always knows where to take them and who to visit, but he doesn’t have a lot of the answers. That’s why it’s called “The Cat in The Hat Knows A Lot About That;” he knows a lot, but he doesn’t know everything, and that’s where the fun and silliness come in. He brings the kids into the avenue where they can learn and discover for themselves.
How do Thing 1 and Thing 2 and the Fish factor into the show?
The Fish is fun because he’s known the Cat for years and has the feeling that things are going to go off the rails. He builds the anticipation and provides comic relief. Thing 1 and Thing 2 are physical helpers for the Cat; the Cat gets himself into trouble and calls them and they hop out of the back of the Thinga-ma-jigger and build a fun contraption. They’re non-verbal so they’re very slapstick and physical.
You’ve changed the children from Sally and her brother to Sally and her friend and neighbor, Nick – why the change?
We wanted to provide a sense of community, so we wanted the kids to be friends. We also wanted to bring some multicultural aspects to the show; so by having Nick be the neighbor and not the brother we’re able to bring in different nationalities of characters, which is very reflective of today’s communities.
What does Martin Short bring to the character of the Cat?
Martin Short is the perfect Cat in the Hat; he has a natural ability to inject enthusiasm and fun and delivers his lines in a way that makes you want to go on these adventures. He also brings a real silliness to the character. The record sessions are hilarious because he’s always adding these ad-libs. Because he’s a wonderful comedian he knows the perfect comic timing and he’s coined phrases for the Cat, like “My, you’re clever!”
