Merry Christmas!

My boyfriend had a cute idea for our holiday card this year: dress Winston up in this cat Santa costume we have (do not ask why we have it in the first place. Really. Please don't.), and pose him next to a menorah (boyfriend and Rudy are Jews) and then Photoshop Rudy's heads where the flames would be on the candles. It didn't work out. The best thing that came of maybe 45 minutes of clenched teeth, pissy cats that move like Stevie Wonder whenever a camera comes within 10 feet, repeated use of the word "fuck" and an argument of the logistics of shrinking Rudy's head in post production, this is about the only good thing that came to be:

It's cute, but not exactly card material. I didn't want to scrap the idea entirely, though, so I decided that for this blog, I'd make sort of a video Christmas card. That's how it goes lately, anyway: holiday time is video time. Wait until you see what I do for Flag Day! Anyway, I thought I'd do something a little more abstract and infinitely more pointless: my concept going into this only went as far as Winston walking in that Santa suit to "Welcome Christmas" from How the Grinch Stole Christmas. That is my favorite Christmas song behind Mariah's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" and Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas." I love it because it is comprised mostly of nonsense words. Also, I like the line that goes, "Christmas day will always be / Just so long as we have we," because it sounds like they might say, "Just so long as we have weed."

The result is below. Merry Christmas for real. (Although, I may post again before Christmas -- I have an idea for a post that would have to go up pre-Christmas, although I also have an idea to sleep for, like, a really, really long time. We'll see which wins out.)

Comments

[jules]

After a video like THAT, the lyric should be, "As long as we have WINSTON". Also? That Michael Jackson figurine thing next to the menorah slayed me! Thanks for the shout-out!
Jules
House of Jules

[Heather]

good god

[Sarah]

Jewish cats smell flames.
I think my cat may be Jewish.

[SJ]

HILARZ. And I was just telling someone too young to have seen Gremlins about it this morning. Remember how Phoebe Cates's dad got stuck in the chimney? Wasn't he a rummy? Ah.

[Kristina]

Does Winston always go after bananas? I have a three and a half month old kitten, and bananas are his sworn enemy. I was just wondering if that was a standard cat thing.

[Sarah]

Seriously... I love this video so much. Winston's running and meowing is timed so well with the music, even if it's by accident! This totally made my morning :)

[Gyn]

Merry Christmas to Rich, Rich's bf, Winston and Rudy.

Thanks Rich, your blogs never fail to cheer up my mornings.

[Parker]

I always never expect Winston to land his jumps but he shuts me up 80% of the time.

[Zorbs]

I LOVED THAT VIDEO. I nearly blew coffee out my nose watching it!

[DJDS]

oh emm jee that pic is HECKA cute!

[djds]

oh emm EFF jee that video has replaced A Christmas Story as my new favorite holiday classic!!

[kccody]

Oh Rich,
You are the best! Loved the as long as we have weed. What are you getting Winston for Christmas?

[kccody]

OH MY GOSH! I just figured it out. Winston looks EXACTLY like Dianne from Fat Camp. WOW..... Myabe that is why you have so much love for her

[chris]

Whoa, Winston is one REALLY tolerant cat . . . I think he might genetically be part small dog, the kind that will wear a santa suit and prance around.

[amber]

i can't decide what the best part was...when he fell off the counter and the bowl fell on him, or all the times he ran up to the camera and cried, as if he was begging you to get that costume off him. happy holidays to all y'all!

[yggy]

Thank you for the video. I feel bad for laughing when he fell down with the bowl but I've had enough cats do that, so....

To the person who asked about cats and bananas, I had one siamese that loved to lick the inside of the peel. He was the only cat I've ever had who was even remotely interested in bananas and peels. Weird.

Happy holidays, Rich, BF, and cute kitties!
Happy and safe New Year!

[Molly]

Thank God! I was going through Winston withdrawal. He has the cutest meow evah!

[Tanith]

Some cats are chosen for loving humiliation and some are just "Chosen."
Mazel Tov,Rudy.

[Torrin Paige]

Thank you ever so much for that. Merry Christmas, boys!!!!

[Amy]

Merry Christmas Rich! Thanks for the video - Winston is adorable as always.

[nicole]

you just made all my christmas dreams come true!

[Sven]

After a morning of waking up too early, trudging to work to finish up stuff before dealing with the hellish airport later today, opening generic Christmas cards from coworkers, and reading depressing headlines on CNN.com, that was 2 minutes and 31 seconds of pure bliss to watch. I'm sitting here at my computer with a stupid grin on my face.

Thanks, Winston.

[Julia]

I love your cats. Rudy was like, "what the buggery bullocks is that doll over there, I should be scared, shouldn't I."

Winston cracks me up! GIVE ME THE FOOD. He was a real sport for wearing that costume for more than 5 seconds. My cat, (May She Rest In Peace), wore reindeer antlers for a total of 3 seconds, but it was worth it!
Happy Holidays to you and your boyfriend, thanks for a great year of blogging.
Julia

[yungrii]

in the photo he looks a mix of Gizmo and the old Chinese shopkeeper.

[Erin]

Thank you for all the laughs and amusement you've provided throughout the year.

Winston looks FABULOUS! What a little dork.

[Erin]

ohhhh my god I love it!!! I was cracking up!! Winston is meant to be a star!

[fast_hugs]

I hate cats. I hate them so fucking much.

And yet all I want to do is befriend Winston with a boatload of hugs.

[Lea]

I didn't comment as soon as I finished watching this because first I had to email it to everyone I've met since college.

You torture that cat and I love you for it!

Merry Christmas to you and your boyfriend and Rudy and Winston. Thank you for the Greatest Christmas Present EVER!!!

[Kathy]

Oh man, all I can think of after watching that is "Merry Christmas to ME!" Thank you so much! I love Winston and Rudy, and that video is perfect. Especially when he shakes his head. So cute! Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to you and your family!

[CatMommyx3]

I didn't know that Michael Jackson was Jewish. Kabbalah? haha

Thanks for the awesome video!

[Driver B]

OMG. SO many things to love in that video. I was digging it, admiring Winston for how adorable he always is, when I just FELL OUT laughing at him tipping the bowl down onto his head. Thanks for an awesome Christmas video.

[Donna]

Oh yea! Awesome!

[claire]

oh thank you. just thank you. and bless tiny Winston.

[Alexandra]

Kitty torture porn? "No cats were harmed in the making of this video"

[jordanbaker]

Winston IS Christmas.

(by the same token, Rudy should BE Hannukah, I suppose, but I've never really quite understood what Hannukah was about. Or how to spell it)

[nicolelaroche]

My cat is Jewish even though I'm not.

[Brandy]

I must say that Winston looks really good with a beard.

Merry Christmas Rich and family!

[Jenn]

I absolutely love Winston! Your blogs get me through the day somedays.

Happy holidays!

[Monica]

Seeing videos of Winston makes a day brighter. He is so cute and the way he whines about stuff. Him jumping onto the counter and then falling down and the plastic bowl going with him was true gold, he is such a greedy gus.

Happy Holidays!

[Laura]

Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!!!!!

I was thinking "I wonder if Rich will post a Winston Christmas video?"And behold, a star, and the star was Winston! Wearing a Santa suit. And all was good." Honestly, I read that in the Bible. 'struth!

So, since you and Winston celebrate Christmas. And BF and Rudy celebrate Hanukkah. Does this possibly mean you guys have Chrismakkah?

Thanks for all of the laughs!! Happy Chrismakkah!!

[sissygirl]

ooooooooh I effin love it!!!!! Love you Rich forever and EVER!!!!

[ihaveneverinmylifeyelledatagirllikethis]

That was a-mazing. Thanks for another year of using your blog for good (witty commentary and the finer points of dance music) and not evil (boring, obnoxious navel-gazing). Also I think it's really awesome of you to have an ad for Hope Cat Rescue on your page.

[ATSWU!]

No, seriously, i must know where the hell ya'll got a Santa Cat costume. My cat needs that in her life. Next best thing to an Oprah as Miss Sophia cat costume!!

Dude, was that a Michael Jackson THRILLER doll next to the Menorah??! LMAO!! How dare you put MJ by the open flames! Don't you know his curl could catch on fire again??

[Dara]

Winston is cuter than Cindy-Lou Who!!

Merry-Merry!!!!!

[kt]

Brilliant.

[Ern]

That was fierce. Did you get Winston an one-on-one with Miss J for Christmas?

[Cara]

The single best part was when he and the bowl fell off the counter. I watched it a second time just for those few seconds.

Happy Holidays to all four of you boys!

[milkyaqua]

Did you know that singed cat whiskers smell like burned hair? True. I'm always amazed at how tolerant Winston is with the things you do to him. Although then he acts like an actual cat and is completely annoyed by the whole thing, heh. Thanks for the good laugh at the end of the day.

Happy Holidays to you Rich and the boyfriend and Winston and Rudy and the rest.

[Twinmom]

Happy Happy Rich, Winston, BF and Rudy!! We love you guys!! Too funny - I can't speak!

[Jen]

Hahah, I like how Rudy followed Winston around like "What the fuck is that?". Either that or he was taunting him.

I have a collar for my cat but she pretty much will writhe in agony until I get it off of her.

Michael Jackson is Jewish?

[K]

Happy Holidays Rich and family :) Thanks for another great year of laughs, I hope you enjoy the holidays! The Winston videos always kill me but your commentary makes them even better. <3

[JadeFan]

You sure that isn't a Falcor costume?

Also, I always love the Christmas Furondas! :)

[rowdykatie]

This is the best video ever.

[lisa]

Rich, you're such a treasure. This movie is amazing, esp. Winston making his leaps and Rudy's cameos. Merry Christmas to all the beings in your house! :)

[Junkfood Genius]

Projection? Cat Santa suit sales are going way up.

[inothernews]

I keep rewinding to 1:47 to watch Winston's graceful ascent and descent from your kitchen island. Gorgeous.

Rudy looks good next to a Menorah!

[Kyle-Steven]

As I was watching the video, I realized how much I enjoy the antics of Winston and Rudy, as well as the occasional body part cameos of you and your bf (what IS his name?! I want to say you've said it, but I feel like you haven't.)

Anyways, seeing as how I work in RETAIL, this isdefinitely the highlight of "holiday" week (the only day I actually have "off" is Xmas).

Happy Belated Hanukkah to the BF and Rudy, and Merry Christmas to you and Winston :D
-Kyle

[Kenna]

Towards the end...Winston looks almost predatory all wild eyed and meowing, trying to snatch the nanner from your very hand! He's so pissed.

[Deborah]

Ah Rich, Winston is soooo gonna slash you to threads in your sleep for that! As for me, THANK YOU for Winston Xmas and Rudy Hannukah! Loves ya and all the best rest for the holidays!

[Robin]

I watched your video like 5 times...couldn't stop laughing. The best as always....

[T]

I always thought of Winston as being kind of dorky and klutzy, but he was downright graceful as he leapt up and down from counters and tabletops. And he's so little and lithe!

Sure, he jumped directly into that plastic bowl and kinda slipped off the countertop, but he did it with such panache.

At about 1:19 or so, when Rudy is following Winnie down the hallway - Winnie looks all bandylegged. Does he always stomp around like that or is he just doing it for effect?

I love your cats.

[Nikki]

I love you. And your boyfriend and your two furry children. Merry Christmas!

[raymi]

ahahhahahahhaa

Talk about a Nightmare Before Christmas!

Winston looks like an adorably frightening Scandinavian troll!

Well, if we're sharing favorite Christmas songs, one of mine is "You're All I Want for Christmas" by Brook Benton.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=TQWmZDpoMX8
I used to listen to the song on a big vinyl compilation album from the grocery store and dance in my room.

[Kristen]

That was Amazing. I liked the part where you cut off Winston in mid-meow. (it was right before the banana incident) Also, the part where Winston knocked over the bowl was pretty damn funny.

Will you dress Rudy up a a dreidel next year? :)

Merry Christmas Rich!

That was great! Thanks. Give all your guys a pat on the butt.

[rongshu]

The cat is so sweet!I have saw many pictures on http://richcupids.com That is so interesting!

[Washington Cube]

Per usual, the second a Winston video shows up, I am im'ing friends and linking like crazy. You know I love that cat. His tiny whiskers were killing me.

[lisa]

I LOVE YOU, WINSTON, YOU LITTLE WIERDO!!
you too Rich and your bf
Merry Christmas!!

[spazmo]

Having nothing whatsoever to do, I watched cats being cute on YouTube all afternoon.

But besides a numb butt, all I came away with was the certainty that no matter how well a cat talks, swims or plays the piano, it's still no Winston.

And then I see this!

Thanks, you guys. Merry Christmas!

[Jan]

part santa, part troll, all Winston.
thank you, thank you, thank you. and look forward to videos of winnie and rudy consuming christmas leftovers (rudy may be jewish, but I'm guessing he's a turkey guy at heart)

[Poesy]

eep. The cuteness almost hurts.

Have a very Merry Christmas you guys!

[Vagabondblogger]

Winston's a doll and you're too damn sappy! Loved it.

[snaillady2]

Aw! Awesome video! and we got to see some Rudy (love me some Rudy, but then I've got middle-sibling syndrome also--always in the background, but provides great support).

Happy Christmas, Merry Kwanzaa, and Phenomenal New Year!

[Bourgeois Nerd]

I have to admit, I gasped when Winston fell and took the bowl with him, because I thought it was a ceramic bowl and expected him to knock himself out or get cut by broken pottery. Luckily, it was plastic and he just looked like an ass. Oh, Winston! *LOL*

Where was Rudy's dreidel and gelt and latkes? You're not respecting Rudy's traditions, Rich!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy Belated Hannukah to you, Rich, Winston, Rudy, and Rich's Boyfriend!

[Marie]

Oh freak! :D

An abundance of holiday fun! Win sure wears that suit, ay? And that beard? Pure comedy gold!

Thanks to the Winston family for a fun 2007!

[Kate]

Rich, that video was priceless! I love when Winston knocks over the bowl on the countertop...

Merry Xmas/Happy Chanukah to you and I know the greatest presents throughout the years have been the ProjRun and ANTM recaps. Much love!

[AntBee]

Thanks for the cute video! Merry Christmas!

[Jacqueline]

The beard just about killed me.
My new favorite holiday special!

Rudy deserves a nod- he did his understated supporting part very well! Even though he had no costume or scenery chewing.

Thanks and happy holidays to you all.

[Amanda]

Merry Christmas....that video really made the holiday season! Here is the greatest gift pop culture gave me this year....http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z9vk5vUzuXc

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. It his how I plan on responding to all questions from now on.

Peace!

[Vampy]

Love it! Seeing Winston in that costume reminds me of poor Ralphie from A Christmas Story when he had to wear the pink bunny costume.......LOL

[j]

so cute! if i dress up my cats, they lie down like slugs. i love when winny knocks over the bowl...

i'm also proud that your bf and rudy are jews. represent!

merry xmas!

[rosita]

your cat is funny

[Quel]

Merry Christmas, Handsome!

[Kriss]

Winston videos brighten my day! I am a Winston fan!

[J. Hill]

Just wanted to thank you for your work all year round! You are a talented writer, and you've brought me many smiles and laughs through the year. Merry Christmas and a happy 2008 to you, your man, and, of course, Rudy and Winston.

[XmasHater...but.WINSTON.lover!!]

I hate christmas, but this melted my heart...I think it grew three sizes today!!

I have two Birmans myself...is Winston an exotic shorthair? That's the kind of cat I'd love to get next...I can't resist the mushed persian face, but I get enough hair everywhere from my Birmans. Thanks for this cute video, it really brightened my day!!

[Ivy K.]

After weeks of being oppressed by plastic xmas cheer in every corner of the U.S.A., at last a video that realizes the True Meaning of Christmas, spreading joy & cheer throughout the land (and promoting Hanukkah, whenever THAT was). Thanks Winston and second-banana cat. XOX

[kamamuzzak]

To paraphrase Christian from PR, Winston is one fierce little walker. Thanks for that! You rock my world!

[Noah D]

This is probably old news for you and you already know, but on the off chance you hadn't heard, did you know there is a short write up about your ANTM recaps in the December issue of GQ?

[scorzi]

No yarmulke for Rudy? Shame!!!

Rich, did you hear? Starting Monday on VH1 or CW (can't remember) is ALL THE SEASONS OF ANTM IN A MARATHON! Finally they will show seasons 1 and 2 again! Yessssssssss! Recaps plllllllllleeeeeeease!!!

[erik]

Hello

I love your blog.

Can I add a link to your blog on my blog?
I am also a best male blogger
:)
Which title and url do you want me to add?

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Do not hesitate to give me your opinion and feedback,

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Kisses and Hughs

Erik

[ali]

I loved it!!
Rudy WOULD be jewish.
I hope Wham's "Last Christmas" is at least in your top 5.
Merry Christmas!

[Judy]

Winston eats everything - banana peels?! I loved the video card. Maybe next year Rudy can be Rudolph :)

[Brian]

Loved the video. Loved the song even more though. What version of "Welcome Christmas" was this? I've played the youtube probably a dozen times today just to listen to the song...

[r]

What type of cat is Winston? I can't place his breed. He's really cute, by the way. :)

[DianaQ]

Too freakin' funny...seriously. Laughed out loud - teared up. From the lead-in paragraph to the menorah. Funneee!!

Fabulous blog too. I've been checking in regularly. Have a profoundly successful 2008. :))

[Catsandbeer.com]

thank you for new Winston content - more meowing next time, though - please - I think a good video would be taking Winston on a field trip to an area hospital to heal sick children and old people with his face

[Meg]

Winston will eat ANYTHING. I think in each of his videos, he attempts to scarf down the most un-kitty like foods (bananas? really?).

Rudy needs a yarmulke and MORE AIRTIME :)

Rich (and boyfriend and kits) - I hope your 2008 is absolutely fantastic.

[Karen]

That last cat was a little creeped out by Michael Jackson. And I can't blame him!

[Dawn]

Please promise us that you'll dress up Winston every year in his pretty Santa outfit!

Dawn

[Malskeys]

That was hilarious!.. I'm new to bloging and I LOVE it!!.. also I am very bored at work!... so keep up the good work and the shout out to the jews..... it was absolutely priceless!.