Just when exactly does a show become a 'veteran series' anyway?

My guess is around the sixth season

I would say the sixth season as well.

Which means the only "veteran" sitcoms on air are....

Will & Grace
Everybody Loves Raymond
The King of Queens
The Simpsons
King of the Hill
That 70s Show
Malcolm in the Middle
and South Park

My guess is around the sixth season
I agree

I would go a little lower and say fifth season, because that's usually when a show has hit its peak and also when it becomes sold into syndication.

I would go a little lower and say fifth season, because that's usually when a show has hit its peak and also when it becomes sold into syndication.

That's what I would say too, there's a few shows I've seen referred too in their fifth season's as a veteran series :)

I would go a little lower and say fifth season, because that's usually when a show has hit its peak and also when it becomes sold into syndication.


Some series can get sold into syndication earlier than that (provided they hit the normal 100 episode mark), that's why I think ABC orders so many episodes for its comedies. They're thinking more about syndication than current ratings, since they own the series anyways.

It is weird how the fifth season of series seems to be the turning point in many cases.

For example....
Cheers -- Diane leaves. The show, although still quite funny, isn't quite as smart as it once was.

Frasier -- The fifth season was the last one to win "Outstanding Comedy Series" at the Emmys. After this, the show adopted story-arcs which were commonly used by other series. Although still funny, those first 5 years won the "Outstanding Comedy Series" Emmys for a reason.

The Andy Griffith Show -- Don Knotts' final season. Once he leaves, it turns to color -- AND SUCKS.

The Dick Van Dyke Show -- was always intended to run only five seasons. Other series should learned to follow this method.... perhaps the only series to never jump the shark.

Yeah I know, I was just speaking generally, since most shows hit their hundredth in the fifth year. Some shows are also sold in syndication if they were cancelled before hitting that mark.

The Dick Van Dyke Show -- was always intended to run only five seasons. Other series should learned to follow this method.... perhaps the only series to never jump the shark.

I think the same applies to Taxi as well. It too ended after it's fifth season, and most people agree the show never jumped the shark.

I agree about that.

Also.... The Odd Couple.

IMO The Adventures of Superman never jumped the shark either :)

IMO The Adventures of Superman never jumped the shark either :)


perhaps because it was never anything smart or different to begin with? it never aspired to be anything, so it wasn't able to jump the shark. it was a comic book show and thats it.

perhaps because it was never anything smart or different to begin with? it never aspired to be anything, so it wasn't able to jump the shark. it was a comic book show and thats it.

Maybe not, but it's still a classic ;)

Ummm obviously, Superman is a comic book character after all ;)

Maybe not, but it's still a classic ;)

Ummm obviously, Superman is a comic book character after all ;)


Well your certainly entitled to your opinon. the only thing noteworthy about that show is Christopher Reeves and Margot Kidder (or is it Kitter)?

I would go a little lower and say fifth season, because that's usually when a show has hit its peak and also when it becomes sold into syndication.

Exactly, fifth season is really when a show has proven its durability and like slackermonkey said, gets into syndication.

The fifth season after its in syndication.

Ids say around the 6th season.

But theres already a thread on this...just to let you know http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=120293

Exactly, fifth season is really when a show has proven its durability and like slackermonkey said, gets into syndication.

I totally agree. season five is when it can be called "veteran" series. and typically yes that is when a show will reach the 100th episode required for syndication. sometimes a show can do that at season 4, if they've had a larger amount of episodes produced in each season.

I totally agree. season five is when it can be called "veteran" series. and typically yes that is when a show will reach the 100th episode required for syndication. sometimes a show can do that at season 4, if they've had a larger amount of episodes produced in each season.

I think Season 5 too, but some shows can do enough shows in their 4th season, I thought a show had to have 88 episodes to get syndicated? I know some shows are the exception too(Bosom Buddies)

Heck Smallville is in syndication and it's only got three seasons completed and the 4th is currently airing

But theres already a thread on this...just to let you know http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=120293

I would say there's a difference between "long-running" and "veteran"
Come to think of it.... wouldn't a "veteran" series have to be over??

I think Season 5 too, but some shows can do enough shows in their 4th season, I thought a show had to have 88 episodes to get syndicated? I know some shows are the exception too(Bosom Buddies)

Heck Smallville is in syndication and it's only got three seasons completed and the 4th is currently airing


No 100 is the typical number for synidcation. sometimes a show with 88 episodes will get syndicated, but 100 is the standard.

I think this is why ABC has given such high episode orders for its sitcoms (at least in recent previous seasons).

8SR has something like 28 episodes in the first season.
This is very smart, at least on the part of ABC -- this way a show can reach 100 episodes in the first four seasons, and it may not get the greatest ratings -- but they will get their benefits thanks to syndication, especially since they own the majority of their series (through Touchstone)

I think this is why ABC has given such high episode orders for its sitcoms (at least in recent previous seasons).

8SR has something like 28 episodes in the first season.
This is very smart, at least on the part of ABC -- this way a show can reach 100 episodes in the first four seasons, and it may not get the greatest ratings -- but they will get their benefits thanks to syndication, especially since they own the majority of their series (through Touchstone)

I wish more networks would do that.

No 100 is the typical number for synidcation. sometimes a show with 88 episodes will get syndicated, but 100 is the standard.

They must have changed it cause I've read in several places that 88 episodes qualifies for syndication

I would say there's a difference between "long-running" and "veteran"
Come to think of it.... wouldn't a "veteran" series have to be over??

Law and Order, NYPD Blue, CSI and Raymond, Will and Grace I've heard of all them called veteran shows. So I'd say it's shows that are on the air at least 5 years

Originally Posted by barwars
I would say there's a difference between "long-running" and "veteran"
Come to think of it.... wouldn't a "veteran" series have to be over??

Not necessarily. Does a veteran have to be dead to be considered a veteran? "Veteran" just means long-standing, experienced, a survivor.

They must have changed it cause I've read in several places that 88 episodes qualifies for syndication



well your sources are vastly misinformed. its always been 100 episodes. with 88 episodes it is possible, not most shows have to wait until 100 episodes.

Not necessarily. Does a veteran have to be dead to be considered a veteran? "Veteran" just means long-standing, experienced, a survivor.

I thought "veteran" meant they were finished. Not necessarily dead.... just done.

Nope. Being the dork I am, I even checked dictionary.com just to make sure. :p

I thought "veteran" meant they were finished. Not necessarily dead.... just done.


nope, veteran series simply means that its been on for at least 5-6 years. if its dead its called a "canceled" or "ended" series.