The staff ate it later

Summary

Japanese entertainment term "The staff ate it later" as shown on screen "The staff ate it later" (Japanese: この後、スタッフが美味しくいただきました, romanized: Kono ato, sutaffu ga oishiku itadakimashita) is a caption shown on screen when food appears in a Japanese TV program to indicate that it was not thrown away after filming. Some question the authenticity of this statement, and others believe this caption lowers the quality of TV programs. It is thought TV stations first began showing the caption to protect themselves against complaints from viewers who disliked food being handled without consideration in TV variety shows.[1] It is uncertain when this note was first used, but TV producer Kenji Suga [ja] stated viewers complained about the waste of food when a performance using small watermelons was broadcast in Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!! on Nippon TV. The TV station then showed this note on screen the following year in response.[2] There are various claims as to whether or not staff actually eat the food that appears in the programs.[1][3][4] According to AOL News in 2014, the crew on one information program testified: "It's sometimes impossible for the reporter to eat all the food provided by the restaurant. The reporter is told not to eat it all, but the crew will eat the rest out of consideration and a feeling of obligation towards the restaurant."[4] Food comic artist Raswell Hosoki [ja] claimed in "Meshizanmai Furusatonoaji" (Meshizanmai Taste of Hometown), that the note is true. Eriko Miyazaki [ja], a reporter and TV personality for food shows, also claims the note is true and has stated: "The crew eats the rest of the food, at least at the shows I appear in."[5] In January 2018, Miwa Asao, former professional beach volleyball player and TV personality, posted photos on her blog of staff eating food after recording "Saturday Night! Otona na TV [ja]". She wrote: "This is an on-site photo. The staff ate the rest of the food."[6] Hitoshi Matsumoto, a comedian and...