Football: Most people enjoy the game, some consider the sport their religion and others pretend to not even know what it is, filing it under the athletic umbrella of “sportzball.”
But no amount of hipster cynicism can stifle the excitement surrounding the Super Bowl. From sports nuts to Pop music fans, ad aficionados to crazy cat ladies, there’s something for everyone to get in the Super Bowl mood.
Kick off the pre-game fun with the Key & Peele Super Bowl Special (10 p.m. Friday, Comedy Central). Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key riff on SportsCenter, athlete names and more, plus another East/West Bowl! And look out for a special Super Bowl edition of Tonight Show Superlatives on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (11:35 p.m. Friday, NBC).
Super Bowl Blitz: A Concert for the Troops (9 p.m. Friday, VH1) features performances by Charli XCX and Fall Out Boy; Nick Lachey hosts.
Get into the ad-watching mood with Funniest Commercials of the Year 2014 (10 p.m. Friday, Spike), where comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias counts down the top TV adverts of last year.
Of course, it all leads to the Seattle Seahawks taking on the New England Patriots for Super Bowl XLIX (6:30 p.m. Sunday, NBC). Katy Perry headlines the halftime performance with additional music from John Legend, Idina Menzel, Lenny Kravitz and more throughout the night.
For a cuddlier television event, tune into Puppy Bowl XI (3 p.m. Sunday, Animal Planet). Watch cute pups frolic, enjoy a halftime show with Kitty Furry and see more cute furry friends available for adoption. If you’re more into felines, check out Kitten Bowl II (Noon Sunday, Hallmark Channel). Because animal lovers need an excuse to eat wings all day, too.
WEDNESDAY JAN. 28
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (10 p.m., FXX) – Always Sunny loves to set up a joke only to explore it seasons later. Case in point: Psycho Pete. Fans might remember that in the high school reunion episodes of Season Seven, Charlie and Mac spoke of their old gang leader who was not in attendance. He may have actually been mentally ill and he may have murdered and eaten his family, but this week, Psycho Pete shows up at Paddy’s Pub!
Workaholics (10 p.m., Comedy Central) – Ders is back in a Speedo and ready to settle the score with his old high school swim team nemesis.
Broad City (10:30 p.m., Comedy Central) – When Abbi gets her wisdom teeth pulled, Ilana is committed to taking care of her (which probably includes taste-testing all her pain meds).
THURSDAY JAN. 29
Portlandia (10 p.m., IFC) – Move over, Blackfish. The Ecoterrorists (Fred, Carrie, Olivia Wilde) head to San Diego to jam up SeaWorld — and maybe get a tan and try some tacos …
Parenthood (Series Finale, 10 p.m., NBC) – Pull out the longest dinner table known to man and all the twinkle lights, because the entire Braverman gang is getting together for one final episode. Amber adjusts to motherhood as Hank and Sarah plan their ceremony. Prepare to sob harder than at any wedding of any actual real person.
SATURDAY JAN. 31
Saturday Night Live (11:30 p.m., NBC) – Oscar nominee (for Whiplash) J.K. Simmons hosts with musical guest D’Angelo — one of the more exciting pairings of the season. Here’s to Simmons bringing real acting chops and comedic timing, and D’Angelo singing topless.
TUESDAY FEB. 3
Parks & Recreation (8 p.m., NBC) – Donna and Joe tie the knot (Note to self: “Treat Yo Self” would make an excellent wedding motif); April goes on a business trip to Washington D.C.
Shark Tank (8 p.m., ABC) – Locals will want to tune into this Tuesday edition of The Tank to see an update on Cincinnati-bred grilled cheese and tomato soup restaurant, Tom+Chee. See what founders Trew Quackenbush and Corey Ward have been up to, including a five-year anniversary party on Fountain Square this past December. This episode marks Tom+Chee’s fourth appearance on the show since landing a deal in 2013.
New Girl (9 p.m., Fox) – The Shark Tank fun continues as Schmidt and Nick pitch their product — a suit made of sweatshirt material called a “Swuit” — to shark Lori Greiner!
The Mindy Project (9:30 p.m., Fox) – Mindy is offered the chance to start her own practice on the West Coast, and has trouble sharing the news with her loved ones back east.
CONTACT JAC KEARN: jkern@citybeat.com or @jackern
This article appears in Jan 28 – Feb 3, 2015.
