‘Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef’: Netflix’s Hot Dog-Eating Contest Special Was an Only-in-America Spectacle

As a lifelong cinephile and connoisseur of the bizarre, I must admit that Netflix’s “Unfinished Beef” left me utterly captivated, much like a rubbernecker drawn to a car wreck on the side of the road. The spectacle of Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi stuffing their faces with hot dogs was an absurd display that seemed to defy all logic and reason – a perfect blend of excess and human perseverance.

Netflix’s “Unfinished Beef” is a real-time competitive eating event that mirrors the tradition established by the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4 at Coney Island. However, it reminded me more of the human drama shows Fox broadcast around the turn of the millennium, such as “Man vs. Beast” and “Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?” Live on Labor Day from Las Vegas, the rivalry between professional hot-dog eaters Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi had an undeniable air of American indulgence and extravagance.

The event, lasting slightly more than an hour, culminated in a tense 10-minute faceoff between Chestnut and Kobayashi. For the audience’s benefit, brief segments were created to acquaint viewers with both competitors. “I enjoy consuming enormous quantities of food,” Chestnut shared, showcasing his jaw strengthening exercises. (It’s important to note that Kobayashi’s career was significantly impacted by a 2007 jaw injury.)

Chestnut and Kobayashi have been longtime competitors in the world of competitive eating, where participants are graded on how much they can consume within a specified timeframe; during their sausage-eating showdown, it was evident that their animosity toward each other, though vague in its origins, ran deep. Chestnut, who was once known for wetting his hot dog buns to make them easier to swallow (a practice now prohibited by Netflix), appeared unfazed and relentless – a mechanical force, unwavering in his objective. Kobayashi, trailing behind Chestnut by 17 dogs, displayed a more human side of determination, seeming to wrestle with the food as he rocked back and forth, urging it to pass.

This piece discusses Netflix’s latest move towards hosting live events, such as the recent Joe Rogan comedy special, with an engaging, captivating quality. The hot dog eating contest between Kobayashi and Chestnut, though Kobayashi lost significantly, was surreal in its own right – he managed to consume 66 hot dogs in just 10 minutes (originally reported as 67, but the judges deducted a hot dog due to leftover food in his mouth and spilled food on the floor). Chestnut, however, ate 83. Both men excel at activities that serve no practical purpose and, when considered thoughtfully, seem almost vulgar considering the ongoing issue of global hunger. Both have capitalized on their talents extensively; this year, Chestnut was barred from participating in Nathan’s contest, which he has won 16 times previously, after accepting a sponsorship from Impossible Foods, a meat-free brand. On stage, as he stuffed his mouth with meat, Chestnut sported patches advertising a male bathroom wipe product. The ad placement seemed fittingly bleak and causally linked to the contest’s implications.

The talent they displayed, modest as it was, was compared to a previous part where three Olympic athletes, working together, couldn’t match the chicken wing consumption of professional eater Matt Stonie. Chicken wings, which involve stripping the meat off the bone, have a somewhat gruesome aspect that hot dogs don’t; the earlier act of Leah Shutkever, however, was more soothing to watch as she successfully attempted and set a new Guinness World Record by consuming vast amounts of watermelon. She ate it with the grace and cleanliness of Ms. Pac-Man gobbling up dots.

In a swift, businesslike manner, the Netflix special humorously underscored the peculiarity of what it was portraying. Unlike a traditional wink to the audience, neither the hosts (Rob Riggle and Nikki Garcia, both sincere in their presentation) nor the creators implied that this was an unusual way to celebrate a national holiday. Instead, as the 10-minute hot dog eating contest unfolded, viewers might find themselves questioning – are the competitors or the enthusiastic crowds in Las Vegas who fail to grasp its oddity? Or is it me?

2024-09-03 00:16

‘Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef’: Netflix’s Hot Dog-Eating Contest Special Was an Only-in-America Spectacle

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