Sean Evans, the host of the YouTube show “Hot Ones” will be paying a visit to SUNY Oswego to give a live interview on April 14.

Evans is well known on the internet for the show and has interviewed a number of celebrities while simultaneously tasting increasingly spicy food.

I have heard some discussion related to who is the right choice for an interview with Evans. “Hot Ones” has a huge reputation, and is well-known by many students. 

While it might be too expensive to bring on a national celebrity, instead, a local celebrity has been chosen for the interview. Jason Shi, the owner of Wonzones Calzones.

Wonzones is a frequently discussed favorite location for many Oswego students, providing late-night availability to match up with the typical student schedule. Additionally, Shi is a well-known face around campus, often showing up to hockey games, even in costume, to show support.

Shi is the perfect choice for this opportunity, he has exactly the personality for this interview. He is light-hearted and fun, but also a successful businessman and entrepreneur.

Some critics might argue that someone internal to the university might have been a better choice, perhaps a current student or faculty member. But it is near impossible to think of anyone who is a household name for each and every student, and I have found myself unable to come up with an alternate name. While there are perhaps well-loved professors in many individual departments, a zoology student would be unlikely to have the same support for a broadcasting professor as a student taking classes in that department would.

I found myself even more convinced when I found out that Shi is an alumnus. Perhaps this could be a reason for his undying support for SUNY Oswego, and this gives him an even stronger tie to our campus than he might have had otherwise.

There is no better choice for a “Hot Ones” style interview in town. Shi has already posted many times on Wonzones Instagram expressing enthusiasm for the event and encouraging students to get their tickets.

My only qualm with the event as a whole is that tickets are not available to anyone who is not somehow linked to SUNY Oswego. According to the website, “Tickets will be FREE to students, faculty, staff, administration and alumni. Not available to the general public.” While I understand the need to potentially charge the general public or open sale to the public only for day-of, I disagree with the decision to not make the event open to the public at all. Almost all events, such as sporting events and performances, are open to the public and I am surprised that something of this caliber is not. There is not a lot to do in Oswego and this could have been fun for the community as well. Nevertheless, I think students will immensely enjoy this event.

Evans and Shi are the perfect pair to collaborate on an event that can be enjoyed by the vast majority of students on campus.

Photo by Oswego.edu