Most shows have multiple cast members but there are some where one person single-handedly carried the show. Peter Falk is the only actor who appeared on all the Columbo episodes. What are other shows like this?

Angela Lansbury of Murder She Wrote although there were some recurring characters that appeared once in awhile.

The John Larroquette Show

Nowhere Man starred Bruce Greenwood as Thomas Veil. There were a few actors who appeared in more than one episode, most notably Megan Gallagher, who played Veil's wife.

"Then Came Bronson" only had Michael Parks as a regular.

I think that Have Gun, Will Travel w/the late Richard Boone as Paladin was like this.

The John Larroquette Show

John Larroquette was the main character, but there were definitely other major characters on that show.

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/images/misc/thejohnlarroquetteshowmessageboard.jpg

Branded - Chuck Connors
Cheyenne - Clint Walker

The one show that comes to mind is Sea Hunt where Lloyd Bridges plays the only regular character Mike Nelson.

John Larroquette was the main character, but there were definitely other major characters on that show.

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/images/misc/thejohnlarroquetteshowmessageboard.jpg

I should've said that the show was centered on him, not where he is the entire cast.

Richard Dean Anderson in MacGyver

A fair number of old westerns and detective shows fit this bill, especially from back in the 1950s. But I can't really think of a sitcom that followed this route. "Grindl" with Imogene Coca is close to being one, but she had a boss who was a regular, played by James Millhollin. Otherwise, different settings and characters in each episode.

Cannon starring William Conrad.

BRONCO. a western series from '58 - '60.

Bronco was the only regular each episode.

Most shows have multiple cast members but there are some where one person single-handedly carried the show. Peter Falk is the only actor who appeared on all the Columbo episodes. What are other shows like this?

Wasn't it the same with "McCloud" ?

Run for Your Life - Ben Gazzara
The Loner - Lloyd Bridges
The Lloyd Bridges Show - Lloyd Bridges

Wasn't it the same with "McCloud" ?

No, J.D. Cannon & Terry Carter were regulars.

On General Hospital, you might as well say Maurice Benard. It's the Sonny Show.

Broderick Crawford in Highway Patrol, in the 1950s. There is no regular other cast, although there are a few recurring actors (not for the whole series).

Richard Dean Anderson in MacGyver

Actually, there was a second regular on MacGyver, Dana Elcar, who played Peter Thornton, MacGyver's boss and closest friend.

Andy Griffith in Matlock- he appeared every season from 1 thru 9 but regular cast members(his co-stars) have changed throughout the series.

M Squad: Lee Marvin as Det. Lt. Frank Ballinger of the titular (fictional) squad of the Chicago Police
Wanted: Dead or Alive: Steve McQueen as bounty hunter Josh Randall

On Sea Hunt, the only main character was Mike Nelson, played by Lloyd Bridges.

All the shows listed are dramatic series, are there any comedy series that fall into this category? The closest one I could think of was (and I know this is cheating a bit) the final three seasons of The Lucy Show. Gale Gordon was a regular but his entire functionality was to act as a prop for Lucy. Mary Jane Croft had a recurring role, but her entire level of activity was limited to being an ear to give Lucy someone to speak with.

Columbo: Peter Falk