Latest news with #ChickenShow
New York Post
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Bizarre NYC rotisserie chicken-eating contest ends with belly-busting twist
It's a real game of chicken. Nearly two dozen people gobbled up entire rotisserie chickens at a bizarre and messy Brooklyn sidewalk competition Sunday – and the winner washed down the poultry with an entire pizza pie. 5 Nearly two dozen participants and scores of on-lookers at the 2nd annual rotisserie chicken-eating event on Seventh Avenue in Park Slope. Michael Nigro The second annual rotisserie chicken-eating contest, organized by viral TikTok account Old Jewish Men of New York, took place outside Roma Pizza and had attracted a crowd of onlookers on Seventh Avenue who gawked at the 22 men and women chowing down on $4.99 bagged Costco birds. 'It's the meat of the people, it's great because you can get it for $5,' Noah Rinsky, the 36-year-old Park Slope resident behind the Old Jewish Men of New York lifestyle brand, told The Post. 5 Contestants gobbling down chicken off the bone in Park Slope. Michael Nigro 'There seems to be kind of a rotisserie chicken fandom in general: we've been making all these videos online, and people love rotisseries,' Rinsky said of the contest's inspiration. 'One thing led to the next, and I feel like this was the logical next place to take it — to the streets of New York.' Rinsky even corralled sponsors like antacid brand Quellix, next-door neighbor Petco and online betting app Kalshi for this year's event — though 'the SEC didn't approve' of chicken eating-related bets in time. 'At Costco, it's five bucks: it's an excellent price. People don't realize a rotisserie chicken can serve your whole family,' said David Roffe, a Brooklyn-based actor featured in Old Jewish Men of New York who was sporting a tee shirt with Costco's barcode for a rotisserie chicken at the event. The 73-year-old micro-celebrity even launched his own Chicken Show interview series on YouTube earlier this year, featuring the likes of New York City comptroller Brad Lander, local social media personality New York Nico and even former US Rep. Anthony Weiner. 5 Robert McGee, 35, of Far Rockaway, told The Post he was originally waitlisted for the contest after finding out about it on Instagram. Michael Nigro After a grueling six minutes and 44 seconds of gullet-cramming, Far Rockaway resident Robert McGee was crowned the contest champ — winning a golden chicken trophy, $500 dollars and a piping hot cheese pie from Roma Pizza. 'I think I'll put it into my savings,' said McGee, 35, of the prize money, claiming that he prepared by eating a steady regimen of chicken wings 'all week.' 5 Phil Castellano (left), owner of Roma Pizza, poses with contest winner Robert McGee. Michael Nigro While McGee couldn't beat last year's winner Danny Moriarty's record of finishing a bird at under five minutes, he did devour the pizza prize immediately. 'It might be the heat: the white meat I've heard was more intense this year,' Rinsky said, 'but they're all supposed to be standard.' 5 Robert McGee was crowned the winner of the 2nd annual rotisserie chicken eating contest. Michael Nigro Phil Castellano, whose family has owned Roma Pizza for 42 years, told The Post that the strange affair was not only fun, but also provides a real boost for local businesses on the block.
Axios
10-06-2025
- Business
- Axios
Exclusive: Unicorn launches to help creators build YouTube shows
Former Doing Things Media executive Scott Dunn and former BuzzFeed and Doing Things producer Chris Gera have teamed up to launch Unicorn, a hybrid content studio and talent management firm focused on creating IP. Why it matters: The firm provides a new business model for the creator economy and helps digital creators build sustainable content businesses. The big picture: Digital creators can hit a ceiling after building large audiences on TikTok or Instagram and struggle to evolve into long-form storytellers who can better monetize their work. Digital studios that have launched in recent years have leaned into a man-on-the-street format and focused on TikTok and short form. Unicorn differs by starting with the talent instead of format, signing as their manager and building unique shows, and by prioritizing YouTube and long form. "We want to build this reputation of being the most creative, chronically online, content-obsessed people that is only available for our clients," Dunn said. "Part of our motto is cut out the middle man, cut in the creator." How it works: Unicorn has signed five creators and launched two shows — an interview show called " Chicken Show" and a dating show called " The Daddy Academy." Its growing roster comprises Maxine the Fluffy Corgi, Niko Emanuilidis, Old Jewish Men, Olivia Herman and Matty, Kaido and Gojo. The company is developing shows around its other creators and films at a studio in Gowanus, Brooklyn, where it has custom sets for each show. Unicorn split profits and IP ownership 50/50 with the creators. Revenue comes from YouTube ads and brand sponsorships, along with direct-to-consumer businesses like merch, subscriptions and products. It's currently a two-man company with Dunn leading management and Gera running production. Between the lines: Dunn has rich experience in digital media. He previously worked at animal-focused media brand, The Dodo. At Doing Things, he helped create Recess Therapy and Bob Does Sports. He co-founded Little Chonk, a pet brand selling dog backpacks and other items. Dunn said he has long had an affinity for the symbolism of a unicorn. He launched a different startup with that name in 2016 that was an app for connecting early-stage investors and entrepreneurs. He repurposed Unicorn again in 2020 when launching a management firm and signing talent like Bryan Reisberg, owner of Maxine, and Cliff Brush Jr., owner of a goldendoodle named Brodie (@brodiethatdood). Follow the money: Unicorn has raised a $900,000 seed round led by Powerhouse Capital to grow its team and scale production capacity. Other investors are Cameron Kadison, manager of Bob Does Sports' Robby Berger, and Assaf Swissa, founder of creative agency Superdigital. RockWater Industries' founder Chris Erwin is a strategic adviser. What's next: Unicorn plans to sign 12 to 14 creators and develop shows around food, sports and parenting. The company is in active talks with potential hires across production, management and sales, Dunn said.
