I'm part of the '90s generation—the generation that remembers the world without the Internet, T.G.I.F, and watchable cartoons. And, if there were several constants in my life, there were some that were certain:
1. Chicken McNuggets were made of unknown chicken bits and pure magic.
2. Raphael was the best Ninja Turtle and no one could convince me otherwise.
3. The Simpsons was the greatest television show EVER.
At it's prime, The Simpsons, quite simply, rocked. They were television and pop culture royalty. They were criticized for pushing the envelope, and yet, embraced for blazing a trail that would lead the way for so many shows.
The characters became household names and their catchphrases became part of the English language.
Bart Simpson shirts were being banned from schools for embracing the slacker lifestyle. Celebrities jumped on The Simpsons bandwagon, guest starring in almost every episode. It says a lot to have Aerosmith, Michael Jackson, Sting, Magic Johnson, Joe Frazier and Spinal Tap as guest stars, and I only mentioned the guests in Season 3 (not to mention the classic Homer at the Bat with the MLB players as ringers).
The Simpsons became a phenomenon, revolutionizing television as we know it. Without it, there is no Family Guy, King of the Hill, South Park or Adult Swim. It's impact transcends the FOX network. It became a part of our culture.
D'oh became a word. "Cheese eating surrender monkeys" became part of our history.
Sadly, today The Simpsons is a shell of itself; silly one-bit gags and a recycled plot have made it a show that is like the old athlete that should have retired a long time ago and ended its run as they were declining.
I always have said that if The Simpsons had ended in say, 2003, it would be regarded as the greatest piece of entertainment EVER. However, The Simpsons show an occasional flash of greatness and it shows in episodes like "The Debarted" and the so-so movie.
The greatest parts of The Simpsons (the writers and Phil Hartman) have been long gone and become bigger successes. The Simpsons set up the animated prime-time comedy, but it has fallen back and stagnated when the other shows have surpassed their forefather.
Which brings me to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Notre Dame, like it or not, is college football. The Golden Dome, Touchdown Jesus, and so many other landmarks of college football have made Notre Dame hallowed ground in the eyes of the fans.
There are rules set exclusively for Notre Dame, who has "too many classic rivalries" for it to be in a conference. They have their own television rights with NBC, which is huge because no other school could amass the type of contract NBC offered Notre Dame. Without Notre Dame, college football would be nowhere near what it is today.
Notre Dame became known when they defeated the Black Knights of the Hudson 35-13. It was a game that put the forward pass into the national spotlight. Before this, football was a smash-mouth, slow-paced game (much like the Big Ten today). To pass downfield for a large gain was inconceivable. Yet, Notre Dame did it.
15 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
CB about 1 year ago
We owe Notre Dame nothing. It IS time for them to join a conference. Charlie Weis is a fat, ugly waste of space who can't win a bowl game. And Notre Dame fans are the worst because they think Notre Dame is God's chosen program. Pointless article.
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Kevin Niehus about 1 year ago
CB,
You're an idiot. Must have a great college degree to be able to come up with those very detailed and factual reasons for Notre Dame to join a conference. I'm not a ND fan at all, but thats good that at least everyone will recognize that we don't want you to be the one arguing for reasons that ND should HAVE to join a conference...because you, my friend, are an idiot. Not to mention probably a junior-college drop out. Smoke another bowl.
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Randy Faurote about 1 year ago
It IS God's chosen program!!! I should know, I am GOD!!!
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John Brody about 1 year ago
Why should they join a conference CB? They are the ONLY program that can command the national interest (love them or hate them) to remain free of a conference affiliation. How many people in Oregon care about the Oaklahoma Sooners? How many in South Carolina care what kind of season Penn State is having? But no matter where you go, you'll find plenty of people tuning in to Notre Dame football on NBC. Yes, their rating were down last year, but they are still the team that year in and year out, draws the most interest nationwide. Don't blame Notre Dame for their TV contract. There is not a single school in the nation that would turn that deal down. But the networks know that no other team would draw the national interest that the Irish do.
Oh and finally, to all those that claim Notre Dame plays an easy schedule? How many I-AA teams has Notre Dame played in the last 20 years? Zero. How many has your team played? Now shut up.
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CB about 1 year ago
First of all, I am so glad people like to read and bitch about my opinion. The reason why people tune in is due lack of choice. When Notre Dame vs. whoever is on, I watch, not because I want to see, but because of lack of a better option.
The reason they command a national contract is because of what they USED to be. NBC is hoping they become what they were.
As for non-conference opponents are concerned, do you want me to control it? I could if I would. But Ohio's Buckeyes do have a nice non-conference schedule. Look at who we play through 2012. It just so happens they had two down years. Need I remind you we had Texas two years in a row?
To Kevin,
You are right. I am obviously lacking a great degree. Because why? I say what I feel like saying, when I want to say it? But great, keep complaining about me. The greatest part about this website is, I dont have to, dor do I, give two thoughts about what you think. The reason I am writing this is because I had a high-schooler complain to me just like you. So, next time, save your thoughts. I dont care what you thin or say. If you feel my comments are worth nothing, don't reply. Save your time and energy.
A wise man once told me, opinions are like ass$$les, everyone has one. Get over yourself and you comments towards me/opinions.
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Loren Berger about 1 year ago
You are wrong that without ND, there would be no Michigan. Michigan began playing football in 1879 and introduced the sport to Notre Dame in 1887. Notre Dame's first game was in 1888, losing 8-0 to Michigan. Notre Dame may have elevated college football with the forward pass, but they by no means, are owed anything.
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CB about 1 year ago
I hate Michigan, but at least someone agrees. We owe Notre Dame nothing.
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Paul Williams about 1 year ago
Notre Dame. No fraternaties. Hall football. No athletic dorms. Hey, you're roomate is the quarterback.
Players go to class. All the students go to class ( apparently this is a problem among students at other
schools). Are some alumni and alumnae overbearing? Absolutely. Has the won-lost record been poor for a dozen years. Unfortunately. Still, a diploma from the school in South Bend is worth every minute spent during four years. That's what counts. And most players have one. GO Irish!
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D.J. Doyle about 1 year ago
If any other school could operate as an independent like Notre Dame does and have its own TV contract with a network, they would. If any other school could use their football program's profits to fund the rest of their athletic teams and scholarships, they would. Notre Dame is the greatest team in the history of college football. By hating Notre Dame, you keep them famous. Try and ignore them, but you'll fail. The author is right: without ND, college football would be about as popular as college baseball.
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chris coultas about 1 year ago
Brilliant and true....Flanders counterpart would have to be the well intentioned Navy Midshipmen program which are clean cut but never seem to get one over on Homer except on the rarest of ocassions.
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Daniel Muth about 1 year ago
Even a great dynasty will eventually become irrelevant if it continues to produce an irrelevant product. Notre Dame is dangerously close to disappearing. Weis is an idiot and apparent fraud. NBC is absolutely CARRYING the Irish right now. I'm not saying that the ND won't come back, only that they are generally losing the interest of America with their futile play. They aren't doing themselves any favors by accepting undeserved bowl bids only to lose again and again. Anyone that is consistently owned by Michigan State doesn't deserve the nations attention.
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Matt about 1 year ago
Notre Dame could have losing seasons for the next 5 years and ESPN would still cover non-stop them with unabashed hatred (save for Lou). 10 more crappy years, maybe we fall out off the limelight for a while, but I can't see that happening. It's not just NBC who is all over the Holy Mother, it's the rest of the national media as well.
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BabyTate about 1 year ago
Some shallow comments regarding the greatest football program in history.
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John McClory about 1 year ago
Who would've ever thought horses could chug vodka? Trey Wingo's trying to figure out if that's Big Brown or Barbaro.
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Matt Moore 10 months ago
Notre Dame will rise again... just wait and see
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