Will a show about a health inspector turn out to be the next break-out reality hit? Maybe.
The Food Network aired a special last night called Health Inspectors, which followed inspector-turned-hero Ben Vaughn — the profession’s best hope for repairing their reputation since Larry the Cable Guy ruined it — as he helped clean up the situation at Big Momma’s Chicken & Waffles in New Orleans.
Simply put: Big Momma’s was filthy, a sizzling cesspool of salmonella, the capitol of cross contamination. But perhaps the most disturbing thing at Big Momma’s Chicken & Waffles & Roaches? The lack of knowledge about food safety. Chicken had been left to defrost in a sink of water and was left there long after it was thawed. Some ladies refused to wear hairnets. (“My hair is too nice to put in one of those,” one lady claimed. It wasn’t.) And one manager didn’t even know his friers could be moved and cleaned.
By the time Vaughn was done with Big Momma’s, though, they passed their state inspection. (By the way, the “cleaning” portion of the special totally excited my inner OCD Monica Geller.) But after watching this, will anyone eat at Big Momma’s ever again? I wouldn’t, but I would watch another episode of this disgusting show.
Much like TLC’s Extreme Couponing, which aired as a one-hour special on the network before being given a series order, Health Inspectors has the potential to be the next late-night food-TV fodder that I consume several episodes at a time. Question is: Will I be able to stomach it?
Follow Sandra on Twitter: @EWSandraG
Related:
‘Step by Step’ vet Christine Lakin talks new series ‘Lovin’ Lakin’ — EXCLUSIVE VIDEO
Bristol Palin’s reality show ratings tank
Obligatory disclaimer: It is entirely possible that this photo is fake, and that Baby Hashtag Jameson actually has a totally normal name, like Bookcase, or Sandstorm, or maybe Hat.
