The Jellicle Family Tree

By unpopular demand, it's another video on Cats the Musical.

[@starry.mp4]

could you STOP FUCKING SINGING

[@IamTabu]

Hey don't be mean. She's a sweet and pretty girl

[@JervisGermane]

It's a video about a musical. What were you expecting?

[@starry.mp4]

@@JervisGermane not singing

[@JervisGermane]

@@starry.mp4 Then apply some common sense next time. Don't click on a video about musicals if you don't want to hear the creator singing.

[@starry.mp4]

@@JervisGermane why would the creator sing? a video about musicals doesn't mean she has to sing to introduce a character, it just means it's a video about musicals

[@vicstarlight333]

The 7 cats that have no place in the family tree are probably the cats that Misto conjured

[@cattsmither1879]

YES

[@valentinei]

YES

[@elixershorts]

YES

[@Vic_Toria108]

Yes

[@PinacoladaMatthew]

exactly the first thing I am think about, where do those 7 kittens right out of the hat fit into all these lol

[@butterflyslinky]

Honestly, Cats is way more interesting if you watch the ensemble in the background and try to suss out their various relationships and microdramas, so I am so happy to hear someone else's interpretation of that! Though I will disagree on Jellyloram being Gus's mate. I always interpreted her as his daughter or granddaughter, because her compassion toward him comes off as more of a grown child taking care of an ailing patriarch. As to the last six kittens who don't have a place on the family tree, we know where they came from--Mr. Mistoffelees produced them (and one other kitten) out of a hat! (PS, you have a fantastic singing voice!)

[@HBoyle]

3:06 "Why doesn't Munkustrap have a song?" I have found my people 😭😭😭

[@catsy-Demeter]

Pollicle dog rumpus cat song.

[@OlgaAnisimova-w7z]

Somebody call the cops

[@somehow_exist]

I know this was forever ago, but I have a theory that Munkustrap was the main character of the entire musical, the protagonist. So he doesn't have a song because the entire show is about him in the first place

[@viperess2092002]

Agree he deserves one

[@w5527]

Fun fact- Gus and Asparagus are supposed to be the same character in the ‘98 version but because John Mills couldn’t do the choreography they had Tony Timberlake play literally the rest of the scenes except for the solo musical

[@beverlywhatisthenameofthem98]

Asparagus is Gus's son named after his father because asparagus looks younger then Gus

[@blackrb123ryan]

Interesting that they wanted John Mills to do the choreography, considering that John Mills was 90 freaking years old.

[@mackenzielyon2512]

1 - I always saw Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer were Skimbleshanks and Jenny’s kittens. The two cats associated with order had the two cats associated with disorder. They also kind of look like them. They have Jenny’s tiger stripes and Skimble stares down Rumple during his song. And when Munkustrap shoved her away from him during Pekes and the Pollicles, she automatically runs to Jenny. 2 - and Pouncival is Jemima’s brother. I always saw him as Munkustrap’s son. During the Pekes and the Pollicles, Pouncival messes with Munkustrap one of the most. He also messes around during Jenny’s number.

[@CeltycSparrow]

Because like a good leader, Munk is humble and wise and puts the attention on the other Jellicles rather than on himself. Notice in the song Magical Mr. Mistoffollees, while Tugger DOES make sure that his Dad knows who is responsible for saving him from Macavity, we see Munkustrap acknowledging Misto, as well, when Munk is hugging his father and they bow to each other. Munkustrap sang the Old Gumby Cat's song....he sang Old Deuteronomy's song....he pays homage to the older and more experienced Jellicles in his clan. As Mufasa (another feline King) so wisely put it..."While others (i.e. Macavity) search for what they can TAKE, a TRUE king searches for what he can give." One of the only GOOD lines they added in the live action version of the Lion King. I DO agree with you that Cassandra is a beautiful queen....I think the reason why she didn't have leg warmers is because she has those beautiful, long legs and they didn't want anything to hide them when she was dancing.

[@Werewolfproductions2004]

6:35 I have a personal “dark theory” on why Grizzabella is so hated by the Jellicle Tribe. My theory is that she helped Macavity kidnap Mistoffelees as a kitten so Macavity could train him as his prodigy. Grizzabella helped Macavity unknowingly cause he is her son. She is still blamed for it during the events of the musical. And Demeter is sympathetic to her since she understands Macavity’s manipulation.

[@spriken]

I don't know, Gus is so old(think like 80s) and Jellylorum seems older but like half his age. But Jellylorum dotes on Gus quite a bit so I always saw her as Gus's daughter who takes care of her aging father, maybe with Asparagus as her son who she named after her father. It's also possible Asparagus is Gus's son and Jellylorum is Gus's daughter-in-law... I guess it's could also be Jellylorum and Asparagus are siblings and Gus is their father.

[@wolfieisacat13]

Yes! Finally, someone else who thinks that jellylorum is gus’ child

[@ILoveAnime1121]

I like to think Plato is a secret child of Macavity bc the actor playing him also plays Macavity in the '98 version. He's, like, the ringleader of the other orphan kittens. He knows who his dad is but not his mom and is very angsty and brooding about it.

[@bwthhybl]

ok i loveee this! i was in cats twice (demeter when i was 19 & rumpleteazer when i was 16 ) and both times we had the same director who is the best and he's like "demeter and munkustrap, you two are together it's canon in my mind and i like it. but tugger and mistoffolees are gay and i dont care what anyone says. you cannot convince me otherwise." 😂😭

[@detectiverose]

Ok me if I directed cats 😂 what a legend

[@sofiapobletehernandez3679]

Sounds like a great director

[@FlowerFae11]

I thought I was the only one who thought that Cassandra and Bombalurina would make a good pair. I'm glad to know I'm not alone XD

[@beverlywhatisthenameofthem98]

The way I see it asparagus is Gus's son named after his father Because asparagus looks younger then Gus it's not possible that there the same

[@cosmicdestoyer6799]

Finally! Someone else who picked up on the Jennyanydots and Skimbleshanks possibly being Demeter's parents thing

[@rileyjacksonkennylove681]

Makes sense that mr mistoffelees wanted to rescue Victoria in 2019, that his twin! Can't believe they ship Victoria and Mr Mistoffelees together, ew!

[@phoenixbloodbirth666]

I feel that Alonzo and Victoria and mistoffelees are the kittens of macavity and bustifier’s unknown sister and ‘got rid of her’ but I feel that grizzabella got the kittens out. Then sometime afterwards, Demeter is assaulted by him and griz tried to stop it. And she couldn’t get there in time, you could see Demeter and griz look at each other, you could see the regret in each other’s eyes… Yes I’ll die on that hill

[@sarahshepherd2559]

The thing I love about cats is how between the vagueness in the actual canon about character relationships and how incredibly detailed the actors' performances are, everyone can come away with completely different interpretations of the relationships - for example I agree with only a few of the relationships here but I can absolutely see how you reached the conclusions you did

[@amyexpertfan11]

This made me unreasonably happy, thank you for making this!

[@detectiverose]

Your comment has made me very happy, so thank you as well!

[@itselijah7517]

As someone who hasn't seen Cats, this was very informative. I expect to see more videos about Cats!

[@jacqueline373]

thank you so much for making this! it’s lovely to see someone else freak out about Cats like me! [even though this is from three years ago!]

[@detectiverose]

Thank you for watching and commenting! It’s wild to me how much attention this video is getting after all this time 😅

[@phoenixbloodbirth666]

I thought that I was the only one that noticed the relationship between Demeter and Munks

[@spottedwillowwh8725]

You can briefly see Jemima and Demeter holding hands and celebrating together during Mistos number which is adorable with the context of them being mother and daughter.

[@karmavex.o.x]

Why tf did I find this 3 years late, this is fucking amazing 😭

[@oly_olympiadis]

I AGREE 100%! Also your voice is very beautiful! Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer were ON POINT!

[@hadassah179]

Does anyone remember the character booklet that came inside the VHS case of the movie? I could've sworn the book mentioned Bombalurina and Demeter being daughters of Grizabella since the 3 of them live the glamour life. Someone mentioned that in the scene where they all stand slanted back in threes that their sibling connection is revealed which helps though it's brief. Looking at this family tree and remembering Victoria and Jemima always cling to Deuteronomy makes sense needing a better dad figure in their life since Jemima's dad is a criminal and BJ could care less and just wants to party it up on food.

[@MissTriana127]

Omg another b.a.p and cats fan

[@yourfavoritedegenerate375]

Thanks for putting in griddlebone!!!! See they initially were going to have her and growltigers number in the 1998 film but had to cut it for the budget and runtime. However since she’s mentioned as an assistant in macavity’s song I do believe she exists in that universe just on the sidelines, I feel that mention disputes the idea she’s purely fictional. Also in my opinion I see her as a mother/ either biological or adoptive to mungojerrie and rumpleteazer. They’d all be working under macavity, griddlebone probably lead them under that path. They also all are dramatic theatrical cats.

[@sophieje6039]

you, Mademoiselle, are a genius, and have a gorgeous singing voice. This is canon now. There is no other option. This one makes the most sense.

[@AJ-wg1ru]

That Gillian Lynne impression though

[@tokyograpez]

Your voice is so good! Also u get an automatic like for mentioning Tuggoffolees!

[@adrianne7882]

I heard the reason why Rum sings about Mr. Mistoffelees is because it was hard to find a dancer who could do all the turns and dance steps Mistoffelees does and also be able to sing at the same time.

[@waterflower5290]

I heard the word cat in this video more than I have in my entire life... ...I need to get out more.

[@nobodyimportantt341]

I love seeing people's interpretations of all the relationships in Cats also I love the quality of your voice

[@trollpro0108]

I love this theory of Cats, I did understand more about the characters, thanks for the video!

[@Thomas_H._Smith]

I've got to admit I never really thought much of Cats prior to watching this video, but sinxe watching this it makes the story much more interesting when you know the relationships between all the characters.

[@scout4363]

I like the idea of Mistos mom is a fictional character That’s why Misto is magic

[@anniebale4343]

Wow, how have I not run across this before? I've loved Cats since I was a lil' tot watching the VHS tape of the 1998 performance, but it's only now I'm older that I've noticed the various relationship dynamics going on. Also, seriously, your voice is gorgeous. Your vibrato is so controlled and even! :'O I'm jealous.

[@britthalaas]

Not me rewatching Cats after coming across this video with your tree in mind and getting EVEN MORE EMOTIONAL STOOOOOOP 😢 - Also...I need more people in my life that enjoy Cats...all of my musical theatre friends hate it

[@starry.mp4]

"why doesn't munkustrap have a song" he wasn't competing

[@IamTabu]

The best part of the trailers from the film was the sounds the dinosaurs made through the theatre speakers.

[@winterwithawhyknudsen5166]

7:10 I think the age gap is a bit big and they’re actually father/daughter. The 3 cats singing are 3 generations of the same family.

[@winterwithawhyknudsen5166]

9:11 I always thought that mistoffolees was part of the same tribe of magic cats that Macavity was part of

[@Thomas_H._Smith]

Low-key though, your singing is actually pretty dang good.

[@Lozza1991]

Well this is interesting. Except that free roaming cats mate with multiple partners to produce a single litter and so the neat little tree diagram should look more like a map of the internet

[@kina259]

any tree that has misto and tugger as couple is correct. according to me and my non-authority

[@Greytick]

this is the best tree i’ve sen that makes so much sense expecially griddlebone being bustifer jones sister and macavity’s baby momma of mistoffalees and victoria who he murdered considering she deceived growtiger and in macavaities lyrics, they sing “And they say all the cats whose wicked deeds are widely known I might mention Mungojerrie, Rumpleteazer, Griddlebone” so in a way it could strongly fit

[@caroldefender4144]

She's his mate, not his sister.

[@kairinajime8810]

I really like your voice :DD You sing so well!

[@detectiverose]

Aww, thanks so much!

[@EmilySee-r6h]

I loved this video! Although this evidence was unsupported, most of it makes sense. Although I did not see the connection between Demeter and macavity, and I think that jennyanydots and munkunstrap( due to the fact that Munkunstrap sang a song about jennyanydots), and rum rum tugger and bombulurina, ( due to the fact that they were dancing together in the Jellicle ball) should be together. Also, I see no reason that Jemima(my favorite) would be macavity’s daughter, although she is probably somewhat related to Demeter. If it was me, I would have put her in the ‘adoption zone’ Overall a fantastic video, and I highly appreciate the detailed reasoning. #catfans

[@firewheels90]

So, I randomly came across this video today - thank you YT algorithm I was 8 when I first saw this musical, and thank you for going with the OG on your family tree analysis. @11:57-12:04 YAAASSSS!!! This might be the awakening I had when I realized I was bi. lol

[@cosmicdestoyer6799]

Your singing is fire btw

[@biancahq5477]

OH SO YOU WERE THE ONE WHO MADE THAT THANK YOU SO MUCH 😋🙏🙏

[@bellasguitar13]

Just so you know the actor that played Gus couldn't dance as his joints were not good. So they hired the actor who played asparagus. And they are supposed to be the same person. I'm in a production of cats rn and I play Jemima, love this video!!

[@detectiverose]

Fear not, that fact has been pointed out to me numerous times now. I probably would have done more research initially if I'd had any idea that my video on the strangest and most inconsequential topic I've ever discussed would end up being the most viewed one on my channel 😅 Congrats on getting to play Jemima!

[@bellasguitar13]

@@detectiverose thanks!!!

[@starry.mp4]

in all other productions of cats, asparagus and gus are the SAME. its the same actor. they just didn't do it in 1998 because of jon mills' cameo. also, the naming of cats makes it VERY clear no 2 cats can have the same name.

[@IamTabu]

I for one think it's really oppressive to men that they have to choose a single best man and make all their other friends feel bad but women can pick how many ever fuckin bridesmaids they want like the indecisive bitches they are

[@vicstarlight333]

I always thought that Munkustraps song was rumpus cat cause like the names sound similar

[@cristianasabre3821]

Pointless is funny and very interesting. Thank you from Italy.

[@caroldefender4144]

I like to see Skimbleshanks and Jennyanydots as brother and sister.

[@beverlywhatisthenameofthem98]

Heres my thing mistoffolees and Victoria are children of macavity Bustopher Jones is macavity's brother in law Asparagus is Gus's son Asparagus mated with jellylorum and had plato George tumblebrutus And etcetera Electra is the daughter of skimbleshanks and jennyanydots Cassandra and exotica are sisters

[@starry.mp4]

"am I just hating on the actor?" YES. YES YOU ARE. because gus and asparagus are THE SAME CAT he wasn't really allowed individuality

[@IamTabu]

The bricks are very good quality, the best I the market. The time is take for the designers to design the set, and just how many pieces are actually in the set all adds up

[@bridgez04]

Some people say Alonzo is Munkustrap’s younger brother

[@SugarTail-d1b]

And the actor of Victoria her self said she is the eldest of four female kittens

[@Moth_IsHere1769]

I'm pretty sure the cat you labeled Admetus is called George in the 1998 version as usually Plato IS Admetus and switches names in productions. Although I think having a cat named George is kinda dumb so maybe Admetus is better. 😭😭😭

[@leme3503]

Griddlebone... is a character.. in the growltiger play... played by Jellylorum... She's not a cat on her own, same with growltiger or anyone from that song. 'Cause it's a theatre play within the musical. You can't ship that imo.

[@caroldefender4144]

She's literally stated to be an assistant to Macavity.

[@simonc4510]

So……I hate to be the barer of bad news, but I don’t think Griddlebone is real?! As I always understood it, Growltiger’s Last Stand is the operetta that Gus was in (where he talks about playing Firefrorefiddle, the fiend of the fell) and Griddlebone is a character in the operetta…..it may be the operetta is based on a Jellicle legend as she is mentioned in Macavity as a throwback villain, but she’s not featured anywhere else in the show and is played by the same actress as either Jellyloram or Jennyanydots….so I don’t think she’s real…..😂😂

[@caroldefender4144]

But they talk about her being Macavity's assistant or something. As much as I don't see Bustopher as stupid, maybe she duped him into a one-night stand?

[@simonc4510]

@@caroldefender4144 mmmmm see that’s not how I read that line - I’ve always seen it more as a “criminals through history” list where Macavity is always the driving force - like the devil. As I said, Griddlebone could he based on a Jellicle legend….but she’s only an actual character in the show in the operetta! She’s in the film for 3 seconds, but she’s not actually a real cat in the current tribe in the show!

[@caroldefender4144]

@@simonc4510 They say "are" nothing more than agents, not "were". And besides, Macavity's not that old.

[@simonc4510]

@@caroldefender4144 Ok, so I spoke to my mate that was in the show for years, and he’s confirmed Griddlebone only exists in the realm of Growltigers Last Stand - she’s not one of the pack!

[@cheetachan]

In Jacob Brent's backstage he confirmed that Mr Mistoffelees is one of Old Deutornoney's sons too

[@camillechauve1352]

Yeah but who actually goes with that? I love Jacob Brent and respect his opinions but I haven't seen a single person who agreed with his take on this.

[@Zikkar]

Going to have to go with the one who wrote the play on the Macavity being the dad for Victory and old Mist

[@sleepy1.O]

HAHAAAAAA IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO SAID THAT MACAVITY, MUNSKATRAP, AND TUGGER WHERE RELATED TO OLD DEUTERONOMY AND HOW SEMETER AND MACAVITY DATED, BUT I ACTUALLY DIDNT GUESS THAT JEMIMA WAS THERE CHILD Also, victoria being the child of bustipher and griddlebone is pretty neat

[@ktbyrd]

also I think you have put more thought into the LoRe than ALW ever did .....

[@electrathejelliclekitten8063]

I have a different headcanon :D Alonzo and Mistoffelees as brothers Victoria as Misto's mate

[@pretzelsbuns5990]

this is really weird. but, i love your singing. nice video!

[@rachelguyconnell5735]

I mostly agree with this tree however i feel like ms.Jellylorum is Gus's kid and not his mate,thats about all though Also Mist totally pulled those six cats out of a hat-

[@anthonyelbert8404]

❤ I love that video and your thoughts

[@samsignorelli]

i don't see Jellylorum as Gus's mate...with the way she said "pub" during that song...more like disapproving daughter!

[@ktbyrd]

rose this is gold lmao

[@detectiverose]

I thank you for recognizing it as such Byrd.

[@SugarTail-d1b]

I don’t think that the griddle bone and Bustopher jones had those kittens. Victoria is the OLDEST of 4 kittens

[@starry.mp4]

this video is actually so frustrating. its only munkustrap fighting macavity because munkustrap is the protector of the tribe. not rum tum tugger. and rum tum tugger literally brings up mistofelees as a solution to old dute being kidnapped.

[@IamTabu]

I looked it up. Spears are specifically pointed weapons on the end of long shafts, usually with a hilt. Polearms are any type of weapon on the end of a shaft, not necessarily with a hilt

[@Zikkar]

You have a beautiful voice by the way

[@saleembarmania5295]

Moar! CATS! Pleez?

[@Mymloch]

Not a bad build... I only disagree with Deuteronomy and Grizabella being the parents of MS, RTT, and MC. Old Deuteronomy being their dad, I get... but I feel like he doesn't even know who she is before the events in the musical. Still... that tracks, since he definitely got around.

[@starry.mp4]

ASPARAGUS AND GUS ARE LITERALLY THE SAME CAT. ITS THE 2ND LINE OF THE SONG

[@IamTabu]

o damn sorry didnt know but he really made your sexy beautiful snakalishous ass get away u gotta be kidding me wat is he blind u the sexy thing i ever sern in my life i had to sub to u to make sure u was really i was like she way to beautiful she must be a super model he really let u get away damn he da dumbest man on earth i mean have u seen urself like really look in the mirror like really have u seen your sexy asz ur perfectly flawless in beauty u sexier den any celebrity,movie star , super model anything den u got sexy ass glasses if i was him i wud of married u the first month like i cant let ha gat away damn he dumb ur more beautiful den a million stars shining , a billion sun rises , a trillion moon shinning n a million aura's

[@spectscrawlz_]

5:53 Skimbleshanks and Jennuanydots are malewife and girlboss i believe

[@detectiverose]

@@spectscrawlz_ damn if only I could pin a second comment

[@axezeeplushie2497]

Love it so much

[@betelgeuseredstone9082]

Senior and Junior. Hint, same name.

[@JervisGermane]

You have the same motivation to make videos I do

[@NyxerWyxer]

Okay, I love this video, I really don't like the Macavity theory that he's also a son of Old Deuteronomy. I get why people do think it, I just don't see it. Why can't Demeter just like Munkustrape because he's a decent person (Unlike her shitty ex) instead of having this whole thing that they were childhood sweethearts. What if Macavity was just that really dick-ish ex? Plus it solves Bustopher Jones having kids with a in cannon fictional character. Sorry that this comment has kind of turned into me rambling about how I don't like the "Macavity is also a son of Old D" thing. Great video! I'm going to go rewatch the film (1998) now!

[@PADARM]

9:06 According to our Lord and savior Andrew Lloyd Webber 🤣👍

[@AnjelasDead]

your singing?? omg

[@rosesecret6974]

How the heck do you have the exact same opinions as me

[@Shay-i4n]

❤

[@Cosmiccc__]

i never agreed with something more than this

[@winterwithawhyknudsen5166]

2:51 what does this mean/gen

[@catsy-Demeter]

I think that you should watch Jacob Brent's commentary of cats. Your family tree is incorrect.

[@exidy-yt]

I think you could have fought many claims as 'transformative' and 'opinion' and kept the material in if you contested the claim. No way would they have sued you.

[@skimble7691]

Yea,The shit with Victoria and Plato was.... H O T . . .

[@toddbesmertnik2305]

I know good singer stop

[@JulianaRumple]

ok, we have almost same opinions, but Electra and Plato are the children of Bombi and Macavity, and Etcetera and Tumblebrutus are brother and sister to Rumple. Mungo and Rumple are forever lovers, they mate at the jellicle ball mating part. Oh and Pounci is Jemimas bro, he´s kinda mischievous, and tots would be Macky´s son allso.

[@starry.mp4]

DUDE. DUDE, OH MY GOD IM SICK OF THE GUS AND JELLYLORUM INCEST. jellylorum is so clearly his daughter

[@IamTabu]

Hey, I'm leaving, this whole insulting thing has gone way out of hand for me, I haven't felt comfortable in this server since right at the beginning.

[@betelgeuseredstone9082]

Sorry to say this. Rum Tum Tugger paired up with Bombalurina, as husband and wife. Don’t paired up with different ages.

[@ladycalathieloropherion]

i thought Demeter was Bombalurina's kitten

[@nutmeg1029]

12:03

[@starry.mp4]

STOP. SINGING.

[@IamTabu]

Read the rules. Seems super cool but also very complex with a lot of pieces. I’ve played a lot of table top games and when board games have a lot of pieces and complex structure it can make for tedious or slow gameplay due to the player having to do so much between interactions. It sounds super fun though and I can’t wait to try it out.

[@starry.mp4]

i dont need to her your bad singing every time you talk about a character. CUT IT OUT

[@IamTabu]

Trial of the sword, master mode, 3 hearts, no yellow ones, no attack up

[@TheInnerParty]

How in the world is GrowlTiger's last stand racist? Because it talks about Siamese cats? I was into this but that sort of ruined it for me

[@detectiverose]

Well, the original version of the song contains multiple uses of a racial slur, as written by T.S. Eliot. I believe it was removed in later versions, but the original is the only one I've ever heard, and it turned me off to the song in its entirety.

[@shorthairlukeisugly]

@@detectiverose +50 social points to you for letting everyone know something is "racist" in current year and you're very sad about it.

[@detectiverose]

@@shorthairlukeisugly thank you so much :,) your validation means the world to me

[@shorthairlukeisugly]

@@detectiverose Spend less time pretending to be mad about something that doesn't affect you at all, and more time studying the source material so you don't get basic facts (Griddlebone) wrong.

[@GothicSarah543]

How did I never make the gay connection between Mistoffelees and Rum Tum Tugger until I watched this video?? 🫣 I have watched this movie well over 50 times since I was a child and I never knew that was a thing. That might also explain why Tugger never pursues any of the females that are clearly in heat for him. He just shrugs off their advances. He is mostly seen hanging around the other males.

[@Dragoncraftclub]

Idk way but I Shipp Munkustrap and Rumpletza so much idk I just love them together😅❤❤❤❤