The Past, Present, and Future of Joey Chestnut

Today is not the Fourth of July. That is both a fact and a feeling during Netflix’s live broadcast of Chestnut Vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef. (Perfect title, wouldn’t change a pun, or should I say bun—I’m so sorry.) The date, or lack thereof, shouldn’t be terribly noteworthy given that 364 days of all non–leap years are also not the Fourth of July … but when you’re watching Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi slurp down dozens of hot dogs into body cavities unknown, facing off for the first time in 15 years, the date and its proximity to patriotism matter. Patriotism always matters when it comes to hot dogs and their competitive consumption. At least, that’s the story we’re told.