It's finally here. Super Bowl Sunday has arrived and you have survived all of the hype over the last seven days leading up to the Big Game. Now, you may be wondering what to do before you set the TV to Fox at 6:30 ET tonight for the kickoff.
As a public service, Awful Announcing provides a quick guide to the network pregame shows today. Besides the obvious choice of Fox, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, Fox Sports 1 and NFL Network are all airing pregame programs leading up to the kickoff. NFL Network features 10½ hours of coverage beginning at 7 a.m. Fox/Fox Sports 1 combine for 8 hours starting at 10 a.m.
We suggest you watch the shows in moderation utilizing your DVR's Fast Forward button to watch them at your leisure. Based on the networks' press releases, we provide what we feel are the best features to watch.
Here's what each network is airing today. All times are Eastern.
CBS Sports Network
That Other Pregame Show — 9 a.m. — noon, live from New York.
Adam Schein hosts. Bart Scott, Amy Trask and Brandon Tierney are analysts. Allie LaForce contributes.
ESPN
Sunday NFL Countdown — 10 a.m. — 2 p.m., live from Herald Square, New York and MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
In New York: Chris Berman hosts. Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson are the analysts. Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter contribute.
At MetLife Stadium: Suzy Kolber hosts with analysts Trent Dilfer, Ray Lewis and Steve Young. Sal Paolantonio and Ed Werder contribute.
Notable features:
Opening Tease: A Super Bowl in New York-New Jersey (10 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET)
Actor Willem Dafoe narrates an essay he wrote about the Super Bowl in New York-New Jersey,.
Capturing The Super Bowl Moment (11:15 a.m.)
Super Bowl photographers discuss how they've managed to capture the big moments that have become iconic images over the years.
Frank Caliendo’s “30 for 30” (11:45 a.m.)
This has the potential to be disastrous. Anything with Frank Caliendo has "train wreck" lurking in the background. According to ESPN's description, Caliendo produces "a 'mockumentary' on how Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman used his new-found infamy to make his way to the White House." Ok. Among his impressions willl be "former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, NFL Insider Adam Schefter, and, for the first time, television impersonations of Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and ESPN’s Ron Jaworski." Whatever. You may wish to skip this.
John Elway Conversation (12 p.m.)
Analyst Tom Jackson talks with his former teammate about rising up from past Super Bowl losses to become a champion and a team executive.
Peyton Manning Conversation with Chris Mortensen (1 p.m.)
Chris Mortensen talks with Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning about his future after this season and being a parent.
FOX/Fox Sports 1
Fox Super Bowl Kickoff — 10 a.m. on Fox Sports 1
Road to the Super Bowl — noon on Fox
Actor Andre Braugher narrates this NFL Films annual special on the highlights of the 2013 regular season.
Football America: Our Stories — 1 p.m. on Fox
Actor Forest Whitaker narrates another NFL Films production with the theme "Why do we love football?" Among those discussing their love of the game, actors Whoopi Goldberg, Mark Harmon, LL Cool J and Rob Lowe as well as Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana and Dr. Oz (?).
Fox Super Bowl Sunday — 2 p.m. on Fox
Curt Menefee and Terry Bradshaw co-host. Jimmy Johnson, Howie Long, Mike Pereira and Michael Strahan are the analsyts. Jay Glazer contributes. The show will start in Fox's Times Square studios then move to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Among the features that will be aired today:
2 p.m. Segments
Wicked Weather: NFL’s most memorable games played in inclement weather
Broncos Team Report: Erin Andrews Reports from the Denver hotel
Profile of Denver Executive & Hall of Fame QB John Elway
Seahawks Team Report: Pam Oliver
Reports from the Seattle hotel Profile on a core group of unsung Seattle players including Michael Bennett, Golden Tate, Doug Baldwin, Red Bryant and Bobby Wagner
Terry Bradshaw and Joe Namath walk through Broadway
Performance by The Band Perry
3 p.m. Segments
New York Title Game: Feature on New York based title games in NFL History
Profile of Jay Glazer visiting World Trade Center/Ground Zero
Rob Riggle segment
Michael Strahan interviews halftime performer Bruno Mars
Tribute of 20 years of FOX Sports
Summerall Tribute: FOX Sports remembers Pat Summerall, who passed away in April, narrated by Joe Buck
Profile on the career of Denver Corner Back Champ Bailey playing his first Super Bowl
Pam Oliver interviews Seattle Running Back Marshawn Lynch
4 p.m. Segments
Chris Myers reports on the preparation of power to MetLife Stadium
Randy Moss interviews Denver Wide Receiver Wes Welker
NFL on FOX segments promoting the game of football across the country
Lombardi: Profile of the Brooklyn born Hall of Fame Green Bay Coach Vince Lombardi
Performance by Phillip Phillips
FOX News Channel's Bill O’Reilly interviews President Barack Obama
Jimmy Johnson Interviews Seattle Head Coach Pete Carroll
5 p.m. Segments
Jay Glazer interviews Denver Head Coach John Fox
Erin Andrews interviews Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman along with Seahawks Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas
Howie Long interviews Seattle Quarterback Russell Wilson
Terry Bradshaw interviews Denver Quarterback Peyton Manning
Second Rob Riggle segment
Declaration of Independence: A reading of the Declaration of Independence by current and past NFL Legends and Personnel
NFL Network
NFL GameDay First — 7 a.m. live from Super Bowl Boulevard, New York
Sterling Sharpe hosts with Shaun O'Hara and Brian Billick as analysts. Stacey Dales, Jeff Darlington and Kimberly Jones contribute.
NFL GameDay Morning — 9 a.m. live from various locations
At MetLife Stadium: Rich Eisen hosts. Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin, Steve Mariucci, Warren Sapp and Kurt Warner are analsyts.
At NFL Fan Plaza: Melissa Stark, Willie McGinest, Deion Sanders and Michael Silver
At Super Bowl Boulevard: Chris Rose, Shaun O'Hara, LaDanian Tomlinson
Contributors: Brian Billick, Stacey Dales, Jeff Darlington, Terrell Davis, Daniel Jeremiah, Aditi Kinkhabwala, Desmond Purnell, Ian Rapoport, Omar Ruiz and Steve Wyche
Among the features that will be aired in this 8½ marathon:
Peyton Manning's "Omaha" call
Hopefully, this will be the last we hear of "OMAHA! OMAHA! OMAHA!"
Russell Wilson
Michael Irvin interviews the Seattle quarterback.
Locker Room Culture
Andrea Kremer reports this feature.
New York City
Mark Kriegel examines how New York has given the NFL so many colorful characters.
Pete Carroll
Mike Silver interviews the Seattle coach.
Peyton Manning's Letters
This feature looks at the letters Manning has written to players and coaches after they retire and what they have meant.
Brett Favre Analysis
Favre joins the show from his Mississippi home. Why?
Chrissy Teigen
The Sports Illustrated swimsuit model joins the show. Why?
Peyton Manning Interview
Super Bowl-winning quarterback Kurt Warner talks with Manning.
Richard Sherman Interview
Deion Sanders interviews the Seattle defender.
So there you have a listing of some of the features that will be airing today. If some have caught your eye, make sure to DVR or record them. And don't sit in front of the TV for all of the Super Bowl pregame coverage. Make sure you go out to buy your provisions so you'll be ready for the game tonight.
H/T Sammy!
