Watching TLC’s BBQ Pitmasters

A new reality show that covers barbecue competitions — BBQ Pitmasters — debuted last night on TLC, and Fat City was on the couch to watch it.

The premise: The show opens with an instrumental version of “The Ring of Fire,” which saddens me and also gets me a bit pumped up. It’s like seeing a bad action movie on TNT — you know you’re going to watch, but you hate yourself a bit for it.

The hour-long documentary is set at the Smokin’ in Mesquite Barbecue Competition in Mesquite, Nevada. We’re told that 47 of the world’s best barbecuers have descended on the parking lot to compete for $40,000 in cash and prizes. Mother Nature threatens in the form of a freak hail storm, and she makes a good villain (just as she has ever since ice chased people in The Day After Tomorrow).