View Full Version : What was the longest-running primetime TV show?


Chocoholic
11-25-2002, 01:05 AM
Is Gunsmoke the longest-running primetime TV show ever or were there others that ran longer?

Also, what are the longest-running sitcoms, dramas, news shows, and variety shows?

Janice
11-25-2002, 01:44 AM
Meet The Press holds the distinction of being the longest-running network television show ever, celebrating its 55th year this month.
60 Minutes is in its 34th year.
For sitcoms, it's probably Cheers at 11 years.
The Carol Burnett Show ran for 11 years.
SNL has been around since 1975.
For soap operas, The Guiding Light has 50 years under its belt.
You're probably right about Gunsmoke which ran for 20 years--1955-1975.
Bonanza ran for 14 years.
I'm sure I'm missing a few. :)

Adamantium
11-25-2002, 02:00 AM
"The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" (1952-1966) is the longest running sitcom with 14 seasons and over 400 episodes.

"My Three Sons" (1960-1972) I think is next with 12 seasons and 380 episodes.

"Guiding Light" the soap opera has been on the air since the radio days, so I think that's the longest running soap.

Will and Grace Fanatic
11-25-2002, 03:25 PM
Originally posted by TVAdam
"The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" (1952-1966) is the longest running sitcom with 14 seasons and over 400 episodes.



It's tied with the Simpsons who are in their 14th season and the looks of it they may beat out Ozzie and Harriet.

Scoobiedoo30
11-25-2002, 03:47 PM
There are 2 Logest runing Series that i know of

#1 M*A*S*H
#2 The Simpsons.


Take Care
Aaron

Brian Damage
11-25-2002, 04:34 PM
Originally posted by JanLady617
Meet The Press holds the distinction of being the longest-running network television show ever, celebrating its 55th year this month.
60 Minutes is in its 34th year.
For sitcoms, it's probably Cheers at 11 years.
The Carol Burnett Show ran for 11 years.
SNL has been around since 1975.
For soap operas, The Guiding Light has 50 years under its belt.
You're probably right about Gunsmoke which ran for 20 years--1955-1975.
Bonanza ran for 14 years.
I'm sure I'm missing a few. :)

I have to say Jan, that's very impressive! :)

Sitcomwriter
11-25-2002, 06:28 PM
The longest-running sitcom season wife is "The Last od The Summer Wine",A britcom that is still on today lasting over 20 seasons but only 200-something episodes!

Chocoholic
11-25-2002, 07:09 PM
Thanks for all the info, guys :D

I wouldn't be surprised if The Simpsons ever ends up being the longest-running primetime TV show ever. I think it will be on the air uintil Matt Groenig dies or something. I don't care though, I love The Simpsons! :happyface

JT
11-25-2002, 07:26 PM
Here are some long-runners I know of:

SITCOMS:
"The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet" (1952-1966, 14 seasons)
"The Simpsons" (1989-present, 14+ seasons)
"Cheers" (1982-1993, 11 seasons)
"My Three Sons" (1960-1972, 12 seasons)
"The Danny Thomas Show/Make Room for Daddy" (1953-1964, 11 seasons)
"The Jeffersons" (1975-1985, 10 seasons)
"Frasier" (1993-present, 10+ seasons)

DRAMA/WESTERNS/PRIMETIME SOAPS:
"Gunsmoke" (1955-1975, 20 seasons)
"Bonanza" (1959-1973, 14 seasons)
"Knots Landing" (1979-1993, 14 seasons)
"Dallas" (1978-1991, 13 seasons)
"Hawaii Five-0" (1968-1980, 12 seasons)
"Law & Order" (1990-present, 13+ seasons)
"NYPD Blue" (1993-present, 10+ years)

DAYTIME SOAPS:
"(The) Guiding Light" (1952-present, 50+ years) NOTE:It premiered on radio in 1937
"As the World Turns" (1956-present, 46+ years)
"General Hospital" (1963-present, 39+ years)
"Search for Tommorrow" (1951-1986, 35 years)
"Days of Our Lives" (1965-present, 37+ years)
"One Life to Live" (1968-present, 34+ years)
"All My Children" (1970-present, 32+ years)
"The Young and the Restless" (1973-present, 29+ years)
"(The) Edge of Night" (1956-1984, 28+ years)

VARIETY SHOWS:
"Toast of the Town/The Ed Sullivan Show" (1948-1971, 23 seasons)
"The Carol Burnett Show" (1967-1979, 12 seasons)

GAME SHOWS:
"The Price is Right" (1972-present, 30 years)

Jimbo
11-25-2002, 07:31 PM
I believe "Gunsmoke" is the longest running Prime Time program, which ran for 20 years.

As Cliff Claven might say: "here's a little known fact for ya, Sammy": The sitcom character "Fraiser Crane" may be the longest running individual sitcom role, having been on "Cheers" for about 9 (?) years, then as the title character on "Fraiser" for the last 10 or 11 years.

Janice
11-25-2002, 08:10 PM
Originally posted by briandamage


I have to say Jan, that's very impressive! :)
Lol, thanks Brian. The internet can make anyone appear smart. :crazy:

Janice
11-25-2002, 08:15 PM
Originally posted by Jimbo
As Cliff Claven might say: "here's a little known fact for ya, Sammy": The sitcom character "Fraiser Crane" may be the longest running individual sitcom role, having been on "Cheers" for about 9 (?) years, then as the title character on "Fraiser" for the last 10 or 11 years. [/B]
I bet you're right about Fraiser being the longest running sitcom character.
Of course Jimbo, if Cliff Claven was explaining this, he'd be wearing his infamous white socks and floods. ;)

Chocoholic
11-25-2002, 09:48 PM
Originally posted by Jimbo

As Cliff Claven might say: "here's a little known fact for ya, Sammy": The sitcom character "Fraiser Crane" may be the longest running individual sitcom role, having been on "Cheers" for about 9 (?) years, then as the title character on "Fraiser" for the last 10 or 11 years.

I think Kelsey Grammer is the only actor so far who has won Emmys for playing the same character on three different TV shows. He won them for Cheers, Frasier, and a guest appearance on Wings.

Stormtracker TF
11-25-2002, 11:32 PM
Originally posted by JT
Here are some long-runners I know of:

SITCOMS:
"The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet" (1952-1966, 14 seasons)
"The Simpsons" (1989-present, 14+ seasons)
"Cheers" (1982-1993, 11 seasons)
"My Three Sons" (1960-1972, 12 seasons)
"The Danny Thomas Show/Make Room for Daddy" (1953-1964, 11 seasons)
"The Jeffersons" (1975-1985, 10 seasons)
"Frasier" (1993-present, 10+ seasons)

DRAMA/WESTERNS/PRIMETIME SOAPS:
"Gunsmoke" (1955-1975, 20 seasons)
"Bonanza" (1959-1973, 14 seasons)
"Knots Landing" (1979-1993, 14 seasons)
"Dallas" (1978-1991, 13 seasons)
"Hawaii Five-0" (1968-1980, 12 seasons)
"Law & Order" (1990-present, 13+ seasons)
"NYPD Blue" (1993-present, 10+ years)

DAYTIME SOAPS:
"(The) Guiding Light" (1952-present, 50+ years) NOTE:It premiered on radio in 1937
"As the World Turns" (1956-present, 46+ years)
"General Hospital" (1963-present, 39+ years)
"Search for Tommorrow" (1951-1986, 35 years)
"Days of Our Lives" (1965-present, 37+ years)
"One Life to Live" (1968-present, 34+ years)
"All My Children" (1970-present, 32+ years)
"The Young and the Restless" (1973-present, 29+ years)
"(The) Edge of Night" (1956-1984, 28+ years)

VARIETY SHOWS:
"Toast of the Town/The Ed Sullivan Show" (1948-1971, 23 seasons)
"The Carol Burnett Show" (1967-1979, 12 seasons)

GAME SHOWS:
"The Price is Right" (1972-present, 30 years)

That's impressive!

¤I Love Clay Aiken¤
11-25-2002, 11:40 PM
Happy Days was 11 seasons too!! LOl Pretty impressive!


Ugh, I love The Simpsons & all, but I always wanted Ozzie & Harriet to be #1. I dunno, to me it doesnt count because its a cartoon. Ya, its a sitcom, but its animated. So I consider Ozzie & Harriet to be longest sitcom, and Simpson longest animated sitcom.

Brenton
11-26-2002, 02:28 PM
I think someone here mentioned "Price is Right". Well, let's not forget "Wheel of Fortune" which has been on since 1975 at almost 28 seasons.