Nine Lives with Dr. Kat

We get to chat with Mayim Bialik about her new show, Call Me Kat, a fun sitcom set in a cat cafe. We learn about Mayim and where the show began. We find out the inside scoop about all her costars from Leslie Jordan to Swoosie Kurtz.  What are they really like? Is Mayim a real cat person? Are the cats actors? What is it like working with cat costars? Find out in this meow-valous episode.

In this episode, Dr. Kathryn Primm is joined by a very special guest: Mayim Bialik, known for her role in "The Big Bang Theory" and her new show "Call Me Kat." As they discuss the sitcom set in a cat cafe, they touch on various feline-inspired topics, including cat adoption, working with cats on set, and the real emotions behind the show's touching finale. Plus, Mayim shares insights into her podcast about mental health and her YouTube channel. Tune in to get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at "Call Me Kat" and discover more about Mayim's life beyond the screen!

Listen to Episode #78 Now:

"Many of our cats try and escape during filming, and we have to start again. We have one named Henry, who just. He always sees something that he wants to climb towards the rafters and get."

— Mayim Bialik

 

BIO:

Mayim Bialik recently starred on the hit CBS comedy, The Big Bang Theory as Amy Farrah Fowler, for which she has received two Critics Choice Awards, four Emmy Award nominations and a SAG Award nomination. From playing the young version of Bette Midler’s character in Beaches to her turn as Blossom Russo in the iconic 90’s sitcom Blossom, Bialik has appeared in numerous beloved roles throughout her dynamic acting career.

An acclaimed author, Bialik has written two #1 New York Times best sellers, Girling Up: How to Be Strong, Smart and Spectacular, and the recently released Boying Up: How to Be Brave, Bold and Brilliant. She has also written a parenting book, Beyond the Sling, and a cookbook, Mayim’s Vegan Table. Bialik has recently dedicated her skills as a writer, actress, neuroscientist and mother to driving the lifestyle website GrokNation.com, which she started in 2015.

Following the end of Blossom, Bialik left acting for twelve years to earn a BS in Neuroscience from UCLA in 2000 with a minor in Hebrew & Jewish Studies. She went on to complete her PhD in Neuroscience, also at UCLA, and then completed her doctorate in the fall of 2007, which examined the role of oxytocin and vasopressin in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in adolescents with Prader-Willi syndrome. While at UCLA, Bialik was a dedicated student leader in UCLA Hillel, including conducting and writing music for UCLA’s Jewish acapella group.

Bialik lives in Los Angeles with her tween and teenage sons and four adorable cats.

Transcript:

Announcer [00:00:00]:
Pet Life Radio.

Announcer [00:00:02]:
This is Pet Life Radio. Let's Talk Pets.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:00:20]:
Hey there, cat lovers. Welcome toNine Lives with Dr. Kat. I'm your host, Dr. Kathryn Primm, and I'm a small animal veterinarian and cat lover from way back. Today I have a meowvulus guest. I always say I have a special guest, but today is really, really special. I have Mayim Bialik.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:00:41]:
Now, you might know her from the big bang theory, but she has a cool new show called Call Me Kat. Yes, cat with a k, just like Dr. Kat with a k. So it seemed like fate that she would come and talk to us about it. Call Me Kat is a sitcom set in a cat cafe. So we'll be right back with Mayimm after a quick word from our sponsors.

Announcer [00:01:15]:
Molly, here's your dinner. Zeus, that's not your food. Don't let that happen to your precious cat. Elevate your cat's eating experience with the cat tree tray. The cat tree tray keeps your cat's food off the floor and conveniently located on the cat tree. It's the perfect way to eat. It's a beautiful wrought iron tray that easily attaches to your cat tree and keeps dogs and other critters out of your cat's dish. A must from multi pet households. There's a six inch tray for large bowls and a four inch tray for smaller bowls. Purchase your cat tree tray today.

Announcer [00:01:47]:
Go right now to cattreetray.com. That's cattreetray.com. Cattreetray.com. Let's Talk Pets.

Announcer [00:01:58]:
Let's Talk Pets on Pet Life Radio Pet Life Radio Petliferadio combat lives with Dr. Kat. So, Mayim, I'm so excited that you are here with me.

Mayim Bialik [00:02:19]:
Hello. Thank you for having me.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:02:21]:
So I have been watching you, and I know all about you, and I'm kind of a fangirl, I guess. But this new show, Call Me Kat, is so awesome because it's cat with a k and it's set in a cat cafe. So tell me, how did this show come about?

Mayim Bialik [00:02:38]:
Well, our show is based on the BBC show Miranda, which is about a very quirky woman, an independent woman. And this american version takes place in a cat cafe. It's a 39 year old woman whose name is Catherine, but she goes by cat, just like you. And we have some amazing cast members. Susie Kurtz plays my mom. Leslie Jordan is on our show. Cheyenne Jackson and Kyla Pratt and Julian Gant. We have a really fun cast, and we have tons of cats on set.

Mayim Bialik [00:03:09]:
That's a real thing that happens and the show is about a woman who's kind of forging a new career after being a math professor and deciding what she really wanted was to open a cat cafe. So that's our show.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:03:20]:
So you're actually really a cat person in real life, right?

Mayim Bialik [00:03:24]:
Yes. We like to say, we talk about rad cat ladies, not sad cat ladies. So, yes, I am a rad cat lady.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:03:30]:
We talk about cat ladies here as well. So this show is fun, and I watch it, and I know that it's based on the show Miranda, but this one is its own story. So why Louisville?

Mayim Bialik [00:03:43]:
Our head writer and showrunner is from Louisville, and she loves, and we love as well, this idea that Louisville is one of those places that still has southern charm, and it has some of those kind of old fashioned southern standards about who should do what and what women should do and how they should act, but also is a very metropolitan kind of city with a lot of big city flair as well. So we love that it's kind of this melting pot culturally. And so there we are, set in Louisville.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:04:14]:
Well, I actually am from Chattanooga, and I produce the show. I'm in Chattanooga. My producer isn't, but Chattanooga is kind of like that a little bit, and.

Mayim Bialik [00:04:23]:
That'S where Leslie Jordan is from, I.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:04:25]:
Believe I was going to say it's where Leslie Jordan is from. So it's really a small world. So, yeah, that's kind of special. So you have some really cool stuff on the show that I wanted to ask you about. I think my listeners would be interested in it. And one of those things is a t shirt. Now, I know you probably change clothes and may not stand out to you, but the t shirt says, cats, coffee, weekends, and I totally love it. So I'm all about fun cat stuff.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:04:52]:
So I just wanted to say, hey, people are looking at that stuff.

Mayim Bialik [00:04:55]:
Well, it's funny that you mentioned it, because our designer, Beth Morgan, when she joined our show, she was so excited to know there's so many cute cat clothes and so many kitty cat things. And Fox, our network, was very worried that our character looked too crazy cat lady. So we actually are not really doing many cat things at all, but we've started working some t shirts in. I always wear socks with little cats on them, so there's always cat things that we sneak in. I always wear a cat ring, like a cameo of, like, a cat's face, which is really sweet. So we're trying to sneak our cat things in where we can.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:05:32]:
I personally don't think there's anything wrong with crazy cat lady.

Mayim Bialik [00:05:35]:
I have many cat shirts myself, and.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:05:38]:
Your shoes are crazy. I love your shoes. I wear crazy cat socks at work. I have socks that have cats wearing e collars, because everybody makes fun of veterinarians and e collars. So I respect that. And you can tell Fox that I noticed and that we like that a lot.

Mayim Bialik [00:05:54]:
I will let them.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:05:55]:
Um, so tell me a little bit about the finale, because I thought it was awesome, and I thought that it celebrated the life of cats and the bond that we have. So tell me a little bit about that one.

Mayim Bialik [00:06:08]:
This is also something that we talked a lot about. The decision was made to show one of our beloved cats who passes away, and there was a lot of conversation about, do you show that? Do you not show that? Some people were very, very clear that it was strange to show that or have an episode around that. But I think that the way that Darlene wrote it really did seek to honor that process and the love that we feel for our fur babies. And I think it was also special to show this funnel, as we call it, where we're really celebrating the life of that cat. And it became a really nice community event. And that's something we also try and highlight on our show, is the importance of kind of friendship and community.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:06:51]:
Well, I really loved it because as a veterinarian, I go through pet loss with my clients, and obviously I care about them, and I care about their pets, and I remember that. I think it was the Oscar character said something to you about, well, just be glad it wasn't a person or something like that. And you were so offended. You're like, wait. It was still important to me, and I thought that was something that really stood out to me that we can celebrate and, I don't know, value, perhaps, for sure.

Mayim Bialik [00:07:19]:
I lost a baby, one of my babies, over Covid time, and it was very difficult. It was really just when things started opening up. So we've had a real readjustment just in my house losing our alpha male. So it's actually something that's very close to me right now.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:07:34]:
You know, that's really funny. I also lost my cat over Covid. I haven't talked about it at all on this show because every episode I used to introduce, I would know I'm owned by a cat named Scamper. And at the beginning of COVID scamper just acutely passed away. And that happens to veterinarians, too. And so it really meant something to me that you talked about that bond.

Mayim Bialik [00:07:56]:
Oh, that's really lovely. Thank you.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:07:58]:
We have a cat cafe here in Chattanooga, and it's called the Naughty Cat Cafe, and they have adopted out hundreds of cats through this cafe. And I think it's such a really valuable, almost, like, ministry that they do and provide. So you guys have a cat adoption counter. I know there was in an episode you were talking about how many. What inspired you to have that?

Mayim Bialik [00:08:21]:
That was really our showrunner, Darlene. All of these kind of cute little tidbits of cat cafes she did the research on. And we just loved the idea that we could introduce that concept, especially since that is what a lot of cat cafes are doing. So we've had a couple episodes where we talk know, I think we had Frosty in one episode being adopted out. Sorry, Frosty is the real name, not the show name, but we've had a couple episodes where cats have gotten adopted out. We had one with only one eye, so we've tried to work it in as a bit of consciousness building.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:08:50]:
Yeah, I remember the one with one eye because she had a patch of. Right.

Mayim Bialik [00:08:55]:
And very hard to get that cat to leave that patch on, but she did a really good job.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:08:59]:
So that brings me to the next question. What is it like working with the cats? I know you had a cat that gave you a high five, and cats are not the biggest fan of doing things that are not their idea. So how did that go?

Mayim Bialik [00:09:14]:
All of our cats are actor cats. Sometimes I'm asked, like, oh, is that your cat from home? But no, these are cats that have been essentially raised on sets. And as you can imagine, one of the hardest things about working with cats is how skittish they can be around loud noises and new people. So we often have experience seeing kittens and puppies who are brought onto our set just to start getting them used to being around lots of people and lots of noises. So all of the cats that we have, none of them are drugged. None of them are tethered, which in certain places, that is what they do. They drug the cats, and they kind of anchor them so you kind of can't see and they can't move. I promise you that.

Mayim Bialik [00:09:52]:
Many of our cats try and escape during filming, and we have to start again. We have one named Henry, who just. He always sees something that he wants to climb towards the rafters and get. Many of those cats are rag doll breeds, which means they are naturally kind of floppy and just like to be lap cats. That's really a thing. And we even have cats who crave being held. Like, they will cry if they're not in a scene being held. We've also had to butter is our cat, who we've had to remove from the set, because if he's not being held, he can be very vocal.

Mayim Bialik [00:10:25]:
So working with those cats is also especially hard during COVID because there are rules about COVID We're not allowed to all freely pet the cats. You're only allowed to pet the cat if you're in a scene with the cat where you have to pet the cat. And otherwise, it's a way that we know their owners and their moms and dads. But these are cats that have been trained from very young, and Reggie can give high fives. Reggie does a lot of amazing tricks. Some of them will roll as tricks, but they are trainable. It's just they have to be kept very close and on a very short leash, as it were, as they're being trained and they get treats, they get paid, as we say, for new things they have to learn.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:11:03]:
Well, cats are trainable. So you're right, and I'm so glad that you said that, because I've had a lot of episodes talking about behavior risks and training cats to tolerate their medications. And cats, you just have to treat them like cats and not dogs. They're cats.

Mayim Bialik [00:11:18]:
Right, exactly.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:11:20]:
So tons of fun. I do want to make sure that my listeners know how to find episodes so that they can catch up on everything. Can you talk about how they can find episodes of Call Me Kat?

Mayim Bialik [00:11:32]:
We're a show that was on Fox, so we were 13 episodes for our first season. I think you can find it on Hulu, if I'm not mistaken, but you can watch the other episodes that way. And we also have a really fun Instagram page where they do a lot of. Well, mostly cat material, which we appreciate.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:11:47]:
So I watched on Hulu, so I knew that that was true. But I follow you on a lot of social media, and I want to say out loud for my listeners the ways to find you because you're doing some other things. And I kind of want to talk about some of the other things that you do, because I really enjoy some of the other interviews. You have a podcast. Can you kind of talk about those things?

Mayim Bialik [00:12:10]:
Yeah. I'm on social media. I'm on Instagram as Miss Mayim, but I have a YouTube channel, and we just hit a million subscribers, which is very exciting. And my YouTube channel has a lot of interesting videos and things, and some are about veganism and some are about big bang theory. And most recently, though, my podcast, Mayimn Bialik's breakdown, which you can get on Spotify or wherever you get podcasts. We also have it on my YouTube channel. So I have a podcast about mental health. It's all things mental health.

Mayim Bialik [00:12:38]:
Every episode is a different topic. I'm trained as a neuroscientist, so I sort of give my neuroscience background and also some of my personal family history and things that I've struggled with. And we talk to either an expert in the field or a person who's an expert in their own mental health journey.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:12:53]:
Well, I did know that, and I forgot to mention it because all my whole life that I've been watching you, I was fascinated by the fact that I knew who you were and you were studying neuroscience, so I was studying veterinary medicine. And I'm like, oh, I mean, it's like a soul sister or something. We have the same likes. So I was pretty excited when you agreed to come with me on this podcast and also really excited that you had a show called Call Me Kat.

Mayim Bialik [00:13:22]:
It's so perfect.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:13:23]:
It is so Dr. Kat. And you're cat. But yes. Terrific. So just for the listeners, you're on Twitter. You're on Instagram. You're on YouTube.

Mayim Bialik [00:13:32]:
I'm Miss Mayim on Twitter. And on Instagram, I do have a. And honestly, you know, YouTube is one of those things that a lot of people haven't been into. But to me, it's a very easy way for people to kind of get all the know, because that's where my podcast is now. And also all the other videos that I put out.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:13:49]:
Yeah, well, we're on Spotify, too, and then our podcast lives on Pet Life Radio. So for all the listeners, you can find and share this episode, and we wish you would on Spotify and on petliferadio.com. So tell me a little bit about what it's like to work with your co hosts and co actors, because they are fascinating. They're a really cool crew you've got.

Mayim Bialik [00:14:13]:
Yeah, we have a really fun group. And I'll start with Leslie Jordan, not just because he's from, you know, Leslie Jordan, for a lot of people, really saved them. This past year of COVID he became sort of an Internet explosive Instagram star and really kept people laughing and feeling very supported by his humor. So he's really fun, and exactly what you think he'd be like is what he's like in person. He's adorable. Everything he says is quotable. We have a great time with him, and he has so many other interesting things going on. He has an album out and he's coming out with another book.

Mayim Bialik [00:14:50]:
Swoosie Kurtz obviously is kind know a Hollywood legend. I grew up watching her on sisters, but she's a two time Tony award winner and just a really classy lady. She's kind of our real grown up on our cast, so she puts up with a lot of us teasing her and making her say hipster things. And as for the kids on the show, Cheyenne Jackson plays my love interest and he's, I think, been in seven Broadway shows. He's just one of those dynamo, Dynamo performers. Actually did a really great interview with him on my podcast. And Leslie Jordan as well. I've interviewed and then Kyla Pratt plays kind of our millennial sensibility on the show.

Mayim Bialik [00:15:29]:
And Kyla's one of those people who's literally been working since she's a child and she's a real comic pro. We've really enjoyed getting to know each other. And keep in mind, we had been real isolated in our home. So just to get to get out and be friendly has been really nice just with other people. And then Julian Gantt is a groundlings alum, which is an improv comedy troupe here. This is his first series. And he and Kyla together is some of my favorite comedy on our show. And he's just also a really delightful person.

Mayim Bialik [00:16:02]:
Also happens to be a vegan, so it's nice. I have another vegan friend at work, and that's our cast. We've been having a really good time. People say that it seems like we're having a good time. We really, really are having a good time.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:16:13]:
I agree that it looks like you're having a good time. And I wanted to tell you, I don't know if you care about what my favorite things are, but I really like at the end of the show when everybody waves.

Mayim Bialik [00:16:24]:
Yeah, that's something from Miranda.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:16:26]:
It just makes it feel like. So anyway, and it's kind of interesting because there aren't very many shows that do that, so I really like it.

Mayim Bialik [00:16:35]:
No, and a lot of people don't like that we do that, but it's something that the original Miranda show does and did, and that's why we continued it. So I'm glad that you like it.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:16:44]:
Well, I'm a little quirky, so, I mean, you wouldn't want to base what you did on me, but yeah, I do like. So. So this is a question that I really want to know. Is everything that Leslie Jordan says scripted or does he sometimes just say one liners? Because sometimes he cracks me up.

Mayim Bialik [00:17:01]:
No, that's all scripted. That's scripted. I'm trying to think. We have a dialogue coach who's from North Carolina, so we have other kind of southern flavor on our stage. But no, those are all scripted. But he does say some very funny things in real.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:17:18]:
Just. And he says it kind of with a straight face and you just.

Mayim Bialik [00:17:21]:
Well, and also that just. I know for you it's not an accent, but for us, we just have such a hoot with him.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:17:30]:
No, it's not an accent. Well, I am so grateful that you took the time out. I know that you have back to back things going on today, and I love the show. I love being able to talk to you. This is just such an honor. And I want to just thank you and just, I don't know, be a fangirl.

Mayim Bialik [00:17:50]:
Thank you. Well, I want to thank you also. I mean, vets are some of my favorite people, and so thank you for your service to your community. You have an often thankless job. But thank you also for existing and also for having a podcast where people can learn more about what you do and all things. Dr. Kat.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:18:07]:
Well, a lot of people say that, but it's just really fun to do. And I get to meet cool people and teach people things that they didn't. I really. I just hope it keeps going. And on that note, I really want to call out my awesome producer, Mark Winter, because without him, this would not be possible.

Mayim Bialik [00:18:26]:
Thank you, Mark, so much.

Dr. Kathryn Primm [00:18:28]:
And thanks again to Mayim for being here. And I want all of my listeners to go out and have a perfect day.

Announcer [00:18:38]:
Let's Talk Pets every week on demand, only on Petliferadio.com

Timestamped overview:

00:00 Elevate your cat's dining experience with tray.
06:08 Debate over showing cat's passing, community support.
09:14 Actor cats expertly trained for film sets.
10:25 Working with trained cats during COVID restrictions.
14:50 SwoosieKurtz and cast, Hollywood legends.
17:30 Grateful fan expresses love and appreciation.

Key topics and bullets:

Primary Topic 1: Introduction and Background
- Introduction to the podcast "Nine Lives with Dr. Kat"
- Dr. Kathryn Primm introduces herself as the host, a small animal veterinarian, and a cat lover
- Introduction of Mayim Bialik as the guest, known for her role in "The Big Bang Theory"
- Discussion of Mayim Bialik's new show called "Call me Kat," set in a cat cafe
- Brief interruption from a sponsor
Primary Topic 2: Discussion of "Call me Kat"
- Mayim Bialik discusses the show's premise and the characters
- Mention of how the show is based on the BBC show "Miranda"
- Explanation of why the show is set in Louisville and the appeal of the city
- Dr. Kathryn Primm and Mayim Bialik share their personal connections to Chattanooga
- Highlight of a t-shirt from the show and discussion about incorporating cat-related elements into the series
- Mayim Bialik's personal affinity for cats and relation to cat adoption
Primary Topic 3: Themes and Episodes of "Call me Kat"
- Discussion of a specific episode that honored the life of a cat and the emotions surrounding pet loss
- Mayim Bialik shares a personal experience of losing a pet during the Covid era
- Dr. Kathryn Primm also shares her experience of losing a cat during the pandemic
- Explanation of the cat adoption counter featured in the show and its real-world significance
Primary Topic 4: Working with Cats
- Insight into working with cats on the show
- Description of the actor cats and their behavior on set
- Explanation of the training process for the cats and how they are rewarded for learning new tricks
Primary Topic 5: Findings and Social Media
- Information on where to watch episodes of "Call me Kat" and Mayim Bialik's social media presence
- Promotion of Mayim Bialik's podcast "Mayim Bialik's Breakdown" and her YouTube channel
- Details about the topics discussed on her podcast and her background as a neuroscientist
Primary Topic 6: Co-Hosts and Co-Actors
- Discussion of the cast of "Call me Kat" and their respective backgrounds
- Insight into working with Leslie Jordan, Swoosie Kurtz, Cheyenne Jackson, Kyla Pratt, and Julian Gantt
- Mention of the unique wave gesture at the end of the show
Primary Topic 7: Fun Moments and Details
- Dr. Kathryn Primm expresses her admiration for Leslie Jordan's humor
- Discussion on the Southern accent used by Leslie Jordan in the show
- Concluding gratitude and mutual appreciation expressed by Dr. Kathryn Primm and Mayim Bialik towards each other
Primary Topic 8: Conclusion and Appreciation
- Thanking Mark Winter, the producer of the podcast
- Final remarks encouraging listeners to have a perfect day and promotion of listening to the podcast on Pet Life Radio