by Linda Kay
Original Air Date: April 23, 1985
Directed by: Oz Scott
Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains spoilers for this episode!
Synopsis: Louise (Isabel Sanford) is rattled when a rambunctious young woman named Robin (Kathleen Wilhoite) moves into the building and starts throwing late night parties with her seemingly endless youthfulness.
Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): In order to address Robin’s disturbances, Louise calls a meeting of the tenants. During a phone conversation with Mrs. Pardella, Louise says, “No, I’m afraid we don’t have enough chairs for Mr. Whiskers, Pookie and Boris.” After a pause she states, “All right, your cats can elect one representative. But he doesn’t get a vote.” After hanging up, Florence the maid (Marla Gibbs) says sharply, “Mrs. Jefferson, I am not setting no chair for no cats!” Louise explains that they have to accomodate Mrs. Pardella because she needs all the support she can find to evict Robin.
In the next scene the tenants have gathered in the Jefferson’s apartment for the meeting, including Mrs. Pardella (Elmarie Wendel) who is clad in a kitty patterned dress as she sits beside her longhair ginger tabby cat Mr. Whiskers.
The elderly Mr. Donahue (Fred Carney) wants to sit on the couch and Mrs. Pardella assures him that Mr. Whiskers can move over but Mrs. Donahue (Mary Jackson) insists her husband needs a straight-back chair.
Louise tries to start the meeting but Mrs. Donahue interrupts and asks everyone if they would like to see the photos from their Hawaiian cruise. Everyone leans in to look, including Mr. Whiskers.
Once again Louise tries to get everyone on the subject at hand, to which Mrs. Pardella says, “Mr. Whiskers will have milk.”
After some confusion about refreshments Louise is finally able to air her concerns about Robin. But instead of agreeing with her, the other tenants all agree that Robin is a breath of fresh air. “And she throws a hell of a party,” Mrs. Pardella adds. “You were there?” Louise asks with surprise. “Mr. Whiskers and I closed the place!” Mrs. Pardella brags.
Louise insists that Robin is the kind of disturbance they don’t need but the others don’t agree. “Mr. Whiskers is fourteen years old,” Mrs. Pardella points out, “That’s one hundred and eight to you and me but every time I bring a new little kitten home he starts acting like a boy again.”
As Louise reaches over to give Mr. Whiskers a little pet, Mrs. Pardella pulls him away and storms out angrily, followed by everyone else.
Final Mewsings: Cats can make us feel young again.
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