‘Small Town Throwdown’

Appleton sheds ‘drunkest city in America’ label in new Discovery Channel special.

Appleton is known for a lot of things — the Fox River, the annual Mile of Music festival, famous residents such as Harry Houdini, Edna Ferber and Tony Kubek.

But one of Appleton’s most wellknown and controversial claims to fame is the title of “drunkest city in America.”

Four years ago, the financial news and commentary site 24/7 Wall Street bestowed that title on Appleton, which was a point of pride for some residents and embarrassment for others. (Green Bay has since dethroned Appleton for the top spot, according to 24/7 Wall Street’s most recent ranking in 2018.)

But the notoriety has had one unexpected benefit: a spotlight on Discovery Channel’s “Small Town Throwdown.”

The special, airing at 9 p.m. Wednesday, features comedian Mo Mandel visiting different cities and towns across America that have all been given a clickbait-headline label, like “drunkest city in America,” to see what those places are really about.

“A lot of the time, the writers that are trashing these towns have never even bothered to pay them a visit,” Mandel said. “So I’m showing up, and giving the towns a chance to show how unique and awesome they really are. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves, and help every community get the credit it deserves.”

During the show’s Appleton segment, Mandel meets with a “local fella and possible lunatic” named Matt, who introduces the comedian to the concept of the polar plunge — running in and out of freezing cold water in the middle of winter, usually to raise money for a charity. The two meet at Lutz Park outside the Appleton Yacht Club for their dip in the 32-degree Fox River in January. In true Wisconsin fashion, it’s also snowing.

Mandel seems to be in disbelief that people actually do this and asks if Matt is pranking him.

“I guess it just kinda speaks to the hardiness of the populace,” Matt says. “We’re willing to do little things to make the winter go by a little quicker.”

The two strip down to their bathing suits and run into the water — twice.

“It doesn’t feel so bad,” Mandel says after the second dip.

Mandel visits other cities in the show, including Lubbock, Texas, which has the reputation of the “most boring town in America.” After visiting, Mandel will write an article about each place for USA TODAY to help “to put an end to the online bashing,” according to a news release from Discovery.

COURTESY OF THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL Comedian Mo Mandel, right, walks out of the Fox River in Appleton after taking a polar plunge as part of a new Discovery Channel special, “Small Town Throwdown.”