A Hot Dog Program (Documentary)
Picture: C+
Sound: C+ Extras: C Main Program: B
Even though vegetarians have tried to make them
politically incorrect, hot dogs are as popular as ever. Though alternatives are also being produced,
people love them no matter how unhealthy and that obsession is examined in the
very entertaining A Hot Dog Program, produced in 1999. This is another winning program from Rick
Sebak, whose Pittsburgh Series shows became so popular beyond the former Steel
City that he does national shows as well.
The trick here is what kind of toppings and serving styles
you can get. They always go good with
French fries. Besides Chilli Dogs, the
Super Duper Weenie truck in Connecticut that is always a hit for weary
travelers, deep fried Rippers from Rutt’s Hut in Clifton, New Jersey,
The Varsity in Atlanta has drive-in curb service (something we always celebrate
at this site), the Coney Island Hot Dog building in Colorado, Papaya King in
New York, Nathan’s Famous in the real Coney Island, how Chicago is the capital
of the food in the U.S. including Superdawg, The Cozy Dog has it on a stick,
you can get legal advice once a week at Law Dogs, Frank’s slawdogs in Columbia,
South Carolina, Pink’s in L.A. has those chili dogs and gets celebrity guests
of all kinds including the great Ruth Buzzi, The Original Hotdog Shop (aka “The
O” is in Pittsburgh, PA’s college campus section has huge orders of fries to
match the big dogs, Demon Dogs in Chicago is owned by the manager of the band
Chicago (!) and then there’s the food’s legendary connection to baseball.
The 1.33 X 1 image is again nicely shot, clean NTSC
footage with great old film clips and memorabilia throughout. The Dolby Digital 2.0 is simple, effective,
and clearer than usual stereo. Extras
include previews for this show, plus the Sebak shows made on Pittsburgh, plus
those for national shows like this one.
You also get extended footage of the 1998 hot dog eating contest from
the show, a Texas Tommy from the Pennsylvania Diners segment and a Tail
O The Pup segment in 16 X 9, located in West Hollywood, California. Anyone who loves eating them will enjoy
this, but even vegetarians will enjoy the people, humor and history.
- Nicholas Sheffo
