Cuter ways to spend Super Bowl Sunday
He’s somehow made it into the starting lineup of Sunday’s big game without being touched by even a hint of scandal.
Heck, TMZ will probably even give him a pass in a few years when he’s fathered a bunch of kids, probably with several mothers, that he never sees.
He’s Keno, the local terrier mix who’ll be representing Nevada SPCA at “Puppy Bowl XI” (3 p.m. Sunday, Animal Planet). And, yes, his postgame interview will still be more insightful than Marshawn Lynch’s.
Others have tried to steal “Puppy Bowl’s” adorable thunder.
“Kitten Bowl II” (noon Sunday, Hallmark Channel) is, no pun intended, a direct copycat. The only real difference is that its participants are given punny names: Matt Furte, Jadeveon Clawny and, best of all, Nom Nom Nom Suh.
“Fish Bowl II” (6 p.m. Sunday, Nat Geo Wild) at least offers a hilariously mesmerizing alternative. After debuting last year as nothing more than a goldfish named Goldie swimming around her bowl, this year’s edition has upped the ante considerably. Not only does Goldie have a new co-star, Charlie the clownfish, but the two head off to a farm to stare at cows, horses, pigs and chickens. For four hours. Seriously.
But for sheer cuteness, you can’t beat “Puppy Bowl XI.”
As the 55 puppies take the field, sideline reporter Meep the Bird will again tweet live updates, five Nigerian dwarf goats will serve as cheerleaders, aerial shots will be provided by hamsters in a biplane, and a blue-wigged feline, Katty Furry, will perform during halftime.
The best thing “Kitten Bowl” borrowed/stole from “Puppy Bowl” is the adoption updates that show the animals’ transition from shelter life. Keno, for example, was dropped off along with his brother in a dirty cardboard box at Nevada SPCA. Now, they’re both flourishing in foster care.
For those of you who are immune to the charms of tiny animals but notice that your enthusiasm for that other big game has deflated, you can support a couple of other local TV stars on Sunday: Starting at noon, HGTV is airing an eight-hour marathon of “The Property Brothers.”
Some of you may even find them as cute as the puppies.
■ Ice, ice baby: “Pandora Unforgettable Moments of Love on Ice” (2 p.m. Saturday, KTNV-TV, Channel 13), was taped at Mandalay Bay and features performances by O.A.R. as well as skaters including Meryl Davis and Charlie White, Brian Boitano, Evan Lysacek and Elvis Stojko.
■ Reality roundup: The new series “Limo Wars: Las Vegas” (10 p.m. Tuesday, A&E) debuts with back-to-back episodes. Las Vegans Kindle Frye and Christina Flinders will be looking for love on the spiritually themed dating show “Match Made in Heaven” (10 p.m. Wednesday, WE tv). And the Las Vegas homicide of Evie Watson is featured on “Fatal Vows” (9 p.m. Saturday, Investigation Discovery).
Contact Christopher Lawrence at clawrence@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4567.