Baseball may be known as America's pastime, but what Americans really can't get enough of is the NFL.
Year in and year out, the Super Bowl is the most watched television event. In 2014, more than 119 million people tuned in to make what turned out to be a rather uneventful game between the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks the most viewed program in U.S. history. Out of the most watched sporting events of 2014, nine of the top 10 were NFL playoff games, with the outlier being the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, according to Business Insider.
Because of the ratings domination, most networks concede defeat and don't attempt to challenge the Super Bowl -- most networks, besides Animal Planet.
Check out HNGN's interview with Animal Planet Executive Producer and Puppy Bowl expert Melina Toporoff below as she explains the history of the event, what happens in the case of an "accident" taking place in the middle of the game and much more. Be sure to tune in to Animal Planet at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Feb. 1. to see which team of puppies reigns victorious.
HNGN: How did the "Puppy Bowl" come into existence? Was it a brainstormed idea by a group of people or did one person pitch it?
Toporoff: There is great debate and folklore about how "Puppy Bowl" came to be. I wasn't at Animal Planet at the time, but as I understand it, it was in response to needing something to put on the air as counter-programming to the Super Bowl and was inspired by the Yule Log. Something warm, and in this particular case fuzzy to look at, I suppose....
HNGN: Was there a certain point where higher ups at the network knew they struck gold and really had something huge with the program?
Toporoff: "Puppy Bowl" has always been a big event for the network and the ratings show that it is a big event for viewers as well.
HNGN: How are the puppies chosen? Do you always stick to the same shelters?
Toporoff: Our teams research rescues across the country for weeks to find puppies to make up the perfect "Puppy Bowl" players with a variety of looks, breeds and ages. When picking the next batch of players, we go to both new and returning rescues.
HNGN: Have all of the puppies participating in this year's game been adopted?
Toporoff: All but three have been adopted.
HNGN: Do all of the puppies in the game need to be trained specifically to be able to handle a big event like this?
Toporoff: The puppies that participate in "Puppy Bowl" are not trained. We want puppies to do what they are best at doing...Playing!"
HNGN: What are the rules for the game?
Toporoff: Drag a chew toy over the goal line? Touchdown! That's about it.
HNGN: Has a puppy ever gone to the bathroom in the middle of the event? How is that handled?
Toporoff: It happens a lot in fact - we have people on "poop patrol" throughout the taping and we also have a Bissell spot bot to clean accidents up!
HNGN: Can people stream the game online?
Toporoff: At this time, "Puppy Bowl" will not be able to be streamed online.
HNGN: How have social media efforts changed the landscape and popularity of the event?
Toporoff: Social media has been a wonderful tool for our viewers to share their enthusiasm with us and other viewers. Our viewers are very excited to share how much their dogs enjoy the "Puppy Bowl" as well!
HNGN: How long does it take to plan an event like this?
Toporoff: Every year it seems like we start planning earlier and earlier!
HNGN: Has any puppy played in more than one "Puppy Bowl?"
Toporoff: No, but we often feature previous players in a segment called "Adoption Tails" to show their wonderful life with their forever families.
HNGN: When will you start looking at puppies to participate in next year's game?
Toporoff: We start the search for puppies a few months before the taping.
