Podcast Summary: All Of It – "Comedian Michelladonna Hosts New Series, 'Shop Cats'"
Host: Alison Stewart (WNYC)
Guest: Michelle Adana (Comedian, actor, creator of Shop Cats)
Air Date: September 19, 2024
Overview
In this lively and affectionate episode of All Of It, host Alison Stewart chats with comedian and actor Michelle Adana about her new TikTok series, Shop Cats. The show offers an intimate, often hilarious, and always sweet portrait of bodega cats—the famously unofficial feline mascots of New York City’s corner stores. Michelle shares behind-the-scenes stories, highlights the connection between cats, communities, and local culture, and hears from listeners with their own shop cat tales.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Birth of Shop Cats (03:09)
- Michelle Adana shares the origin story: The production company Mad Realities approached her with the idea, seeing her as a natural fit due to her New Yorker roots and outgoing personality. Michelle immediately resonated with the project, being a frequent bodega patron herself.
- Quote:
"I'm a native New Yorker, I go into a bodega, like, all the time, every day, multiple times a day... It aligns so well. Let's get it done."
— Michelle Adana (03:15)
Why Bodega Cats Are Special (04:01)
- Cultural icons: Michelle describes them as “managers” with plenty of “authority," sometimes sweet, sometimes sassy, but always quintessentially New York.
- Practical role: "And also for the rats, you know."
- Quote:
"It's because New York City is us, and the cats are part of our culture, part of our history."
— Michelle Adana (04:16)
Approaching Stores & Filming (04:46)
- Organic process: Michelle usually enters stores solo to build rapport with owners before filming starts. Most are initially bemused but warm up quickly.
- Real New York reactions: Owners aren’t fame-seeking; they just care about “selling their sandwiches.”
- Quote:
"They're very much like, okay, fine, this is interesting. You're kind of weird, interesting girl, but you're pretty. Let's do it."
— Michelle Adana (05:36)
Michelle’s On-Screen Persona & Style (06:05)
- Authenticity: Michelle’s style reflects the “New York baddie”—streetwear, thrift pieces, signature long ponytail, and bold makeup. She feels fashion is a core part of her identity and work.
- Fun with fashion: Brings her personality (“Tim’s on screen!”) to the show.
Memorable Bodega Cats: Stories & Clips
Smokey the Diva (01:33–02:16)
- Story: Smokey, a shy but beloved bodega cat, waits every day for one of the regulars.
- Quote:
"Smokey waits for you when you come in every day. Look at the smile on your face. You love that cat."
— Michelle Adana (02:09)
Ice Spice (09:12–11:01)
-
Story: Ice Spice, an orange-and-white cat, has multiple names depending on which customer you ask (“Ice Spice,” “Iceberg,” “Isa”). The community is deeply connected to the cat.
-
Quote:
"People from neighborhood, they're, oh, that's Ice Spice. They love her... I call her Iceberg because she's cool."
— Bodega Owner (10:33) -
Cultural insight: Many bodegas, especially Spanish-speaking ones, have their own nicknames for their cats (“Mija”), reflecting neighborhood diversity and community ties.
Tutu the Sweet Hunter (12:20–14:38)
- Story: Tutu is a gentle “hunter” who is the object of affection for both staff and customers; one worker, Mohamed, leaves shelves empty for Tutu’s comfort.
- Neighborhood love: "Everybody...they just come sit there and we think they're trying to shop, but they're not really shopping. They're just playing with Tutu." — Mohamed (14:24)
- Defining quote:
“The iconic thing about bodegas is cats. Bodega doesn't have a cat, that's not a bodega.”
— Mohamed (14:33)
Community Stories (07:26, 14:47, 17:36)
- Listeners call in:
- Sherry shares about a black-and-white shop cat at her home improvement store (07:33).
- Virginia, 83, tells of “Pepsi Cola,” the matriarch of her childhood family grocery (14:55–15:52).
- Texts include: Tigre the wine store cat, and Oliver, an orange tabby at Zigoni Brothers (17:36).
The Power and Joy of Bodega Cats
Michelle’s Reflections on the Series (16:05)
- Serendipitous career: Michelle credits her background in comedy and improv and her love of community for making her the ideal host.
- Positive community response: Michelle notes the warmth and support online, emphasizing the “community that is forming around supporting the cats and loving the cats.”
- Quote:
“It just brightens so many people's days... I really love putting positive energy out there and just, you know, everything to do with love and, and, and energy.”
— Michelle Adana (16:54) - Her vision:
“I've been saying this is like MTV Cribs meets Steve Irwin. I'm like, what animal next? You know what I'm saying? Like, let's go talk to a tiger, period.”
— Michelle Adana (17:26)
Standout Quotes & Moments
-
On New York style and identity:
"That is just the New York baddie... a lot of her fashion influence from the streets of New York from the thrift shop."
— Michelle Adana (06:07) -
On community ties:
"This is what love looks like in New York City. Okay? There is no one that's going to love you more than your bodega cat."
— Michelle Adana (14:38) -
On bodega cats’ authority:
"They honestly have so much authority, because most of them are the managers."
— Michelle Adana (04:07)
Useful Timestamps
| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------|------------| | Smokey’s Story | 01:33–02:16| | Origin of Shop Cats Series | 03:09 | | Why Bodega Cats Matter | 04:01 | | Michelle’s Fashion & On-Screen Style | 06:05 | | Sherry’s Shop Cat Story (caller) | 07:26 | | Ice Spice (and multiple names) | 09:12–11:01| | Tutu & Mohamed: Community and Love | 12:20–14:38| | Virginia’s Childhood Cat Story (caller) | 14:47–15:52| | Michelle on Becoming the Host | 16:05 | | Community Text Ins: Tigre and Oliver | 17:36 |
Episode Takeaways
- Shop Cats is more than internet animal content: it’s a loving showcase of New York’s unique neighborhoods, highlighting the tenderness and humor that bodega cats inspire in humans around them.
- The show supports community bonds, celebrates local culture, and offers a joyous, positive antidote to the internet’s negativity.
- Michelle’s authentic New York style and voice make her the perfect guide to the city’s furriest “managers.”
Listen to Shop Cats on TikTok, and share your own bodega or shop cat story!