Puppy Bowl IX (3pm, Animal Planet) - The unbearably cute Animal Planet Puppy Bowl returns for the ninth consecutive year. You seriously need to tune in to this today (or tonight), if only for a few minutes. Not only do you get adorable puppy play, but there's a blimp with hamster pilots, a bird tweeting game updates (@MeeptheBird), hedgehog cheerleaders and a kitty half-time show. It runs from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. but will repeat all night.

Super Bowl XLVII (6:25pm, CBS) - It's Baltimore vs. New Orleans and brother vs. brother. John and Jim Harbough headline the first NFL championship coached by brothers. It's the second Super Bowl appearance for Baltimore and the sixth for the Forty-Niners. The halftime show features Beyonce.

Downton Abbey (9pm, UNC-TV) - In the aftermath of that horrible thing that happened last week, Cora and Robert stop speaking to each other. Will that horrible thing and Robert's role in it destroy their marriage?

Girls (9pm, HBO) - HBO already made this episode (and tonight's 9:30 episode of "Englightened") available On Demand and on HBO Go. But if you haven't seen it already … Hannah's grown-up dinner party is marred by her guests' childish behavior, including Marnie's showdown with Audrey.

Enlightened (9:30pm, HBO) - Amy taps into social media for the first time after Jeff invites her to a gathering of intellectuals.

To celebrate the impending return of "Too Cute! Kittens" (debuting Saturday, October 13 at 8 p.m.) ..... Animal Planet has posted the most adorable thing in the world. A live webcam of playing kittens (if the screen is black at first, just give it some time to connect). Enjoy your Friday.

Free live streaming by Ustream

Great Barrier Reef (9pm, Animal Planet) - A two-hour special exploring the Earth's largest living structure, the Great Barrier Reef beneath the Coral Sea. The series of interconnected habitats spans 1,200 miles and is so large it can be seen from space.

Drop Dead Diva (9pm, Lifetime) - In the season finale, Grayson reveals his true feelings for Jane on her wedding day, and Parker discovers Kim's secret. Also, a woman refuses life-saving surgery to remove a tumor because the cancer has suddenly made her brilliant, and a songrwriter is sued over claims that her lyrics lead fans to attempt murder.

Hell on Wheels (9pm, AMC) - Cullen's past catches up with thim and threatens the fate of the railroad.

Leverage (9pm, TNT) - Parker breaks her leg and is left behind on a job, only to then happen upon a robbery scheme.

Army Wives (10pm, Lifetime) - In the season finale, news spreads that Fort Marshall will merge with an Air Force base, and Kevin experiences a medical breakthrough. Also, the troops return to Afghanistan. Hopefully this is a season finale and not a series finale...

Web Therapy (10:30pm, Showtime) -  In the Season 2 finale, Fiona cures the overly obsessive Newell, but her handling of Robin has disastrous ramifications for Kip's campaign.

Aurora Shooting Coverage: In addition to special coverage on tonight's 6:30 newscasts, the major networks are planning additional coverage of the last night's mass shooting in Aurora, Colorado. Here's what I've seen so far: CBS anchor Scott Pelley will lead a special edition of "48 Hours" at 8. For NBC, Ann Curry will report live from Aurora on "Dateline," airing at 9. ABC will have a special edition of "20/20" anchored by Chris Cuomo from Aurora and Diane Sawyer from New York, tonight at 10. There's a special edition of "Nightline" on ABC at 11:35. On CNN, Anderson Cooper will broadcast "AC360" from Aurora at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.  On Fox, "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren" will cover the shooting at 10, with Van Susteren reporting from Aurora. Chris Jansing will have special reports from Colorado at 4 and 10 on MSNBC.

Whale Wars (9pm, Animal Planet) - In the Season 5 finale, the Sea Shepherd's months-long search for the Nisshin Maru finally pays off, but the factory ship is well protected and won't give up without a fight.

Common Law (10pm, USA) - Wes and Travis share quarters during a stakeout to monitor the moves of a crime novelist, who may have helped a criminal escape prison.

Louisiana Lockdown (10pm, Animal Planet) - In the Season 1 finale, a rookie rider takes on a former champion as the rodeo season nears its conclusion. Also, an inmate learns he's getting out after 18 years in prison.

Lost Girl (10pm, Syfy) - Bo accepts the Ash's proposal and acquires an unlikely partner.

Comedy Bang! Bang (10pm, IFC) - Guest Ed Helms plays the banjo and makes animal noises.

Portlandia: The Brunch Special (11pm, IFC) - A director's cut of the Season 2 finale, with a "making of" segment, and appearances by Bobby Flay, Lorne Michaels and Kyle MacLachlan.

Whale Wars (8pm, Animal Planet) - Highlights of the last four seasons are shown before the Season 5 premiere airs at 9. In that episode, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society responds to Japan's 2011 announcement to resume its whaling operations in the Antarctic and the government's promise to beef up the fleet's security.

Fairly Legal (9pm, USA) - Kate and Ben go to Lake Tahoe to settle a dispute but end up caught up in an unsolved murder. Elsewhere, Lauren offers to help Justin with a case that could damage his political future.

Common Law (10pm, USA) - A woman's murder could have ties to a dating website. During the investigation, Wes discovers that his ex has started dating and has a profile on the same site.

Louisiana Lockdown (10pm, Animal Planet) - A new reality series set at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, which features and a working farm and, since 1965, the Angola Prison Rodeo. Animal connection: Warden Burl Cain tries to rehabilitate some of the hardened criminals the chance to work outside with animals.

Alaska: Ice Cold Killers (10pm, Discovery) - The start of a new series that examins homicide cases in Alaska. Way to go, Alaska! Tonight, serial killer Robert Hansen is examined.

Switched at Birth (8pm, ABC Family) - Kathryn and Regina join forces to search for Angelo while Emmett celebrates his birthday.

Raising Hope (8pm, Fox) - Hope's increasingly bad behavior leads to Virginia and Burt suggestion that spanking might be the answer, since that worked on him.

Cougar Town (8:30pm, ABC) - Jules and the gang coax Bobby to put the moves on his new girlfriend Angie (Sarah Chalke, left). Speaking of Sarah Chalke, other "Scrubs" alums featured in this episode are Sam Lloyd and Ken Jenkins.

New Girl (9pm, Fox) - Jess encourages Schmidt to go on strike at the loft after noticing he does all the housework with no help from the others.

Fashion Star (9:30pm, NBC) - In the 90-minute premiere this new reality competition series, fourteen designers square off in fashion battles to launch their lines in three major retailers.

Southland (10pm, NBC) - Ben tries to help the daughter of a prostitute, only to draw the wrath of the woman's pimp. Meanwhile, Tang faces the mounting consequences of shooting an innocent bystander.

Justified (10pm, FX) - Raylan pursues a Dixie Mafia soldier who could be the key to nabbing Quarles, and Ava  protects an imperiled prostitute by any means necessary.

Wild Serengeti (10pm, Animal Planet) - A look at the mass migration of millions of animals, including wildebeest, zebras and gazelles, for thousands of miles across Africa's Serengeti plains, where arid conditions and hungry predators imperil every step of their search for food and water.

The Firm (9pm, NBC) - Mitch is released from jail after being cleared as a suspect in Martin Moxon's death. Also, Tammy and Abby delve into a mysterious list that Moxon left behind.

Too Cute (9pm, Animal Planet) - A new installment in Animal Planet's "Too Cute" series chronicling the first few months of three litters of puppies. And we can only presume from the title, some ducklings.

The Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975 (9:30pm, UNC-EX) - An Independent Lens documentary with long-unseen footage shot by Swedish television journalists shows a fresh perspective of America's black power movement, featuring scenes of Harlem, Brooklyn an Oakland. Also, interviews with notables such as Stokely Carmichael, Angela Davis and Eldridge Cleaver. The documentary is accented with contemporary remarks from black artists, activists and scholars, including Eyrkah Badu, ?uestlove, Melvin Van Peebles, Talib Kweli and Sonia Sanchez.

2012 Film Independent Spirit Awards (10pm, IFC) - Seth Rogan hosts the annual awards gala honoring independent films. Presenters include Bryan Cranston, Ed Helms, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Kate Beckinsale. The Best Feature nominees are "50/50," "Beginners," "Drive," "Take Shelter," "The Descendants," and "The Artist."

An Idiot Abroad: The Bucket List (10pm, Science) - Along Route 66, Karl Pilkington meets the Amish, New age therapists, and a high school choir.

Who Do You Think You Are (8pm, NBC) - Marisa Tomei (left) explores her roots and focuses on a possible family murder. Her quest takes her to Italy to uncover the truth about the alleged slaying of her great-grandfather.

Shark Tank (8pm, ABC) - A new guest shark tonight: QVC personality and inventor Lori Greiner, who holds over 110 patents. Before the panel tonight: a towel designed for modesty while changing out of a bathing suit, a cake mix for dogs, and an update on a class-notes sharing site for college students.

Nikita (8pm, CW) - Nikita tries to save her mentor from being killed by Percy in his attempt to take control of Division. Meanwhile, Amanda tells Alex it is time for her to take back Zetrov.

Grimm (9pm, NBC) - A trail of homicides puts Nick and Hank in pursuit of a deadly heartbreaker.

Blue Bloods (10pm, CBS) - A wealthy woman dies of an apparent heart attack, but her eccentric daughter claims she received a message from God that the death was actually a murder.

Confessions: Animal Hoarding (10pm, Animal Planet) - Featured tonight, a North Carolina woman with 30+ cats and a recidivist hoarder (not from North Carolina!) who secretly keeps dogs in a junkyard. Read more about the North Carolina case, in which the Wake County SPCA assisted in the removal and placement of the animals involved. Cats Winslow and Winny from this show still need a home!

Michael Feinstein's American Songbook: Lost and Found (10pm, UNC-TV) - Feinstein sets out to authenticate a previously unknown song by one of the giants of American popular music. He also convinces Broadway composer Jerry Herman to share one of his previously unknown tunes. Tony Award-winner Christine Ebersole also appears.

If you're looking for a cuter, more relaxing alternative to tonight's big Super Bowl matchup,  we humbly suggest the annual "Puppy Bowl" on Animal Planet.

This is the eighth year Animal Planet has aired the Puppy Bowl (sponsored by Petfinder.com) and it gets a little grander each year. Kitten cheerleaders were introduced for a Bissell Kitty Half-Time Show two years ago, and this year we get for the first time, pig pep squad antics before the game.

If you're a social media hound, Meep the Bird (aka @meepthebird) will be tweeting updates throughout the event.

All of the animals featured come from animal shelters and rescues across the country. If you're interested in adopting these or other adorable pets, check out petfinder.com.

"Puppy Bowl VIII" begins at 3 p.m. on Animal Planet and runs till 5. But it will repeat on a loop all day long.

Check out more adorable photos below.

My Cat From Hell (8pm, Animal Planet) - Jackson Galaxy helps a woman whose cat attacks her roommate every chance it gets. I say, maybe the cat knows something she doesn't know. Also, some newlyweds move into a new house and then their cats suddenly no longer get along.

NFL Honors (9pm, NBC) - In advance of this weekend's Super Bowl, the NFL salutes its top players and plays in Indianapolis. Host Alec Baldwin is joined by celebrities and NFL stars, and awards are presented to NFL MVP, Coach of the Year, and the Walter Payton Man of the Year.

Pit Boss (9pm, Animal Planet) - The rescue of a severely abused pit bull turns dangerous for Shorty and Sebastian when the dog is frightened.

Saturday Night Live (11:29pm, NBC) - Channing Tatum hosts. Despite that fact, I will tune in for the musical guest Bon Iver.

Austin City Limits (Midnight, UNC-TV) - Wilco performs from their 2011 album "The Whole Love."