Puppy Bowl Vs. Kitten Bowl: Which One Will Become The Cutest On Super Bowl Sunday?
Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl XI will take over this afternoon at 3 p.m. Meanwhile, on the Hallmark Channel, the second annual Kitten Bowl II will air at noon. Puppies, kittens, and other furry critters are expected to take over both networks on Super Bowl Sunday. The Super Bowl is no longer reserved for football fans. It’s also reserved for animal lovers.
John Sterling, the radio voice of the New York Yankees, will announce the play-by-play action of the 90 adopted kittens competing in Kitten Bowl II, which will premiere at noon. North Shore Animal League America spokeswoman Beth Stern is also hosting the popular Kitten Bowl.
According to Stern, the Kitten Bowl is back and better than ever. She told the Press of Atlantic City, “Everything about Kitten Bowl has been so tremendous.”
The event has helped raised awareness for animal adoption. Like last year, every kitten in the Kitten Bowl II has already been adopted. Kitten Bowl I included 72 kittens, but the number rose to 92 for Kitten Bowl II. Stern, whose husband is radio shock jock Howard Stern, loves how much impact the show has made on viewers.
“When I walk down the street people tell me how adorable Kitten Bowl is, or that they saw a cute black kitten on Kitten Bowl and they went to the local shelter and adopted a black cat.
“When people are watching and see how cute the kittens are, there are going to be little specials at all our partner shelters where people can adopt kittens and cats.”
There will be four teams on the Kitten Bowl: the Hallmark Channel Hearties, the Northpole Panthers, the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries Mountain Lions, and Good Witch Wildcats. Among the participants are spring backer Tortie Nelson, purrback Aaron Pawdgers, and lickbacker Wes Whicker.
Over on the Animal Planet at 3 p.m., the channel will kick off the 11th annual Puppy Bowl. For the first time ever, there will be two teams: Team Ruff and Team Fluff “battling” for the title of Bissel MVP (Most Valuable Puppy). Viewers can also vote online for which competitor they think should be Most Valuable Puppy. According to Gossip Cop, the Puppy Bowl will have 57 dogs, all by various shelters and rescue groups throughout the country, including Puerto Rico.
This year’s annual event includes a New York puppy named Hemingway. Other highlights include goat cheerleaders and “Katty Furry,” who will perform at the kitty halftime show. Animal Planet will also tally up the cutest show with live competitive scoring.
Dan Schachner will serve again as the “rufferee.” Meep the Bird will also make a return as sideline reporter on Twitter. The Puppy Bowl will also include a kiss cam, a water bowl cam, and the slow-motion “Too Cute” cam so viewers can watch every bit of the adorable action backstage. The Puppy Bowl will also include dancing hamsters, because why not?
It looks like the Puppy Bowl is trying to beat the Kitten Bowl in terms of cuteness. Viewers will have to figure out which fur-filled show they’ll want to watch on Super Bowl Sunday. Both the Puppy Bowl and Kitten Bowl have proved to be a ratings success for the Animal Planet and Hallmark Channel. It’s an award-winning formula that includes adorable animals and raising awareness for pet adoption.
The Kitten Bowl II will be replayed again at 3 p.m. and again at 6 p.m. on Hallmark Channel. The Puppy Bowl XI will also replay all day and night on Super Bowl Sunday. The Kitten Bowl II is already live streaming on Gossip Cop and Hallmark Channel Everywhere. Dog lovers can also catch the Puppy Bowl XI live streams on Gossip Cop. Both shows are a great alternative in case the big game gets boring.
If you’re interested in adopting a puppy or kitten, visit animalrescue.org, petfinder.com, or your local animal shelter.
Will you be watching the Puppy Bowl or the Kitten Bowl this year?
[Image: Hallmark Channel]
