On one The Golden Girls thread the topic was getting into shows that went on too long. I thought I'd start a separate thread for this.

What popular sitcoms do you think went on too long even though they were popular. I say:

The Jeffersons (11 seasons)
Alice (9 Seasons)
Friends (10 Seasons) - I mean how realistic is it for 6 individuals to hang out together exclusively, for 10 years?

Murphy Brown - while I loved the final season, almost as much as the earlier seasons, seasons 8-9 just weren't necessary. Although the show was still enjoyable, it just lost the magic by season 9 and 10.

The Drew Carey Show - it's almost hard to believe this show was on for 9 seasons, because all people seem to remember are seasons 1-6. I've only watched a few episodes from the last 3 seasons, but by then, the show had changed so much that they were pointless to tack on.

The Facts of Life - fantastic show during seasons 2-5, but after that, the show had become so different and farfetched that I have no idea what the later seasons are about. It's amazing, though, how they kept this show going with the same girls for 9 years.

Scrubs - should've ended after season 7. Season 8 on ABC was pointless, and season 9 will probably be excruciatingly painful to watch. I still don't see why ABC decided to renew it for yet another season.

I disagree about Friends, I think that show was still good (not its best, but still good) in its last season

Some shows I DO think wore out their welcome:
Happy Days
Murphy Brown
Bewitched

I loved all those shows at the beginning of their run, but they dipped heavily in quality by the end

"M*A*S*H"

Good thread.

I think it's really hard for most shows to retain quality after 5 or 6 years. Some can do it; most can't.

My list of those that went on too long would include:

Seinfeld (about four years too long)

Frasier (the last three or four years were unwatchable for me; around the time the show shifted from a work/home sitcom to a strictly home one it went downhill.

One Day at a Time (never recovered from Mackenzie Phillips departure; probably should have ended when she left the 2nd time).

Welcome Back Kotter (not a long show by any means but when Travolta and Kotter (mostly) departed, what was the point, really?)

Laverne and Shirley (moving to California gutted the show, and without Cindy Williams, again, why bother?)

Happy Days (this show went on five years after Richie Cunningham left, and honestly, I don't think I watched over a handful of those post-Richie eps; for me his presence was really key to the show)

All in the Family (my favorite sitcom of all time, but honestly, without Mike and Gloria, the show had no real spark; I still loved Archie and Edith but there wasn't enough comic fodder (or conflict) to keep the show going)

P.S. MASH wasn't the same show in the post Radar years, but it was still high quality so I won't count it here.

Murphy Brown - while I loved the final season, almost as much as the earlier seasons, seasons 8-9 just weren't necessary. Although the show was still enjoyable, it just lost the magic by season 9 and 10.

The Drew Carey Show - it's almost hard to believe this show was on for 9 seasons, because all people seem to remember are seasons 1-6. I've only watched a few episodes from the last 3 seasons, but by then, the show had changed so much that they were pointless to tack on.

The Facts of Life - fantastic show during seasons 2-5, but after that, the show had become so different and farfetched that I have no idea what the later seasons are about. It's amazing, though, how they kept this show going with the same girls for 9 years.

Scrubs - should've ended after season 7. Season 8 on ABC was pointless, and season 9 will probably be excruciatingly painful to watch. I still don't see why ABC decided to renew it for yet another season.


Yeah, The Facts of Life, is probably the number 1 show that went on too long. It should have ended when the older girls graduated. It was too far fetched for the 4 girls to follow Mrs. Garratt to live on top of her store. And then didn't the store burn down? Then I don't know what happened but Charlotte Rae left the show, and it STILL went on with Cloris Leachman. So unreal:rolleyes: istic!

Yeah, The Facts of Life, is probably the number 1 show that went on too long. It should have ended when the older girls graduated. It was too far fetched for the 4 girls to follow Mrs. Garratt to live on top of her store. And then didn't the store burn down? Then I don't know what happened but Charlotte Rae left the show, and it STILL went on with Cloris Leachman. So unreal:rolleyes: istic!

I stopped watching around the time they changed the location to Edna's Edibles. Then the girls were living together on the top of the building, and working there? And then Charlotte Rae, the backbone of the show, left, and they brought in Cloris Leachman? I love Cloris, but Facts of Life was a career mistake for her. Like I said, season 6 or 7 should have been the last. After that was completely unnecessary.

The following shows went on too long:

Cheers
Friends
Married ... with Children
NYPD Blue
Roseanne
Will and Grace

All in The Family, Mash, The Jeffersons, Toseanne, The Cosby Show, Frasier. That's it for now.

Happy Days
M*A*S*H
One Day At A Time

8 Simple Rules (SHOULD HAVE ENDED AFTER JOHN RITTERS DEATH)\
Everybody Loves Raymond (SHOULD HAVE ENDED IN SEASON 8)
Scrubs (SHOULD HAVE ENDED AFTER SEASON 8)
Til Death (SHOULD HAVE BEEN CANCELLED IN SEASON 3 AFTER THE WOODCOCKS LEFT)

My picks:

Happy Days: I am glad that it had a good 11 year run but it should have stopped after season ten. However it was a treat to see Richie, Ralph and Lori Beth back.

Less than Perfect: The ratings were seriously falling but got renewed over other shows that should have had a chance.

Roseanne: Season Nine. Need I say more? Season Eight should have been it.

The Facts of Life was not the same to me after Charlotte Rae left and could have ended after season seven.

Empty Nest could have ended in season six and given Nurses a chance at a season four.

7th Heaven: Granted, it was not a sitcom but it should have left the airwaves in season ten. Its cool that they got an 11th year but there was almost no one there from the original run to keep it going.

The Cosby Show - No doubt! When Olvia 1st came along she wasn't too bad but very soon afterwards she became annoying. It got worse when Martin (Who is another one of my least favorite characters on this show) entered the scene as did Cousin Pam.

Roseanne - The 9th season just truly showed its age! HORRIBLY!!

That '70s Show - I liked this show from start to finish and the fact that in S8 the other characters got more chance to shine more, BUT...I still thought that S7 should've been the last right then and there.

Bewitched - After the 1st season w/ Dick Sargent, this show became too tired out.

Scrubs - This season, if not this season then next season def. should be the last one! Both NBC and ABC are playing pitta-patta with the schtick "are they gonna cancel/are they not cancel this show?"

Growing Pains - When S5 rolled into town, the show just seemed to become The Kirk Cameron Show.

Diff'rent Strokes - S6 should've actually been the last. But NOOOOOOOOOOOOO they had to have Mr. D marry that nagger Maggie and that annoying little pill Sam. Plus, the show seemed tired out during S7. ABC picked up this show for its 8th and final season and it just made matters even worse.

The Cosby Show - No doubt! When Olvia 1st came along she wasn't too bad but very soon afterwards she became annoying. It got worse when Martin (Who is another one of my least favorite characters on this show) entered the scene as did Cousin Pam.

Roseanne - The 9th season just truly showed its age! HORRIBLY!!

That '70s Show - I liked this show from start to finish and the fact that in S8 the other characters got more chance to shine more, BUT...I still thought that S7 should've been the last right then and there.

Bewitched - After the 1st season w/ Dick Sargent, this show became too tired out.

Scrubs - This season, if not this season then next season def. should be the last one! Both NBC and ABC are playing pitta-patta with the schtick "are they gonna cancel/are they not cancel this show?"

Growing Pains - When S5 rolled into town, the show just seemed to become The Kirk Cameron Show.

Diff'rent Strokes - S6 should've actually been the last. But NOOOOOOOOOOOOO they had to have Mr. D marry that nagger Maggie and that annoying little pill Sam. Plus, the show seemed tired out during S7. ABC picked up this show for its 8th and final season and it just made matters even worse.

I have to disagree with Bewitched. Season 7 had the Salem episode arc. Plus it was filmed on location.

I could say that My Three Sons should have lasted for 10 seasons (1960-70) instead of twelve. The series went downhill after the tenth season ended. And my grandson Jim wished that The Smpsons had been cancelled last season instead of King of the Hill, but I feel that both shows had went on too long. And Family Matters and Step by Step by the time they moved to CBS frm ABC were beginning to look tired out.

I have to say I agree with almost all of these!!

agree with that 70s show season 8 in spite of a handfull of good eps was totally unnesscary and really didnt add much to the show in the way of really interesting plots for the point place gang even the marriahe of hyde and sam the stripper seemed like a forced attempt to bring another lisa robin kelly/laurie forman clone into the mix

Friends (10 Seasons) - I mean how realistic is it for 6 individuals to hang out together exclusively, for 10 years?

So, then, the Jeff departure worked for Coupling after all (it was more realistic than Friends by this logic, since one of them would leave for awhile...)

"MASH" should have ended after season 8 when Radar left and it became TOO MUCH "the Alan Alda show".
"ALL IN THE FAMILY" should have ended when Mike and Gloria left.
"HAPPY DAYS" should have ended when Richie left.
"FRASIER" should have ended when Niles and Daphne got together.

"MASH" should have ended after season 8 when Radar left and it became TOO MUCH "the Alan Alda show".
"ALL IN THE FAMILY" should have ended when Mike and Gloria left.
"HAPPY DAYS" should have ended when Richie left.
"FRASIER" should have ended when Niles and Daphne got together.you know even alan alda said in a few interviews that he thought that mash might have went on a little too long but cbs kept asking for more eps so they just kept cranking them out

I could say that My Three Sons should have lasted for 10 seasons (1960-70) instead of twelve. The series went downhill after the tenth season ended.

I disagree on the basis that I enjoyed seeing the additions of Ronne Troup, Norm Alden, Doris Singleton, and Anne Francis in those final two seasons. Chip's marriage to Polly was handled in an interesting way, as was Fergus' courtship. I don't believe the quality of the series suffered at all.

MASH
Roseanne-should have ended in season 8
Scrubs

Non sitcom shows
7th Heaven
NYPD Blue

There's alot of shows I didn't like that I felt went on too long! (namely: Roseanne, Seinfeld, Married With Children, ER, Friends, Family Matters, Step By Step, The Simpsons (it's still on the air, I don't know why). :confused:

Here are the shows that went on too long:
Here's Lucy - One season too long and it was stated that Lucy was reading off cue cards in the final season.

The Andy Griffith Show - Should had called it after Don Knotts left the show. Andy Griffith's performances was not as good in the color years and in the final year he was going through the motions.

Petticoat Junction - Before Bea Benaderet's health started breaking down the show was starting to get tired in season 4. The show seemed lost without Bea when she was written out in the episodes and after she passed away.

One Day At A Time - The final season was horrible and the show got tired. When Ann and Sam got married they should had ended the show right there.

The Bob Newhart Show - The final season was not good and Bob was not hardly in any of them. The episodes he was in he did not really want to be there. He wanted out after the end of the fifth season.

Three's Company - Never fully recovered from the Suzanne Somers mess even though I liked the show better with Priscilla Barnes. It gave the show a more intelligent feel to it and not so much sexual romp like it did in the Suzanne Somers seasons.

All In the Family - The show was not as funny after Mike and Gloria moved out of the house into the Jeffersons' home. The four of them under that roof together provided great comedy.

The Jeffersons - It became another generic sitcom after George got softened.

i WOULD say boy meets world. i liked the ending but thene they got cory and
topanga got married it went down hill. i think they showed lift after cory ask topanag to marry him. i also think they should canaccled family matter after they starting going back in time.

agree with that 70s show season 8 in spite of a handfull of good eps was totally unnesscary and really didnt add much to the show in the way of really interesting plots for the point place gang even the marriahe of hyde and sam the stripper seemed like a forced attempt to bring another lisa robin kelly/laurie forman clone into the mix

Why did everybody continue to hang out in the Foreman basement after their son left the show?? That must be why they brought back Laurie!

Full House - it should have ended around the 6th-7th season. It just got way more awkward the older the girls got. Plus, the twins? PUH-LEASE. Yeah.

You could pretty much mention any show where a main character left (Happy Days, That 70s Show) and the show continued or when a sitcom changed networks (Family Matters, Step by Step, Diff'rent Strokes).

I love Family Matters and Step by Step but I agree they went on too long. I think Step by Step really went downhill after Lily's birth and she was aged a few years.

I love Family Matters and Step by Step but I agree they went on too long.

As far as Family Matters goes, I was disappointed when it ended in 1998 without a wrap-up season. However, since then whenever I have re-watched the episodes, the ones from the latter half sucked. I'm talking about the episodes with Myrtle, 3J, Nick Niedermeyer (the obnoxious next door neighbor), etc. as major parts of the plotlines.

MASH lasted longer than the actual war
The Beverly Hillbillies
Cheers
Happy Days should've ended when Richie and company graduated high school
Laverne And Shirley Should have ended when they moved to California
Welcome Back Kotter once Kotter was gone it should have ended
Married With Children that show should've ended around season six
Miami Vice after season three it started jumping the shark
The Cosby Show season five should have been the last
The Love Boat that ship should have been torpedoed around 1980

Alice, The Jeffersons, One Day At A Time.

I agree with many of these shows, especially when the lost the lead castmember, such as Happy Days and That 70's Show . I think I disagree with Seinfeld (it remained fresh and original) and Cheers,because it had sucessful cast changes through the years. They lost the late Nick Colasanto and Shelley Long left, but the additions of Kirstie Alley, Woody Harrelson, and Kelsey Grammer among some others helped keep this show fresh. But it was time for it to go after 11 years!

I love Family Matters and Step by Step but I agree they went on too long. I think Step by Step really went downhill after Lily's birth and she was aged a few years.

Just to clear up, I too, like all of the shows I mentioned. They are some of my favorites of all-time.

Full House - it should have ended around the 6th-7th season. It just got way more awkward the older the girls got. Plus, the twins? PUH-LEASE. Yeah.

Plus, Dave Coulier's character sort of became a fifth wheel once Jesse and Becky got married. I mean, do we really need four parental figures in the Tanner household!?

Home Improvement - once Jonathan Taylor Thomas left, it was plainly obvious this show was ready to call it quits. Even before he left, the boys were aging and the show was somewhat declining then.

Hunter - Season 6 should've been the last right then and there once Dee Dee got married. But nope the people at Hunter wanted a 7th and somewhat tepid final season.

Gimme a Break! - Once Dolph Sweet died, the 5th season sohuld've been the last. But unfortunately they had to continue with a 6th season, which in spite of a very few good eps. to say the least, just seemed like the cast was going through the motions and it didn't feel the same once Kari and Laurie left this show.

I agree with the posters who said Welcome Back Kotter. That 4th season just seemed very chaotic and out of place for many of the wrong reasons. Gabe going Awol for most of S4, John only making guest-appearances in very few eps. of this season, the addition of Beau who tried to "be" a Sweathog, and other countless horrid things made S4 horrible.

What sucks about some shows is they go on a season or 2 too long after a significant star leaves the show, and then when they finally have the series finale, they don't come back for it.

That 70's Show Topher Grace did not return, although Ashton Kutcher did.

Home Improvement Jonathan Taylor Thomas did not return.

Seventh Heaven Had a nice series finale with everyone returning, then they had a last minute reprieve, and the second series finale as well as the whole last season, was a waste.

Laverne And Shirley Should have ended when they moved to California

I think at least one California season was okay (though the show had a different feel) - plus I love Leslie Easterbrook. But much later, once Cindy Williams was gone, it's amazing that the show continued for that final season!

I think at least one California season was okay (though the show had a different feel) - plus I love Leslie Easterbrook. But much later, once Cindy Williams was gone, it's amazing that the show continued for that final season!

I think it was Penny Marshall that made the decision to end the series at the end of the '82-'83 season. I don't think the show was actually cancelled.
Wasn't the name changed to Laverne & Company?

I think it was Penny Marshall that made the decision to end the series at the end of the '82-'83 season. I don't think the show was actually cancelled.
Wasn't the name changed to Laverne & Company?
Laverne & Company? I hadn't heard about that.

I think it was Penny Marshall that made the decision to end the series at the end of the '82-'83 season. I don't think the show was actually cancelled.
Wasn't the name changed to Laverne & Company?

I believe the title still said "Laverne and Shirley" even after the scenes in the opening sequences were altered to exclude Cindy Williams, although I read somewhere that in Germany it was called "Laverne."

I think it was Penny Marshall that made the decision to end the series at the end of the '82-'83 season. I don't think the show was actually cancelled.
Wasn't the name changed to Laverne & Company?

Here's what happened with this...

While still putting out new episodes the older episodes of the show went into syndication and these syndicated episodes had the title "Laverne and Shirley and Company". This was from 1981-1983.

"MASH" should have ended after season 8 when Radar left and it became TOO MUCH "the Alan Alda show".


...and the later additions to the cast were a bit too cartoony for my tastes.

Here's what happened with this...

While still putting out new episodes the older episodes of the show went into syndication and these syndicated episodes had the title "Laverne and Shirley and Company". This was from 1981-1983.

I always called the last season, "Laverne...Where's Shirley?"

The Simpsons (it's still on the air, I don't know why).

I'd say it's partially because it's been around for so long and is considered legendary (rightfully so, you must admit, even if you are not a fan of the newer eps.) that they are afraid to "kill" it. And honestly the name value keeps it over with the casual viewer even if its prime was years ago. See also: Live, Saturday Night. And Street, Sesame.

The other part would be a by-product of TV execs (and all other entertainment execs) being afraid to try anything new...so they hang on for dear life to what already worked. Of course the other way this manifests itself is throught the remaking abuse that won't go away.

I'd say it ["The Simpsons"]'s partially because it's been around for so long and is considered legendary (rightfully so, you must admit, even if you are not a fan of the newer eps.) that they are afraid to "kill" it. And honestly the name value keeps it over with the casual viewer even if its prime was years ago. See also: Live, Saturday Night. And Street, Sesame.

The other part would be a by-product of TV execs (and all other entertainment execs) being afraid to try anything new...so they hang on for dear life to what already worked. Of course the other way this manifests itself is throught the remaking abuse that won't go away.

That basically explains why I thought The Wonder Years could last forever. You hit the nail right on the head!

If this show has been mentioned or not:

Law and Order - I'm sorry but this show seems to be stagnating more and more. But then again it's one of the very few shows keeping NBC going.

That's easy...

The Simpsons-They should've wrapped it up at Season 13, but nooooo...they have to have more Simpsons Episodes. That show will end when Cleveland wins a Championship. It's like this song too....

Ullman shorts, Christmas show, Marge's fling, Homer's bro,
Bart in well, Flanders fails, Whacking snakes, monorail,
Mr. Plow, Homer space, Sideshow Bob steps on rakes,
Lisa's future, Selma's hubby, Marge not proud, Homer chubby,

Homer worries Bart is gay, Poochie, U2, NRA,
Hippies, Vegas, and Japan, Octuplets, and Bart's boy band,
Marge murmurs, Maude croaks, Lisa buddhist, Homer tokes,
Maggie blows Burns away, What else do I have to say?
They'll never stop The Simpsons, Have no fears, we've got stories for years,

Like, Marge becomes a robot, maybe Moe gets a cell phone,
Has Bart ever owned a bear or, How 'bout a crazy wedding?
Where something happens, and doo doo doo doo, doo
Sorry for the clip show, have no fears, we've got stories for years.

i USED TO LIKE 7TH HEAven. then they turned it into a sope orpah. i didn't like it . they keeped adding more people in it . icouldn't keep up. it became boring after matt try to marry a jewiesh girl.

For me, my vote has to go to Will & Grace (post-2001). The first three years were fine, but after that, Karen & (especially) Jack got ridiculously stupid, and it seemed like every episode had an unnecessary guest star.

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A lot of folks online talk about and discuss when shows go on for too long, but is that even something you can definitively claim? Are there any signs? IDK but I'll talk about it for a bit.

When a Show Airs For Too Long;

0:00 When Does a Show Go Too Long?
2:20 Sponsor
3:23 Jumping the Shark
8:15 Flanderization
12:30 Retreading Story Beats and Backtracking
14:50 Aging
16:30 Mandatory Fairly OddParents Rant
19:17 Conclusion

I Love Lucy (Lucy in Connecticut)
Leave it to Beaver (final season)
The Lucy Show (after Viv left)
Here's Lucy (after Desi Jr. left)
The Beverly Hillbillies (after about season 5 or 6)
Bewitched (after Dick York)
Green Acres (final season or two)
Get Smart (final season - married 99)
I Dream of Jeannie (final season - married Jeannie)
Petticoat Junction (after Bea)
My Three Sons (after Mike and Bub)
The Andy Griffith Show (after Barney)
Mayberry RFD (all)
All in the Family (after Mike & Gloria)
One Day at a Time (after season 2 or 3)
Happy Days (after Richie)
Laverne and Shirley (after move to LA)
Family Ties (after baby comes)
The Simpsons (after initial crew left)
MASH (after Frank)
That Girl (after hair ironing and engagement to Donald though I like the theme song with lyrics)
Family Affair (after kids look college age)
Three's Company (after Chrissy)
That 70s Show (after original show runners left to do That 80s Show)
The Big Bang Theory (after they all got girlfriends)
Two and a Half Men (after Charlie)
Valerie (after Valerie)
The Brady Bunch (after cousin Oliver)

Conclusion: 5 seasons seems to be the sweet spot

the Big Bang Theory and how about Family Guy?

7 TV Shows That Went On Just One Season Too Long (https://screenrant.com/tv-shows-continued-season-too-long/)

Some TV shows have been known to outstay their welcome, often following a decline in quality, and would have been better off ending one season before.