Tag: Discovery Family

Betty White Hosts Discovery Family’s Month-Long ‘Pawgust’

As the dog days of summer arrive, so does Discovery Family’s month-long salute to pets, appropriately called “Pawgust.”

Also appropriate is the host of Pawgust. In what a press release calls “pawfully exciting news,” the lovely and ubiquitous Betty White is hosting the event, which will include animal-themed series, specials and movies. White and her Golden Retriever, Auggie, will also appear in Pawgust promos throughout the month, like this one.

“August traditionally finds the country embroiled in the dog days of summer, so we’re bringing the pawsitively best in programming about pets — and of course, man’s best friend — to help audiences beat the heat,” said Tom Cosgrove, general manager of Discovery Family.

In addition to the programming, DiscoveryFamilyChannel.com will be streaming “Pawesome Paws” microsodes featuring animals from the network’s shows. Discovery Family has also created an Instagram account and launched the social-media campaign, “Show Us Your Paws!” People are encouraged to take photos of their pets’ paws and post them with the hashtag #Pawgust.

Curl up with your pooch and enjoy the following programs during Pawgust. (All of the times are Eastern/Pacific; the shows start an hour earlier in Central Time.)

From Wags to Riches with Bill Berloni

This new hour-long reality series provides a look at the life of Bill Berloni, who trains rescued shelter dogs for Broadway shows, movies and television shows. At 19, Berloni trained his first dog for the role of Sandy in the original 1977 Broadway production of “Annie.” Coming full circle, Berloni trained another Sandy for last year’s “Annie” movie remake. Each episode of “From Wags to Riches” will show Berloni working as an animal trainer and rescuer, and relaxing at home with his two-legged family members as well as 41 pets, including ducklings and a donkey. Premieres Aug. 6 at 9 p.m.

Yappy Hour

This 60-minute programming block will include the show, “Funniest Pets and People,” and repeats of previous Pawgust programs. Premieres Aug. 3 at 5 p.m.

Secrets of the Dog Park

This special premieres Aug. 6 at 10 p.m.

Pets Make You Laugh Out Loud

This series debuts Aug. 7 at 8 p.m.

Movie Nights

Movies will air on Monday, Saturday and Sunday nights, kicking off with “101 Dalmatians” on Aug. 1 at 8 p.m. Other pup-themed movies to be shown during the month include “All Dogs Go to Heaven” and “Hotel for Dogs.”

Photo: YouTube

Trainer of Shelter Dogs-Turned-Actors to Star in New Reality Show

As part of its month-long “Pawgust” dog-themed programming event, Discovery Family is debuting the new reality series, “From Wags to Riches with Bill Berloni.”

Bill Berloni has been training dogs for Broadway shows, movies and television ever since he was 19 and trained Sandy — a rescued pound pup — for the original 1977 Broadway production of “Annie.” Coming full circle, Berloni also trained another Sandy for the 2014 “Annie” movie remake.

He also trained his own Poodle mix, Bowdie, for the part of Nana in “Peter Pan Live” on NBC last December. It was the first time an actual dog, not a costumed actor, played the role. And according to most social media users, Bowdie pretty much stole the show from the rest of the cast — including Christopher Walken.

Every dog Berloni has ever worked with has been rescued from a shelter.

“When I was assigned to find the first Sandy, there was no budget for it, and somebody said they have cheap dogs at the pound,” he told Classicalite. “The day I went looking was an eye-opening experience. I had never been to an animal shelter. I never knew that animals were abandoned and abused and had an expiration date when they’d be put to sleep. That day, I made a promise to myself that if I ever got a dog I would get a rescue dog.”

Each hour-long episode of “From Wags to Riches” will show Berloni working as an animal trainer, as well as in his role as the director of animal training and behavior for the Humane Society of New York.

Berloni “is truly a unique breed: a brilliant trainer with a big heart,” said Tom Cosgrove, general manager of Discovery Family Channel, in a press release. “This new series will charm the entire family with adorably gifted animals, larger-than-life characters and the amusing chaos that comes with owning a veritable backyard zoo.”

The “backyard zoo” Cosgrove is referring to is the sanctuary for retired dog actors at Berloni’s home in Connecticut. Berloni, his wife Dorothy and daughter Jenna currently have 26 dogs, as well as some pigs and llamas.

“From Wags to Riches with Bill Berloni” premieres Aug. 6 at 9 p.m. (8 p.m. Central Time) on Discovery Family.

Photo credit: PR Newswire

This story was originally posted March 30, 2015.

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