Well, that’s a deep cut. Cutting off the end of a game to show a scheduled movie would NEVER happen these days. They’ll even schedule stuff (like local news) that they know will have to be pushed back or cancelled when a game runs long, as they always seem to do.
The NFL added a clause in TV contracts that guaranteed all games would be broadcast in their entirety in home markets as a result of the Jets-Raiders game. That is the “Heidi Rule” that stands today
I asked ChatGPT to read the strip and explain: The punchline comes when the character in the teal sweater sarcastically asks, “Where is Heidi when you need her?” This is a humorous reference to the infamous 1968 “Heidi Game” incident. During this event, NBC cut away from the final minutes of a dramatic football game between the Oakland Raiders and the New York Jets to air the children’s movie Heidi. Football fans missed a thrilling ending where the Raiders scored two touchdowns in the final minute to win. The incident became legendary, symbolizing bad programming decisions.
Da'Dad about 4 hours ago
Ah, the infamous ‘68 Heidi Game.
C about 4 hours ago
No more Heidi Heidi
Yakety Sax about 4 hours ago
Woke Janis up!
dvandom about 4 hours ago
Well, that’s a deep cut. Cutting off the end of a game to show a scheduled movie would NEVER happen these days. They’ll even schedule stuff (like local news) that they know will have to be pushed back or cancelled when a game runs long, as they always seem to do.
joeldouglas Premium Member about 4 hours ago
As usual I had to come to the comments to find out what this joke meant
Pharmakeus Ubik about 3 hours ago
Heidi and the Embraceable Ewes.
Dirty Dragon about 3 hours ago
He remembers the Heidi game?
How come Janis keeps gradually aging, but Arlo looks about the same as he did 30 years ago??
(Maybe he’s put on 10 or 20 pounds?)
David Huie Green DecisionsMatterGoodAndBad about 2 hours ago
I watched Heidi when it came on. I was glad when they cut away from the silly game.
Rhetorical_Question about 2 hours ago
The NFL added a clause in TV contracts that guaranteed all games would be broadcast in their entirety in home markets as a result of the Jets-Raiders game. That is the “Heidi Rule” that stands today
The Joke Explainer Premium Member 38 minutes ago
I asked ChatGPT to read the strip and explain: The punchline comes when the character in the teal sweater sarcastically asks, “Where is Heidi when you need her?” This is a humorous reference to the infamous 1968 “Heidi Game” incident. During this event, NBC cut away from the final minutes of a dramatic football game between the Oakland Raiders and the New York Jets to air the children’s movie Heidi. Football fans missed a thrilling ending where the Raiders scored two touchdowns in the final minute to win. The incident became legendary, symbolizing bad programming decisions.
In that context, the joke is actually funny!
Thank you, AI.