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Imagine you’re in a grocery store and you’re in a real hurry. There are three hungry, demanding people waiting for dinner; you have 30 minutes to plan a menu, buy the ingredients, and make something edible. You’re really sweating here! Like, physically! You turn down the frozen aisle to cool off and look for a nice vegetable medley when some sunburned schmuck with frosted tips and a bracelet made out of guitar picks that are also covered in skulls (a real thing!) approaches you and is like, “Huh. So, you’re going with frozen vegetables instead of fresh.” Keep in mind that assault would ruin your chance at winning $20,000.
It was a pleasing vicarious experience to watch someone on a grocery-shopping spree during the economic recession of the 90s, particularly because the contestants were average Joes and Janes: housewives, out-of-work everypeople. On Guy’s Grocery Games, the contestants are chefs. Four of them compete each week in a series of three challenges. In familiar style, the weakest competitor is eliminated after each round, leaving two to compete in the last of the three challenges, and one to compete in the final round for the chance to win $20,000. Oh, and instead of being “chopped,” the eliminated players “check out.” Great job, guys.
