Improperly Dressed Applebee's Diner Provided Loaner Stained Hoodie
BLOOMINGTON, IL—Stopping the polo-clad man and ushering him off toward the bathroom, restaurant staff reportedly provided an improperly dressed Applebee's patron with a loaner stained hoodie on Wednesday. 'I'm sorry, sir, but we cannot seat you unless you are wearing something more in line with this establishment's dress code,' said Applebee's hostess Angeline Reilly, who explained that while it was nothing to be embarrassed about, the other diners would just be more comfortable around someone properly attired in a black hoodie that bore the remnants of barbecue sauce and other condiments that failed to come out in the wash. 'We also have tattered sweatpants you can wear in lieu of your khakis. If you don't like the hoodie look, I can offer you a ripped Chicago Bears 2006 NFC champions T-shirt that could be worn with a pair of ratty cargo shorts. Unfortunately, we can't have people walking in here with collars and buttons on their shirts and ruining the mood we've cultivated. This isn't Red Lobster. And I'm afraid your guest will have to change out of her blouse and into this oversized Looney Tunes sweater with half of the words peeling off.' At press time, an Applebee's waiter was seen apologetically handing out a $50 gift card to a table that had been seated for nearly 20 minutes without seeing a single customer start a fistfight in the bar after throwing a strawberry margarita in someone's face.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Pope Leo XIV Blesses Commanders Rival Ahead Of 2025 Season
Pope Leo XIV Blesses Commanders Rival Ahead Of 2025 Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Last year in the playoffs, the Detroit Lions needed all the help they could get against the upstart Washington Commanders, who buzz-sawed coach Dan Campbell's favored team in a 45-31 shellacking. Advertisement The Lions are coming back into 2025 with some extra juice, though, as they figure to once again join Washington as a Super Bowl contender. The Lions have The Vatican on their side. Pope Leo XIV - seriously - has blessed an NFL player ahead of the 2025 regular season. And really ... playfully ... Washington fans shouldn't be as upset about this as Chicago Bears fans surely are. The first-ever American pope just happens to be from Chicago ... and has long been well-known for his fandom of the Bears and the White Sox and all things Windy City. As it happens, Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta and his new bride, Callahan Dellinger LaPorta, scheduled a vacation in Rome ... Advertisement And yes, they got blessed by the Pope, as the young NFL tight end demonstrated for all to see as took to Instagram to show off the photo on Wednesday. "Thank you to a very busy man for blessing me and my bride. A special moment we'll never forget,'' he wrote. Bears fans can be mock-unhappy about this ... but Chicago has spent a great deal of time in the NFC North basement and doesn't figure to be a match for the powerful Lions anyway. And the Commanders? As they and the Lions prepare to give chase to upsetting defending champion Philadelphia toward a Super Bowl run, they'll take any "blessing'' they can get. Advertisement Perhaps Dan Quinn should book himself a quick trip to The Vatican? Related: Commanders Trade Terry McLaurin for T.J. Watt in Blockbuster Prediction Related: What is Commanders' Biggest 'Red Flag' In 2025? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
CNET
a day ago
- CNET
The 28 Absolute Best Movies to Watch on Max
Wondering what you should watch next on streaming service Max? Max (which will soon be called HBO Max again) streams a variety of titles, including Warner Bros. movies like Dune and HBO originals such as Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off. Below, you'll find a batch of can't-miss films, and a look at new releases for the month. If you're still trying to figure out if Max is right for you, skim our review of the Warner Bros. Discovery streaming service. New releases for June Note: These descriptions are taken from Max press releases and official websites for the films. They've been lightly edited for style. June 6 Parthenope (2024): Drama. Parthenope, born in the sea of Naples in 1950, searches for happiness over the long summers of her youth, falling in love with her home city and its many memorable characters. June 13 Cleaner (2025): Action thriller. Set in present-day London, a group of radical activists take over an energy company's annual gala, seizing 300 hostages in order to expose the corruption of the hosts. June 20 A Minecraft Movie (2025): Adventure. Four misfits find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. June 27 The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie (2024): Animated comedy. Porky Pig and Daffy Duck venture to the big screen as unlikely heroes when their antics at the local bubble gum factory uncover a secret alien mind control plot. Read more: Best TV Shows to Watch on Max The best movies to watch The films below consist of notable new releases and blockbusters, HBO and Max originals and Warner Bros. films made exclusively for Max. Drama A24 Sing Sing (2024) Sing Sing is a subtle and impactful prison drama starring Colman Domingo -- who earned a 2025 best actor Oscar nomination for his role -- and formerly incarcerated actors. Domingo plays Divine G, who acts in a theater group while imprisoned at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. The film will surprise and uplift you. Warner Bros. Juror #2 (2024) Nicholas Hoult, J.K. Simmons and Toni Collette are in the cast of this absorbing, haunting Clint Eastwood courtroom drama. Hoult stars as Justin Kemp, who faces a moral dilemma after getting called for jury duty. He must decide whether to disclose information that would change the outcome of the high-profile trial and impact his own life. A well-acted, well-paced flick that will get you thinking. Max Turtles All the Way Down (2024) Don't usually dabble in the young adult genre? You shouldn't let that keep you from taking in Turtles All the Way Down, based on a 2017 novel of the same name by John Green. The film stars Isabela Merced (The Last of Us, Alien: Romulus) as a teen who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety. With elements of romance and a captivating performance from Merced, this straight-to-streaming movie deserves more attention. A24 Priscilla (2023) Sofia Coppola's Priscilla, about the relationship between Priscilla and Elvis Presley, is streaming on Max along with other recent films from entertainment company A24. Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi star in the stylish flick, which tells things from Priscilla's point of view. If you like new A24 flicks, Max's stash also includes The Iron Claw, The Zone of Interest, Dream Scenario, Love Lies Bleeding and Civil War. WarnerMedia The Fallout (2022) After a shooting occurs at her high school, 16-year-old Vada Cavell must navigate friendships, school and her relationship with her family. The Fallout skillfully approaches serious subject matter with realistic dialogue and compassion for its characters. With strong performances from stars Jenna Ortega as Vada and Maddie Ziegler as her new friend Mia Reed, the feature will keep you glued to the screen for the entirety of its 90-minute runtime. Warner Bros. Dune (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2024) Remember 2021, when Warner Bros. movies hit HBO Max on the same day they premiered in theaters? That exciting period may be over, but at least we'll always have the memory of watching Denis Villeneuve's spectacular sci-fi epic at home and still being part of the conversation. Both parts of Dune are now streaming on Max. Criterion Drive My Car (2021) What can we say about the acclaimed Japanese drama Drive My Car? Well, it snagged an Oscar for Best International Feature Film at the 2022 Academy Awards. It's also a three-hour movie that people are sitting and watching all the way through, which, to me, speaks volumes. Seriously, Drive My Car is a powerful film that explores loss and letting go. If you missed it, stream it now. Chiabella James/Warner Bros. Pictures King Richard (2021) King Richard is a feel-good biopic about the father of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams. The film winds back the clock to before the sisters became household names, giving us a glimpse of their upbringing in Compton and time spent practicing on rundown courts with their father, Richard Williams (Will Smith). Convinced his daughters are going to be successful, Richard works tirelessly to get their star potential noticed by professional coaches. A complicated man with a tremendous personality, Richard is fascinating to get to know, and his unwavering belief in Venus and Serena is inspiring. Imaginal Disc Son of Monarchs (2020) A rare (nowadays) 90-minute film, American Mexican drama Son of Monarchs will stay with you long after the credits roll. This deep character study follows two brothers who are changed in markedly different ways by the trauma they suffered in childhood. This story, folding in magical realism, follows how they move forward in life -- the butterfly metaphors are strong, with biologist Mendel returning to his hometown surrounded by majestic monarch butterfly forests. HBO Bad Education (2019) Based on a magazine article by journalist Robert Kolker, this tale about a public school embezzlement scandal and the student journalists who broke the news is captivating from start to finish. Allison Janney and Hugh Jackman are great in their roles as the school officials who took part in the scheme. The drama also won the 2020 Emmy award for Outstanding Television Movie. Action and adventure Warner Bros. Pictures Mickey 17 (2025) Mickey 17 comes from acclaimed director Bong Joon Ho (Snowpiercer, Parasite) and stars Robert Pattinson as Mickey Barnes. Barnes escapes Earth for another planet by applying to be an "expendable." The role subjects him to deadly missions and experiments, with his body reprinted each time he doesn't make it. Black humor, heart, eccentricity and great performances are all on display. Even if the film doesn't surpass any of Bong's earlier works, it deservedly makes it on this list. Janus Films Flow (2024) Winner of Best Animated Feature at the 2025 Oscars, this wordless Latvian film follows a black cat after a great flood devastates his home. The brave feline bands together with a capybara, a lemur, a bird and a dog in a stunning and thought-provoking film that will appeal to adults and kids alike. Studio Ghibli The Boy and the Heron (2023) Who can pass up a Studio Ghibli film? Hayao Miyazaki came out of retirement to make The Boy and the Heron, which won the award for best animated feature at the 2024 Oscars. The starry English voice cast includes Christian Bale, Willem Dafoe, Robert Pattinson, Florence Pugh and more. Warner Bros. Pictures Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) This thrilling prequel to the 2015 movie Mad Max: Fury Road stars Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen's Gambit, The Menu) as a younger version of Charlize Theron's Imperator Furiosa. Life takes a turn for the protagonist when she finds herself in the Wasteland rather than the Green Place of Many Mothers. The resourceful heroine fights for survival, facing off with villains such as the warlord Dementus, played by Chris Hemsworth. Visually striking and intense, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is chock-full of postapocalyptic action, and you won't want to miss a minute. Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros. Barbie (2023) Unless you've been living in Barbie Land (or another place that isn't the real world), chances are you're very familiar with this pink-coated comedy already. The flick -- Warner Bros.' highest-grossing global release of all time -- brings a long list of stars together for a hilarious and heartfelt adventure. Greta Gerwig directs, Margot Robbie plays the titular role and Ryan Gosling belts out an incredible power ballad as Ken. Superhero Warner Bros. The Suicide Squad (2021) Over-the-top violence abounds in this DC film about supervillains who agree to help the US government in exchange for some time off their prison sentences. Their mission is to destroy something alluded to as Project Starfish, harbored in the fictional island country of Corto Maltese. With a notable cast that includes Margot Robbie, Idris Elba and John Cena, 2021's The Suicide Squad is a wickedly entertaining, darkly funny bloodbath that differs from what you usually see in superhero movies. (Peacemaker, a spinoff TV series, is also available on Max.) Warner Bros. The Batman (2022) Robert Pattinson steps out as Batman in this moody superhero flick directed by Matt Reeves. The movie takes place in a perpetually gray and rain-soaked Gotham City, where Bruce Wayne starts to seek out a murderer with an affinity for riddles. Along the way, he meets Catwoman, played by a swaggering Zoë Kravitz. Catch up on the dark and satisfying mystery before you watch the Max spinoff series, The Penguin. Comedy Emily Knecht/Max Am I OK? (2022) This comedy-drama follows Dakota Johnson's character, 32-year-old Lucy, who tells her longtime best friend Jane that she likes women. But there's more for Lucy to navigate as that friend, played by House of the Dragon's Sonoya Mizuno, is moving far away to London. If you enjoy stories about late blooming and female friendships, it's no question -- you should check out the funny, touching Am I OK? Warner Bros. Father of the Bride (2022) Max's Father of the Bride introduces a Cuban American family that includes patriarch Billy, a traditional guy who struggles to digest surprising news from his eldest daughter: She's met a guy, and she wants to marry and move away with him. The third film adaptation of a 1949 novel of the same name by Edward Streeter, the movie is an enjoyable iteration that includes stars like Andy Garcia and singer Gloria Estefan. Max Let Them All Talk (2020) Meryl Streep playing an eccentric author in a Steven Soderbergh comedy. What more do you need to know? If you do want to know more: Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Alice Hughes (Streep) is struggling to finish her next book, chased by her literary agent (Gemma Chan). She boards a cruise ship with old friends, who inspired her best-known work. Tensions are strong. It looks great -- Soderbergh uses crisp, natural light -- and most of the dialogue is improvised. See how Dianne Wiest, Candice Bergen, Lucas Hedges and the rest of the impeccable cast have fun with that. Thriller Warner Bros. Kimi (2022) Steven Soderbergh directs this engaging tech thriller set during the COVID-19 pandemic. Angela, a Seattle tech worker played by a neon blue-haired Zoë Kravitz, has agoraphobia, a fear that prevents her from making it past the front door of her apartment. But when she uncovers an unsettling recording while doing her job, she's pushed to make the leap. Kimi is a stylish thriller complete with eye-catching cinematography, a solid score and a protagonist you'll be rooting for. Max No Sudden Move (2021) A movie from Steven Soderbergh, the great director behind Erin Brockovich, Ocean's Eleven and, more recently, Logan Lucky? Twists, thrills and desperate characters populate this crime thriller set in 1950s Detroit. When a seemingly simple job gets out of hand, a group of criminals must work together to uncover what's really going on. Take in the incredible cast: Don Cheadle, Benicio del Toro, David Harbour, Jon Hamm and Amy Seimetz. While the plot can be a little convoluted and some won't be able to get past the fish-eye lens cinematography, Soderbergh's sense of humor and immersive direction make this crime caper an entertaining night in. Documentary HBO All That Breathes (2022) This captivating documentary is filled with images that will stick with you. It centers on two brothers in New Delhi who run a bird hospital dedicated to black kites -- birds of prey that are a staple of the sky. It was a contender for best documentary feature at the 2023 Oscars. Max Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off (2022) Tune into this HBO doc for the gravity-defying skateboard stunts, a time capsule of the '80s skateboarding scene, and a version of Hawk you've probably never seen. We get to know the renowned athlete as a lanky, stubborn but determined kid who adopted his own skateboarding style. Hawk's persistence is something to marvel at, along with all the stunning skateboard moves this film packs in. Hang on for a memorable ride. CNN/Focus Features Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain (2021) This film about beloved author, chef and globe-traveling TV host Anthony Bourdain comes from documentary filmmaker Morgan Neville, who also directed 2018's Won't You Be My Neighbor? and the Oscar-winning film Twenty Feet from Stardom. In interviews with people who knew Bourdain, like his friends, former partners and longtime colleagues, the doc tracks his career path, relationships and personal struggles. Bourdain fans and those less acquainted with the star will likely appreciate this two-hour look at his life. Musical Warner Bros. Pictures Wonka (2023) Dune's Timothée Chalamet stars in this prequel to Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and it's a total treat. With new and familiar tunes, a committed cast and oodles and oodles of whimsy, the film allows audiences to get to know a young Willy Wonka with giraffe-sized ambition and undeniable chocolate-making skill. It's a quirky, comforting flick from Paddington director Paul King that you'll absolutely want on your plate. Warner Bros. Pictures The Color Purple (2023) This movie musical version of The Color Purple is adapted from Alice Walker's 1982 novel and the Broadway play. Set in the early 1900s, the film tells the story of Celie, a Black woman living in the South who faces multiple hardships but is able to find strength in the bonds in her life. The cast includes Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo, Halle Bailey and Danielle Brooks, who received a 2023 Oscar nomination for her role as Celie's daughter-in-law, Sofia.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Forbes
Red Lobster's Seafood Boils And Why We Love A Comeback
With Crabfest back on the menu, Red Lobster isn't just serving seafood—it's offering a soft relaunch ... More of trust. And we're showing up for it. After bankruptcy headlines and shuttered locations, Red Lobster is back with boil bags, biscuits, and something people still crave: a reason to celebrate. The Return of Seafood Boils as Comfort Theater Red Lobster has always carried more meaning than its menu lets on. For a lot of us, it was the place you went for a birthday dinner, a celebration, or just a break from cooking when you needed something to feel like a treat. That kind of emotional association doesn't disappear, even when the brand itself falters. After a very public Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing this spring and successfully emerging from it last year, Red Lobster is trying to reintroduce itself—not with a new logo or splashy rebrand, but by bringing back Crabfest. This time, they've added customizable seafood boil bags and bright, summer-ready cocktails that feel both of the moment and unmistakably theirs. At first glance, it reads like business as usual. But beneath the surface, this is a deliberate shift. Crabfest does more than a seasonal promotion—it's a public reminder of the brand's staying power and an attempt to tie its future to what people already remember fondly. It's a key part of their comeback story. A Familiar Format, Reframed for 2025 The seafood boil bag is built for the current moment. It's visual, it's interactive, and it puts the diner in control—pick your proteins, choose your seasoning, decide how bold you want to go. That kind of format lends itself well to social media (hello, TikTok bait), but it also taps into something simpler: the pleasure of cooking it yourself. Whether it's the Mariner's Boil (crab legs, lobster tail, shrimp) or the simpler Sailor's Boil (shrimp, sausage, corn), the idea is the same: hands-on, no-fuss indulgence. You can finish it with garlic butter, Cajun seasoning, or the new OLD BAY® and Parmesan combo. It's not trying to be fine dining—it's trying to feel like an event. And that's part of the strategy. Right now, restaurants are competing on food and on experience. A seafood boil bag that arrives steaming to your table feels like a moment. It gives people a reason to go out, even if they're watching their budgets. More Than Just a Meal: The Real Red Lobster Seafood Boil Review The comments on Red Lobster's social posts say more than the press release ever could. You see it clearly when people are tagging friends, talking about birthdays, and making dinner plans. Take this one: After an eight-month recovery from surgery, one person shared on Instagram that Crabfest was going to be their first big outing. Or another, who immediately imagined dipping the restaurant's cheddar bay biscuits into the buttery bottom of the boil bag – "I'm imagining dipping one of them biscuits in the butter at the bottom of the bag omg." You also see the simple excitement, "Making my reservations 😍" or the truth, 'Looks good! Love a good seafood boil. Will have to check it out.' But the conversations aren't just one-sided. Over on platforms like Reddit, where diners tend to be a bit more candid, you find common questions and observations. Many immediately zeroed in on the seasoning, with one person noting the frequent first take they saw was, "Did they season this?" or a concern that the 'garlic they use is apparently very conservative.' While some felt the seafood boil price was "a fine price point for what you are getting," others expressed hesitation, waiting for a "nationwide PSA... on how to properly season a Seafood Boil." This blend of excitement and critical feedback shows the new boils are definitely getting people talking. These are the kinds of details that don't show up in earnings reports. They're the ones that tell you whether a brand still matters, and for many, Red Lobster still very much does. Crabfest has always been one of Red Lobster's most recognizable campaigns, but this year, it's carrying a different weight. It's a reminder that the brand is still here, still worth visiting, and still good at what it's always done: delivering a meal that feels like a little celebration. Why This Works—for Them and for Us With Crabfest back on the menu, Red Lobster isn't just serving seafood—it's offering a soft relaunch ... More of trust, and we're showing up for it. There's a reason this version of Crabfest feels like it landed at the right time. It's not just a savvy move by the brand—it's something people were ready to say yes to. Right now, dining out carries more emotional weight than it used to. For a lot of folks, it's no longer just about convenience—it's about choosing joy, about marking something. The seafood boil bags, the biscuits, the familiar flavors—these aren't just menu items. For some memories and emotional comfort may be that's been harder to come by in recent years. People are tired, grocery prices are still high, and there's uncertainty everywhere, from the economy to the headlines. So when a brand like Red Lobster says, Come in, sit down, let's bring back something that used to feel good, that offer lands differently. It's not flashy, but it's sturdy. And sometimes, that's exactly what we're looking for. Crabfest works now because it remembers what people liked about Red Lobster in the first place—and it doesn't try to overcomplicate that. It invites you to pick your boil, order your cocktail, and dip your biscuit in something buttery. It's the kind of experience that doesn't ask for much but gives back just enough to feel like a win. That's not marketing fluff. That's what we crave when everything else feels up in the air: a little taste of normal. A reminder that celebration doesn't have to be perfect, expensive, or rare. It just has to show up when you need it. What Crabfest Says About What We Crave Crabfest works because it's rooted in something people already have emotional memory around. You don't need to convince someone what a crab boil is or why cheddar bay biscuits matter—they already know. What Red Lobster is doing here is connecting that memory to a moment of transformation. It's saying: we went through something, and now we're ready to bring you back in. Not every brand gets a second chance. Red Lobster seems to understand that what people want right now isn't just novelty—it's familiarity done well. Something that feels good, even if just for an hour or two. And that's what this version of Crabfest is offering: not just a plate of food, but a reason to feel like things are okay again—or at least okay enough to order the boil and let yourself enjoy it. Why We Love a Comeback There's something deeply satisfying about seeing our favorite brand come back from the edge of collapse, especially one that's been part of our lives for decades. Coming back from the brink like Red Lobster did isn't just about recovery; it's about recognition. That feeling of being counted in again and getting another shot at joy, comfort, or normalcy. We root for comebacks because they reflect something true about how we move through the world—how we mess up, regroup, and try again. Crabfest might be a promotion on paper, but to the people planning birthday dinners or post-surgery celebrations around it, it's also a signal: you can come back from hard things. You can make something feel like a celebration again, even if everything isn't perfect. That's what Red Lobster is really selling right now. Not just crab or value, but the feeling that it's okay to want something nice. That you've earned a biscuit in butter. That you—and maybe they—are still standing.
