Catscratch

TV review by Sarah Wenk, Common Sense Media
Catscratch Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 6+

A chaotic show about obnoxious cats.

Nickelodeon Kids' Animation 2005
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Parents say

age 6+

Based on 6 reviews

Kids say

age 6+

Based on 27 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this show is very loud, bright, and frenetic. It won't calm kids down, and if they have a tendency to copy what they see on TV, a talk about breaking things, like walls, might be in order.

Community Reviews

Holly R.
Holly R. Adult
July 29, 2019
age 4+

It didn't last long for a reason...

While I do sort of like the show, it does have issues and that is probably why it only lasted about 20 episodes or so. Mr. Blik was rude and obnoxious, Waffle was kinda annoying and randomly saying "splee!!!" all the time, and Gordon had an unhealthy romantic obsession with an 8 year old girl named "human Kimberly". The show usually revolves around Mr. Blik doing selfish things and having to be bailed out of what ever weird thing happens by his cat brothers only to learn the same lessons over and over again. And for some reason the cats don't have noses and Waffle resembles a dog at times more than a cat because of his ear laying flat and behaving similar to a "lovable stupid dog". Waffle also likes newts for some strange reason. The show is completely random at times and while I like it, I find it disappointing and sometimes creepy especially with Gordon whom sounds like a grown man with a Scottish accent being infatuated with an 8 year old child. It's kinda sweet if you don't think about for too long or then you start to realise how creepy it is. It is a very hyperactive show and none of the characters are truly likable save for Kimberly who is technically a side character whom only serves as a weird unhealthy obsession for Gordon and a companion for the other cats. The good thing about this show is that it is probably better suited for the 9 and up crowd who won't try to copy the bad stuff that characters like Mr. Blik do. Plus the characters, while unlikable, are still amusing. They are designed so that you will love to hate them. Therefore it is better for older children but it's fine with supervision for younger kids.
Al Jackson
Al Jackson Adult
April 21, 2012
age 11+

I would watch this if I had nothing to do.

This show is not terrible,but it is not the best show ever.It is better than Nick News,but if I had a choice between SpongeBob or this show,I would ay SpongeBob.The jokes are funny but the animation is hideous.
See all 6 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In CATSCRATCH, a rich old lady leaves her entire estate to her three cats, Mr. Blik (he's bossy), Gordon (he's seems tough but is really a softy and has a crush on the human girl next door), and Waffle (he's goofy and confused). With the assistance of her butler, who has stayed on, they create various kinds of mayhem. The stories are silly in the extreme, but still manage to be amusing -- Mr. Blik turns green (he falls into a bathtub that Gordon is using to make pickled cabbage) and when no one takes him seriously anymore, he heads out for a life with the hobos on the rails. Of course everything turns out well in the end, and sometimes the cats even behave nobly -- Gordon, for instance, gives his wish (granted by a giant squid he's defeated in battle) to Mr. Blik, who needs it more than he does.

Is It Any Good?

Catscratch is a generic cartoon show that involves oddly drawn characters who don't really look like anything, very loud voices, very bright colors, and many instances of people and creatures and things being bashed, broken, and bonked. The show is a by-the-book program, but that doesn't mean it's not sometimes funny or even touching. Many kids will get a kick out of it, although you may not be as tolerant. There's nothing terribly wrong with it, but nothing terribly right, either.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why Gordon is so upset that his tail is so short, and why he decides in the end to keep it that way. Also, why does getting turned green make Mr. Blik less of an authority figure in the house? But mostly this is just a silly show that will make kids laugh if they're quite young.

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