Not-Quite-Live from N.Y., a Cat-Chat Show!

09/29/2011

Who Needs Regis?

Lights, cameras ... cat hair! Unlike the morning frenzy surrounding soon-to-retire talk show host Regis Philbin, the countdown to air time for Kim Timon does not include trading jokes with Kelly Ripa. Kim's co-host is a handsome brown tabby named Douglas, adopted by Kim and his wife Geri. Their set is not a massive Manhattan sound-stage, but a smaller studio with an inviting, homey feel that inclues cute cat-themed decor and props---hey, it could be your Aunt Peggy's dining room! And for Kim and Douglas, their programs are always totally feline-focused -- no one's promoting an action flick or perfume line. "Purr 'N' Tell: The Show About Cats," really is just about ... cats. (The Timons' other cats, also rescues, are a gorgeous red tabby named Oliver and Jillian, a sleek tuxedo. Both are loyal viewers, not a bit jealous of Douglas's on-camera role!).

Produced by Geri Timon since 2003, the commercial-free New York cable show features a half-hour of topics and guests, such as veterinarians, artists specializing in cats,cat cartoons, authors, or organizers of cat rescue groups. Well-known cat photographer Guy Powers offered hints on taking great photos of your cat (always a challenge, since some cats like to pose, and others aim for that out-of-focus quality!), and author/animal behavioral expert Arden Moore chatted about cat care. Gertrude Barron of The Worthy Pause (spotlighted in Cat Scratchings) was a guest too.

Even the Timons' own vet, Dr. Jenifer Saver, made an appearance, and upcoming segments will include an interview with Ada Nieves, the pet fashion designer (we know her from Animal Planet fave "Underdog to Wonderdog."). Victoria Stilwell, the super-trainer of "It's Me or the Dog," recently talked with Kim at the American Pet Products Association trade show for a future spot. Geri often posts video from field shoots and past shows on YouTube, so those who live outside the viewing area (Long Island Cablevision, Manhattan Neighborhood Network) can enjoy the program too. With Douglas delivering 'color commentary,' each episode wraps with a helpful note about the battle against feline obesity: Kim reminds viewers "Don't give in, keep your cat thin!"

How did Geri, who grew up preferring dogs to cats, and Kim, who volunteered at a local cable access station, become the hard-working force behind a talk show aimed at cat enthusiasts? Kim, reviewing the original potential programming needed so that Four Village Studio could keep its government-access status, impulsively asked Geri if she'd like to produce a show about cats. At the time, Geri and Kim had recently welcomed Douglas, who joined Oliver and the late Abigail (a celeb in her own right, Abigail, then called Calliope, was featured in the book "The Dog Who Rescues Cats: The True Story of Ginny," about the kindly Schnauzer-Husky mix who came to the rescue of more than 900 cats, stray, abandoned or disabled. A superb, inspiring tale!). With three cats in the mix, and both Timons volunteering regularly at a local animal shelter, it all seemed meant to be: Cats rule, at home and on the air! Their first program was taped on Oct. 27, 2003.

Since then, viewers and visitors have flocked to the show, which airs, as Geri put it "like a Hallmark special," with much-anticipated original episodes about a dozen times a year, and rebroadcasts in between (you can catch one Thursday Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m., on 4VS-TV, and check for updates on the show's Facebook page.). Just in time for the holidays, in December, Kim and Douglas will do a segment with a luxury pet grooming salon -- hmm, maybe a kitty-spa visit is this season's purrfect gift.

Although Kim and Geri work full-time jobs that keep them busy in addition to their TV work, and there are no advertisers to help with the cost of putting PNT on the air, they're committed to the show. While you're awaiting the return of Animal Planet's feline-favorites "Must Love Cats" and "My Cat From Hell," both busily taping new seasons right now, give a look at "Purr 'N' Tell: The Show About Cats," and offer a big paws-up to the Timons family (including Douglas, of course.) for keeping cats on the radar.

All photos courtesy of Geri and Kim Timon/Purr 'N' Tell: The Show About Cats

Comments

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Purr-fect article, Kathy. Love the cats!

Posted by: Jerry and Kay | 10/14/2011 at 05:26 PM

After 30 years working in customers homes, I have come to understand why your dogs and cats after being potty trained properly, urinate on your carpet. I also know why they scratch holes in your carpet.

Our animals seem to scratch holes in the worst places possible. After all these years it finally dawned on me why. As much as we pamper our pets, they cannot talk to us and tell us all their wants or needs, right!

To that end our animals are trying to tell us what's wrong by their actions. They are acting out for several reasons that to date no 1 has understood. By what the animals are doing and where they are doing it I know why.

Our animals have been telling us there wants and needs, we just haven't understood. Since I have been in so many homes over 30 years and seeing what the animals are doing, like chewing on the couch digging up the carpet urinating on the walls chewing on the wood and more, I can detail exactly why they do most of what they do.

I called petsmart to ask them if they have a class on teaching the consumers why our animals are doing these
things. They offer a class to re-potty train our animals.

I tried to speak with their corporate offices but obviously they know it all. It's too bad really, because I can explain how and why our dogs and cats are doing these things.

If the general public would like to have what information I know and can prove, you could always call petsmart headquarters and suggested their headquarters get in touch with me, or this website owner/ manager could possibly get me an introduction with petsmart, for the sake of the pets and the pet owners. As it stands now your pets think you don't care, because you aren't responding in the correct manor to what they're doing.

This website has my email address if anyone's interested.

Posted by: Jim Ryan | 10/17/2011 at 01:21 PM