For this week's show to review, we look at Bar Rescue! This seems to be one of the 4 shows that the Paramount network has on its regular rotation, so it is almost always on - and I am still seeing episodes that I haven't watched come up!
Name: Bar Rescue
Starring: Jon Taffer
Network: Paramount Network
Time: Sunday nights, almost every weekday morning
Bar Rescue is one of those "makeover" programs, focusing on struggling bars. It's hard for me to believe that this show has been around for 6 years - and over 170 episodes in the vault. They are still filming episodes, as there are new ones being broadcast at 10 pm on Sundays.
Basically, struggling bar owners write in to Jon Taffer asking him to help save their bar; they are usually in debt over 6 figures (sometimes up to a million) and need Taffer's help to see what is wrong. The Bar Rescue team then installs hidden cameras in the bar to collect info for a few weeks on the operation of the bar.
Each episode is usually the same; the episode opens with Taffer and his team sitting in a car outside the bar watching the operation. Sometimes they will send spies in to order drinks and food to see how they are treated. This is where we learn that the owner is lazy, and drunk; the bartenders don't know basic drinks; security is lax, and the food is gross.
At some point, Taffer says "I've had enough - I'm heading in" as he leaves his car to confront the owner. Then he goes on a yelling rampage with his observations - yes, always yelling - to get his point across. Then we go to a commercial break.
After the break, it's the next morning with a staff meeting, and Taffer leads it, and is much calmer; the focus usually is on one part of the operation - the kitchen, the raccoons in the bar, the sexual harassment, etc. By the middle of the episode, personnel decisions have to be made- do we want to fire one of the offending personnel?
They do some training and then a "stress test" - where Taffer fills up the bar with customers to see how the bar will operate at full capacity. This is always a mess. No one can keep up with drinks, and bartenders screw up again, and Taffer keeps yelling. Now that they now the specific weak areas, more training is given and Taffer and his team makes renovations to the bar.
The episode ends with the unveiling of the changes and another soft opening, where the customers are now happily served and everything works well. Taffer leaves, saying "my work is done here".
Yes, it's formulaic - but we learn so much about the industry. It's amazing to me how many of the owners just buy bars as their own personal party place- finances be damned. The kitchens are usually a mess - and makes me think twice about ordering bar food in a dark joint again. And maybe I do like whiskey drinks - they've just been made by idiots so they taste bad!
Well, after last week's picks, I think I need Taffer to come into the blog and rescue my selection process. What a bloodbath last week. It's a miracle I went 3-2 in the Supercontest. I think I got every other pick wrong in my "best bets" section. Ugh.
It can't get much worse this week - can it? On to the previews:
Bal 24, Oak 10. Don't see how Oakland will move the ball much against this defense. Another start for Lamar to see how he does.
Buf 16, Jax 13. I firmly believe Buffalo is an average home team, especially with Barkley, and Jacksonville has now checked out after last week's choke.
Car 27, Sea 20. Seattle can't keep giving 100% week after week. They are due a letdown at some point- and Carolina can't afford to lose this.
NE 27, NYJ 17. What to say? I still don't know how good or average the Patriots are.
Phi 31, NYG 24. How do we evaluate the Eagles now? Is Wentz really all that good? Are the Giants surging? Should be an interesting game.
SF 31, TB 27. I like this Niners team, and Shanahan the coach will demolish this bad Bucs D.
LAC 24, Az 10. Something is off with the Chargers - they can't finish drives, they can't get the big stop....Arizona won't take advantage, but this won't be a blowout.
Ind 31, Mia 20. Love the way the Colts are playing now, especially at home. Not sure how the Dolphins stop Indy.
Pit 27, Den 20. Pit had their wake up call last week and will come out firing against the Broncos D. They should be able to stop Keenum as well.
Min 30, GB 20. This is it for the Pack. The divorce between McCarthy and Rodgers is coming -and they may have already checked out.
Hou 23, Ten 16. Hou's run D will be too much for the Titans attack.
Best bets: 11 of them. Last week: 3-9-1; overall: 66-74-5
Oak/Bal under 42.5
Buf +3
Buf/Jax under 37.5
Car -3
NYG/Phi over 48
SF +2
Az/LAC under 43.5
Ind -8
Pit -3
Min -3
Hou -4
Supercontest picks: Last week: 3-2; overall: 28-24-3
Buf +3
Car -3.5
SF +3.5
Pit -3
Min -3.5
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