Spicing Up Content Delivery

“It’s the show with hot questions, and even hotter wings.”

That’s the tagline for Hot Ones, a talk show where celebrities are interviewed while eating a row of chicken wings. But there’s another twist: the wings get progressively spicier as the show goes on. By the end of the interview, the guests are often sweating, chugging milk and struggling to speak.

What started out as a quirky YouTube series has turned into a global hit with a rabid fanbase. Despite its humble beginnings, rumors circled last week that Netflix is negotiating a deal to broadcast live episodes of the show on its airwaves.

Hot Ones has featured countless A-list celebrities, including Jennifer Lawrence, Serena Williams, Halle Berry, Gordon Ramsey, Paul Rudd and many more. Publicists are now fighting tooth and nail for a chance to book their clients on the show. First We Feast, the YouTube channel that produces the show, has attracted over 14 million subscribers. According to Bloomberg, Hot Ones has helped the company generate over $30 million in revenue.

Secret Ingredient to Success

The secret sauce to Hot Ones’ success lies in the show’s format. It’s a unique, attention-grabbing take on the traditional talk show structure that sparks intrigue. Audiences scramble to see how their favorite athlete, singer or actor will handle the heat.

The show’s host Sean Evans also shines, asking pointed questions that elicit previously undiscovered insights. He is regularly complimented by his guests on the depth of his questions and how well he prepares for the interview.

The show is a masterclass in content marketing and getting creative with frameworks and formats. Hot Ones’ creators not only cooked up a clever twist to attract viewers, they took it a step further by focusing on insights. By going the extra mile to research guests, they proved their production is more than just a gimmick and earned viewer loyalty.