A Culinary Farewell with Sean Evans

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Sean Evans Eats His Last Meal

Mythical Kitchen

Aug 13, 2024

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Entertainment

Sean's Last Meal

  1. Sean Evans introduces the concept of a 'last meal,' highlighting the universal experiences of eating and mortality.
  2. He is recognized as the host of 'Hot Ones' and praised as an exceptional architecture tour guide in Chicago.
  3. The discussion is set to explore themes of life, death, and culinary preferences.

Chicago Tour Guide Summers

  1. The official Chicago Architecture Foundation tours are considered the best in the city due to their educational approach. Unlike other tours that may focus on entertainment, these tours are led by retired architects and professors who treat the experience like a college lecture, providing historical context and in-depth information about the city's architecture.
  2. The tour guides for the Chicago Architecture Foundation are often college students working during the summer. They are described metaphorically as 'donkeys,' essential for managing the high volume of tourists and boat rides during the busy season. These guides facilitate the connection between tourists and the true experts, the architects and professors.
  3. The experience of being a tour guide is portrayed as a valuable training ground, particularly for those pursuing careers in fields like broadcast journalism. The role involves constant interaction with people, understanding audience dynamics, and effectively communicating complex information, which are crucial skills in many professional areas.
  4. The speaker reflects on their personal growth and career development, attributing much of their success to the skills and experiences gained as a tour guide. They emphasize the importance of engaging and satisfying an audience, a skill honed through their tour guiding experience.

Thinking About Death At The Dentist

  1. The speaker reflects on the inevitability of death, viewing it as a foregone conclusion that is not to be feared. They express a calm acceptance of death, even in situations that might typically induce fear, such as severe turbulence on a plane.
  2. During a dental procedure to remove wisdom teeth, the speaker experienced a profound, almost spiritual moment while under the influence of anesthetic gas. This experience included vivid memories from their past, akin to a life-flashing-before-the-eyes scenario.
  3. Despite the intensity of the experience, the speaker did not fear death. Instead, they were more concerned about the emotional impact their potential death might have on others, specifically a girl named Annie who worked at the dentist's office and had set up the appointment.
  4. The speaker humorously suggests that people seeking spiritual experiences through traditional ceremonies could instead achieve similar insights by using anesthetic gas at the dentist, highlighting the unexpected depth of their own experience.

1st Course

  1. Sean's first course includes Wagyu tacos from Nobu in Malibu and a Crunchwrap Supreme from Taco Bell.
  2. He describes himself as a 'high-low' person, enjoying either very high-end or very casual foods, with no interest in the middle ground.
  3. Sean believes Nobu Malibu is the best location for these high-end Wagyu tacos.
  4. The Crunchwrap Supreme represents the casual, accessible side of his food preferences.

Taco Bell Hot Sauce

  1. Taco Bell's hot sauce, including mild and hot varieties, is described as phenomenal and underrated. The speaker suggests that if it were bottled, it would be among their favorite hot sauces.
  2. The conversation shifts to a dish inspired by Malibu, where a person named Colby, who was a line cook there, recalls the recipe for wagu tacos from memory, highlighting his expertise.
  3. The dish, featuring buttery steak, is so delicious that it prompts a desire to pause the interview to savor the taste, indicating its exceptional quality.

King Of Interviews

  1. Sean Evans initially viewed 'Hot Ones' as an internet sideshow, unsure of its potential success. Despite initial doubts, the show has grown significantly, with Evans being recognized as one of the best interviewers of his generation.
  2. Evans now finds himself hyper-analyzing other interviewers' techniques, often distracted by elements like jump cuts. This analytical mindset sometimes makes watching other shows feel like work.
  3. The landscape of internet interview shows has evolved, with many high-quality programs emerging. Evans appreciates being part of this ecosystem, citing shows like 'Chicken Shop Date' and 'Sunday Conversations' as examples of great content.
  4. Initially, 'Hot Ones' did not have grand aspirations, focusing on a dedicated audience that returned weekly. This loyal viewership inspired the team to elevate their interview standards.
  5. The show's format evolved from a quirky concept to a serious interview platform, with the spicy wings becoming a secondary element. This shift was driven by the need to sustain the show's relevance and appeal.

The Innovation Of The Crunchwrap Supreme

  1. The conversation begins with a mention of Taco Bell food, highlighting its warmth and quality, which is attributed to a dedicated culinary team.
  2. The discussion shifts to the Crunchwrap Supreme, which is considered a significant innovation in Taco Bell's menu offerings.
  3. The Crunchwrap Supreme is described as a unique item due to its hexagonal shape, which was a novel concept at the time of its introduction.
  4. This item is noted for representing a shift in Taco Bell's approach, moving away from traditional Mexican food names like 'gordita' or 'chalupa.'
  5. The name 'Crunchwrap Supreme' itself is seen as a departure from conventional naming, emphasizing its distinctiveness and innovation.

Pettiness As Fuel

  1. The success of 'Hot Ones' is attributed to its underdog mentality, contrasting with traditional media giants who can rely on their established status. This mentality drives the team to work harder and stay motivated.
  2. Despite nearly a decade of producing the show, the team maintains a scrappy approach, often filming in makeshift locations like hotel rooms or available studio spaces, which contributes to the show's unique charm.
  3. The host, Sean Evans, uses emotions like pettiness, anger, and doubt as motivation to continue the show's grind, finding messages that provoke him to keep pushing forward.
  4. Even with the show's success, Evans frames it as an 'us against the world' scenario, maintaining the underdog perspective to fuel ongoing creativity and effort.
  5. Evans is perceived as calm and calculated during interviews, but he admits to having a 'secret rage' that drives him, likening it to a duck appearing calm above water while paddling furiously beneath.
  6. The shared DNA of the show's team includes this drive and motivation, which they rally around to produce the show consistently and effectively.

The Ultimate Assist Man

  1. Sean Evans, originally a journalist, has become a notable figure in the digital era, known for his interviewing skills.
  2. He is described as the 'ultimate assist man,' focusing on highlighting his guests rather than himself during interviews.
  3. Evans aims to create a unique viewer experience by allowing each episode to reflect the guest's personality.
  4. He compares his interviewing style to a point guard in basketball, prioritizing assists over personal spotlight.
  5. Evans believes in setting up his guests for success, ensuring the show remains engaging and different with each guest.

We Need To Talk About Da Bomb

  1. Da Bomb is the eighth sauce out of ten on the show Hot Ones, known for its intense spiciness despite a lower Scoville rating compared to other sauces. It has been a staple since season 2.
  2. The Scoville scale, which measures the spiciness of peppers, is considered unreliable by Sean Evans, as it doesn't accurately reflect how different sauces affect people. Some sauces with lower Scoville ratings can feel spicier than those with higher ratings.
  3. Da Bomb uses a habanero pepper, not the more intense scorpion pepper, Carolina Reaper, or Pepper X, yet it is known for its potent and uncomfortable heat, often described as unpleasant to eat.
  4. Despite the move to more natural sauces, Da Bomb remains on the show because it provides a critical moment that viewers anticipate, maintaining the show's edge and appeal.
  5. Sean Evans acknowledges that keeping Da Bomb is against his self-interest, as he has to consume it in every episode, but it serves as a consistent challenge for guests across all seasons.

2nd Course

  1. Sean Evans is enjoying a Chicago-inspired meal for his second course, featuring a homemade deep dish pizza. The pizza includes sausage and cheese at the bottom, topped with green peppers and fresh tomatoes, and has a cheese skirt on the side, inspired by Pequod's style.
  2. The meal also includes Culver's onion rings, which were specially flown in from Chicago, thanks to Dennis Lee. These onion rings are served with honey mustard, adding a unique flavor to the dish.
  3. Additionally, the meal features a Portillo's beef and cheese croissant, a popular Chicago delicacy, adding to the authenticity of the Chicago-themed meal.
  4. To complement the meal, Sean is enjoying an Arizona peach iced tea, providing a refreshing beverage to balance the rich flavors of the food.
  5. The meal is described as a 'love letter to Chicago,' highlighting Sean's appreciation and connection to the city's iconic foods and culinary traditions.

Love Letter To Chicago

  1. The speaker expresses a deep craving for Chicago's unique food offerings, particularly deep dish pizza, which they find unmatched in other cities like New York and Los Angeles. They mention a specific fondness for Lou Malnati's and Georgio's in Crystal Lake, Illinois, highlighting the nostalgic and unparalleled experience of enjoying deep dish pizza in Chicago.
  2. The speaker appreciates the engineering and design of Chicago's food, emphasizing the importance of clean bites in dishes like onion rings and the beef and cheddar croissant from Portillo's. They describe the perfect onion ring as having a crispy shell with a clean bite, where the onion does not separate from the batter.
  3. Culver's is praised as an underrated fast food restaurant, known for its custard and butter burgers, which the speaker finds superior to other fast food chains like In-N-Out and Shake Shack. They admire Culver's for exceeding expectations and setting a high bar for fast food quality.
  4. The speaker discusses the innovative use of croissants in various culinary collaborations, citing the beef and cheddar croissant from Portillo's as the best example of croissant fusion. They appreciate how the croissant serves as a versatile partner in creating unique food experiences.
  5. The conversation touches on the speaker's belief that certain fast food items, like the smash burger from Shake Shack, have no business being as good as they are, highlighting the exceptional quality and consistency of these offerings. They use the term 'winds above replacement' to describe the high standard set by these fast food items.

Middle School Baseball

  1. The speaker recalls a memorable baseball game from Crystal Lake Central High School in 2003, where his friend Pat Mana was present. The speaker describes the emotional roller coaster experienced during the game.
  2. Crystal Lake Central High School's baseball team won the state tournament recently, and the speaker gives a shoutout to the team, Coach Aldridge, and his son Cal, who is now coaching the team.
  3. The speaker reminisces about playing baseball in high school, particularly a state game during his junior year. He was on first base with bases loaded, two outs, and they were down by three runs in the seventh inning.
  4. Quinn Eward was batting, and the speaker was the tying run. Matt Weber, who had a 3.1 ERA and was drafted by the Chicago Cubs, was pitching. The speaker describes the anticipation as the ball jumped off Quinn's bat.
  5. As the speaker ran the bases, he assumed Quinn hit a walk-off Grand Slam due to the crowd's reaction. However, the left fielder made an impressive catch at the wall, leading to the other team's celebration.
  6. The speaker humorously recounts his premature celebration, thinking they had won, only to realize the other team was celebrating. His friend Pat Mana hugged him and exclaimed about the impressive catch.
  7. The outfielder who made the catch was named Sean TH, who is now a sleep dentist in St. Louis. The speaker gives a shoutout to sleep dentists and mentions using public libraries to access newspaper archives.

Interviews Are A Trust Exercise

  1. Interviews are described as a trust exercise, where the interviewer and interviewee must build a rapport despite often meeting for the first time. This involves creating a comfortable energy and rhythm, especially in a setting with multiple cameras and a show format.
  2. The process is likened to a bizarre context, where the interviewee is asked to perform unusual tasks, such as eating extremely hot chicken wings, which adds to the challenge of making them feel at ease.
  3. Receiving compliments from other talk show hosts, like Conan O'Brien, is particularly meaningful because they understand the nuances of conducting interviews. Such compliments are rare and valued because they come from peers who recognize the skill involved.
  4. The interviewer aims to break through the typical PR-driven responses that celebrities often give, striving to elicit genuine and interesting reactions. This requires skillful questioning and the ability to make the guest feel comfortable enough to open up.

Cancer Is A Nightmare That Never Stops

  1. The speaker's mother passed away from non-Hodgkin lymphoma when he was a junior in high school, a challenging age to lose a parent as one's identity is still forming.
  2. The experience of having a family member with cancer is prolonged and emotionally taxing, involving cycles of chemotherapy and remission, creating a repetitive and distressing experience.
  3. The speaker reflects on feelings of guilt from his teenage years, particularly about his last conversation with his mother regarding college plans, which he now wishes he had answered differently.
  4. His mother's illness and passing forced him to mature quickly, taking on a supportive role for his younger brother and father, who was losing his life partner.
  5. The speaker attributes his strong work ethic and certain personality traits, such as Midwest niceness and underlying determination, to his mother, acknowledging her influence on his character.
  6. He often contemplates how proud his mother would be of his achievements and the person he has become, maintaining her memory through the values and traits she instilled in him.

The Best Dad

  1. The speaker reflects on the time spent with his father watching Letterman, highlighting how it was a bonding experience that influenced his own work on 'Hot Ones.'
  2. During the grieving process after the speaker's mother's passing, his father was a crucial emotional support, stepping up as the best dad when needed most.
  3. The speaker's father was a judge for the Illinois Human Rights Commission and made significant contributions, such as passing a decision recognizing cancer as a disability in Illinois.
  4. The speaker learns for the first time about his father's award for diversity and leadership from the bar association, which was given two years after his mother's passing.
  5. Despite being a judge, the speaker's father was not overly strict at home, allowing a relaxed environment where he could unwind and enjoy time with his children.

3rd Course

  1. The third course features stuffed peppers and spaghetti al limone, highlighting Sean's preference for simple yet flavorful dishes. The spaghetti is made with lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, lemon rind, black pepper, and Parmesan, showcasing the simplicity and freshness of Italian cuisine.
  2. Sean expresses a nostalgic connection to stuffed peppers, describing them as a Midwest staple, especially for latchkey kids like himself. He recalls his upbringing where stuffed peppers were a common meal left for him to prepare on his own.
  3. Despite being a regional dish, stuffed peppers have not gained widespread popularity, but Sean believes they hold potential. He humorously notes that they have never 'broken containment,' meaning they haven't become trendy outside their region.
  4. Sean shares a personal anecdote about his childhood, mentioning how his stepmom would often leave oven-ready stuffed peppers in the fridge, a testament to their significance in his family meals.
  5. The conversation also touches on the idea of 'latchkey kids,' children who are left to take care of themselves after school, and how certain dishes like stuffed peppers and crockpot meals were staples in such households.

Accidentally Predicting His Own Career

  1. Sean Evans reflects on a screenshot from an unlisted 2007 YouTube video, likely from his time at the University of Illinois' broadcasting program. The video, with 229 views and zero comments, is a mystery to him, and he humorously suggests contacting the chancellor to find out how it was obtained.
  2. During his university days, Sean participated in a broadcast journalism program where students did live broadcasts on cable access television, known as UI7 News. These broadcasts were often chaotic, with technical mishaps like early returns from commercials and confused anchors.
  3. Sean fondly recalls his role as a weatherman, despite the challenges of using a green screen where monitors displayed reversed images, making weather segments particularly difficult.
  4. In the video, Sean mentioned YouTube as an emerging platform for exposure, unknowingly predicting his future career success. He humorously reflects on his past self, noting that he would not have invested in his own potential at the time.
  5. Sean's career has since flourished, with his show 'Hot Ones' gaining massive popularity, including a notable episode with Gordon Ramsay that garnered 125 million views. He expresses disbelief at his journey from a university student to a successful internet personality.

Josh Freelances For First We Feast

  1. The text discusses the evolution of 'Hot Ones,' a show on the First We Feast brand, which started as a food blog. Initially, the brand was struggling, and 'Hot Ones' was a last-ditch effort to save it.
  2. The speaker reflects on their early career, freelancing for First We Feast and the transition from print to digital video, known as the 'pivot to video.' This shift was challenging for many in journalism, but the speaker adapted successfully.
  3. Despite the challenges, the speaker expresses no guilt about their success, attributing it to hard work and adaptability, symbolized by eating many spicy chicken wings on the show.
  4. The speaker emphasizes the importance of experimentation and skill development in achieving success, likening it to solving a Rubik's Cube, where everything must align perfectly for success.

Staying Sane On The Internet

  1. The speaker discusses the challenges faced by YouTubers, including the pressure from algorithms and audience feedback, which can lead to stress and anxiety. They describe this as 'feeding the beast' and adjusting to its changing demands.
  2. The speaker mentions a personal experience of reaching a point where they avoided their phone due to the negative impact of constantly engaging with feedback, suggesting a need for detachment.
  3. They emphasize the importance of not taking extreme feedback too seriously, whether positive or negative, and instead filtering it to maintain sanity.
  4. The speaker finds enjoyment in the process of researching and understanding their interview subjects, which helps them stay grounded and motivated.
  5. They describe their approach to creating content as a cycle of research, execution, editing, and publishing, which they find fulfilling and not tiresome.
  6. The speaker believes in making informed decisions about content and guests, rather than random choices, and stresses the importance of understanding audience desires better than the audience themselves.
  7. They compare their role to that of a chef, who must anticipate what will satisfy the audience, even if the audience cannot articulate it themselves.

4th Course

  1. The conversation begins with a discussion about customizing s'mores, offering both classic and unique ingredients like ghost pepper graham crackers and spicy chocolates. This highlights the flexibility and creativity in making s'mores.
  2. Sean expresses his love for s'mores, noting that they require just the right amount of involvement for someone who isn't a home cook. He appreciates the simplicity and the opportunity to customize them to his taste.
  3. Despite his career centered around spicy foods, Sean reveals he has a sweet tooth and always looks forward to dessert, particularly s'mores, which he finds nostalgic and enjoyable.
  4. Sean shares an experience at a restaurant in Brooklyn called Olstead, where they offer a unique s'mores experience with a dedicated area for making them, emphasizing the timeless appeal and nostalgia of s'mores.
  5. The conversation touches on the idea that some foods, like s'mores, don't need to be overly fancy or changed, as their simplicity is part of their charm.
  6. Sean mentions that interviewing is about empathy and understanding others, drawing a parallel to the shared experience of enjoying food together.

Sean Asks Josh A "Last Dab" Question

  1. Sean Evans invites Josh to ask any burning question while they eat, highlighting the casual and open nature of their conversation.
  2. Josh reflects on his career beginnings, noting his origins in Orange County and his initial low expectations due to his upbringing.
  3. He shares a pivotal moment in college when he signed with a literary agent for his food blog, marking a significant step in his career.
  4. Josh aspired to be a staff writer for Thrillist.com, a modest goal that seemed ambitious at the time.
  5. Despite his low expectations, Josh's career exceeded his dreams, achieving milestones like a New York Times bestselling cookbook.
  6. He discusses the realization that achieving childhood dreams doesn't always lead to happiness, echoing sentiments from Matthew Perry's autobiography.
  7. Josh emphasizes that true happiness comes from within, not from external success or wealth.
  8. The conversation touches on the intense experience of eating hot sauce, humorously comparing it to a drug-like clarity.

Are You Happy?

  1. The conversation begins with a question about happiness and contentment, to which the speaker responds affirmatively, expressing a desire to be reincarnated as themselves, indicating a high level of satisfaction with their current life.
  2. The speaker humorously suggests that they would also like to be reincarnated as the other person in the conversation, leading to a playful exchange about having to 'fight' for that reincarnation.
  3. The dialogue shifts to a light-hearted discussion about marshmallows and spicy food, specifically mentioning habanero, and how it affects taste perception, adding a casual and humorous tone to the conversation.
  4. There is a mention of smoking something, which the speaker finds enjoyable, and they express a desire to make more of it, indicating a sense of enjoyment and leisure in the activity.
  5. The conversation touches on the concept of reincarnation again, with a brief mention of its effects, suggesting a philosophical undertone amidst the casual banter.

What Do You Think Happens When You Die?

  1. The speaker expresses an agnostic view on what happens after death, indicating uncertainty and lack of knowledge about the afterlife.
  2. There are moments of perceived clarity, often influenced by introspective experiences, such as drinking tea, where life seems to make sense.
  3. The speaker reflects on the idea that life cannot be meaningless, suggesting that the notion of life being for nothing is more unsettling than any other possibility.
  4. Despite these reflections, the speaker admits to not knowing what truly happens after death, emphasizing the mystery of life's purpose.
  5. The speaker acknowledges that life is a one-time experience, highlighting the importance of making the most of it.
  6. There is a mention of a 'distraction contest,' implying that people are often preoccupied with distractions rather than focusing on life's deeper questions.

Lightning Round

  1. Sean Evans discusses who he would share his last meal with, choosing his mother to share personal stories and memories.
  2. He reflects on his time in Illinois, particularly enjoying the D Brown era, a reference to a notable period in Illinois basketball.
  3. When asked about a wingman for a night out, Sean humorously chooses 'Matador,' a character from VH1's past, over 'Jay dog.'
  4. For his funeral, Sean wants 'Closing Time' by Semisonic played, appreciating its dual themes of life and closure.
  5. Sean reveals his biggest fear is heights, particularly the disorienting feeling of being on a high balcony with more above him.
  6. He expresses a wish to have interviewed Chris Farley, considering him a legendary figure in comedy.
  7. The hardest goodbye for Sean was leaving Chicago for New York, a move that initially felt like a mistake but ultimately was not.
  8. Sean has no regrets in life, viewing mistakes as learning experiences that shape one's identity, akin to chiseling a sculpture.
  9. The conversation ends with mutual appreciation between Sean and the host, acknowledging the influence of 'Hot Ones' on the show.

Sean's Last Words

  1. Sean Evans delivers his final words on the show, marking a significant moment in the series' history. He is given a standing ovation, highlighting the impact he has had on the audience and the show.
  2. Sean acknowledges his well-known association with 'Hot Ones,' a popular interview-based web series where celebrities eat increasingly spicy chicken wings while answering questions.
  3. He expresses gratitude to the Mythical Kitchen team and encourages viewers to watch 'Hot Ones,' humorously suggesting it is a better option.
  4. The segment ends with a promotional note about new merchandise, specifically a 'last meals' hat and t-shirt, available on the Mythical website.