Some records will last forever

Some pop culture achievements really are forever.

Inspired by a recent accomplishment in the National Football League that can never be eclipsed, we've compiled a list of entertainment milestones that are equally untouchable.

The football record, for those of you who don't pay attention to such things, was a 109-yard touchdown return of a missed field goal by San Diego Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie earlier this month. Because of the length of the field, that record can be duplicated, but never surpassed.

Just as these eight pop culture feats will likely never be surpassed:

MOST TIMES HOSTING THE OSCARS

Bob Hope hosted or co-hosted the Academy Awards 18 times from 1940-'77. Nobody is close, not Billy Crystal (eight times), not Johnny Carson (five), not Jon Stewart (two, counting next year). It's doubtful any celebrity — no matter how popular — will ever again expose themselves to the kind of repeat scrutiny that comes with hosting the Oscars year after year.

MOST TOP 40 HITS

Elvis Presley, 104. Elton John is in second place with 59, but, really, how many more sappy Disney movie theme songs does Sir Elton have left in the pen?

TOP-SELLING GREATEST HITS ALBUM

I'll go out on a limb and say that “Eagles: Their Greatest Hits 1971-75,” which currently sits atop the RIAA rankings with more than 29 million copies sold, will never be caught. In an age when listeners can easily download individual tracks to create their own compilations, greatest-hits albums are all-but-obsolete.

MOST WATCHED TV EPISODE

The “M*A*S*H*” series finale attracted nearly 106 million viewers on Feb. 28, 1983. The series finale of “Friends” three years ago drew less than half that. In this era of 200-some channels, DVRs and the Internet, it's unlikely that many people will sit down to watch the same show at the same time ever again. Except, possibly, for the series finale of “Cavemen.”

LONGEST-RUNNING ANIMATED TV SERIES

Sorry “Simpsons” fans, it's not Bart, Homer and Co. At 19 seasons, “The Simpsons” holds the U.S. record, but the world record belongs to a Japanese cartoon called “Sazae-san,” which debuted on Fuji Television in 1969 and still runs every Sunday night. The cartoon is approaching 2,000 episodes — or about five times as many as “The Simpsons.”

MOST COVERED SONG

There are reportedly more than 3,000 recorded cover versions of the Beatles' “Yesterday.” I don't think I've heard any of them, but I'll take Guinness' word for it.

MOST YEARS WAITING FOR A SPECIFIC ALBUM

Guns N' Roses began recording their sixth studio album, “Chinese Democracy,” in 1994. Thirteen years later, the world — or at least those few paying attention — is still eagerly awaiting its release.

MOST TOP 5 HITS AT THE SAME TIME

On April 4, 1964, the Beatles owned the entire Billboard top five: “Can't Buy Me Love,” “Twist and Shout,” “She Loves You,” “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Please Please Me.” Obviously, like Cromartie's NFL mark, a record that can never be broken.