The NFL’s newest way of digesting a league game with its crossover with popular animated show ‘The Simpsons’ has divided football fans as to how successful the venture was.
Some have argued for Bengals-Cowboys, especially for a late-regular-season primetime game between two teams not in playoff contention, that the NFL found a creative way to cater to more than its usual fan base.
Others have questioned what fans a crossover with ‘The Simpsons’ would bring in, as the show is not made for children, or any specific audience.
Another group hated the idea, whether they like the Springfield family or not.
The Monday Night Football broadcast was similar to games on Nickelodeon that have been targeted towards kids, including ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ characters on the call for last season’s Super Bowl.
The online reaction fell all over the place, with many voicing their support and dissatisfaction.
The NFL provided an alternate broadcast of ‘Monday Night Football’ with ‘The Simpsons’
The field and backdrops were all different compared to the game which was played in Texas
The Bengals defeated the Cowboys on a late Joe Burrow touchdown pass to Ja’Marr Chase
‘The Simpsons Funday Football broadcast is the most watchable the Cowboys have been all year,’ one NFL fan said.
‘I don’t understand who this broadcast is for. Is it for kids? Do kids in 2024 watch The Simpsons? Do adults that watch The Simpsons not already watch the NFL? I’m confused by it all.’
‘(ESPN’s) Mina Kimes is absolutely killing it on this Simpsons broadcast. This crew had to have done an ungodly amount of prep with the number of references and inside jokes they’re making minute by minute.’
‘They just advertised illegal gambling at moe’s bar on the simpsons cast.’
‘Don’t care what people think or that the game is about two minutes behind to capture animations/plays, if you want me to watch #NFL #MNF every week, put in in the form of @TheSimpsons and you’ll get my views. As a lifelong fan of #TheSimpsons, I love the crossover #FundayFootball.’
A collection of social-media messages about the Monday Night Football-Simpsons crossover
Cincinnati defeated Dallas 27-20 on a final-minute Ja’Marr Chase touchdown that left the Cowboys fan base and players frustrated, dropping the team to 5-8 and three games out of the playoff spot with four weeks to go in the season.
The Bengals improved to 5-8, but are also three games out of a postseason spot entering Week 15.
The NFL does have a broadcast partnership with Fox, which has aired ‘The Simpsons’ since its debut in 1989.
No future collaborations between the animation giant and the NFL have been announced. More could be on the way if the league viewed it as a success.
