Puppy Bowl: A Behind-the Scenes Look at the Retrospectives

02/02/2012

Reblog

It's the time of year that we here at Animal Planet look forward to with bated breath: Puppy Bowl! It's hard to believe it's in its eighth season. Are you ready? Have you checked out this year's lineup and met the new referee?

Another new feature to this year's Puppy Bowl VIII is the highly adorable Game Day Revisted retrospective series. We caught up with Kevin Barnhil, the video guy and genius behind the series, and he gave us a glimpse at how the series came to be.

Why was it necessary to do the Puppy Bowl Retrospectives?

Puppy Bowl has become an iconic event not just for those who love Animal Planet, but for those who really love animals as well and want to celebrate that. The retrospectives were a unique opportunity to take the previous Puppy Bowls and build a fun narrative so that viewers could go back and remember how simple the concept really was. Obviously we have taken some liberties with the script to make it more entertaining but at the core of it we just thought that is was "really freaking cute."

[Meet the Starting Lineup!]

What was your favorite moment in past Puppy Bowls?

My favorite moment was definitely the streaker puppy from Puppy Bowl V. We had to cut it from the retrospectives to keep it family friendly though. But from the series itself, I really think one of my favorite moments was the Fanning Brothers teaming up to take it to eventual MVP Monsieur Jacque in the first real offensive explosion of Puppy Bowl in Puppy Bowl II. 

[Watch the Top 10 Puppy Bowl Moments!]

How did the retrospectives come together?

Well, we first pitched the idea instead of a behind the scenes series since we had covered that angle a lot in previous Puppy Bowls. We were looking for a story that our audience hadn't heard before and with the Super Bowl/MNF presentation style of Puppy Bowl a "classic" style just seemed to work best. We had a team of writers and a team of editors working together to crank out the best stuff possible. Also, we had a really great voice talent in Will Johnson, host of the Discovery Friday Feedbag podcast. It was a real team effort!

Will these retrospectives become a tradition?

Well, I don't want to spoil anything… but you might want to come to the site the day after the Super Bowl. You might find the answer to that question then!

[Vote in Our Fan Photo Faceoff!]

How did you come up with the idea for the retrospectives?

We decided the best format was to align each Puppy Bowl with a great game from NFL history. Puppy Bowl I was loosely based on "The Greatest Game Ever Played" between the Giants and Colts in the 1950's. Puppy II was based on the glam from the Jets of Super Bowl III. Puppy Bowl III had inspiration from the late 1980's Giant teams led by Lawrence Taylor. And so on… I think that was one of the more fun parts of the series. We also tied together a collective bargaining agreement storyline that mirrored that of the NFL from the past year. At the end of Puppy VII the players decide to go on strike and the fate of Puppy Bowl VIII is left up in the air. Obviously, this is all made up, so no need to worry about Puppy Bowl VIII… tune in Super Bowl Sunday at 3pm to watch it!

What do you think viewers will like most about the retrospectives?

Well, I think they will like all the cute puppy footage for sure, but I hope they appreciate the humor. Its a different direction for us, but it's puppies pretending to play football so we didn't think it would be that big of a stretch.

[Watch All of the Puppy Bowl: Game Day Revisted Videos!]

Was it difficult compiling all the past footage and picking out puppies to feature?

Not really. Including Puppy Bowl VIII there was about 20 hours of footage to pull together to make a series that runs less than 30 minutes, so the challenge was picking the best/cutest puppies from each game and building a fake story around them. We had a great team and the writers really made it easy for us by pointing out the key sequences they wanted to write about and we went from there. For some reason the puppies in Puppy Bowl I were the cutest to me.

'Planet Earth' Holiday Marathon on Animal Planet

12/19/2011

Reblog

Did you miss your chance to see the wonder and beauty of the animal world as captured by Planet Earth as featured on the Discovery Channel? Catch up on all that you missed in our multi-day marathon of the amazing series that captured never-before-seen animal behaviors, startling views of locations captured by cameras for the first time, and unprecedented high-definition production techniques - only on Animal Planet this week!

[Watch: Planet Earth Deep Ocean]

Tune in Monday Dec. 9 at 7-10 p.m. E/P to catch Ice Worlds, Deserts, Shallow Seas and Jungles. On Tuesday, Dec. 20, from 7-10 p.m. E/P see Mountains, Caves, Great Plains and Forests. Jungles, Freshwater, Pole to Pole and Deep Ocean will air Wednesday Dec. 21 from 7-10 p.m. E/P.

This may be your last chance to catch Planet Earth! Tune in now.

[Watch More Planet Earth Video Now!]

 

Won't be able to watch? Catch highlights, making-ofs and more on the Discovery Channel's Planet Earth site.

See the full schedule.

http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/planet-earth/

Mole Alert: Giving Thanks All Around

11/22/2011

Reblog

 

Driving Up Donations

After the last of the sweet potatoes, the last morsel of stuffing and that final slice of pie, you may feel oh so satisfied and filled with gratitude for good food, family and friends gathering for Thanksgiving dinner. So spread some of that thankful glow during Animal Planet's special chance to help the residents of Villalobos Rescue Center, where "Pit Bulls & Parolees" is filmed. A new episode airs on Saturday Nov. 26 at 10 p.m., and as part of its "You Watch. We Give" campaign, Animal Planet will donate up to $50,000 to Tia Torres, who runs the center. This is all tied to Animal Planet's nonprofit initiative "R.O.A.R", which reminds us to Reach Out. Act. Respond., when it comes to animals in need.

We have all seen how Tia's efforts to help both dogs and humans take huge amounts of energy and resources, and how tireless and upbeat Tia always is. Last year, this campaign drew more than a million viewers to see a single episode of "Pit Bulls & Parolees," yielded a $50,000 donation ---and paid for half of Tia's annual vet bill for the 150 dogs at Villalobos. She was also able to help a dog named Egypt, who needed hip surgery and one called Sheriff, who required an intestinal operation, and get them healthy and ready for adoption. So by watching Saturday's episode, with its dramatic storyline of new parolees and a favorite dog's adoptive fate, you can help Tia's work continue, big time. That's even better than an extra helping of pie.

Home for the Holidays 

Imagine having your home destroyed by a giant gust of wind. No, not a hurricane, although it may as well have been one. For young critters near Morpeth, England's Sanctuary Wildlife Center, little lives can turn upside down at the whim of such weather, and that was almost the case for some tiny red squirrels. A roaring wind whipped through the trees, sending their fragile nest flying and scattering the helpless babies. 

Orphaned, scared and confused, the suddenly homeless squirrels attempted to navigate the dark, cold streets of London--not the best venue for those unable to ask directions. But good luck smiled upon them. They were quickly rounded up and secured by the dedicated, hardworking volunteers of the Santcuary Wildlife Center.

 Without a nest to call their own, they moved to more comfy digs, the Morpeth home of Eileen Welsh. Eileen has been providing excellent care to the little guys, who've adapted to the good life very easily. Their plight and subsequent rescue made it to a segment of--what else?--The Cute Show, which you can see for yourself right here  http://www.vice.com/the-cute-show/red-squirrel-orphans , and their appearance captured hearts on both sides of the pond. They serve as a perfect reminder of why we all can give thanks for our homes, our blessings and our love for the animals who reside in our hearts, during the holidays and always.

Puttin' On The Dogs

11/14/2011

Reblog

 

A Hero's Welcome

Keep the blue ribbons and silver cups. On Saturday, at the National Dog Show, Eli, a Belgian sheepdog, will take center stage, not for perfect conformation and coat, but for his important work during a sad chapter of U.S. history. In September, 2001, Eli, then just two years old, was one of the first canines to comfort grieving family members of 9/11 victims. At the time, he was newly certified as a therapy dog, and this week at the Valley Forge,Pa. show, Eli will serve as ambassador for all dogs who fulfill that role, calling attention to their immeasurable value for those whose lives they touch.

After the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Eli was at the command center in Jersey City, across the Hudson River at Liberty State Park, when people were evacuated from Manhattan. He worked with both surviving victims of the attack, and the first responders who worked tirelessly on Sept. 11 and in its aftermath. Eli, now 12 years old, is one of the few surviving therapy dogs whose presence during those dark days was a spot of warmth for those dazed by grief and confusion. Eli, a seasoned competitor, was honored for his work around Ground Zero, and in October he received the Lifetime Achievement ACE Award, for his humanitarian efforts and show ring success. Eli lives in Allentown, Pa., with his devoted owner, deputy sheriff Sherry Hanley, and even as a senior, he remains an active fundraiser.

Breed All About It

Eli won't be alone in the spotlight this week, of course, as the National Dog Show serves as the introduction of six breeds newly recognized by the American Kennel Club. They're not household names just yet, but the American English Coonhound, Entlebucher Mountain Dog, Norwegian Lundehund, Xoloitzcuintli (say that five times fast. Say it even once, slowly!), Finnish Lapphund, and Cesky Terrier will all be introduced to the dog-loving public. 

 If you're in the Philadelphia area, this show is always an event to see. It's one of the few so-called "bench shows," which means that the fans in the stands can go 'backstage' and freely mingle with the owners, handlers and breeders. And dogs: the dogs' crates and cages are easily accessible, and showgoers can spend an enjoyable day petting the pooches and learning about their distinctive characteristics firsthand. Who knows, you may fall in love with a new breed, rooting for him or her to take home that Best in Show title.

If you can't attend the show in person, you can catch the televised taped version on NBC just after the Macy's parade on Thanksgiving Day, a nice alternative to football and food.  It's hosted by John O'Hurley, whose dry wit adds a humorous touch, along with David Frei, the wonderfully informative, always-congenial longtime host of both this show and February's Westminster Kennel Club Show. They'll be aided by Mary Carillo, who aims to ask all the right questions. For David, the addition of Eli to the day's events is a welcome highlight. David's own Brittany spaniels and his Cavalier King Charles spaniel Angel all serve as therapy dogs, and his new book "Angel on a Leash" chronicles the extraordinary contribution that so many of these four-footed friends make to those in need.

Mole Alert: Turtleman!

10/18/2011

Reblog

 

One Amazing Kinda Rescuer!

He's the kind of guy who'd make an interesting neighbor --- if you cared to live in his neighborhood! Ernie Brown, Jr., better known as "Turtleman," is the focus of Animal Planet's new "Call of the Wildman," beginning Sunday Nov. 6 at 10 p.m.  And in each episode of this 12-part series, you'll get a closeup of Turtleman's extraordinary work: diving into the sludge of murky Kentucky ponds to find snapping turtles that lurk just a thumb's length away, with their powerful ability to bite right through bone. Turtleman may be armed with steel blades, which he's affectionately nicknamed "Thunder," but he nabs these snappers, often mega-size ones, with his bare hands, and emerges from the fray uninjured. His backwoods smarts and sense of humor keep Turtleman a step ahead of the animals, and his faithful dog Lolly is never far from his side.

Turtleman has been at this for four decades -- even in turtle years, that's one long career span!-- but he doesn't limit his critter relocation to turtles. Whenever anyone in Kentucky has a an animal issue, Turtleman is the go-to guy. He's handled possums, skunks, raccoons, snakes, even poisonous spiders, and successfully removed them from the place where they're unwanted, returning them to the wild. Turtleman, Kentucky native and self-professed animal lover, is always on the side of the critters, always eager to get them out of trouble and back where they belong, even if they aren't thrilled about leaving civilization.

You have to hear his special shout-out as he wraps up a rescue, because it's far more entertaining than anything you'll ever hear from a victorious athlete or lottery winner. You may have seen him on YouTube, where a video of Turtleman in action has drawn more than 3 million hits since 2008. And now you'll learn much more about this likeable character, whose wilderness lifestyle is less about creature comforts (outhouse, anyone?) than the comfort of creatures in need of a hand.

His right-hand man Neal James (who has long-distance phone service, and thus serves as secretary as well) says that Turtleman's mission is to save an animal for its own good, even if the situation usually becomes a one-on-one battle. Neal fields dozens of calls each week, from homes and businesses where annoying or even deadly pests are present. For the past 15 years, Turtleman has made a living taking on jobs, from small to dangerous. Some of the highlights you'll see in coming weeks include a farmer's cows that suffer mysterious attacks in a pond, emerging with their udders missing. The bacteria-and-manure-filled pond is home to a mass of hungry snapping turtles, and only Ernie, er, Turtleman, can wade in to stop the snappers and restore peace to the cattle; Turtleman also helps an elderly woman cope with a poisonous snake on the loose in her home, and grapples with a raccoon that's terrorizing a local business.

"Call of the Wildman" showcases Turtleman's self-taught, sense-and-sensibility approach to catching and dealing with potentially dangerous animals. The Mole salutes Ernie/Turtleman as a prime example of showing respect and kindness to other species.

Call of the Wildman debuts on Sunday November 6 at 10 p.m.