Season One Episodes

"What the Hell is That?! - From the beginning...

Season 1 Readings:

Season 1 Episode 1: Spiedies

It was a beautiful autumn day near Annapolis, MD, and the air was crisp and cool as the Navy football team prepared to take on their rival. Fans gathered in Bill's driveway, excited to cheer on their team and enjoy the festivities.

The tents were set up and we grilled burgers and hot dogs,  while the atmosphere was lively and upbeat. Everyone was decked out in Navy blue and gold, and the aroma of grilled meat and the sound of laughter filled the air.

As the game drew closer, the tailgate party reached a fever pitch. Fans played cornhole, sang fight songs, and chatted excitedly about the game to come. Along with the usual tailgate staples such as The Snackintyre, nachos, chips and salsa, cheese and cracker trays, there was also another rather unusual food item. Made by Snackintyre Popularizer, Rick Minckler, it's an old party food known as the Spiedie. 

The "What the Hell is That?!" phenomenon began that day while Rick answered the question... "Spiedie? What the hell is that?!"

Season 1 Episode 2: VistaPrint

Vistaprint is a multinational e-commerce company that provides online printing services, including business cards, promotional products, and marketing materials. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Venlo, Netherlands. Vistaprint offers a range of customizable products, including business cards, banners, brochures, and postcards, as well as a variety of promotional products such as t-shirts, mugs, and hats. Customers can design their own products using the company's online design tools, or they can upload their own designs. Vistaprint serves small businesses, organizations, and individuals in a variety of industries, and it has a reputation for providing high-quality products at affordable prices. 

As a longtime customer of Vistaprint, the desire to explain and spread the good Vistaprint word spawned the plan for Episode 2.

Season 1 Episode 3: Gourmet Hotdogs

Steve was a talented melodicist and a member of the popular acoustic band, Heighe Street. In addition to his love of music, Steve was also a gourmet hot dog maker, under the pen name, The Wurst Week, and he loved nothing more than experimenting with new recipes and flavors.

As the Super Bowl approached, Steve knew he had to come up with something special for the band's post-practice feast. He spent hours in the kitchen, developing new recipes and experimenting with different toppings and sauces in honor of the two opposing cities in the Super Bowl.

Finally, the big day arrived, and Steve arrived at practice with a cooler full of hot dogs and all the fixings. He set up shop in the kitchen and got to work, cooking up hot dogs and topping them with all sorts of tasty ingredients.

As the band gathered around the glorious hot dogs, they couldn't believe their eyes. Steve had outdone himself, creating hot dogs that were more delicious than they could have ever imagined. The band devoured the hot dogs, raving about the flavors and thanking Steve for his culinary masterpiece.

Season 1 Episode 4: Vernal Equinox

Jeff was a documentary filmmaker (Known for "BEHIND the FENCE" and "An Independent Night") who was passionate about the vernal equinox. This year, he would spend weeks researching and preparing for a special documentary that he would release on this special day.

As the vernal equinox approached, Jeff was hard at work putting the final touches on his latest film. He had traveled all over the world to capture footage of the various ways that people celebrated this special moment in the celestial calendar.

On the day of the vernal equinox, Jeff held a special screening of his film on YouTube. As the lights went down and the film began to play, he could feel the excitement and anticipation through the screen.

The film was a sweeping exploration of the vernal equinox, from its ancient roots to its modern-day significance. It featured interviews with scientists, historians, and everyday people from all around the world, all sharing their thoughts and experiences about this special time of year.

As the film came to a close, there was a virtual round of applause and Jeff took a bow, in his mind. He was overwhelmed with emotion, knowing that he had created something truly special that would help people understand and appreciate the beauty and significance of the vernal equinox.

For Jeff, the vernal equinox was a time of renewal and hope, and he loved nothing more than sharing that feeling with others through his films. It was a moment that he looked forward to every year, and he knew that it was one that would always stay with him and his audience for years to come.

... . ...  The end.

Season 1 Episode 5: The Melodica

Steve had always dreamed of becoming a famous gourmet hot dog artist. He had a passion for creating delicious and unique hot dogs, and he spent every spare moment experimenting with new dogs in his small kitchen. When he heard about the upcoming first annual Wurst Week festival, he knew he had to get involved.

Wurst Week was to be an annual week-long celebration of all things sausage and hot dog for men when their wives were out of town. It was held in a small town in Maryland, and it got the attention foodies from all over the country. Steve knew it was the perfect opportunity for him to showcase his culinary skills and maybe even make a name for himself.

He decided to focus on gourmet hot dogs, using only the highest quality ingredients and unique flavor combinations. He spent weeks perfecting his recipes, and during the week of the festival, he created, photographed and reviewed his delicious creations.

As the week went on, more and more people noticed Steve's hot dogs. And to Steve's surprise, they loved them! Word of mouth spread quickly, and soon there was 'like' after 'like' of people waiting to see Steve's creations. He couldn't believe it – he had finally found his big break!

As the festival drew to a close, Steve was approached by a group of organizers. They had been watching him all week and were extremely impressed by his passion and talent. They offered him a spot as the owner and creator of  The Wurst Week and their sole attraction. Steve was thrilled and accepted on the spot.

But that wasn't all. The organizers also asked if Steve would be interested in performing on stage during the festival. They had heard him playing the melodica while he was working and thought he had a real talent for it. Steve was hesitant at first, but he decided to give it a try.

To his surprise, he was a natural performer. The crowd loved his melodica playing and his gourmet hot dogs became an even bigger hit. Steve became the inventor of the Wurst Week, and he was soon invited to participate in other food festivals around the country.

Steve never could have imagined that his passion for cooking and his talent for music would lead him to such success. But he was grateful for every opportunity that came his way and he knew that he had finally found his true calling.

Season 1 Episode 6: Hail

It was a dark and stormy night. The band, Heighe Street, had gathered in their small practice space within Snackintyre Studios for their upcoming gig. They had been rehearsing for hours, but the thunderous sound of the rain pounding against the roof and the howling wind outside had made it difficult to concentrate.

Suddenly, the sound of the rain changed. It wasn't just rain anymore. It was hail. The band members looked at each other with a mix of fear and excitement. They had never practiced during a hailstorm before.

As the hail grew louder and more intense, the band decided to embrace the chaotic energy and let it fuel their music. They turned up the volume on their amps and started playing with a newfound intensity.

The hailstones bounced off the roof and the walls, creating a staccato beat that added a new layer to their sound. The band members closed their eyes and let the music take over, allowing the storm to become a part of their performance.

As they played on, the hailstorm grew more ferocious, but the band didn't let up. They continued to play, lost in the moment, until suddenly the power went out. The garage was plunged into darkness, and the hailstorm raged on.

But the band wasn't deterred. They lit a few candles and continued playing their music, now with an even more raw and stripped-down sound. The hailstones continued to pound against the roof and the walls, but the band didn't care. They were lost in the music and the moment, and nothing else mattered.

As the hailstorm finally subsided, the band emerged from their garage, drenched but elated. They had just experienced something special, something that would stay with them forever. And they knew that their performance during that hailstorm would be one that they and their fans would never forget.

Season 1 Episode 7: The Sweatshack

Brian DeVinney had always been passionate about fitness. He grew up playing sports and knew the importance of taking care of one's body. So, after years of frequenting large gym chains, he decided to open his own fitness center in Pittsburgh.

It was a modest space, located in a quiet neighborhood. But Brian knew that what mattered most was the quality of the workouts, not the size of the facility. He invested in top-of-the-line equipment and hired a team of experienced trainers who shared his passion for helping people achieve their fitness goals. The Sweatshack was born. 

The fitness center quickly became popular among the locals. People appreciated the personalized attention they received from the trainers, who took the time to understand each person's fitness level and tailor workouts accordingly. The atmosphere was welcoming and friendly, and clients felt comfortable pushing themselves to their limits.

Brian was thrilled with the success of the fitness center. He loved seeing people transform their bodies and gain confidence in themselves. He knew that he was making a positive impact on the community.

One day, a woman named Rachel walked into the fitness center. She had never really exercised before, but she was determined to make a change in her life. Brian assigned her to one of his trainers, a fitness guru named Sean who had a reputation for being patient and encouraging.

Over the next few months, Rachel worked hard and saw amazing results. She lost weight, gained muscle, and felt more confident than ever before. But what made the biggest impact on her was the support she received from Brian and his team. They believed in her and encouraged her every step of the way.

Rachel became a regular at the fitness center, and she even convinced some of her friends to join as well. Brian was proud of her transformation and knew that it was stories like hers that made his job so rewarding.

As the years went by, the fitness center continued to thrive. Brian never lost his passion for fitness, and he continued to invest in new equipment and training programs. He was grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives, one workout at a time. Watch Episode 7 for the actual history of The Sweatshack Gym phenomenon. 

Season 2 Readings:

Season 2 Episode 1: Winter Solstice

The winter solstice is the astronomical event that marks the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It occurs around December 21st or 22nd, and it is the moment when the tilt of the Earth's axis is farthest away from the sun in the northern hemisphere, resulting in the least amount of daylight hours.

During the winter solstice, the sun appears at its lowest point in the sky, and the day is typically marked by the sun rising and setting at its most southern points on the horizon. After the winter solstice, the days begin to gradually lengthen as the tilt of the Earth's axis moves towards the sun.

The winter solstice has been celebrated by cultures around the world for thousands of years as a symbol of hope and rebirth. Many ancient societies believed that the winter solstice marked the death and rebirth of the sun, and they would hold festivals and ceremonies to honor this event.

Today, the winter solstice is still celebrated by many cultures and religions, often as a time of renewal, reflection, and gratitude. It is a reminder that even in the darkest and coldest of times, there is always hope for a new beginning and the return of the light.

Follow along as Director "Jeff" explains the Winter Solstice and its importance in the framework of Snackintyre Studios. 

Season 2 Episode 2: Frank's Dill Pickle Hot Sauce

The team at McCormick and Company had always prided themselves on their unique and delicious hot sauce flavors. From habanero mango to ghost pepper pineapple, to the all time classic, best ever flavor, Frank's RedHot Sauce, they had built a loyal following of spice lovers who couldn't get enough of their products. But one day, they stumbled upon a new flavor that would change everything.

It all started when one of their employees, a pickle fanatic named Gary India (a known lover of the Snackintyre itself), brought in a jar of his homemade dill pickles to share with the team. They were a hit, and everyone kept going back for more. But then, someone had the brilliant idea of trying the pickles with the hot sauce.

The combination was a game-changer. The heat of the sauce complemented the tangy, savory flavor of the pickles perfectly. Everyone was hooked, and they knew they had to incorporate this flavor into their hot sauce lineup.

The team spent weeks experimenting with different recipes, trying to get the balance of heat and pickle flavor just right. Finally, they hit the jackpot. They called it "Frank's RedHot Dill Pickle Hot Sauce" and it quickly became one of their top-selling products.

Word of the new hot sauce flavor spread quickly, and soon McCormick and Company was getting orders from all over the country. People couldn't get enough of the unique and delicious taste of Frank's RedHot Dill Pickle Hot Sauce. The company's profits soared, and they even had to hire more employees to keep up with the demand.

But for the team at McCormick and Company, it was never just about the money. They loved creating new and exciting flavors, and Frank's RedHot Dill Pickle Hot Sauce was their proudest achievement yet. They even started experimenting with other pickled flavors, like jalapeno and kimchi, and the possibilities seemed endless.

Looking back on that fateful day when Gary India brought in his homemade pickles, the team knew that they had stumbled upon something truly special. It wasn't just a new hot sauce flavor, it was a whole new world of culinary possibilities. And they couldn't wait to see where it would take them next.

To this day, the debate rages on... did Gary India come up with the idea to mix dill pickles with hot sauce on his own, or did he simply incorporate the regal history and rich flavor combinations long present in The Snackintyre to develop this new sauce? Watch Episode 2, then check the history and ingredients of  The Snackintyre and discover for yourself.