Easterhay said:
..accept that the prequels have their fanbase and are referenced in modern films as much as the original trilogy was in its day. ....you can't deny the success of the prequels and that these "awful" films exist, will continue to exist, and are the reason Star Wars remains so prominent today.
Not really one of your more subtle attempts at baiting. The prequels are prominent in pop culture specifically for being so poorly done. Outside of something as insular as TFN, pop culture references to Star Wars are almost solely the original trilogy. 1977 and 1980 are why Star Wars remains prominent.