Last Thanksgiving, after feasting on turkey and all the fixings, I kicked back in front of the TV with the in-laws and enjoyed some quality post-binge family time. While flipping through the channels we stumbled across one of those eating competitions. A bunch of hardcore eaters were stuffing whole pieces of turkey down their throats at a rapid pace. Apparently, these kinds of competitions are becoming more and more popular on TV and now it looks like G4’s added a few new twists to the concept.
In G4’s new series, Hurl!, competitors will not only speed-eat, but they’ll also be made to participate in physical challenges between binges. For example, after stuffing their faces with more chicken pot pie (or blueberry pie, hot dogs, fish sticks, or whatever else is on the menu) than any human being should ever ingest in a lifetime (let alone, one sitting), the participants who eat the most will get to advance to stage two. The second round involves the contestants performing physical challenges that include things like riding on a carnival ride, doing belly flops off a high dive or riding a mechanical bull – basically anything you wouldn’t want to do with a belly full of New England clam chowder.
Whichever contestants make it through the physical challenge without chucking up the contents of their stomachs will get to enjoy another round of eating. If more than one person makes it through that round they do another physical challenge.
So you’re probably be pretty clear on the title of the show by now. Hurl will give viewers a chance to watch people stuff their faces and try not to puke. As gross as it sounds, I’d be lying if I said I’m not at least a little curious about this show. I can’t stand seeing people throw up but there’s something really mesmerizing about watching people eat the way these competitive eaters do. Plus the whole physical challenge thing sounds crazy. Is anyone else picturing that scene in The Sandlot when the kids chew tobacco then go on that carnival ride?
Hurl! will premiere on G4 in the summer of 2008
