44 Cats (Italian: 44 Gatti) is an Italian animated children's television series created by Iginio Straffi. The series is mainly produced by the Rainbow studio, which was co-owned by Viacom at the time of the show's premiere. Viacom's Nickelodeon channels broadcast 44 Cats worldwide, while both RAI's YoYo network and Nickelodeon Italy air the series in Italy. The series follows the adventures of four kittens - Lampo, Meatball, Milady and Pilou - who are part of a musical group called the Buffycats. The series premiered on Rai YoYo in Italy on 12 November 2018.
The series was inspired by a song from the 1968 Zecchino d'Oro competition called "Quarantaquattro gatti".
The series was renewed for a second season, which began airing in Italy in March 2020. It aired internationally later in the year.
Contents
Characters
Main
Lampo (voiced by Federico Campaiola in Italian and Sarah Natochenny in English, singing by Elisabeth Tsong) is the lead singer and guitarist of the Buffycats. He is a tabby cat with a blue lightning bolt symbol over his right eye. Lampo's whiskers act like a compass, guiding him to where he needs to go. Although not explicitly stated, it is heavily implied in the episode "Sir Archibald, Gentlecat" that Lampo would be part of a noble family, as his uncle Archibald holds the title "Sir" (Sir Archibald), a title given mainly in European monarchies to barons and knights, implying that he (Sir Archibald) would be a baron or knight.
Milady (voiced by Gea Riva in Italian and Suzy Myers in English, singing by Natalie Rarick) is the Buffycats' bassist. Her fur turns pink whenever someone tells a lie.
Pilou (voiced by Joy Saltarelli in Italian and Simona Berman in English, singing by Piccola Coro) is the Buffycats' drummer. She uses her enchanting wide eyes to distract the show's villains.
Meatball (voiced by Francesco Falco in Italian and Erica Schroeder in English, singing by Samuel Vincent) is the Buffycats' keyboardist. He has a big appetite and can sense danger.
Granny Pina (voiced by Michela Alborghetti in Italian and Marca Leigh in English) is the human owner of an old house where the Buffycats live. She cooks the pasta that gives the Buffycats their special powers.
Winston (voiced by Francesco Prando in Italian and Scottie Ray in English) is Granny Pina's wealthy neighbor who is Boss's owner. He lives in a luxurious villa and despises both the Buffycats and their unsightly house, which he is constantly trying to have torn down, never with any success since the Buffycats always thwart his schemes.
Isotta is Granny Pina's granddaughter, who appears in season two. She is the only human who can understand the cats' language and she often helps the Buffycats.
Supporting
Charlie (voiced by Clay Westman in English) is the Buffycat's stage frightened announcer and hype man. He first appears in season 2, episode 29.
Boss (voiced by Henry F. Benjamin in English) is Winston's pet cat. He is the only cat that Winston likes and is a bullying tomcat who always tries to trick the Buffycats, but they always outsmart him.
Blister and Scab (both voiced by Marc Thompson in English) are two cats closely linked to Boss. Blister is the tall white and blue thin cat, while Scab is the small grey fat cat.
The Boom-Boom Steppers:
Fancy Dancey (voiced by Marc Thompson in English) is the leader of the Boom-Boom Steppers. He has grey fur and wears a hat that resembles a Mexican charro hat.
Lola (voiced by Ilaria Georgino in Italian and Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld in English) is the second Boom-Boom Stepper. She is a white cat with a princess outfit. Towards the end of season one, She becomes a mother in "Pilou the Kitten Sitter".
Hope (voiced by Elena Guiliano in Italian and Haven Paschall in English) is Lola's daughter. Her first word was "Pilou" because she was the one who "cat-sitted" her before she brought her back to her mom.
Jumpy (voiced by Lisa Ortiz in English) is the third Boom-Boom Stepper.
Cosmo (voiced by Eddy Lee) is an astronaut cat who is a good friend of the Buffycats and sometimes goes along with them on their adventures.
Gas (voiced by Billy Bob Thompson) is a stinky cat with droopy whiskers. He is mostly stinky because of an event that happened during his kittenhood and is useful when villains come in to play.
Snobine (voiced by Ilaria Latini in Italian and Haven Paschall in English) is a sophisticated cat who is Gas's love interest, as the only cat who doesn't mind his stench.
Episodes
Broadcast
In September 2018, it was announced that the series would premiere on Rai YoYo in Italy on November 12, 2018. The Rai YoYo debut set a ratings record for the channel, exceeding 520,000 viewers with a 2.7% share. In May 2018, it was announced that the show would air on Nickelodeon's various international channels in countries outside of Italy. In the United States, the series previewed on Nickelodeon on May 25, 2019, followed by the official premiere on June 10. The May 25 preview of the show was the highest-rated children's premiere of the day. The first season was added to Netflix on May 1, 2020. Discovery Kids Latin America also airs 44 Cats.
