Darren Rovell reports that the 2011 Nathan's hot dog eating contest on ESPN received a 1.1 overnight rating, less than 2010 but more than the 2008 & 09 ratings. update Rovell says that the 2011 contest had the most viewers (1.94 million) since ESPN began televising it in 2004.

July 6, 2011 at 7:34 am by ojrifkin · More posts about:2011 Nathan's Hot Dog Contest, ESPN | Permalink * Comments (27)

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  1. anonymous said

    July 6, 2011 @ 8:41 am

    George Shea was trying to come up with any angle to make the event a success but failed miserably. Even went as far as dancing with the inflated hot dogs and to kill more time , had Booker come back stage for an encore. Without Kobayashi the ratings suffered, Maybe 500 to 1000 fans at best that were actually there but nowhere near the inflated totals 10 to 50 thousand .

  2. Stallion Italian said (Registered August 27, 2010)

    July 6, 2011 @ 9:47 am

    Without Kobayashi the whole event is greatly diminished. And I cannot imagine that the women’s division will add anything for next year. I agree with Rhonda, the women can and should compete with the men. Sonya, Juliet and Stephanie can win qualifiers, Larell who is incredibly deserving can amp up her game. The problem is now that there are too many eaters who put up high numbers and they are almost all interchangeable for the fans. I am sure that MLE will figure out some way to not just throw the idea of a women’s division out, that would be typical but not smart. In the end, every single word written here doesn’t matter one iota. We are not in charge. We can have all of the conversations we wish but we do not organize anything and have little if any input. There is a lot of good information exchanged here, information which doesn’t come from MLE who should do far better but they won’t. There is also way too much manure but that is nothing new.

  3. Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)

    July 6, 2011 @ 11:45 am

    In all honesty, I WANT to see a separate women’s Division every year. I really like it, and the top women in CE deserve recognition as top participants in their field—-like any other sport/endeavor. However, I certainly see nothing wrong with having the gals compete with the guys, but again, the top female finishers need to be recognized as such, versus introducing them: “Well here’s Sonya (and Steph and Juliet), she did this and that, but has no chance to win Nathan’s this year. … Next we have …” That sucks miserably!

    Additionally, should there be only an intergender final table, Nathan’s (and other sponsors)need to do like Krystals and provide prize money to EVERY participant. It’s disheartening the way it is now, to qualify as one of the top dozen or so HDB eaters in the world and not get jack, because your 3-dozen total doesn’t place you in the top five. That sucks too!

  4. Do it this way said

    July 6, 2011 @ 11:59 am

    I agree if someone busts their butt and does 20+ they should automatically qualify for the finals which means no final winner in each qualifier . Could be two or three that do the deuce and those two or three go to coney etc etc . It is the only practical and fair way to do things

  5. Anonymous said

    July 6, 2011 @ 12:28 pm

    Not like our opinions are going to matter, but instead of the winner of each qualifier going to Coney, how about keeping a running leader board throughout the qualifiers and the top 15 go to the finals? That would also solve the issue with bringing in competitors that don’t belong at the finals because of their qualifying numbers (i.e., the Chinese competitors).

  6. Anonymous said

    July 6, 2011 @ 12:30 pm

    And, to cut down on the cheating (wild increases or decreases in numbers), if you CHOOSE to qualify more than once, your numbers are averaged from the qualifiers that you do.

  7. Anonymous said

    July 6, 2011 @ 12:32 pm

    My “cut down on the cheating” comment meant that if you go to more than one qualifier, you have less chance of getting away with massive debris in your cups or on your plates without getting caught.

  8. nunonabun2 said (Registered November 10, 2009)

    July 6, 2011 @ 12:33 pm

    They pay for a free trip, hotel, and food as your prize.

  9. Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)

    July 6, 2011 @ 12:43 pm

    What food?

  10. Anonymous said

    July 6, 2011 @ 12:46 pm

    free lunch, moron

  11. Stallion Italian said (Registered August 27, 2010)

    July 6, 2011 @ 12:46 pm

    Could not agree more with Rhonda about everyone at the table getting prize money but that isn’t going to happen easily. There are always more people interested in eating even if there is no prize money so no one person can take a stand on getting paid and expect any results from MLE. Even Joey has trouble with Sheas.

  12. Anonymous said

    July 6, 2011 @ 12:47 pm

    Rhonda – the various pre-4th events, like the ladies’ High Tea at the Plaza this year. In 2006 they treated the eaters to a buffet and the Cyclones ball game on the 3rd. Things like that. The eaters just don’t show up for the final contest, eat, and go home.

  13. Too soon? said

    July 6, 2011 @ 12:52 pm

    Is it too early to start talking about the rankings? I see some real reshuffling except maybe for the top five. However, Bob and Sonya will probably do their yearly five to four to four to five two step. Doesn’t MLE update usually update after the big dance?

  14. Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)

    July 6, 2011 @ 1:04 pm

    A-12:46, Moron eh? You’re like the road rage guy who almost ran me over, then drove ahead, stopped, looked back a and cussed at me. When I caught up with him, he was singing a different tune, and whatever anonymous balls he temprarily grew shriveled up and dropped in his drawers.

    You’re his kind, and I love facing your kind live and in person. 🙂

  15. Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)

    July 6, 2011 @ 1:05 pm

    A: 12:46: Got it. That is something. I guess I compare all prize structures to Krtystals finals, but they’ve got to be the exception—-on-of-a-kind and 1-derful!

  16. nunonabun2 said (Registered November 10, 2009)

    July 6, 2011 @ 1:17 pm

    Didn’t there use to be prizes for all the folks at the table at one time for Nathan’s? Krystal also had good perks for the event. Krstyal’s spend a lot more money than Nathan’s. Then again Krstyal’s is not around any more either.

  17. ojrifkin said (Registered July 27, 2005)

    July 6, 2011 @ 1:35 pm

    The Nathan’s finals purse has been $20,000 since 2007. Packages of hot dogs (later changed to $100) were awarded for winning a qualifier. I do not know if there were qualifier prizes in 2011.

  18. $$$ said

    July 6, 2011 @ 1:37 pm

    Nun, I don’t think they offered any money until 2007, even for the winner. It was always known as a “prestige” event. It was rumored that Kobi would get sponsorships from it.

  19. Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)

    July 6, 2011 @ 3:26 pm

    Nathan’s never gave money out to eaters who placed below 5th, from what I’ve seen of the publicized prize structure, and as OJ & $$$ pointed out, awarding prize money began in 2007.

  20. Larell Marie Mele said

    July 7, 2011 @ 5:41 am

    Stallion – am sure gonna try to!!!! A deuce is my goal – hopefully b4 I hit 5-0 🙂

  21. Stallion Italian said (Registered August 27, 2010)

    July 7, 2011 @ 7:34 am

    I know that you will succeed Larell. Setting your goal of before reaching 50 is perfect. With your shining attitude, you surely can get help from other eaters. It was inevitable that with Nathans and all sponsors and Sheas making so much money people would begin to wonder how eaters were rewarded. Larell, you have stated it beautifully, you have memories to last a lifetime and to tell your grandchildren etc. No amount of money can compare to that. It is really too bad that the Sheas themselves started throwing out the huge numbers……Joey makes, we generate etc. It would have been much better for them to not divulge anything. Mystery is better than the reality which is pretty insulting to most eaters. I saw an interview with X for this year, he referenced “The Trophy Era” saying that was Crazy Legs term for when no money was offered as prizes. I am sure that your trophy and memories will last far longer than any amount of money you might ever receive. Of course eaters should be rewarded, without them there would be no competitive eating. But trying to change the way things are in terms of $$ is probably a wasted effort. Go with your instincts and get the most out of your life, you only have one so celebrate it. You are Larell Marie! Many more should follow your example. You are a great role model.

  22. beautifulbrian said

    July 7, 2011 @ 8:25 am

    What does he know about the trophy era. Ask a real historian like me about the trophy era. I finished third 5 times in my career and got nothing in return. Don Lerman was one of the few that appreciated a trophy over cash. I won a title rally pickle trophy in 2004 and again no monetary compensation. I didnt bitch about it . I accepted it and moved on. There were very few trophy contests with the exception of cannoli, title rally and the first ice cream contest in 2001. I expect you to comeback with something stupid only because the name Brian Seiken is someone you cant stand

  23. Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)

    July 7, 2011 @ 8:48 am

    LM, before you hit 5-0? Well, that surely must give you at least another two full decades. If not, I’d like to drink from your fountain of youth! Are you in to selling secrets?

  24. Stallion Italian said (Registered August 27, 2010)

    July 7, 2011 @ 9:12 am

    Not sure if Seiken is referring to X or Legs but Legs knows a lot about The Trophy Era, coined the term according to X, likes it as he did in cannoli saying it was one of the few pure contests, no prize money. I watch lots of videos and follow things closely for enjoyment. You speak for yourself well Seiken because you write no monetary compensation. That is what is important to you clearly. I would bet that not a single eater with the exception of Joey could quit his day job. Some eaters like Larell and many others show up ready to give it all, media, contest, helping other eaters, being polite and gracious. Some don’t. It is everyone’s choice how to behave in life. What you really want Seiken is respect. Respect begins at home. If you think that is stupid, there is nothing else for me to say.

  25. Pat from Moonachie said

    July 7, 2011 @ 9:18 am

    If you don’t count the $250 in slot machine credits from Trump’s Beach Bar I received which was considered “extra” in past years then there was no prize money for winning the qualifier.

  26. Stallion Italian said (Registered August 27, 2010)

    July 7, 2011 @ 9:39 am

    That’s funny Pat! Party on and have fun. You know not to quit your day job.

  27. Anonymous said

    July 8, 2011 @ 6:01 am

    http://www.ifoce.com/news.php?action=detail&sn=866

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