There’s nothing like it ... an event so big, they use Roman numerals to mark each edition. A rookie will make a big play, and perhaps walk off with the MVP award.
“Sunday is the big game, and did you know there’s also a version of the Puppy Bowl, but with humans?” asked Stephen Colbert on his TV show Thursday.
While many will watch a human sporting event today, more and more are turning to the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet. Puppy Bowl VIII, airing at 3 p.m. and rebroadcast throughout the evening, is expected to reach at least 10 million viewers, another record for the continually evolving event.
It has become a television destination for folks around the country.
“We’re always excited for it,” said Wendy Marano, spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania SPCA. “There’s more suspense than the Super Bowl. There’s only two sides to choose from in the Super Bowl.”
This year’s Puppy Bowl will feature 58 puppies. The lineup includes 11 from Pennsylvania. There also will be five piglets, a bird, a handful of hamsters and 19 cats.
Yes, cats. For those who fancy cats, you’ll want to tune in as well for the annual “Kitty Half-Time Show” which, like you’ll find if you flip over to that other bowl, also is a big enough extravaganza to have corporate sponsorship -- and stars.
“We’ve probably sent a couple dozen animals to the show (over the years),” Marano said. “Last year featured our kittens during the halftime show. We look at it as a total animal experience.”
Originally a vehicle to highlight puppies, kittens were added in the second year. Hamsters, piloting the faux blimp over the stadium, and cheerleading bunnies were added in 2010. Last year, the bunnies were replaced by chickens.
“We have to give kudos to Animal Planet,” Marano said. “There will be a bird (Meep, who will be posting to Twitter during the Puppy Bowl) and some piglets (the cheerleading ‘Piggy Pep Squad’) doing the sideline thing. It’s really great that they reach out to so many different animals and highlight them.”
The Puppy Bowl was created as something of a time filler for a network not readily watched on Super Sunday many years ago -- and it grew into a phenomenon. Until his death, Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas -- known for calling Phillies games and his work with NFL Films -- was the voice of the Puppy Bowl.
During the action, look for penalty calls such as “unnecessary ruff, ruff, ruffness,” “illegal use of the paws,” “illegal retriever downfield” and “excessive cuteness on the field.” A look at the action from field level is provided by a water bowl cam.
Since the first bowl, viewership has grown each year, just like the lineup. More importantly, all the rookies featured in the broadcast, which was taped in New York City in October, will not be free agents this season.
“The goal is to have them all adopted by the time the show airs,” said Jared Albert of Animal Planet. “Petfinder.com does a great job finding the participants. There are so many shelters that want to be a part of Puppy Bowl.”
The show will feature animals from across the country, and all are now in homes instead of shelters. Even the animals from California don’t let their TV stardom go to their heads. Most people who adopt the animals do not know they have taken in a star of the small screen.
Rumors abound on the web as to what will happen during the broadcast. This year’s MVP -- that stands for Most Valuable Puppy, by the way -- may even be Pennsylvania born.
“There’s a lot of spirit in those pups,” Albert said. “I cannot tell you who wins the MVP. You’re going to have to watch. But I can tell you they are contenders.”
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