There are the longest running TV shows, from daytime soaps to late-night sitcom programs.
Although some, like Seinfeld, chose to go out on top, others chose to continue much past their sell-by date. When voicing something as “longest-running show,” there are many things to ponder.”
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What are the all time longest running TV shows?
These series have lasted longer than others, ranging from thrills to crime shows. Television is a ruthless industry, and many shows are charming enough to grab past season one. It’s rare when a series is popular enough to survive casting challenging, societal shifts, and disruptions in the media landscape.
What show has the most seasons?
The Simpsons hold the record for being the longest-running prime television show. Simpsons has 32 shows with the most seasons. For example, WWE Monday Night Raw has been Straight shooting, Stone Cold Stunning, Outlook modifying, and Curb Stomping for over 1300 episodes, but that is because there is no offseason in exciting wrestling shows. Doctor Who has been traveling across time and space since 1963, albeit with almost decade-long breaks here and there.
Frasier (1993 – 2004) Steaming on Hulu
Frasier is the show with the most seasons and may have been the most successful of all time. It is known for its cocky characters and running jokes. That is worse because an extension for Paramount+ is available at the end of 2022. However, it will unfortunately not include Martin Crane, who the late John Mahoney played in the series.
The best and longest running TV shows came dangerously close to matching their inspiration: none other than Cheer, which aired on N.B.C. for 11 seasons and 264 episodes.
Cheers (1982 – 1993) Streaming on Hulu
While it wasn’t a hit at first, Cheers is now one of the first titles to whip into mind when someone is asked to name a Comedy.
Introducing a varied cast of up-and-coming stars, including Woody Harrelson, Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer, and Shelley Long, Cheers always made the audience feel like they were cast members themselves drinking at the bar where everyone knew their names.
M*A*S*H (1972 – 1983) Streaming on Hulu
A far more successful derivate of Robert Altman’s classic war comedy M*A*S*H, the classical series moved on to C.B.S. for 11 seasons. And the show is known as the longest running tv show.
Like the film (but with minor football), M*A*S*H followed Hawkeye and the recall of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital as they wanted to hold out the Korean War. Curiously enough, the series was longer than the real-life war by eight years. Even more impressive was its ending, which to this day is the most-watched climax of any television series (comedy or otherwise).
Bob’s Burgers (2011 – Present) Streaming on Hulu
Bob’s Burgers’ warm, enthusiastic tone and its shoot-down of references are on track to produce yet another very long-running lively show. More akin to The Simpsons than South Park, the Belcher family’s exploits usually hit the proper disdainful tone.
However, one way that it is likewise to South Park is Bob’s Burgers’ next onward transition to the larger screen. Given that the show’s performance hasn’t improved in 12 seasons, it’s safe to assume that the movie won’t bore the show’s fans.
The Adventures Of Ozzie And Harriet (1952-1966) Streaming on Flix Fling
Ew even remembers or has heard of The Adventures Of Ozzie And Harriet, but it was long-lasting for 14 seasons, beginning on C.B.S. in 1952. The show featured show creator Ozzie Nelson and his real-life family versus the backdrop. Their motivation, a proper habitat in Los Angeles, was unbelievable by today’s standards.
Nelson took on many challenges of raising his real-life family and turned them into stories for the show, which grew organically as his children rose into a grown-up. The introduction of a significant cultural change in the 1960s effectively brakes on the Nelson family’s nuclear family ethics.
Criminal Minds (2005 – 2020) Streaming on Hulu
Another crime thriller/drama series that caught on in a big way is C.B.S.’s Criminal Minds has 15 seasons under its belt. The show Criminal Minds has been on television for 15 seasons. With the series finale, “And At The End,” the show came close, leaving plenty of substance for the inaugural ceremony.
Expect Criminal Minds to maintain its status as one of television’s most popular shows, with plenty of sequels to enjoy. The show has also produced several spinoffs, including Suspect Behavior and Beyond Borders, not to mention a Korean acquisition!
The Jack Benny Program (1950 – 1965) Streaming on Prime Video
The original Jack Benny Show was a radio show that was a massive hit with listeners before television even existed. Benny’s comedy was distinct in presenting actual African American actors are educated, clever, and of elite status when most shows propagated racial stereotypes.
Audiences were ready for Benny’s shift from radio to television, and the Jack Benny Program continued for 15 seasons before ending in 1965. It concluded positively with an estimated 18 million viewers, but Benny was ready to leave television due to bad encounters behind the scenes.
C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation (2000 – 2015) Streaming on Hulu
What’s your name, by the way? Who is this mysterious figure? “Can you tell me who’s who?” When C.S.I. first aired in 2000, it was a huge hit. The Who yelled that question at viewers, and the show was a tremendous hit. Spawning spinoffs and computer games thanks to its gruesome secrets and fantastic main characters.
Unfortunately, like Miami Vice and The Fonz from Happy Days had shown, excellent goes out of style. The show’s one-liners and raised eyebrows almost led it to become a parody of itself before it ended in 2015.
E.R (1994 – 2009) Streaming on Hulu
That is the show that catapulted George Clooney to superstardom before Batman & Robin kicked him out almost immediately.
When E.R. was renewed for another ten years after the gorgeous doctor left in 1999, it proved to be considerably more than the Dr. Doug Ross show. Nonetheless, most hospital dramas follow this pattern.
American Dad! (2005 – Present) Streaming on Hulu
It’s not always easy to translate the success of one show into a spinoff series, but Seth MacFarlane achieved it with American Dad! The program premiered in 2005 and has been renewed for seasons 20 and 2021, which is impressive given that MacFarlane’s other spinoff, The Cleveland Show, was canceled after only four seasons.
Although American Dad! is aimed at a specific audience instead of Family Guy’s circular firing squad-style of comedy, it’s enough to keep it going this long. That’s a significant achievement for MacFarlane.
Lassie (1954 – 1973) Streaming on Hulu
Lassie was first introduced to America in 1943, and she continued her adventures on television between 1953 and 1974, even performing a Dorothy Gale by switching from black and white to color.
She is one of only three dogs to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, alongside Rin Tin Tin and Strongheart.
Greys Anatomy (2005 – Present) Streaming on Netflix
In its 18th season, Grey’s Anatomy is still going strong and has received 38 Emmy nominations. In an interview with the New York Times, Shonda Rhimes, the program’s creator, said she wanted to produce a show where “brilliant women compete against each other.”
Grey’s Anatomy is America’s longest-running medical drama, and that formula has proven to be a winning one.
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia (2005 – Present) Streaming on Hulu
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia on F.X.X. has so many quotable lines that not everyone gets its due. The show premiered in 2005 with its R-rated Seinfeld mindset. It is now the longest-running live-action sitcom of all time.
Over the years, the show has become deceptively complex, with insightful commentary on current social and cultural developments. In its second season, the gang was enlarged by one great member: Frank Reynolds, played by Danny DeVito. who launched the program on its long-term success path.
NCIS (2003 – Present) Streaming on Netflix
NCIS is a spinoff of J.A.G. and is one of the shows that outperforms its predecessor in terms of ratings and duration.
The NCIS team is a unique unit of a diverse cast of people tasked with combating maritime and naval crimes. Comedic features, ensemble acting, and character-driven narratives have contributed to the show’s popularity.
Gunsmoke (1955 – 1975) Streaming on DIRECTV
Gunsmoke, known by its other name, “that old cowboy show that isn’t Bonanza,” started way back as a radio series in 1952 before transitioning to T.V. in 1955.
Originally titled “Gun Law,” the show started quite gritty, especially for its day, handling themes like violence and drug addiction before becoming more humorous in tone as it went on. Throughout its run, the show remained well-liked, with great episodes throughout Gunsmoke’s seasons.
Law & Order (1990 – 2010) Streaming on Peacock Premium
Law & Order established the cop show approach that has endured to this day, based on the realism of multiple departments rather than the one gun-ho hero before it (e.g., something along the lines of T.J. Hooker).
There are almost 1000 hours of justice to be seen from this show alone. Which has spun off companion shows in many nations to create an extended world Stan Lee would be proud of.
Family Guy (1999 – Present) Streaming on Hulu
Peter Griffin and his family have been on television for 20 years. Despite being canceled twice, the show has been resurrected thanks to a devoted fan base and DVD sales.
Although the show has been formulaic with uninteresting plot lines for a long time. The tales were never really Family Guy’s strong suit; it was always about the joke and parody rate, which is why it has survived!
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999 – Present) Streaming on Hulu
The Law & Order spinoff premiered nine years after the original and recently surpassed it in episode count. S.V.U. is now the all-time longest-running live-action T.V. drama.
Considering the success of its spinoff, Law & Order: Organized Crime, it’s arguably more popular than ever. The return of Elliot Stabler was a vital element of this achievement.
South Park (1997 – Present) Streaming on HBO Max
Over time, the ability to grow and develop is the key to South Park’s success. An episode is now written, produced, longest running sitcom. Thanks to technological advancements, “The Simpsons” was animated within a week of its air date.
As a result, the show has become one of the most up-to-date examples of contemporary political and pop-culture satire. That entails keeping up with the times, and it’s an approach that’s helped, South Park. That became one of the most popular television shows.
The Simpsons (1989 – Present) Streaming on Disney+
What are the names of the longest running TV shows? The majority of people could answer the question without looking it up. It’s easy to blame The Simpsons for its deterioration in quality over time. But the fact is that the stupid cartoon skit on The Tracey Ullman Show has become an American institution.
The Simpsons have had a big impact on many people, and even 33 years later, memorable lines from the show are still used in dictionaries and online memes. Bart would be 40 now if he aged at the same rate as the show.
