Who would turn down watching anything about dogs? Who wouldn’t want to see man’s best friend gallivanting across their television screen, engaged in any number of class canine activities, be it slobbering, chasing their own tail, or marching down a trailhead with an oversized stick dangling precariously out of their mouth? Well, what if there was a way to see dogs of all shapes and sizes compete in a series of peculiar challenges, including, but not limited to, Best in Underbite, Best in Fetch, and Best in Couch Potato?
If that is the type of programming one desired, one would be in luck because the first episode of The American Rescue Dog Show just dropped on Hulu. After an incredible performance in his individual competition, Best in Snoring, it was an adorable black and white pit bull named Capone who was awarded the coveted classification of Best in Show, despite fierce competition from the likes of a flying, Frisbee-focused border collie who won Best in Fetch and a scruffy little mutt with the incredible ability to perch atop the back of a sofa, the winner of Best in Couch Potato.
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Episode one was all any dog lover could have wanted and more, and as such, the series must return.
Hosts Joe Tessitore & Rob Riggle
The two hosts of The American Rescue Dog Show were sports commentator Joe Tessitore (Monday Night Football, Holey Moley) and comedic actor Rob Riggle (Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Holey Moley). This dynamic duo had undeniable chemistry, though that wasn’t a surprise to viewers who recognized the pair as the hosts of ABC’s hilarious Holey Moley, a mini-golf challenge show filled with outrageous obstacles and perilous putts.
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Despite the change from putters to puppers, Riggle and Tessitore are able to maintain their chemistry as co-hosts and shed light on dog adoption through laughs. Additionally, it is clear that the pair have a certain affinity for canine companions. Throughout the competition, there are cutaways to Riggle being pursued by a mysterious heterochromia Great Dane.
Near the episode’s conclusion, audiences finally get to meet Bones, and the gregarious Great Dane goes from a leering lanky loomer to Riggle’s lap dog, undoubtedly leaping into the hearts of The American Rescue Dog Show viewers and hopefully into one of their homes.
Crazy Doggie Categories
ABC
As previously mentioned, the puffing pit bull Capone, winner of the hotly contested Best in Snoring Category, was chosen unanimously by The American Dog Rescue Show’s judges to be bestowed the coveted Best in Show award. Each individual category had its fair share of serious contenders. There was an assortment of ugly underbites in one challenge and a good deal of dexterous doggos competing for Best in Fetch in another.
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Think of all the possibilities for crazy categories that could come with future competitions. Could dog imitate their itchy instincts to vie for Best in Butt Scooch? Or maybe lap at a judge’s lapels to win Best in Kisses? Perhaps this is too good to be true, but is it possible for The American Dog Rescue Show competitors to don a dapper dress, sit up straight, and delicately extend their paws to a judge’s proffered hand in the hopes of being crowned Best in Shake?
Reminder of Adoptable Animals
The most important reason to bring back The American Dog Rescue Show is inarguably the fact that the program continually reminds audiences of its stellar raison d’etre: all the loveable canines that are available in animal shelters nationwide. Every adorable dog who competes on the show is a rescue themselves, and the show’s hosts continually remind its viewers how many more redeemable rescues are currently waiting to go to their forever homes.
At times, they even attempt to dispel the myths that plague the world of animal rescue, at one point explaining that purebreds, often thought to be entirely the purview of breeders, can often be found in shelters. Any show, especially given the oftentimes amoral offerings of modern reality television that has goals as noble as The American Dog Rescue Show, deserves to be renewed.
If not for its already adoring audiences, The American Rescue Dog Show must return to ABC for the sake of all the adoptable animals out there. The crazy categories highlight the myriad ways in which a rescue dog can wiggle its way into one’s heart and hopefully inspire a few potential dog owners who were previously on the fence to bring home a precious pup. Who knows, maybe someone who was convinced to adopt by The American Rescue Dog Show could raise the wiggly future miss or mister Best in Wagging or the boisterous future Best in Barking.
