8 Random Questions You Never Thought To Ask The Puppy Bowl Ref

02/05/2012

The biggest event on all fours is back! Puppy Bowl is back for its 8th consecutive year with an all-star, all-adorable cast that's ready to mix it up on the grand gridiron of Animal Planet Stadium. This year, Meep the Bird and a porky piggy pep squad aren't the only newcomers to Puppy Bowl - this year we welcome a new Puppy Bowl ref - Dan Schachner!

[WATCH: Learn about the making of Puppy Bowl VIII]

Dan Schachner is a television host, commercial actor and announcer celebrating his rookie year as the Puppy Bowl referee. Dan undoubtedly possesses the discipline and stamina required to ref the biggest game in animal sports and looks forward to upholding the title of "The Ref". I was lucky enough to sit down this week with Dan and ask him those burning questions that Puppy Bowl fans across the globe undoubtedly would like to have answered - here are some exerpts from our conversation.

[Adoro Puppies: Meet The Puppy Bowl VIII Starting Line-up!]

Daily Treat (DT): How did you become the new Puppy Bowl Ref?

Ref: The previous Puppy Bowl Ref, Andrew, is resting comfortably in the trunk of my car presently. Well….not exactly. He really isn’t comfortable in there. Seriously, when I first found out Animal Planet was on the hunt for a new Puppy Bowl ref, I knew my true calling in life had come. I quickly grabbed my camcorder and sent in an audition tape highlighting my puppy refereeing skills and sense of humor. To my surprise, they "bit", and now I'm calling the most important game of my life! It also helps that I fit into the uniform.

 

DT: Some individuals are referring to the new cheerleaders a pigs – do you agree with this observation?

Ref: To some extent yes – they really are pigs – their dressing room was a complete pig sty. An absolute sty.

 

DT: How do you think this years cheerleaders feel about the fact that one of their brethren is being tossed around the stadium in the form of a football?

Ref: The good news is that our gameday football is not actually Pigskin, but in fact a plush squeaky toy. No need to worry about what was Uncle Joe being tossed around the stadium.

DT: Would you ever rock a man-bun?

Ref: I believe I would need to become a Vegan or yogi to rock a man-bun. Probably not going to happen.

 

DT: Are you prepared for any wardrobe malfunctions during the half-time show?

Ref: I am indeed prepared. However, the kittens in the half-time show aren’t going to be wearing any clothes anyway so the likelihood of a malfunction is very, very slight. 

 

DT: How do you prepare for game day in the off-season?

Ref: To best officiate a game of puppies playing fake football, I must live like a puppy to understand the puppy. I nap every hour, I pad around the house and bark randomly at strangers, I beg for food and most importantly go outside to use the facilities. It’s liberating.

 

DT: Why do you think Heidi Klum & Seal split up?

Ref: They likely could not agree on whether to watch the Puppy Bowl or the Super Bowl. Had they known they didn’t have to choose between the two shows, but instead could actually watch both shows, they would probably still be together. Not to mention that watching happy puppies romp and play could save just about any marriage.

DT: Who is your celebrity doppelganger?

Ref: I’ve been told a cross between Brad Pitt and George Clooney, with a sprinkling of John Cryer, Ferris Bueller and Harry Connick Jr. It’s easy to see.

Be sure to tune in and watch the action unfold on Puppy Bowl VIII, at 3pm, Sunday, February 5, 2012. To learn more about the puppies and kittens seen on Puppy Bowl VIII and learn how you can adopt your own pet, visit Petfinder or Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl VIII website.