Imagine sitting in a pitch meeting 10 years ago and hearing about a show where celebrities come in and eat chicken, and leave in a flop sweat.
Thanks to the foresight of some very hungry producers, we’re celebrating a decade of YouTube‘s biggest show, Hot Ones, where the likes of Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Issa Rae, and more have given interviews while eating wings dabbed in increasingly hotter sauces, culminating in the infamous Last Dab Thermageddon. More on that later.
About 100 or so influencers, well-wishers, and Pollo aficionados filled the Avalon in Hollywood to watch a first-of-its-kind live taping of the show featuring special guest Adam Devine and universally-loved host Sean Evans. Stella Artois, without question the best Pilsner in the world, co-presented the event and was a natural and necessary complement to the scorched earth salsa picantes.
Devine is what I’d consider a Hot Ones all-star, having provided some of the series’ most memorable moments. Proud to be an American, anyone?
This is not Adam Devine.
He was back on it last night with lighthearted jabs about Evans’s much-discussed crush on Keke Palmer and the absolute gauntlet that is Hot Ones. He and Evans have a free-flowing and contagious chemistry, which is the basis of the show’s enormous success.
Evans does his research and asks thoughtful questions while guests struggle to compose themselves under the pressure of sky-high Scoville scores. A blast, right?
Lemme tell ya.
First, I tried the least spicy sauce, Dawson’s Hot, which was a smoky, sweet pomegranate and date-infused wonder.
Neil’s Real Deal Chimichurri Habanero, which was right in the middle as far as heat goes, was herbaceous and bold, and my favorite for sure. A great mix of thrilling spice while still being palatable enough to dip into several times.
Naturally, every single dude there wanted to try the last dab, and I’m not one to be outdone. You know, you watch the show and see celebrities sweating and think to yourself, “Not me. I’m from the streets. I don’t live in a mansion. I’m built differently.
I am not.
I legitimately started crying and sweating as the sauce seeped to the back of my tongue and down my throat, forcing me to chug almond milk in front of a bunch of strangers.
Am I proud that I did it? Yes. Would I do it again? How much are you offering?
Devine and Evans dug into the Stella x First We Feast collaboration with Popeyes, which included a knockout chicken sandwich and to-die-for nuggets. I sent my boyfriend photos of how good they looked, and he damn near broke up with me out of sheer jealousy.
He was supposed to be my plus one but couldn’t make it, so I danced the night away alone to the sounds of Harlem-born DJ and viral sensation Austin Millz. Thankfully, I had some Stella in me, so my confidence was through the roof.
Special collaborations with Randy’s Donuts and Wanderlust Creamery were also on full display. You’d be remiss to not jump into this culinary metaverse while you can.
For those who weren’t able to get into the event, each brand will be selling its special creations at select LA stores through the end of the month. If I were a betting man, I’d say these are gonna go fast at each location, so I’d plan a trip immediately.
