Heathcliff
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Heathcliff
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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 Heathcliff is a 1980s cartoon that was based on the Heathcliff comic strip by George Gately. The show also went by the name Heathcliff & the Catillac Cats, as each half hour episode featured two segments: one about Heathcliff and one about alley cats Riff-Raff, Hector, Wordsworth, Mungo, and Cleo (Riff-Raff's girlfriend). The cartoon is about the rough-and-tumble adventures of neighborhood alley cats. Male cats are often characterized as debonair ladies' men and female cats are portrayed as smitten by the male cats. Alley cats battle in street fights with mild name-calling.
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What's the Story?
HEATHCLIFF is a streetwise orange cat and known troublemaker. Episode after episode, he terrorizes the neighborhood in his attempts to land the girl or flex his masculinity. With clever quips and a flair for fighting, Heathcliff takes on Riff-Raff and other characters who stand in the way of what he wants. Who will come out on top?
Is It Any Good?
This classic 1980s cartoon makes a delightful return. Heathcliff, with its unforgettable theme song and witty banter, is fun for parents who grew up in the 80s to now rewatch with their kids. Though some of the jokes will go over kids' heads, they give grown-ups a reason to sit through an episode. And the adults who grew up on Heathcliff's pranks and the Catillac Cats' antics, may now be surprised to see that the show is about more than just cats; in a way, it portrays the creativity and resilience of urban culture.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about characterization in Heathcliff. What do you think about all the cats' personalities? Do they remind you of anyone you know in real life?
How is Heathcliff similar to modern day cartoons? How is it different from modern day cartoons? Which shows do you prefer?
Which character is your favorite member of the Catillac Cats? Why?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 3, 1984
- Cast: Mel Blanc, Stan Jones, Danny Mann, Ted Zeigler, Donna Christie
- Network: Paramount+
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Adventures, Cats, Dogs, and Mice
- Character Strengths: Perseverance
- TV rating: TV-Y7
- Last updated: December 24, 2022
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