Puppy Bowl Returns to Animal Planet

Animal Planet is bringing back its alternative to the Super Bowl yet again with “Puppy Bowl V.” Puppy Bowl delivers exactly what its name implies, as it has every year since Super Bowl Sunday 2005. It airs today, Sunday, February 1 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Announcer Harry Kalas, the voice of NFL Films and the Philadelphia Phillies, commentates on the action as adoptable puppies from an animal shelter are free to do as they please, interacting with other puppies and various chew toys in Animal Planet Stadium. There is a referee on hand to regulate puppy fouls and penalties in the event of unnecessary ruff-ness, and of course to clean up after “personal fouls.”

The water bowl cam is mounted underneath the clear-bottomed water bowls, which gives a close-up, wide-angle view of the precious pooches as they break from the action to re-hydrate.

Pepper the Parrot will sing his unique rendition of the National Anthem prior to the start of the game. The “Kitty Halftime Show” will take place between halves, as it has since its inception in Puppy Bowl II. It culminates in streamers and confetti raining down on the kitties, who are also looking for good homes.

This year’s starting line-up consists of 20 rambunctious pups ages 9 to 15 weeks, all of whom can be seen online with their name and breed. Viewers can also cast their ballots online for MVP, Most Valuable Puppy, of course. The Web site also has a guide for viewer tail-gate parties, complete with recipes, decorations, puppy party favors, games, and activities.