Garfield, role model for lazy cats everywhere, started out as a syndicated newspaper comic strip created by Jim Davis. The popular character made the transition to TV commercials and eventually got his own show, Garfield and Friends.

Lazy was an understatement when describing Garfield. The listless, blasé and overweight cat took stereotypical feline behavior to extremes. Routinely displeased with the world, he only mustered any semblance of interest for his favorite food, lasagna. The usual recipients of Garfield’s sarcastic disdain were Jon, his hapless owner and Odie, the simpleminded dog. Freed from the constraints of print where he could only express his commentary in thought bubbles, Garfield got a voiceover in the cartoon. The man who voiced him was Lorenzo Music whose deadpan drawl was a perfect fit for the sassy tabby.

Garfield’s friends were characters from another Davis comic strip, U.S. Acres. They were various barnyard animals, like Orson the pig; Sheldon, a baby chicken who walked around with everything but his legs still in the shell; Booker, Sheldon’s brother who had hatched completely; and Wade, a fidgety duck who wore a floating device around his waist.

The show ran for seven seasons, an astounding feat in the world Saturday morning cartoons.