If you weren’t feeling old when you woke up today, just wait …

July 14, 2025 | By Steve Eighinger, Muddy River News Minister of Culture and Doctor of Love

Kevin Arnold (Fred Savage) and Winnie Cooper (Danica McKeller) were the central characters on "The Wonder Years" — ABC

Daily Dirt for Monday, July 14, 2025

Confession: I always loved Winnie on “The Wonder Years” … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,342 of The Daily Dirt.

1. The next time you’re sitting in that favorite recliner and watching the rerun of a favorite TV show or movie, consider the following:

In the 1980s we watched reruns of “Leave It To Beaver” and “The Honeymooners,” shows that were made in the 1950s. That’s the same as kids today watching reruns of “Cheers” and “The Golden Girls,” shows that were made in the 1980s.

Speaking of memorable TV shows, “The Wonder Years” debuted in 1988 and it was about life from 1968 to 1973. If that show was made today, it would be about life from 2005 to 2010. (Starting to feel old yet?)

In “Back To the Future,” Marty (Michael J. Fox) traveled back to 1955. If “Back To The Future” was made today, Marty would travel back to 1995. (If you didn’t feel old a few seconds ago, this one should push you over the edge.)

Remember when MTV was the real deal? If so, you probably remember a guy named Kurt Loder on MTV News. He was also the one-time editor at Rolling Stone magazine. He’s 80 years old now. Eighty.

2. Did you know (Part 425)

That Panda Express is bringing back its hot orange chicken.
That Nestle Carnation Kickin’ Jalapeno-flavored evaporated milk is now a real thing.
That Lay’s Potato Chips are now providing us with a Farmhouse Cheese and Ranch flavor.
That Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs have released Min-Colossal (beef franks in a puff pastry) and Mini Pretzel dogs.
That Pillsbury Toasted Strudel has two new flavor options: Strawberry Sprinkle and Mixed Berry.
That the 2025-25 Notre Dame football recruiting class includes the sons of Jerome Bettis, Larry Fitzgerald and Plaxico Burress. Not bad, Irish. Not bad.

3. Since we’re nearing the start of NFL preseason camps, here’s some medal-worthy football info I think you might find interesting:

Gold medal: On Sept. 21, 2014, in a 16-9 Patriots victory over the Raiders, a guy named “—kowski” scored every point. Stephen Gostkowski scored 10 points on three field goals and an extra point, Sebastian Janikowski kicked three goals for nine points and Rob Gronkowski scored six points on a TD reception.

Silver medal: Marcus Allen is the only player in football history to win the Heisman Trophy, NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP.

Bronze medal: Only four men have a Super Bowl ring as a player and head coach. Tom Flores was a Chiefs quarterback in Super Bowl IV and coached the Raiders in Super Bowls XV and XVIII, Mike Ditka played for the Cowboys in Super Bowl VI and coached the Bears in Super Bowl XX, Tony Dungy played for Steelers in Super Bowl XIII and coached the Colts in Super Bowl in XLI and Doug Pederson played for the Packers in Super Bowl XXXI and coached the Eagles in Super Bowl LII.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — Have you ever wondered if songbirds get mad at hummingbirds for not knowing the words?

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. Dan Reeves won a Super Bowl with the Cowboys, but was 0-4 coaching in the big game and participated in nine Super Bowls overall.