Surfing the cable channels on television can become a guide, both positive and mighty negative, about the topic of food.

On one channel is a man who has accepted a challenge to completely eat a five-pound hamburger in an hour or less. This entree consists of a huge bun, a real slab of ground beef cooked fairly well done, several sliced onions, a layer of pickles, another layer of relish and the equivalent of a bottle of ketchup. (He passed on the mustard.) This chow hound evidently makes a living going from place to place to eat as much food as possible. He also helps a television channel fill up an hour of time.

On another channel is a character who is always looking for real taste treats. Each telecast is based on a specific food and location. Sometimes his silly search for really exotic or ethnic goodies involves going to different parts of the world. And about the time he even hints at eating something gross or disgusting is when I quickly change channels. Thankfully, we do have the remote control option.

It’s no big secret that several regular television programs are based on alleged food and cooking personalities who are accomplished self-promoters. They are fairly entertaining, have magazines and cook books on the market, and feature guests who somehow get involved in the recipe preparations.

What has to be the most stupid aspect of the food topic on television is based on those eating competitions. This is a competitive annual event where a group contenders try to eat as many hot dogs or some other food items within a certain time limit. Here’s an alleged sporting event that emphasizes the worst in food consumption, greed and is absolutely moronic.

To add a special touch to the topic is a specific part of the cable spectrum called the Food Channel (36 on the Albert Lea system). This channel is exclusively devoted to food preparation techniques like creating cakes, grilling, preparing various fancy entrees, fabulous places to eat and even ice cream making.

There’s even a film about the food topic that gets repeated on the tube as a time killer between commercials. Like “Blazing Saddles,” the epic about Dr. Frank N. Stein and a few gems from the past, there’s a more recent film starring Larry the Cable Guy (aka Dan Whitney). He’s supposedly a food inspector who has some unbelievable adventures before he can “git ’er done.”

‘Women pay all’

Now, let’s switch the topic to a follow-up for last week’s column.

A reader called and said before Sadie Hawkins Day and Twirp Week at Albert Lea High School there was a student event called WPA in the late 1930s and early ’40s.

In that era the WPA initials were used for federal programs called Works Progress Administration and also Works Projects Administration. Both programs were intended to provide employment for more Americans during the Great Depression. However, at the high school those same initials were for “women pay all.”

Here’s how the Ahlahasa issue of Feb. 6, 1941, explained this particular week:

“W.P.A. Week, which was originated only three years ago, has already been established as a traditional event. The following hard and fast rules go into effect during the week:

“The girl must pay all entertainment, transportation and refreshment expenses.

“She must observe all rules of masculine courtesy, such as assisting her date with his coat, walking on the outside of the sidewalk, and seating him.

“She may date any boy who is willing.

“It is also considered legal for steadies to step out on each other during W.P.A. Week this year. It might also be proper for the fems to give boy friends valentines.

“Teachers should also do their part by giving shorter assignments and less homework during this period of Male Relief.

“So don’t be bashful, girls, but do your part to make that dream date come true.”

I have a hunch WPA Week at Albert Lea HighSchool faded away during World War II.

Ed Shannon’s column has been appearing in the Tribune every Friday since December 1984.