Countdown to Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest!

The 4th of July is here and I’m insatiable for the return of Nathan's 2011 International Hot Dog Eating Contest, broadcasted live on ESPN. What can I say, sparklers and the Boston Pops used to captivate me too, now its one of the more bizarre feats in human history—competitive eating. Go figure.

This 4th of July juggernaut is about as American as it gets. Tons of food, gross over-consumption, and controversy—it’s got it all.  Funny, I can’t stomach watching any other form of competitive eating, but there’s just something about Nathan’s fairly disgusting throwdown—a singular sense of the absurd, perhaps—that is impossible to turn away from. Consider the ridiculousness of it all: Everyday people from all walks of life who pay taxes and join the PTA actually do this for a living, and survive. They also enjoy quirky celebrity of a sort and, as members of Major League Eating, tour their very own circuit. Only in America.

For me the fascination begins and ends with the sport’s larger-than-life personalities.  Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas and reigning champ Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, who last year downed 54 beefy links in 10 minutes to take the crown, are heroes of the sport. The nemesis role belongs to six-time Nathan’s titleholder, Takeru Kobayashi, who hoovers food with samurai-like attack and actually bested a 1,089-pound Kodiak bear in a head-to-head eating duel. Plus, the monikers are gold.

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest has taken place every year since its inaugural chow-down in 1916, except, oddly enough, when it was cancelled to accommodate that other American pastime, protesting; first in 1941, when an objection to the war in Europe was staged, and again in 1971, when the dog days of summer halted for a stand against “free love” and civil unrest.

I’m proud to say that this year is free and clear and that I’m pulling for The Black Widow. How about you? Send me your reply on Facebook or on Twitter @ThorntonEditing!

O, No! Please Don't Go!

T-minus four episodes before the Oprah Show takes a final bow, and this armchair historian has been glued to the tube every day at 4 o’clock to see what’s coming down the pike (Oprah pays the mortgages of every member in the audience, then takes care of the national debt?).

OK, so the ramp-up to Oprah’s big farewell has been a little much, even for me (a total sap).  Which marketing genius did Harpo get to create those curtain call promos, anyway—the “remember-when” montages featuring O audiences shrieking like jungle monkeys, crying like babies, and rocking out to whoever their Leader has managed to coax on stage after a 30-year absence, six months in rehab, a stint in prison, and other drama that only Oprah has access to. (Watch out, Nike, you’ve got competition of the advertising gold variety.)

This season has been a non-stop promo for OWN, a parade of celebs worshiping at the altar of Oprah, and more “A ha” moments than I ever thought I’d see in my lifetime. Oprah pulled out all the stops to outdo herself (the only person who could—and did, revealing to the world a long lost sister!). She even managed to make amends with James Frey for heaven’s sake, by offering up an apology—and a not-so subtle treatise on the evils of leading from your Ego—years after publicly stoning the man. 

While the idolatry for Oprah borders on unhealthy, her influence on popular culture and her place in social history is unequaled. Detractors might say, “Well, she’s only one person. She hasn’t cured cancer or anything.” True, but here’s the point: a whole lot of people have faith that she—Oprah, not the president (who many believe is occupying the Oval Office thanks to O’s endorsement)—has this kind of power. We’re talking real sway, people. And, like her or not, she uses it—for good.  In my world, this forgives all other talk show trespasses. (Remember when Oprah shared the same demo as Maury?) Like it or not, the world has witnessed Oprah make history (many times over).

Here, a few of The Oprah Show’s greatest hits:

•    Oprah’s Book Club launches (“Night” finally sees the light of a new day...and people dig it!)
•    The Rwandan family reunion
•    The Great Audience Car Giveaway of 1994
•    This season’s “Ultimate Favorite Things” two-parter (I wonder if the one guy in the audience commanding the attention of Camera B ever recovered?)
•    Oprah’s bra intervention (thanks to this episode, I am actually wearing a bra that fits, and you probably are too)
•    Oprah drops a bombshell (back the truck up Oprah, you have a half-sister you never knew about?)
•    Oprah reveals she was a victim of childhood sexual abuse, starting a national discussion
•    World, meet Dr. Phil

 What’s your favorite O(MG!) moment? Please post a comment and share with us!