Sometimes, the simple approach works best.

Over the last few years, networks have begun counter-programming the Superbowl. The suits know that the Superbowl is going to suck in a huge rating, so they whip out special events to tempt people away, even from a short time, from the big game.

It began simply enough, with alternate half-time shows and marathons of popular series. Now we have Superbowl Sunday programing slates that are filled with special events, first-run movies, and all sorts of neat things.

But Animal Planet won the alternate programming sweepstakes this year with the Puppy Bowl. All they did was build an enclosure, made it look like a football field (complete with fans in the stands) fill it with dog toys, and let puppies loose in it. Follow the action with multiple cameras (including one in the bottom of the water dish) and play some quiet music.

It's frightening how well this worked. I missed the game due to work, but after watching the highlights, I was surfing around and AP was still running the Bowl. Kirsten and I were dying from the sheer cuteness of the scene.

Maybe next year we'll get the Kitten Bowl!

Update on the Cookie bandits

Remember the two girls who did a nice thing by leaving cookies for their neighbors, then got sued?

There's an update.

DURANGO, Colo. (AP) - Two teenage girls who got in trouble for surprising their neighbors with homemade cookies will not have to pay nearly $1,000 in medical bills for a woman who says she was so startled that she had to go to the hospital.

Radio station KOA-AM of Denver raised more than $1,900 from listeners Friday to pay the girls' $930.78 fine. The rest of the money will go to a charity dedicated to victims of the Columbine High School massacre.

Hell, I'd give the extra money to the girls!

But it gets better.

Meanwhile, Richard Ostergaard, father of Taylor, got a restraining order against Young's husband, Herb, in county court, claiming he continues to make harassing telephone calls to the Ostergaard residence.

Not content with suing teenage girls, huh? The Youngs seem to be real winners.

Wanita Young said, "This has turned into quite a fiasco. It's something that never should have happened and it's just devastating. My phone hasn't stopped ringing. My life has been threatened and I'll probably have to move out of town."

Good riddance! You're a paranoid, vindictive twit! Hell, a normal person would have accepted the girls' apology and their offer to pay the medical expenses. But no, you7 had to drag them into court! Of course you're hated by the entire country now!