HBO Bumps Up 'Girls,' 'Looking' to Avoid Super Bowl

In order to avoid the ratings black hole that is the Super Bowl, a televised event that destroys all others, HBO will bow and move two of its Sunday shows to Saturday evening.

The network will air new episodes of ‘Girls’ and ‘Looking’ on Saturday, Feb. 1 instead of during its normal slot on Sunday. Both will occur in their normal timeslots, at 9/8c and 9:30, respectively, while HBO’s much acclaimed new mystery drama, ‘True Detective,’ will simply take the week off (it’s so good that everyone can simply wait longer for it).

Last year, HBO made the same move for ‘Girls,’ making it available on demand earlier than expected. On the other hand, PBS stood their ground last year, airing ‘Downton Abbey’ and attracting nearly 7 million viewers while the Super Bowl was on.

Throughout the NFL playoffs, and indeed much of the regular season, ratings have continued to rise and set records. It’s come to the point where really any football game on TV will draw in millions upon millions of reviewers, and considering that the Super Bowl will be played with two teams compelling both on and off the field, ratings should again be momentous.

For at least one day, Lena Dunham and company will step aside as Peyton Manning and the charming Richard Sherman take center stage. However, it should be noted that the Nat Geo Wild network will broadcast a four-hour special against the Super Bowl called ‘Fish Bowl.’ It is, no kidding, a bunch of gold fish swimming around in a bowl. Set your DVRs accordingly.

Be sure to check out what to expect from this week's regularly-scheduled episode of 'Girls' as well as our thoughts on the premiere of 'Looking.'

Super Bowl XLVIII will take place on Sunday, Feb. 2 on FOX at 6:25 p.m. EST as the Seattle Seahawks take on the Denver Broncos.