On Episode 2 of Call Unmuted, host Jenna Tarroum interviews “Mustard Maddie” and “Grill Master Matthew” about their career driving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. They discuss the hiring process, history and more about the Wienermobile’s impact on America.
Kirkwood Unmuted Podcast episode 02: The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile
March 25, 2025
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Kirkwood Unmuted: a podcast created by Jenna Tarroum.
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About the Contributors
Jenna Tarroum, entertainment writer
Kiley Huang, web design editor
Pronouns: She/Her
Hobbies: Traveling, singing, dancing, baking and reading
Favorite song:Good Graces by Sabrina Carpenter
Favorite Quote: “That it never will come again is what makes life so sweet.” – Emily Dickinson
Daisy L. • Apr 1, 2025 at 10:49 pm
This episode perfectly captures the surreal magic of the Wienermobile that most coverage misses! As someone who chased it down at a 2019 county fair (and yes, got my ‘Wiener Whistle’), I loved hearing the driver’s perspective on maintaining the Hotdogger legacy. The story about explaining ‘condiment safety checks’ to confused cops deserves its own documentary.
One fascinating angle you hinted at but could explore deeper: The vehicle’s role as America’s quirkiest PR diplomacy tool. When it visited our sister school in Germany, students initially thought it was a parody—until they tasted Oscar Mayer’s ‘proper’ bratwurst version. Cultural exchange through processed meat deserves a PhD thesis.
For future episodes: Any chance of interviewing a retired Hotdogger about pre-GPS navigation? The idea of maneuvering that 27-foot bun through 1990s road trips with just paper maps blows my mind.
Question for listeners: What’s your best Wienermobile sighting? Mine was spotting it parked outside a Chicago Michelin-starred restaurant—the ultimate high-low flex.