FRIDAY, AUGUST 8
Puppy Games (Animal Planet, 6 p.m. ET)
Premiere. Fans of Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl and animal lovers alike will adore the K-9 version of the Summer Games. Dozens of puppies will compete in events such as swimming, boxing, gymnastics and soccer during this three-hour event. A second version of the games will be telecast during the closing ceremonies of the Summer Games on August 23rd.
Olympic Games: Opening Ceremony (NBC, 7:30 p.m. ET)
Live. The long awaited Summer Games are here. A cast of 10,000 performers will be kicking off the XXIX Olympiad from Beijing’s National Stadium. The ceremony will also feature the parade of nations and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron.