Bar Rescue Season 8 to feature more empathy, less yelling

If you have watched any of the previous seven seasons of Bar Rescue, then you are no doubt familiar with host Jon Taffer and his … unique way of dealing with bar owners. And if you aren’t, let’s just say that Taffer and Gordon Ramsay have a lot in common when it comes to dealing with stubborn business owners.

However, for Season 8 of Bar Rescue, Taffer and his crew are changing things up in a couple of important ways. Changes that are a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the havoc it has wrought on the restaurant and bar industry.

Few industries have felt the effects of the pandemic like bars and taverns, and some of the worst stories have come out of Las Vegas. Families have lost their businesses, their homes, and sometimes more due to the shutdown in a city that lives and dies by tourism.

So for Season 8 of Bar Rescue, Taffer is filming the entire season in Vegas, which also happens to be his hometown. According to Mashed, Taffer feels like he needs to give back to his city by trying to assist the bar owners who could really use his help just to survive.

Prepare for a more empathic, understanding Bar Rescue.

In addition, you will see a lot less yelling and screaming from Taffer, due to the unique situation. Usually, he is trying to deal with businesses who don’t want to listen to his advice or simply think they know better. The result are tantrums aplenty with many owners ignoring Taffer or complaining the entire time he is trying to rescue their bar.

For this season, Taffer is dealing with owners who not only want his help, but need it. They need to be rescued not because they don’t know how to run a business but because the pandemic has taken everything from them. They need a rescue in the most literal sense of the word.

So you will see a much more sympathetic, emotional Taffer. One who really wants to help and knows that anger and yelling won’t do the trick. He needs to be one part cheerleader and one part motivator. He said as much to People Magazine.

"“Instead, I’m walking into a place of people that are demoralized. These people have lost their souls. They don’t see light at the end of the tunnel. So rather than beating them up this year, I’ve got to motivate them. I’ve got to get them to feel good about their establishment again, so coming in and putting in great drinks and great food and doing a remodel for them.”"

While watching Taffer go postal on stubborn, clueless bar owners is a ton of fun to watch, Season 8 could be a lot more interesting and, dare we say, emotionally satisfying.

New episodes of Bar Rescue Season 8  debut Sundays at 10 p.m. on the Paramount Network.

What do you think Guilty Eaters? Are you looking forward to a kinder, gentler Bar Rescue? Leave a comment below and let us know or join the conversation on our Twitter and Facebook pages.