Aubrey Plaza has landed the sweetest gig on TV — and no, I'm not talking about her role as April Ludgate on Parks and Recreation. Plaza is the voice of Grumpy Cat for Lifetime's Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever, premiering Saturday, Nov. 29, at 8 p.m. For those of you unfamiliar with the internet phenomenon that is Grumpy Cat, let me break it down for you. Grumpy Cat is an adorable cat who always looks pretty grumpy. Tardar Sauce (Grumpy Cat's real name) gained fame after a photo of her was posted on Reddit in 2012 and her notoriety went from there. Her small stature is caused by the fact that she has feline dwarfism. And there's no scientific reason why her face is so grumpy. But we do know that scientifically, Plaza was the right choice to voice this cranky cat.
Originally, Jane Lynch was reportedly in talks to be the voice of Grumpy Cat. But after turning it down (which The Hollywood Reporter and Lynch herself — sarcastically via Twitter — suggested was due to her Emmy win), Plaza stepped in. Lynch, like Plaza, is famous for playing a snarky character on TV, but Plaza's turn as April makes her more perfectly suited for the role of Grumpy Cat than Lynch's Sue. Although in real life, Plaza is no actual grump, as she told The Guardian, "I think people just associate me with my characters...But in high school I wasn't like that at all. I was president of everything I could be president of. I wasn't, like, the weird one making comments at the back of the class."
But lucky for us, it looks like Plaza will be channeling her alter ego for this Christmas movie. So here are the ways that Plaza has proven she was the best choice for grumpy cat via her most famous role: Park and Rec's April Ludgate.
April Hates Everything
April makes it very clear that she hates everything — and based on the trailer for Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever , it looks like Grumpy Cat is on the same wavelength. They both are in need of some serious Christmas cheer.
But Some Things Do Actually Make Her Happy
Since Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever is a Christmas movie, there has to be some joy — even if Grumpy Cat won't admit it. On Parks and Rec, April hates revealing when she's actually excited about something too. Classic April/Grumpy Cat.
She Loves Animals
Even though I formally said that April hates everything, she does adore animals and Grumpy Cat is an animal. Coincidence? I think not.
And Cares for Some Humans
Even if April's attitude seems to contradict her happiness with Andy — we know she truly loves him. Are you going to tell me that Grumpy Cat isn't going to love 12-year-old Chyrstal who saves her from the pet shop? I don't think so.
Even If It Doesn't Show on Her Face
One of Plaza's most astounding similarities to Grumpy Cat is her faces. The way she makes April convey so much annoyance in one look is pure genius. And pure Grumpy Cat.
Yet She Can Still Be Adorable
Grumpy Cat may look permanently grumpy, but that doesn't mean she isn't freakin' adorable. Plaza and Tardar Sauce have their cuteness in common.
But Seriously — the Face
I'm not even sure why they would have discussed any other actress for the part. Plaza and Grumpy Cat are obviously kindred spirits.
Images: Karla Braun/Lifetime; samanthapanther , meowgoesthebear, isobelstevenz, trashybooksforladies, newfluffytown /Tumblr; Giphy (3)
