It's National Pie Day: Here Are 5 Infamous Pie Scenes to Sink Your Teeth Into (Video)

Universal Pictures

It seems like January 23 — that’s National Pie Day, for the dessert-obsessed — comes earlier every year, doesn’t it? Don’t worry, in case you got a little behind in planning your big celebration, TheWrap has compiled a collection of notable pie-centric scenes to satisfy your appetite.

“American Pie” (1999)
Perhaps the most infamous pie scene ever committed to film, this little gem found Jim Levenstein (Jason Biggs) expanding his masturbatory repertoire by having his way with an apple pie — and having his father (Eugene Levy) walk in on him mid-act.

Also Read: Exclusive: Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott, Eugene Levy Reunite for New 'American Pie'

“Twin Peaks” (2017)
While Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) had a fondness for cherry pie that was well-documented in the original series, the 2017 Showtime return of the series brought the significance of that particular fruit-filled treat to a whole new level. Cooper/Dougie Jones, on the brink of being whacked by The Mitchums, saves his own skin by bringing them a cherry pie of mysterious origin, thereby fulfilling a prophetic dream of Bradley Mitchum (Jim Belushi).

Also Read: Why There Won't Be Anymore 'Twin Peaks' - At Least, Not For a While

“Spider-Man 3” (2007)
Sometimes the tiniest morsel turns out to be the tastiest. Harry Osborn (James Franco) might have been hell-bent for vengeance against Spidey, but a guy can’t hatch a revenge scheme on an empty stomach. The scene where Osborn declared his pie to be “so good” might have been brief, but it has enjoyed an enduring run as an internet meme — even if it might have taken on an unsavory aftertaste, given certain accusations leveled against Franco recently.

Also Read: James Franco Should Go to the Oscars 'With His D-- Out,' Sharon Osbourne Says (Video)

“The Help” (2011)
Talk about putting the “s—” in “s—canned.” After being fired by Hilly (Bryce Dallas Howard), maid Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer) cooks up revenge — in the form of a tainted treat for her former employer. As Hilly chows down on one of Minny’s pies, the maid instructs her, “eat my s—” — before informing her, “you just did.”

“Stand by Me” (1986)
Another tale of pie-centric revenge. Gordie (Wil Wheaton) tells his pals the tale of “Lardass” Hogan, a roly-poly fellow who achieves vengeance by guzzling caster oil and devours a raw egg before competing in a pie-eating contest — and hurling an “Exorcist”-worthy spew of regurgitated blueberries. The result: A chain reaction that leaves the community covered in gunk.

'Pink Slime' and 5 More Legal Fights Over Food Insults (Photos)

Top TV talents including Oprah Winfrey have been hit with food libel lawsuits, otherwise known as "ag-gag" or "veggie libel" lawsuits. Most of these claims fail, but they are expensive to fight. Here's a look at some recent food lawsuits.
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Pink Slime

ABC News was sued in South Dakota and accused of violating an ag-gag law that bans purposely publishing false "disparagement" of any perishable "food product of agriculture" or "health practices with livestock."

ABC
ABC News was sued over its 2012 report saying that a processed beef byproduct called "lean finely textured beef" is really processed beef trimmings. ABC reported that the processed beef has been dubbed "pink slime" by a former government scientist.
ABC
The trial pits Beef Products, Inc. against ABC News. Sawyer has been dismissed from the suit, and the case is currently in trial.
ABC
Stopped Cold

Winfrey said on her show in 1996 that an expert's concerns about beef safety "just stopped me cold" from eating another burger.

Winfrey was sued in Texas by ranchers who accusing her of defamation and violating the Texas False Disparagement of Perishable Food Products Act.
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The ranchers claimed they suffered $12 million in lost business after Oprah's segment "Dangerous Food" examined the potential of mad cow disease to infect U. S. cattle.
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The jury and a Texas appeals court sided with Winfrey, ruling that Winfrey did not violate the ag-gag law because she did not purposely publish false facts about Texas cattle.
CNN
But Winfrey spent an estimated $1 million in legal fees for the trial and defeating the ranchers' appeal.

After winning, Oprah declared, "Free speech not only lives, it rocks."
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McLibel

Perhaps the first food libel lawsuit was brought by McDonald's in 1994 against two vegetarian activists accused of defaming the fast-food chain in London. It was dubbed the McLibel case.
Wikimedia Commons
The activists, David Morris and Helen Steel, were sued for handling out leaflets accusing McDonald's of paying low wages, selling cancer-causing food, and buying products from vendors engaging animal cruelty.
Getty Images
The two activists could not prove the truth of all their claims, and were ordered to pay nearly $100,000 to McDonald's.

The pair refused to pay. McDonald's eventually dropped its case.
WikiCommons
The Guardian newspaper described the litigation "as the biggest corporate PR disaster in history." The case cost McDonald's $16 million in legal fees and related costs.
Jerico
Hot Coffee

A 79-year-old New Mexico woman sued McDonald's after she was hospitalized for eight days with severe burns caused by spilling hot coffee onto her lap.
Free Stock Photos
Stella Liebeck claimed that McDonald's was responsible for her injuries because it had received other claims from customers who suffered similar burns from the coffee, but did nothing about it.

McDonald's said it did nothing wrong.
Wikimedia Commons
McDonald's coffee was heated to 180 degrees, while home-brewed coffee is typically 135-140 degrees.

Liebeck said she was burned on her thighs, buttocks, groin and genital area and needed skin grafts.
Pixabay
A jury awarded Liebeck $2.9 million, but a judge and appeals court slashed her award to $640,000. The case settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.

McDonald's has reduced the temperature of its coffee to 150 degrees.
Wikimedia Commons
Liebeck's case was spoofed in a Season 7 "Seinfeld" episode, "The Maestro." It is also the subject of a 2011 HBO documentary movie, "Hot Coffee."
TBS
Chicken or Soy?

Earlier this year, Subway sued Canadian Broadcasting Company over its 2017 report that the world's largest fast-food chain put soy filler in its chicken sandwiches.
Getty Images
Subway called CBC's report a "misrepresentation" and sued CBC, accusing the network of defamation.

Before filing the lawsuit, the chain said it would seek $210 million in damages. The case is pending.
Subway
A is for Alar

CBS was sued over its 1998 "Sixty Minutes" report that Alar, a chemical sprayed on apples, increased the risk of cancer for consumers, particularly in children.
Pixabay
Apple growers sued CBS, claiming the report cost them millions of dollar in lost apple sales. CBS stood behind its report.
Wikimedia Commons
A federal judge dismissed the apple growers' case, saying CBS relied on a government report and that the apple growers failed to show the news report was false.
Wikimedia Commons
After the lawsuit and public outcry, the manufacturer of Alar pulled the chemical from the U.S. market.
Sears
Animal Filming

More food lawsuits are expected now that it is a felony in many states to covertly film inside animal and agriculture facilities and air the footage.
Animal Planet
But future prosecutions may be in question. In 2015, an Idaho judge struck down that state's criminal filming law, ruling that the ban violates the First Amendment protection for free speech.

Other states' illegal filming laws are being challenged in court.
Wikimedia Commons

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Criticizing food can land you in court, as Oprah Winfrey and others have discovered

Top TV talents including Oprah Winfrey have been hit with food libel lawsuits, otherwise known as "ag-gag" or "veggie libel" lawsuits. Most of these claims fail, but they are expensive to fight. Here's a look at some recent food lawsuits.

View In Gallery

'Pink Slime' and 5 More Legal Fights Over Food Insults (Photos)

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