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LOLcats Founders

Tuesday, September 30th, 2008 – running time 10:57
Kari Unebasami and Eric Nakagawa, founders of icanhascheezburger.com, are in large part responsible for the massive popularity of the LOLcats meme-one of the biggest in Internet history.

On this episode of Internet Superstar we hear the story of how Hawaiian computer programmers Kari Unebasami and Eric Nakagawa turned a funny picture of a cat with an even funnier caption into the seed of a true Internet sensation-and profitable business venture. And now, they're coming out with an 'I Can has Cheezburger' book, which will hit shelves October 7. Pre-order your copy through Kari & Eric's new site, www.lulzftw.com

Highlights
buying books ( 5:06, 5:06 ) new book ( 6:09, 6:09 ) Barack Obama ( 5:09, 5:09 ) hard drive ( 6:45, 6:45 ) buying books ( 5:06, 5:06 ) new book ( 6:09, 6:09 ) Barack Obama ( 5:09, 5:09 ) hard drive ( 6:45, 6:45 )

Automatically Generated Transcript(may not be 100% accurate) ( more )

" I gang -- slots seven -- shows ever and 38 at dot com covering everything. -- to music lessons drinking. Should check out a vision for eBay dot com today. Well."

" This episode of Internet superstar -- occupied. -- different by choice. Yeah."

" On the -- the government both important intriguing and insane people and things online. Nine internet's -- sergeant. And today's featured Internet superstar -- the the insanely popular web site I can and cheeseburger dot com visiting the mainland or. All the way from Honolulu here's Kerry -- with me -- not think. Yeah I got feeling great."

" Here and -- thinks it's okay let's take it all the way back from the beginning the beginning of this very crazy journey of yours. What -- that led to you guys registering that domain name I -- has she's bird dot com and posting that first image. What I worked that worked in as a computer programmer -- and I'm really bored and sometimes overworked stressed out like many computer programmers -- exactly yet benefited from them but. I news you have a cast and."

" Really cute funny pictures basically went against it and I'm going to say it just collect -- stupid photos. I have -- photos instantly. Funny awesome cute we have. -- think you want something happy I just. Second picture that kept him there today did you put that captured all I can not you know I found floating around you can."

" Okay okay how did it go from that you guys staying up until three or 4 in the morning every night. Going through all these submissions because in a very short order you started to get a ton of submission -- right."

" That's your little ones once -- the picture iPhone with the I mean maybe it was I don't know what happened but I'd really like that picture I was cracking up like thirty minutes. And everything -- I attended to demanded. C go to go to a go to what are where any type in the community edited and use the provoke coats start what you know that it. So what they're like available. Witchcraft by eight and you wait a little bit and and you create what's so as a joke back to her. I sent it through it hasn't heard that the mean like -- dot com and gives us a picture. And -- You know who did it through business -- like. -- Let's make it a blog and so from there. I went to my little panel and in my little blog and minutes and from that point on. Back in January 2000 sort of quote. Funny and imposing fines and -- and."

" And then came -- the submissions right eyes and I clearly just word of mouth and people spreading it like on FaceBook are in their blogs and take pictures -- definitely KH this."

" Net etiquette -- that is fighting them and posting them because there's -- people are watching this interview right now you know they're out there. We're gonna say that you got their hearts -- in fact you didn't come up with all you do is probably at all but all that well that's where in fact. Born but put forward and what what's your response. Ranking what we're saying that we really never claim to start."

" Apple look at things. Possibly -- name was our fault alone can't name but. What we did it -- We went to sites that we're basically just image don't say right directories filled with images of all kinds crap and somewhere funny cat pictures and we organize them we can't and we needed web 2.0 yeah of -- good this question I -- appointed. That's."

" We will we publish them all it was kind of like. We don't know who did this chart and hypocrisy we did it you know we never say that we didn't cause much for the just it's sucks. And I know that at Encino but I summit here this is really funny Tennessee delegates and it Anemia that kept NASA. From that what it was like paint you can think it's like we know. But it's still funny yeah -- commodities like Kuwait the first joke I don't know."

" But -- could that be. Still Pollak -- from the flower makes up. Right sure yeah. That garbage but not so funny cat pictures and we're choosing stuff that we think it's funny and let me there. You mean people out there who. And a lot of yeah. Click on I -- has tutored on every day without thinking -- you know I mean it's in the millions. It's been given millions. We -- all that stuff about fortune out of the way magazine report that you guys sold your site I -- she's very dark out the bad pop up in Seattle for two million dollars. Can you confirm that partner here. -- get them to that he doesn't work. We're not the most you know you had a reputation was nothing in the book the book spent the arguments she's going to be available on October 7 right -- You know wherever buying books are sold -- successful they think about why isn't Barack Obama. Pretty messed up every race at Atlanta and a half an Atlanta like he'd be they have another business pentagon. One."

" The only opinion actually tore computer people telling you where it was like we were allergic to be."

" I really it's the -- yeah. Power and get a break it's like -- whenever -- walk by it honestly editor and look outside and -- really nice you. What its -- editorial look at -- it. We elected you know football on the net and just so happens that people read it. One thing -- it is."

" One thing what what. What are you working on yes so well for the win enterprises sometimes you hear -- over the million for the aren't you and it's -- organizers it. Everything to bitterness that don't make -- and I sure what's gonna happen if experience that particular area that we're back to automatically right exactly -- so -- so as -- said the new book comes -- October is that it. Submissions. -- over 200 markets has accomplished that mission you guys that sort. They come up -- A million. A million it OK so the big thing was how well locator. And it is all ones have now been. That's been turned into something you obviously. Would be the result and so. He had like a million there's something. On use ever pictures. And then outlined. In this specific -- so we need pictures. We use that and so compiled you know it's like a hard drive well -- pictures of these are all fresh. Some all of our thoughts on this summer classics like. What of our favorite is like serious I thought it was like an old at this classic but we just on the here's. Can't catch once it is stepped into my office. It's hard out copies got a pretty. It just by watching it right now not did you have to track down all these. Cat owners at photographers in order to get the right you make or Patrick well in order up a book you publicist that well but he wrote -- quote actually yes I -- by anybody that had like you know actors. And from their eyes and went and got the picture -- On the condition that differ outlet it had look at had to go through that once we got like a couple thousand. Yeah yeah you know so so the back of this book you sort of give thanks to all the people yeah -- submit to these don't these people get any money. And demand money something demanded money is not an academic and -- that one thing was because there's only pictures it was eases the pain which -- partners. And when it's 1000 dollars. OK yeah we just the replies yeah X you know because you have all this and his and so. The people that did. Submit something they wanted something to go to the book -- you pocketbook mean their caddies now and so all right there work. So the real quick what are you -- favorite wildcats -- whether there in the booklet that in the book."

" Came his way into the book."

" Knees can go readers some minuses. Sort of show yeah we don't put it up but obviously it is customize them. Oh here's your problem this cars that he. The language can't that. -- picking up on the -- it looks like he's been out of cars I don't know why I like those sort of a need you policy and other like that but I really like stuff that doesn't make any sense. And it fits into you know the days earlier -- weather they're having to pause right well."

" I think that's what but the TV there's the weather guy on the TV in the cat with his Paul pointing actually Tim what we see here is. Little front coming in well okay."

" Congratulations. It's an amazing story the book is a civic of that October 7 and -- I doubt you are that's superstars. Banks that are angry how did you check the books companion website -- walls for the wind down at. Walls -- W got out and of course I can do great on god and your copy. Find out -- as they did starting October. Okay Jordan tomorrow -- Roger Jack snaps and -- of the August with a compound -- until that."

" This episode of Internet superstar occupied -- by choice. -- the number one German export -- and so naturally it's the beer of choice during the month of October. Hold back he wants to give you the opportunity to win a trip in Germany is part of its October fest celebration that's right the Bavarian Alps really -- nightlife of Berlin the mighty line that history that people don't boot. If you've never experienced Germany while Barack that you get -- and completely lit. A register for a chance to win a one week trip to Germany courtesy of blog and a bet they're not comparable he tells. The number one German export fair and official drink of the net superstars."

" It's. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah."

" I gang -- slots seven -- shows ever and 38 at dot com covering everything. -- to music lessons drinking. Should check out a vision for eBay dot com today. Well."

" This episode of Internet superstar -- occupied. -- different by choice. Yeah."

" On the -- the government both important intriguing and insane people and things online. Nine internet's -- sergeant. And today's featured Internet superstar -- the the insanely popular web site I can and cheeseburger dot com visiting the mainland or. All the way from Honolulu here's Kerry -- with me -- not think. Yeah I got feeling great."

" Here and -- thinks it's okay let's take it all the way back from the beginning the beginning of this very crazy journey of yours. What -- that led to you guys registering that domain name I -- has she's bird dot com and posting that first image. What I worked that worked in as a computer programmer -- and I'm really bored and sometimes overworked stressed out like many computer programmers -- exactly yet benefited from them but. I news you have a cast and."

" Really cute funny pictures basically went against it and I'm going to say it just collect -- stupid photos. I have -- photos instantly. Funny awesome cute we have. -- think you want something happy I just. Second picture that kept him there today did you put that captured all I can not you know I found floating around you can."

" Okay okay how did it go from that you guys staying up until three or 4 in the morning every night. Going through all these submissions because in a very short order you started to get a ton of submission -- right."

" That's your little ones once -- the picture iPhone with the I mean maybe it was I don't know what happened but I'd really like that picture I was cracking up like thirty minutes. And everything -- I attended to demanded. C go to go to a go to what are where any type in the community edited and use the provoke coats start what you know that it. So what they're like available. Witchcraft by eight and you wait a little bit and and you create what's so as a joke back to her. I sent it through it hasn't heard that the mean like -- dot com and gives us a picture. And -- You know who did it through business -- like. -- Let's make it a blog and so from there. I went to my little panel and in my little blog and minutes and from that point on. Back in January 2000 sort of quote. Funny and imposing fines and -- and."

" And then came -- the submissions right eyes and I clearly just word of mouth and people spreading it like on FaceBook are in their blogs and take pictures -- definitely KH this."

" Net etiquette -- that is fighting them and posting them because there's -- people are watching this interview right now you know they're out there. We're gonna say that you got their hearts -- in fact you didn't come up with all you do is probably at all but all that well that's where in fact. Born but put forward and what what's your response. Ranking what we're saying that we really never claim to start."

" Apple look at things. Possibly -- name was our fault alone can't name but. What we did it -- We went to sites that we're basically just image don't say right directories filled with images of all kinds crap and somewhere funny cat pictures and we organize them we can't and we needed web 2.0 yeah of -- good this question I -- appointed. That's."

" We will we publish them all it was kind of like. We don't know who did this chart and hypocrisy we did it you know we never say that we didn't cause much for the just it's sucks. And I know that at Encino but I summit here this is really funny Tennessee delegates and it Anemia that kept NASA. From that what it was like paint you can think it's like we know. But it's still funny yeah -- commodities like Kuwait the first joke I don't know."

" But -- could that be. Still Pollak -- from the flower makes up. Right sure yeah. That garbage but not so funny cat pictures and we're choosing stuff that we think it's funny and let me there. You mean people out there who. And a lot of yeah. Click on I -- has tutored on every day without thinking -- you know I mean it's in the millions. It's been given millions. We -- all that stuff about fortune out of the way magazine report that you guys sold your site I -- she's very dark out the bad pop up in Seattle for two million dollars. Can you confirm that partner here. -- get them to that he doesn't work. We're not the most you know you had a reputation was nothing in the book the book spent the arguments she's going to be available on October 7 right -- You know wherever buying books are sold -- successful they think about why isn't Barack Obama. Pretty messed up every race at Atlanta and a half an Atlanta like he'd be they have another business pentagon. One."

" The only opinion actually tore computer people telling you where it was like we were allergic to be."

" I really it's the -- yeah. Power and get a break it's like -- whenever -- walk by it honestly editor and look outside and -- really nice you. What its -- editorial look at -- it. We elected you know football on the net and just so happens that people read it. One thing -- it is."

" One thing what what. What are you working on yes so well for the win enterprises sometimes you hear -- over the million for the aren't you and it's -- organizers it. Everything to bitterness that don't make -- and I sure what's gonna happen if experience that particular area that we're back to automatically right exactly -- so -- so as -- said the new book comes -- October is that it. Submissions. -- over 200 markets has accomplished that mission you guys that sort. They come up -- A million. A million it OK so the big thing was how well locator. And it is all ones have now been. That's been turned into something you obviously. Would be the result and so. He had like a million there's something. On use ever pictures. And then outlined. In this specific -- so we need pictures. We use that and so compiled you know it's like a hard drive well -- pictures of these are all fresh. Some all of our thoughts on this summer classics like. What of our favorite is like serious I thought it was like an old at this classic but we just on the here's. Can't catch once it is stepped into my office. It's hard out copies got a pretty. It just by watching it right now not did you have to track down all these. Cat owners at photographers in order to get the right you make or Patrick well in order up a book you publicist that well but he wrote -- quote actually yes I -- by anybody that had like you know actors. And from their eyes and went and got the picture -- On the condition that differ outlet it had look at had to go through that once we got like a couple thousand. Yeah yeah you know so so the back of this book you sort of give thanks to all the people yeah -- submit to these don't these people get any money. And demand money something demanded money is not an academic and -- that one thing was because there's only pictures it was eases the pain which -- partners. And when it's 1000 dollars. OK yeah we just the replies yeah X you know because you have all this and his and so. The people that did. Submit something they wanted something to go to the book -- you pocketbook mean their caddies now and so all right there work. So the real quick what are you -- favorite wildcats -- whether there in the booklet that in the book."

" Came his way into the book."

" Knees can go readers some minuses. Sort of show yeah we don't put it up but obviously it is customize them. Oh here's your problem this cars that he. The language can't that. -- picking up on the -- it looks like he's been out of cars I don't know why I like those sort of a need you policy and other like that but I really like stuff that doesn't make any sense. And it fits into you know the days earlier -- weather they're having to pause right well."

" I think that's what but the TV there's the weather guy on the TV in the cat with his Paul pointing actually Tim what we see here is. Little front coming in well okay."

" Congratulations. It's an amazing story the book is a civic of that October 7 and -- I doubt you are that's superstars. Banks that are angry how did you check the books companion website -- walls for the wind down at. Walls -- W got out and of course I can do great on god and your copy. Find out -- as they did starting October. Okay Jordan tomorrow -- Roger Jack snaps and -- of the August with a compound -- until that."

" This episode of Internet superstar occupied -- by choice. -- the number one German export -- and so naturally it's the beer of choice during the month of October. Hold back he wants to give you the opportunity to win a trip in Germany is part of its October fest celebration that's right the Bavarian Alps really -- nightlife of Berlin the mighty line that history that people don't boot. If you've never experienced Germany while Barack that you get -- and completely lit. A register for a chance to win a one week trip to Germany courtesy of blog and a bet they're not comparable he tells. The number one German export fair and official drink of the net superstars."

" It's. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah."