What’s Worth Watching: Extreme Makeover, Diner Edition

American Diner Revivial, “Chili Champ Revamp” (Friday, May 22, 10:30/9:30c, Food Network)

We know the magic Ty Pennington can accomplish with extreme makeovers of family homes, but can he help restore the luster of some of our favorite aging eating establishments? In American Diner Revival, Pennington and chef Amanda Freitag (of New York’s iconic Empire Diner and a frequent judge on Chopped) travel the country looking for local institutions in need of renovation.

First stop: The Diner in Norman, Okla., earlier immortalized for its championship chili on an episode of Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Housed in a building that dates back to 1890, right on actual Main Street, The Diner is being upstaged by trendier eateries, and its run-down interior is no help. So with Pennington tackling the décor and Freitag casting a critical eye on the down-home menu, the team has 36 hours to whip The Diner back into shape. If you’re not craving a midnight snack by the time this is over, you may not be human.