WASHINGTON, February 3, 2013 —The big day is finally here: Super Bowl Sunday has arrived, that wondrous day when over 100 million people will gather with friends and family to watch the best commercials of the year while enduring annoying but brief intervals of actual football. A recent survey showed more people watch for the much anticipated commercials than watch for the game. 52% of those polled plan on using social media during the game. A third of all viewers will utilize a second screen in addition to their main TV.
Since Super Bowl Sunday is second only to Thanksgiving in food consumption, there will also be plenty of food, piled high and deep to further distract the multi-tasking viewer. Visualize a crew of friends gathered in front of a big screen TV, laptops open nearby, a mobile phone in one hand and a Buffalo wing in the other, and you have a good idea of what will be going on in living rooms across America tonight. I get exhausted just thinking about it. Can you imagine what Vince Lombardi would say if he were alive today?
Nonetheless, the game should be a good one, even if every talking head and bookmaker on the planet is picking the 49ers to win it all. Thankfully, the back-story for this game is just as intriguing as the game itself. For the first time in Super Bowl history, two brothers are coaching the opposing teams. Talk about fighting for serious bragging rights at the next Harbaugh family get-together! What could be better than flashing the Lombardi Trophy at the losing brother? Do we detect another reality show in the making?
For those few that don’t watch the Super Bowl, there is always Downton Abbey, a show that’s even more popular. A British period drama set in the early decades of the 20th century; Downtown Abbey has taken the world by storm. NBC Universal estimates that more than 120 million viewers worldwide have watched this sophisticated British soapier at some point, based on ratings data from its international client broadcasters.
It was recognized by Guinness World Records as the most critically acclaimed English-language television series of 2011, and became the first international television series to receive the largest number of nominations in the history of the Primetime Emmy Awards, with a total of twenty-seven.
Tonight the viewing choices are few, but are quite literally two of the most popular in the world. For the few that won’t be watching the game or Downton Abbey, there’s always a marathon of The Walking Dead on AMC starting at 3 p.m. No matter which of these you choose, it is one of the best nights of the year for TV, so relax, feed your face, and enjoy!
Tonight’s viewing:
All times are EST:
6:25 p.m.
CBS: Super Bowl XLVII: Ravens vs. 49ers: Baltimore vs. San Francisco in New Orleans. John and Jim Harbaugh headline the first championship-game match up between teams coached by brothers. This is the second Super Bowl appearance for Baltimore and the sixth for the Niners. The Ravens upset New England 28-13 to earn their berth, while San Francisco beat Atlanta 28-24.
8 p.m.
ABC: America’s Funniest Home Videos: (Repeat) A Halloween-themed episode includes a montage of dogs in costumes.
FOX: The Simpsons: (Repeat) Homer is thrown for a loop when he discovers one of his bowling buddies is an accountant for the mob, while Lisa passes out during a saxophone solo and decides to add an extra nutritional supplement, insects, to her vegetarian diet. But when she dreams of the bugs pleading for their lives, she reconsiders her decision.
NBC: Betty White’s Off Their Rockers: (Repeat) Seniors pull pranks involving pouring out a late spouse’s ashes and issuing tickets for nonsensical violations.
8:30 p.m.
FOX: Bob’s Burgers: (Repeat) Bob’s plans for his favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, change when Mr. Fischoeder (voice of Kevin Kline) hires him as his chef, and Linda and the kids to play his family, as he tries to stage a perfect holiday dinner in order to make a former flame jealous.
NBC: Betty White’s Off Their Rockers: (Repeat) A woman claims she’s a young girl’s grandmother, and a senior with a radar gun scolds speedy walkers. Also: a mirthless mail carrier; and a determined flight attendant.
9 p.m.
ABC: Shark Tank: (Repeat) The man who created Rollerblades seeks an investment for his latest invention; a businesswoman from Rochester, N.Y., wants to make a deal for an accessory that turns any shoe into a boot.
FOX: Family Guy: (Repeat) The Griffins attempt to conquer Mount Everest after competitive friends mention they plan to scale the legendary peak. Things, however, are not looking up for the Griffins, as a wicked storm leaves them pinned down on the side of the mountain.
NBC: Live From New York: The First Five Years of Saturday Night Live: (Repeat) A look at the early years of the late-night comedy staple that premiered on Oct. 11, 1975. Included: interviews with producer Lorne Michaels, cast members and writers. Also: clips of memorable sketches and musical performances.
PBS: Masterpiece Classic: (New) As “Downton Abbey” continues, Cora and Robert stop speaking to each other; the servants shun Isobel; and Matthew and Robert are at odds.
9:30 p.m.
FOX: American Dad: (Repeat) After Stan’s stepfather dies, he invites his mother to move in. Initially, Roger isn’t pleased that he must share the attic with her, but he soon softens and the two roomies fall in love and get married, leaving Stan to deal with a new step-dad.
10 p.m.
ABC: Modern Family: (Repeat) Claire and Phil embarrass Haley when they drop her off at college; Manny makes Gloria and Jay take a class; Lily gets into a tussle on her first day of kindergarten.
CBS: Elementary: (New) Sherlock is forced to work with an FBI profiler to stop an unpredictable criminal in New York. Meanwhile, Watson faces eviction from her apartment.
10:30 p.m.
ABC: Modern Family: (Repeat) Phil gets a vasectomy; Gloria and Jay can’t agree on whether or not they should find out the sex of the baby; Mitchell tries to steer Cameron toward getting a part-time job.
Basic cable:
New episodes of:
My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding: More Bling at 8, 9:10, and 10:18 p.m. on TLC
Africa at 10 p.m. on DSC
Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off at 10 p.m. on Food Channel
For movie lovers:
8 p.m.
Home Alone on ABCFAM
13 Going on 30 on ENC
Paycheck on FLIX
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen on FMC
The Proposal on FX
This Means War on HBO
Goldfinger on REELZ
Ghost World on SUND
The Bucket List on TBS
The Music Man on TCM
The Help on TMC
9 p.m.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1
The Hurricane on MOMAX
Water for Elephants on HBO
Later tonight:
Soul Surfer at 9:40 p.m. on ENC
Bridesmaids at 10 p.m. on HBO
Columbiana at 10 p.m. on STARZ
Mommy Dearest at 10 p.m. on SUND
You Only Live Twice at 10:30 p.m. on REELZ
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