Nathan's International Hot Dog Eating Contest and the Last Great Public Relations Stunt Man

The Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest is a combination of a sport and a festival. This Fourth of July tradition is annually televised on ESPN in the United States and has become an American spectacle. George Shea, a long-time New York City public relations expert, is the master of ceremonies for the event. He has been part of evolving its scope from a minor public relations photo opportunity for the local newspapers to the nationally televised spectacle that attracts more than twenty-thousand people every year. This interview documents the history of this annual sport festival and records how a small hot dog photo opportunity was transformed into a massive American tradition.