Remember Mystery Diners?

 

   

   TV now a days is a source for news, cartoons and even reality shows that are really fake. Like Hell's Kitchen, Big Brother, Cutthroat kitchen and many more There is one show that seemed to be underrated...but at the same time, had people wondering if it was real. To me....I thought that at first, but then, I saw what was behind the curtain.

 

    Mystery Diners is like spying in a restaurant and the people you're spying one are workers that might be responsible for stealing or loitering or even breaking stuff that is for the restaurant. A man named Charles Stiles works with the show and a few other people that work with him go undercover as a worker being trained under the supervision of the person they're spying on.

   Some of the episodes are weird. Who they pick to spy on sometimes is not even involved and other times (like 80% of the time) they are. There was one episode where one person who worked in a seafood restaurant was considered a 'tree hugger' He would free lobsters, that were very expensive, and steal lobster traps from fishing boats to free the lobsters in the restaurant. Another episode involved two people that pretended to be from Russia. However, their cover is blowen when one of the undercover agents spoke fluent Russian.

   Most of these episodes are entertaining than they are knowing that most of this is probably staged. Unlike Undercover Boss, which I think is staged too, I believe some of the people that work there knew what was going on and some didn't. Another episode involved a baker who had a history of anger issues. 

  When the manager, or owner of the restaurant, wants to have a confrontation with them, they see the cameras and are greeted with... "I'm Charles Stiles, mystery diners." Most of them are surprised while others are downright pissed. Some of them actually ended up getting arrested. How are they able to get away with this?

  Most of the time, the Mystery Diners team would find a way to stop what is happening using hidden cameras and even drones. They even had a cat with a camera installed on the collar. They would find ways to catch the person responsible for trying to steal or change the restaurant for different or selfish reasons. 

  Most of the time, the manager/owner would fire them or have them arrested. Other times (there were a few incidences) that they would get reprimanded, or even given a second chance) 

  The show ended around 2019. What has happened to Charles Stiles since then? I don't know, but he's still alive. Everyone else that worked on the show went their separate ways. But we'll always have the memories of the show that tried to stop thieves and crooks or even their own manager to going any further for bringing their restaurant down. I don't know if many of the restaurants are still in business after being on the air. A few did go out of business after the incidents. Till then...we'll always remember a show that not many people remembered. It seemed to have come and gone....just like that.

Best Are you afraid of the Dark episodes

 

  I might have talked about this before, but I used to watch a lot of Nickelodeon and Disney when I was young. 

   I want to talk about one of my favorite episodes of this show that I used to love and watch and now.... well, I'll talk about that later. 

   Are You Afraid of the Dark is a show with kids talking about short stories around a campfire. Some of them can be scary and other times...interesting. The cast has changed within the years and by the end of the series, the original cast I remembered from the series were gone. Here are a few of my favorite episodes.

 Lonely Ghost- Around the first season, there was this one story that involved a shy girl staying with her bitchy cousin for the summer. There's an abandoned house next door that has a dark story of a mute girl who died in there. Although the shy girl doesn't believe in it, it becomes true when she sees the ghost of the mute girl. There's also a darker story within it. The shy girl's snobby cousin has a nanny that is also the mother of the mute girl. 

 Locker 22- A new girl from France moves to a new school. She gets a locker that belongs to a girl who died in an explosion at the school. The new girl finds some beads from the 60's in the locker and travels back in time to the day of that deceased girl's death. The new girl befriends someone, and he saves her when she goes back in time. They even chance the course of history at the end where the girl that died...is now the new school principal.

Shiny Red Bicycle- This was one of the first episodes I saw in this show. It's about a boy who can't stop dreaming about his friend's tragic death which involved a shiny red bicycle. He keeps seeing his friend's ghost and he's not there to scare him but warn him. It seems the boy's brother is in danger and is about to die at the same place his friend died at. 

 Apartment 214- A divorced mother and her daughter move to an apartment for sale. There is another person living in another apartment that the girl befriends. However, she breaks the old woman's promise and finds out the truth about it. It seems the old woman the girl befriends was a ghost and it seems she has nowhere to go, even in the afterlife. So, she and her mother decide to move into her apartment that was cheaper.

 The Watcher's Woods- This one is a story about two girls at camp that get lost in the woods and get captured by three witches. The witches are really three girls that got lost in the woods and died. They had these whistles that were at the camp and it's these whistles that can bring the young girls' souls to heaven. It takes all the strength and courage for the two girls not only get the whistles but end up being friends at the end.

  Bookish babysitter- This was around the era before the internet exploded and Facebook, Instagram and even TikTok were the new norm. A boy doesn't want to read and play video games instead. A babysitter decides to read a book that takes them into the adventure. He fights witches, ghosts and eventually finishes the story with the king's ghost to go back to his crypt. It's an ok story, but looking at it now, I doubt this story would be made today.

 Quicksilver- Tatiana Ali stars in a dule role as twins. Seems the first died in a fire and her sister doesn't want to relive it. Two boys move to her old house and find an old yearbook that has her photo in it with a huge Q on it. The boy's younger brother is sick and might be in danger. He and Tatiana do the same thing her dead sister did that would send a spirit from another world to their home. He is defeated and Tatiana's sister's spirit is at peace.

 Cutter's Treasure- This was a two-part episode that involves two boys that find a treasure that belongs to an evil pirate named Cutter. His ghost returns for revenge kidnapping one of the boys. The older brother has to save him with the help of two men that usually are in some of these AYAOTD stories. This story wasn't one of my favorites, but I did enjoy the story even if I didn't watch it.

 

Dead man's Float- This episode had nightmare fuel when I was little. The actor that portrays the evil villain would scare anyone the way he was designed. The story takes place in a school pool where there is an evil that pulls kids under and drowns them. A boy and a girl find a way to not only to stop it, but to save everyone from drowning. This episode was ok, but when I was kid and saw that villain...I got nightmares. Now, it reminds me of the villain of Stranger Things.

Chameleons- Tia and Tamara Mowry guest starred in this episode where one girl eventually turns into a chameleon after getting bitten by a lizard in a pet store. Her friend notices the changes and wonders who she really is. Her friend tries to help and save her by eventually killing off the lizard.... or did she? At the end it seems Tia (or Tamara forget which) realizes they left one lizard in the well that was in the backyard of the girl's house.

    Station 109.1- Ryan Gosling stars in this episode alongside the late Gilbert Gotfried in an episode that involves a young boy obsessed with death. Ryan Gosling plays his older brother, Jake. The boy hears a radio station about the afterlife while in a hearse. He decides to check it out and well...it gets worse for him. Gilbert thinks he is an old man that just died and decides to send the kid to the afterlife. Ryan Gosling ends up meeting the real ghost and they go to save his brother. 

  Those were some of the stories that I remembered from my childhood. There were others that I liked as well, but there are too many to list. Are You Afraid of the Dark came back but it was different. It seems the so-called 'Midnight Society' is in the story that either involves a ghost island or a creepy carnival. Do I like it? Not as much as I did the others. I guess the original kids that told the stories all grew up and changed drastically with new characters. It doesn't mean the stories are bad but...it's not great. 

 I'm a writer and I write stories that are similar to the AYAOTD stories that the kids tell around the campfire. I miss my childhood, but I'm glad Are You Afraid of the Dark is no longer on TV, but you can still see the older episodes on YouTube. I do. Are you afraid?

Is Tofu good for you?

 

 

  Not everybody eats meat. It could be for certain reasons. They're vegetarians/vegans, they can't digest meat, they want to get healthier and think tofu is a good substitute. But there are questions some people ask which are.... how healthy is tofu?

    There are health benefits for Tofu as it may support your heart, lower your risk of certain cancers and much more. But what is Tofu? Tofu was invented in Japan over 2000 years ago and was brought to the sates by the fifties or sixties. Not many people were.... into Tofu. Knowing it was made of soy and many people were...not into that. Eventually, becoming a Vegetarian and wanting to get healthier was the new norm, and it still is today.

  The question is....is it heathy? It has health benefits like I listed, but it's also like a cheese in some way. Cheese has protein, but certain vegetarians and vegans will not eat cheese. And to get their protein from the cheese and meat, Tofu became available. 

  Tofu became available for health nuts. There were firm selections of Tofu to some that were softer, or in between. Tofu was made of not only soy, but other ingredients like a substance that makes Tofu what it is and it's similar to cheese making. Separating the curds and whey in Tofu form to make it what it is. It's a substitute for both meat and cheese. What kind of recipes does tofu give for people that want to stay healthy and away from meat?

 You can find Tofu in salads, fried, grilled and much more. There is a recipe called Tofu Brians, no joke, served in China called 'Douha'. You find it congealed in a soup like texture and people eat it, in China of course. 

  There are many recipes that you can find online on how you want to enjoy your slice of Tofu. Even some recipes for Tofu can be traced to Chinese cuisine which they mostly use Tofu when available. 

 Tofu can even be put in soup to replace crotons. Even people would replace bread with tofu. (only in certain recipes) Tofu is good for certain type of people, but it's not for everybody. I have never tried Tofu. I don't know if I ever want to. I guess....I will in the future when meat supplies and certain other foods would be replaced. But then again, who know.

 Many restaurants (especially Vegan) have Tofu in their menu. They have them in their salads, replacement for meat since it has a lot of protein, grilled, sautéed and many more. More Vegan and organic restaurants are popping up with people wanting to get healthier and ditch processed foods. Well, Tofu can also be processed like American cheese, but it could be healthier than that. So....is Tofu healthy? Really healthy? I don't know; I would like to say yes, but I would have to try a piece. You be the judge.

Happy Mother's Day- Poem

 

A day for mothers,

grandmothers,

godmothers,

stepmothers,

even mothers that adopt children

today,

is your day

Once a woman,

gives birth,

to a child,

they are a mother,

I made my mom,

become a mother,

40 years ago,

and I'm happy,

that she's still here

A baby is born,

a mother is born,

giving life,

after birth,

happiness,

is born

for mothers day,

your mom,

deserves breakfast,

in bead,

or brunch,

at a restaurant,

they'll thank you,

flowers,

for mom,

to enjoy,

to brighten their day,

to make them,

feel special,

For some,

their mothers,

are in the heavens,

my grandmothers,

are one of them,

you miss them more,

on Mother's Day,

than any other day

Mother's Day,

is a special day,

for everyone,

that has a mother,

they love,

so,

no matter how you celebrate,

remember the mothers,

grandmothers,

godmothers,

stepmothers 

and every other mother in between,

and remember,

today is their day

Celebrities on the Simpsons

 

   The Simpsons has been holding a lot of records. One of them being the longest primetime cartoon show that has been 'The Flintstones' and 'Bonanza'. The even hold a world record for having the guest celebrity voices on the show. Some voicing themselves or another character. Here are a few that are still memorable or voicing the character today.

  Danny DeVito- Danny DeVito, known for his shows like TAXI and It's always sunny in Philadelphia voice Homer's half-brother in the second season and third season of the show. I think he also voiced himself in another later Simpson episode. What has happened to Homer's brother? Well Danny DeVito couldn't be around the show since his schedule was busy. They decided to let him voice again only his brother was poor again. You have to watch the episodes to find out how he got rich.

 Joe Mantegna- Voices Fat Tony and 'Fit'-Fat Tony. Started voicing the supposed mob boss around the third season and let's just say...he hasn't stop. Even though he is acting in shows like Criminal Minds and it's spin off shows, he still likes to voice a criminal mobster that has been in almost every season of the Simpsons. I guess this is a plus for him after staring in the horrible Godfather part III movie. His character Fat Tony (Fit-Fat as well) is supposed to be a character like in the godfather, or any of those mob bosses of the time.

Mel Brooks- Appearing as himself in one episode, Mel Brooks is known for many things. A Director, Producer, Actor...but what is he doing in Springfield? It seems Homer lost his license and long story-short, he has to ride a limousine. One of his passengers is Mel Brooks. He makes this cameo memorable. I don't know if he's been in many recent episodes.

 

David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson- Also known as Mulder and Scully to X-Files fans, when that show was becoming popular, one of the writers decided to mix the two shows together. David and Gillian portray their characters on X-Files helping them solve an alien mystery Homer saw after getting drunk. Let's just say...it's a pretty good episode. Sadly, I never got into X-Files, but this episode was worth their cameos.

 Kathleen Turner- Playing an icon of a doll similar to Barbie, Kathleen Turner voices the woman who created 'Malibu Stacy'. During the era of the 'Talking Barbie doll', the episode started to make a talking 'Malibu Stacy' as well. It's not a doll Lisa Simpson would like as she decides to go to the inventor of the doll only to find out she no longer works with the company. Kathleen Turner does a pretty good job only voicing one time.

 John Waters- John Waters is a director of raunchy films, but what is he doing in Springfield? He voices a character named John who's just as flamboyant as the real actor is. Homer....doesn't take it well finding out John is gay. This episode is pretty deep explaining Homer's gay phobia eventually accepting John for who he is. This episode was tough to create back in the 90's and would be taboo then, now...it's one of the best episodes of the Simpsons.

 Kelsey Grammer- Ever since the first season of the Simpsons, Sideshow Bob was voiced by Kelsey Grammer. He used to be Krusty's former sidekick until he framed Krusty. Ever since then, Kelsey Grammer has been heard in almost every season when Sideshow Bob appears. Always wanting to kill Bart Simpson and harm the Simpson family. Most of the seasons, something happens to Sideshow Bob. He gets married, dies, plots revenges, becomes mayor of Italy and so on and so forth. I don't think Kelsey Grammer, or Sideshow Bob will leave Springfield anytime soon.

   David Hyde Pierce- Around the eighth season of the Simpsons, the show decided to poke fun at a certain show named 'Fraiser'. Kelsey Grammer voiced Sideshow Bob, so they decided to throw in David Hyde Pierce who portrays Sideshow Bob's brother Cecil. He too plots revenge with world domination and killing Bart. They even poked fun on the episode since both Kelsey and David play brothers on Fraiser. 

 Johnny Cash- During Homer's 'trip', he visions a coyote voiced by Johnny Cash. Giving Homer words of wisdom and helping him out of his journey. After Homer fights with Marge, he ends up stranded at a golf resort having a drug trip after eating an insanity paper during a chili cookoff. He soon sees the coyote and the late Johnny Cash voiced him.

 Phil Hartman- This story is pretty tragic, but there once were two characters named Lionel Hutz and Troy McClure and they both were voiced by Phil Hartman. He was a great actor starring in shows like SNL, News Radio and many more. He even voiced other characters in other shows, but he shined voicing on the Simpsons. Sadly...he was killed by his wife who took her own life afterwards. Sadly, the characters that he voiced were silenced forever. We still see them in backgrounds, but they are no longer voiced by Hartman. We miss him.

Patrick Stewart- Homer joined a secret club around the sixth season. The leader was voiced by Patrick Stewart. Let's just say.... Homer's stay was short lived, but Patrick didn't just voice him. He voiced another character in later seasons who worked at the Nuclear Power Plant. Actually, covering Homer's mistakes and was retiring. It seems any character Patick voices has to find a way to save Homer's ass.

 Glenn Close- In season seven a mystery was answered about whatever happened to Homer's mother. She is revealed and is voiced by Glenn Close. She explains her vanishment in a few episodes and sadly, her character dies. Glenn Close still voices Homer deceased mother in his dreams and everything else that has happened to him. I felt bad for Homer. Losing a mother can be heartbreaking. Glenn Close does a perfect job voicing Homer's mother dead or alive.

 Penny Marshall- Considered one of the first guest stars to voice on the Simpsons (I don't think that's right though) Penny Marshall portrays a babysitter who's really a bandit. Bart and Lisa have to deal with her but are saved by Maggie and take care of the babysitter bandit themselves. Penny Marshall was considered one of the first to guest voice on the show, but there could have been others before. I don't know. She's no longer with us and the babysitter bandit was a one-time character.

Jane Kaczmarek- Around later seasons, the show added new characters to see how long they would last. One of them was a female judge voiced by Malcom in the middle mom Jane Kaczmarek. The characters have similarities to the mother in Malcom. She's tough and forces Homer and Bart to be lashed together to teach Homer he's a bad parent. Marge is soon roped into the 'bad parent' trope as well. The character is still seen and is still voice by her.

 Meryl Streep- During the sixth season of the show.... a famous guest star voiced the Reverand's daughter named Jessica. She is worse than Bart would be going as far as to steal money from the collection plate and have Bart face the consequences. Meryl does a good job making a poor innocent sweet Reverand's Daughter so evil. Not many people knew it was her at the time, but well.... hearing the daughter now.... I know it's her voice. She hasn't voiced the character since.

 Bryan Cranston- In a later season, Bryan Cranston voices a James Bond like character that only Homer can see. He gives Homer some advice on how to better his marriage with Marge. Only he can see him, and others wonder if Homer is ok. He eventually tries to make his wife happier with suggestions that Bryan Cranston's character gives him. I guess it seems to work. I vaguely remember the episode. Bryan Cranston also starred in a couch gag portraying himself as Walter White.

Winona Ryder- Lisa always tries to be the best in everything. However, she has to prove herself when another girl (voiced by Winona Ryder) comes into the school. She is better at Lisa in everything. Making Lisa jealous enough to sabotage her project. Eventually, she feels bad and reveals that she did it. However....Ralph Wiggum wins beating Lisa and the new girl. Winona Ryder sadly never voices the character again. The girl's name is Alison.

Elisabeth Moss- Having a short cameo on the Simpsons, Elisabeth Moss plays a young woman who is pregnant, and Homer delivers her child. Homer has a special bond with the child and Elisabeth Moss' character is ok with that. Until... the father comes home. Homer is told never to see the baby again after Marger finds out the secret. Homer feels upset about what happened and well.... his baby Maggie forgives him. Short, but sweet, Elisabeth does a good job.

Ray Romano- During the final season of 'Everybody Loves Raymond', Ray Romano voices a roofer that only Homer can see. He eventually ends up in a loony bin only for Ray's character, who is named Ray, to appear. The first time this episode was on air, Ray Romano hints to Homer about the show 'Everybody Loves Ray' to him. Ray Romano's ok, but I think he also was a one-time character since he hasn't been seen since.

Albert Brooks- In my opinion, Albert Brooks (or A. Brooks as he's known) was considered the first guest star to voice on the show. He's voiced a lot of characters on the show. Even voiced the main villain in the movie the Simpsons had back in 2007. He voiced Hank Scorpio, who was a super villain, but is seen once and only once. He voiced Jaque a bowling instructor that lusted for Marge. He voiced that character again in later seasons. Albert Brooks voices many characters, and I don't think he's going to stop anytime soon.

  If I listed anymore characters on the show, it would be a long list. Almost every Beatles (minus John) guest voiced as themselves. Lady Gaga, Barry White, Ludacris, Dolly Parton. Any famous singer, sports star, even SNL stars have guest voiced as either another character or themselves in almost every season. Recently they did an episode with Lizzo guest voicing as an elf. Richard Gere voiced himself when Lisa was becoming a Buddhist. Let's just say.... look on-line and you'll be amazed of the list of people guest voiced on the Simpsons as themselves or another character.