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The staff ate it later


"The staff ate it later." is an annotation(Telop) that displays on the screen when a dish or food appears on a Japanese TV program. This indicates that the dish and ingredients were eaten without wasting them, however, some people question their authenticity. In addition, there is an opinion that the display of this annotation has lowered the quality of the TV program (described later).

First appeared
It is thought that the TV station side used it as a self-defense measure in preparation for complaints from viewers who claimed it is immoral when the food is handled roughly on TV variety show. It's not clear when this annotation began to be used, but according to TV  producer Kenji Suga, when a performance using small watermelons was broadcasted in Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!! (ダウンタウンのガキの使いやあらへんで!! Dauntaun no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!!, lit. "Downtown's We Aren't Errand Boys!"),The program has been broadcast on Nippon TV, the viewer complained that "Do not mess up food." . As a result, he says TV station displayed this annotation on the screen the following year.

Authenticity
There are various theories as to whether staff are actually eating the dishes and ingredients that appear in the program.

The theory of ate it later
According to AOL News in 2014, the staff of the information program testified that "It's difficult for the reporter to eat all the food provided by the restaurant, so the staff instruct the reporter not to eat it all. However, the staff eats the rest of the dish considering for the restaurant."

In a "Meshizanmai Hurusatonoaji" (Meshizanmai Taste of Hometown) ,published by food comic artist Raswell Hosoki and others, Eriko Miyazaki, a reporter for the cooking show, claims that the annotation is true, and she says, "At least on the show I'm on, the staff eats all the rest of the dishes." In January 2018, Miwa Asao, former professional beach volleyball player and currently she has been a TV personality for the last 8 years, introduces photos of the staff eating food after recording "Saturday Night! Otona na TV" (TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting) and she wrote "This is a photo of the location shoot. The staff will eat the rest of the dishes." on her blog.

The theory of didn't eat it later
Hitoshi Matsumoto, one of Japan's most popular comedians and TV hosts, was asked by a sociologist Noritoshi Furuichi for the truth of this annotation in 2014 at the "Wide na Show" (Fuji Television). Then he said, "I don't know the truth of the annotation. However, I've never seen the staff eating the rest of dish."

As an opinion completely denied that the staff is eating, Beat Takeshi, Takeshi Kitano who is a Japanese comedian, television presenter, actor, filmmaker, and author, stated that no one eat food that fell onto the floor on their own accord in his book "Bakaron". A commentator Tsunehira Furuya also state that the dishes used in the show are not eaten by the staff later and throw it away after the show.

Criticism of displaying annotation
Critic Tetsuya Uetaki evaluates that displaying this annotation when dealing with ingredients on a television show. This is because TV producers are aware that a certain number of viewers feel uncomfortable to handle ingredients roughly. However, since the viewer does not know whether the staff actually ate the rest, It is suggested that this annotation may be a precautionary measure to be displayed in case of complaints from viewers.

A broadcast writer Sotani states that the TV program side has become more sensitive to dealing with ingredients in programs and displays annotations on the screen to prevent complaints from viewers. He feels the danger that such excessive self-regulation could lead to restriction of a expression. TV producer Kenji Suga also says that the strict restrictions make TV programs unexciting. Takashi Matsuo, a columnist, argues that adults, not TV shows, should teach children the importance of food. He also argue that if the parent feels uncomfortable about the child watching what the comedian is expressing on TV, it's correct to switch to another channel or turn off the TV instead of complaining to the TV station. Matsuo also point out the inconsistency that "the staff ate it later '' are not displayed even in scenes where a large amount of tomatoes are thrown at the festival of Tomatina in Spain or when athletes are doing champagne fights to celebrate their victory.