Melissa

MELISSA Joan Hart has sparked an online debate after posting a video of herself punting her former co-star, Salem the Cat.

The actress’s talking black cat, Salem – voiced by Nick Bakay – was a staple character on the ABC sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch, on which she starred from 1996 to 2003.

However, it turns out Melissa, 49, wasn’t a big fan of the cuddly creature and made it known in a shocking Instagram clip.

In the video shared on Thursday, the TV star filmed herself stroking a fake black cat perched on her lap.

She wore casual attire of blue jeans and a skintight red tank top, with her blonde hair flowing straight down.

The words, “When people ask me if I’m a cat person,” were written over the clip.

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Things then took an unexpected turn when a white blast of glitter appeared, and Melissa suddenly threw the cat in the air and kicked it out of sight.

The scene then magically turned into Melissa, formally dressed in a white dress and her hair in a ponytail, while petting a large dog at her feet.

“No Salems were harmed in the filming of this silly video. PS I like cats, but I love dogs!” the TV star clarified in her caption.

Although Melissa made it clear that the cat in the video wasn’t real, nor did she have magical powers like her character, Sabrina, fans had mixed reactions to her stance on cats vs. dogs.

“Not going to lie this was a bit heartbreaking, poor Salem lol,” one person commented.

“Cats are the absolute best in this world, amazing creatures that should be treasured,” demanded another.

“Dyyying. Sorry cat people! Love kitties too. That was just the right kind of wrong Melissa,” said a third

“No! It’s okay to LOVE them both…” insisted a fourth.

“This just broke something in me,” reacted a fifth.

“I’m ok you not loving cats but saying it like that was just not funny for me,” added a sixth.

“This was unnecessary. People hurt black cats every day. This is not nice. Tasteless…” someone else wrote.

“That hurt. You can love both cats and dogs. No need to choose one,” chimed in another.

“Awwww but we all got black cats because of you!” one more pointed out.

Sabrina the Teenage Witch ran on ABC for seven seasons and was a part of the Friday night (TGIF) lineup.

Melissa’s co-stars on the show include Beth Broderick, Caroline Rhea, Nate Richert, Jenna Leigh Green, Lindsay Sloane, Elisa Donovan, and Martin Mull.

In June 2024, Melissa led the cast in paying tribute to Martin, who played Principal Willard Kraft, after his death.

Melissa Gilbert has returned to social media to some extent amid an “extraordinarily difficult time” stemming from the child sex abuse case involving her husband Timothy Busfield.

The “Little House on the Prairie” alumna, 61, spoke out on Monday, issuing a statement of gratitude and reflection to the Instagram page of her lifestyle brand, Modern Prairie. She made her Instagram comeback after seemingly deactivating her personal account earlier this month, when allegations against her husband became public.

“This season has reminded me, very clearly, how important it is to slow down, prioritize what truly matters, and allow ourselves moments of rest,” she captioned a photo of herself sitting pensively on a couch. “Stepping back from the noise, the news, and even our daily responsibilities from time to time gives us space to recharge, reflect and find our center again.”

Earlier this month, a New Mexico judge issued a warrant for Emmy winner Busfield, 68, on two felony counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and a single count of child abuse. An affidavit accuses Busfield of inappropriately touching two child actors, who are brothers, during his time as an actor, director and producer on the Fox drama “The Cleaning Lady.”

According to the complaint, one child actor said Busfield first touched his “private areas” multiple times on set when he was 7 years old. The actor said that, when he was 8 years old, Busfield touched him inappropriately again several times, according to the affidavit. The complaint also detailed a police interview with Busfield in which he suggested that the boys’ mother might have sought “revenge” on the director for “not bringing her kids back for the final season.”

Amid the allegations against Busfield, Gilbert’s Modern Prairie issued a statement on Instagram distancing itself from the disturbing claims. “Modern Prairie unequivocally condemns abuse in all forms and remains committed to values of safety, integrity, and respect.” the statement said.

Busfield turned himself in to law enforcement on Jan. 13, denying the “horrible” allegations and asserting: “I did not do anything to those little boys.” A publicist for Gilbert at the time said the actor would not comment on her husband’s case, denounced “any purported statements” and said that she was focused on caring for her and Busfield’s family. Busfield has three adult children from two previous marriages and is the stepfather to Gilbert’s two adult sons from her two previous marriages.

Busfield, known for his roles on “The West Wing” and “Thirtysomething,” was jailed at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque but was granted release on his own recognizance on Jan. 20. At the hearing, to determine whether Busfield would be released pending trial, Gilbert could be seen crying and saying, “Thank you, God” upon the judge’s decision.

Gilbert thanked her Modern Prairie community for their patience and “for helping me feel safer, more grounded, and deeply held,” amid the scrutiny surrounding her family.

“I’ll be easing back into things thoughtfully and with care — moving forward one step at a time,” she said. “More to come and so much gratitude always.”