Morning Musically-Minded, Medically-Minded, Masticators!
(Today’s post is sponsored by the letter “M”)
Over the past 600+ episodes, The Simpsons has taken us on an amazing journey involving music, science, and food to name a few concepts.
And what better way to start your week, than by discussing some of these concepts Monday morning?
So let’s get started this week by talking about a popular children’s candy.
In the ninety seventh episode of The Simpsons, Homer Loves Flanders (Season 05, Episode 16), Homer really wants to go to the big game, but can’t get tickets despite standing in line for 8 days. He tries to be the tenth caller for two free radio giveaway tickets. As luck would have it, the tickets go to Ned Flanders. Ned invites Homer to the game. Despite saying no at first and then trying to hit Ned in the head with a lead pipe and steal the tickets, Homer eventually decides to go to the game with Ned.
At the game, Ned gets Homer snacks including a ‘nacho hat’. He then uses his church connections to get Homer the star players autograph on the game ball. Homer now appreciates Ned and wants everyone to know Ned is his friend.
Homer starts spending more and more time with Ned and the Flanders family. The Simpsons and Flanders family even go on a trip to Lake Springfield together. There, Bart gives Rod and Todd a sugar high by introducing them to a sugary candy.
Eventually Ned starts getting tired of all the time Homer spends with him. It ultimately leads to him speeding away from Homer in a car and being arrested for driving under the influence. His fellow church regulars see Ned get arrested and change their views of Ned. But when everyone makes Ned feel bad at Church, Homer steps up and reminds everyone what a wonderful person Ned is.
But have you ever wondered what candy Bart gave Rod and Todd?
Pixy Stix
Pixy Stix is a sweet and sour colored powdered candy. It is usually packaged in a wrapper that resembles a drinking straw. It is usually poured directly into the mouth from the paper or plastic wrapper. Pixy Stix contain dextrose, citric acid, and artificial and natural flavors.
The concept for powdered candy originated in 1942 and was derived from a penny drink mix sold as Fruzola Jr. by the Fruzola Company in Salt Lake City, Utah. When J. Fish Smith found that children were eating the sweet and sour powder straight from the package, he modified the formula and branded it as Lik-M-Aid. An affiliated company, Fruzola Company of St. Louis was founded in 1952 by Menlo F. Smith to manufacture and market Lik-M-Aid nationwide. In 1959, the product was packaged in color-striped straws and introduced as Pixy Stix. After a lengthy period being manufactured by Nestle, Pixy Stix are currently manufactured by Ferrara Candy Company – the candy division of Ferrero (manufacturers of Ferrero Rocher and Nutella amongst other great products).
Now that we’ve learned more about pixy stix, be sure to come back next week when we continue our Monday morning musings with the next episode of The Simpsons.
Did you remember the episode? What’s your favourite Ned-centric episode of The Simpsons? What about your favourite episode where Homer and Ned spend time together? What about your favourite The Simpsons candy reference? Were you familiar with pixy stix? Have you ever had a pixy stix before? Did you know pixy stix are made by the same people who make ferrero rochers and nutella? Feel like trying pixy stix? Sound off in the comments below. You know we love hearing from you.
My Sugar fix as a kid was Big League Chew. Was basically made to represent a pack of chewing tobacco. However half the pouch/pack was strawberry and other half was grape strings of chewing gum.
I remember if you ate too much it would tear up the lining of your mouth from the acid. Man, they were addicting though.
Wait a tick.
Are you sayin that the pixy stix powder and the fun dip (lik m aid) powder are the same?
If so… Mind=blown.
Consider yourself mind=blown, because that is indeed what I’m saying.
*mind blown emojis*
Kent Brockman: But first, Springfield has come down with a fever, football fever, brought on by the biggest game of the year. The pigskin classic between the Shelbyville Sharks and our own Springfield Atoms. If you have the fever, there’s only one cure. Take two tickets and see the game Sunday morning.
TV Voiceover: Warning: tickets should not be taken internally.
Homer: See? Because of me, now they have a warning.
So many good quotes in this one.
I used to love pixy stix. I’d probably still like them. I remember that the ends used to get soggy from our mouths and cause the powder to cake up, and you’d have to tear open the straw to get to the powder.
I haven’t seen them in years. I didn’t know that they were still being manufactured. I’ll have to find some. They tasted like Sweet Tarts, which I also loved.