What are the longest running sitcoms? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Will · 09-24-2001, 02:31 PM

Which are the longest running in terms of original episodes and years on TV (before reruns)?

TV Guy · 09-24-2001, 02:38 PM

The longest running sitcom was "Ozzie and Harriet" which ran 1952-66 (not counting years on radio) and had 435 episodes. "My Three Sons" ran 12 years (1960-72) and had 380 episodes. Shows back then produced more episodes per season (sometimes over 30!) compared to shows these days, which rarely do more than 22 per season, so it may be tough for anyone to break the episode records.

I would say honorable mentions should go to "Cheers" (1982-93; 11 seasons) and the following, which each had 10 1/2 seasons: "Happy Days" (1974-84), "The Jeffersons (1975-85), "Married...with Children" (1987-97).

I'm sure I'm forgetting a few!

[This message has been edited by TV Guy (edited 09-24-2001).]

LucyFan · 09-24-2001, 05:24 PM

"Lucy": 22 seasons, 507 episodes

Three's Company: 8 seasons, 172 episodes

Laverne & Shirley: 8 seasons,178 episodes

Make Room For Daddy/The Danny Thomas Show:
11 seasons? ,? episodes

The Andy Griffith Show: 8 seasons,249 episodes

Bewitched: 8 seasons, 254 or 252 episodes

The Simpsons: 12 seasons + more, over 250 episodes

All In the Family: 9 seasons, 207 episodes

The Facts Of Life: 9 seaons, 209 episodes

Diff'rent Strokes: 8 seasons, 189 episodes

Family Matters: 9 seasons, 215 episodes

Full House: 8 seasons, 192 episodes

M*A*S*H: 11 seasons, 252 episodes

Truth · 09-24-2001, 06:14 PM

Dang Will..... 100 posts in one day.....

Chocoholic · 09-24-2001, 11:25 PM

Wings (1990-1997) 8 seasons, 172 episodes

TV Guy · 09-25-2001, 12:30 PM

Wow, how could I forget "M*A*S*H"? Gotta disagree with the "Lucy" episode count, though -- that's a cumulative total for completely seperate series. Lucy's longest running series was "I Love Lucy", which had 180 episodes (193 if you count the hour-long specials). I bet she holds the record for playing the lead role (not supporting) in the most sitcom episodes, though.

[This message has been edited by TV Guy (edited 09-25-2001).]

Will · 09-25-2001, 05:12 PM

"Ozzie and Harriet" really had an amazing run!

Will · 09-25-2001, 05:14 PM

And for an animated series, "The Simpsons" has an unbelievable record! WOW!!!

TV Guy · 09-26-2001, 10:54 AM

Yeah, I bet "The Simpsons" will eventually overtake "Ozzie and Harriet" in terms of seasons on the air, if not actual episode count.

09-24-2001, 02:31 PM	#1
Will Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 23, 2001 Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA Posts: 245	What are the longest running sitcoms? Which are the longest running in terms of original episodes and years on TV (before reruns)?

09-24-2001, 02:38 PM	#2
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	The longest running sitcom was "Ozzie and Harriet" which ran 1952-66 (not counting years on radio) and had 435 episodes. "My Three Sons" ran 12 years (1960-72) and had 380 episodes. Shows back then produced more episodes per season (sometimes over 30!) compared to shows these days, which rarely do more than 22 per season, so it may be tough for anyone to break the episode records. I would say honorable mentions should go to "Cheers" (1982-93; 11 seasons) and the following, which each had 10 1/2 seasons: "Happy Days" (1974-84), "The Jeffersons (1975-85), "Married...with Children" (1987-97). I'm sure I'm forgetting a few! [This message has been edited by TV Guy (edited 09-24-2001).]

09-24-2001, 05:24 PM	#3
LucyFan Still Loving Lucy! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 23, 2001 Location: In the Wonderful World of Lucy! Posts: 8,198	"Lucy": 22 seasons, 507 episodes Three's Company: 8 seasons, 172 episodes Laverne & Shirley: 8 seasons,178 episodes Make Room For Daddy/The Danny Thomas Show: 11 seasons? ,? episodes The Andy Griffith Show: 8 seasons,249 episodes Bewitched: 8 seasons, 254 or 252 episodes The Simpsons: 12 seasons + more, over 250 episodes All In the Family: 9 seasons, 207 episodes The Facts Of Life: 9 seaons, 209 episodes Diff'rent Strokes: 8 seasons, 189 episodes Family Matters: 9 seasons, 215 episodes Full House: 8 seasons, 192 episodes MAS*H: 11 seasons, 252 episodes

09-24-2001, 06:14 PM	#4
Truth •°·Alien Believer·°• Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 15, 2001 Posts: 3,463	Dang Will..... 100 posts in one day.....

09-24-2001, 11:25 PM	#5
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	Wings (1990-1997) 8 seasons, 172 episodes

09-25-2001, 12:30 PM	#6
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	Wow, how could I forget "MAS*H"? Gotta disagree with the "Lucy" episode count, though -- that's a cumulative total for completely seperate series. Lucy's longest running series was "I Love Lucy", which had 180 episodes (193 if you count the hour-long specials). I bet she holds the record for playing the lead role (not supporting) in the most sitcom episodes, though. [This message has been edited by TV Guy (edited 09-25-2001).]

09-25-2001, 05:12 PM	#7
Will Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 23, 2001 Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA Posts: 245	"Ozzie and Harriet" really had an amazing run!

09-25-2001, 05:14 PM	#8
Will Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 23, 2001 Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA Posts: 245	And for an animated series, "The Simpsons" has an unbelievable record! WOW!!!

09-26-2001, 10:54 AM	#9
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	Yeah, I bet "The Simpsons" will eventually overtake "Ozzie and Harriet" in terms of seasons on the air, if not actual episode count.