Longest running TV shows

[Smokey]

Couple of surprises here. Didn't know TV shows Lassie or My Three Sons ran for so long.

Ranked accordingly:

10: Knots Landing (1979-1993)
The show's premise centered on Gary Ewing (from Dallas) and his lovely bumpkin wife, Valene, who moved to California. Their neighbors included a host of dysfunctional families and through marriages, affairs, births, stolen babies, murders, novels, new business enterprises, and even a televangelist brother, this show kept viewers watching for 344 episodes.


9: Dallas (1978-1991)
For 357 episodes, Dallas revolved around the wealthy Ewing family -- oil baron and patriarch Jock Ewing; his wife, Miss Ellie; and their sons, JR, Bobby, and black sheep Gary.


8: My Three Sons (1960-1972)
For 380 episodes and 12 seasons, Americans stepped into the world of widower Steve Douglas and -- you guessed it -- his three sons: Mike, Robbie, and Chip.


7: Law & Order (1990-2010)
With over 400 episodes under its belt since it premiered in 1990, the key to this show's success may lie in its ever-revolving cast. None of the original actors remained on the show, and most cast members only stuck around a couple of seasons. Still, the show went on.


6: The Simpsons (1989-????)
With more than 400 episodes (and counting), the most successful animated family in the history of TV has been going strong since 1989. Creator Matt Groening parodies the average (albeit dysfunctional) American family with buffoonish yet lovable Homer Simpson; his wife, Marge; their brilliant daughter, Lisa; bad-seed son, Bart; and baby, Maggie.


5: Bonanza (1959-1973)
Airing for 430 episodes, this Western was set in the mid-1800s on a Nevada ranch called "The Ponderosa." The show revolved around the life of Ben Cartwright and his sons, Adam, Hoss, and Little Joe (played by Michael Landon). Bonanza was the first series to tape all of its shows in color, and it held the number one spot on the Nielsen ratings chart from 1964 to 1967.


4: The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952-1966)
What began as a radio program in 1944 became a movie (Here Come the Nelsons) in 1952 and then a successful television program that ran for 435 episodes. In this wholesome show, the characters played themselves -- Ozzie and Harriet Nelson and their two sons, David and Ricky. Ozzie's roots were in music, so when Ricky's talent started to emerge, Ozzie wrote it into the story line, ending each show with a performance by his younger son.


3: Death Valley Days (1952-1970)
In 1952, Death Valley Days, which aired as a radio show from 1930 to 1945, evolved into a successful TV show that lasted 18 seasons. A host introduced each of the 451 episodes, which were based on actual pioneer stories that took place in southeastern California and western Nevada during the late 1800s. Future President Ronald Reagan and country singer Merle Haggard were among the hosts during the show's run.


2: Lassie (1954-1972)
Running for 588 episodes, Lassie centered around a loyal canine companion who rescued her human family from various predicaments. Over the years, Lassie was portrayed by nine different male dogs, all descendants of the original Lassie, whose real name was Pal. During the show's run, Lassie had various owners, most notably Timmy and Jeff. Only three dogs have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame -- Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, and Strongheart.


1: Gunsmoke (1955-1975)
Gunsmoke tops the list as the longest-running dramatic series in network television history with 635 episodes. Set in Dodge City, Kansas, during the 1870s, Gunsmoke began as a radio program in 1952, switched to the land of visual entertainment in 1955, and finally ended its 20-year run in 1975.

[Mr Peabody]

Some pretty good TV viewing there. It's interesting to go back and watch some of the old shows that started in the 50's or early 60's and see how society has changed.

[Feanor]

Couple of surprises here. Didn't know TV shows Lassie or My Three Sons ran for so long.

Ranked accordingly:

10: Knots Landing (1979-1993)

9: Dallas (1978-1991)

8: My Three Sons (1960-1972)

7: Law & Order (1990-2010)

6: The Simpsons (1989-????)

5: Bonanza (1959-1973)

4: The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952-1966)

3: Death Valley Days (1952-1970)

2: Lassie (1954-1972)

1: Gunsmoke (1955-1975)[/FONT]

Thanks, Smokey, for the list. Wow. What to say?

My personal recollection goes back to the earliest of these show and I've heard of them all. However there are several of which I never saw a single episode; in that category are Knot's Landing, Ozzie and Harriet, My Three Sons, and Death Valley Days.

On the other hand Lassie was part of my childhood and Gunsmoke and Bonanza figured in my teenage years. These shows were in a benign fantasy world that wouldn't have much traction today. Other, less long runing shows I enjoyed in that era included Peter Gunn and Have Gun - Will Travel.

Since then I've watched a respectable share of Dallas, The Simpsons, and Law and Order, though not the whole of any of these series. I was big on Dallas roughly in the middle of its run but gave up when the themes became repetitive.

[sjtm]

Reading this list causes an almost Pavlovian reaction - unjlike my kids, TV was the only medium in my youth ( other than my dad's hifi). No idea how long they ran, but these were some of my staples:

Twilight Zone
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Sea Hunt
Route 66
Then Came Bronson ( a little later after Easy Rider came into the popular conscience - had a Honda 90 then - still ride a Ninja today - all due to this show)
77 Sunset Strip
Peter Gunn
Perry Mason
American Bandstand ( I grew up near Philly, so this was a daily staple)
The Rifleman
Dobie Gillis
Have Gun Will Travel
Gunsmoke

At least a few of these might have a chance of holding up today with some minor revamping.

Perhaps this list brings back memories for some ( others, I am sure, will be scratching their heads).

[Smokey]

Thanks Peabody, Feanor and Sjtm

I also love old time TV shows and still watch them. Of the above list, my favorite TV show probably is Gunsmoke. The show ran between 1955 to 1975, and the best episodes (IMO) are from 1960 to 1970 period. That is where show lighten up a bit as everybody got comfortable in their roles, and Festus was introduced into the show.

I also have alot of TV shows on DVD in my collection, and watch these DVDs regularly:

Good Times
Three Stooges
Different Strokes
Marries…with children
Give Me a Break
Wild Wild Wild West
Sanford And Son
Odd Couple
Andy Griffith
Honey Mooners
Hawaii-Five-O
Whats Happening

And tons of cartons such as Tom and Jerry, Bugs Bunny and Friends

[Jack in Wilmington]

Thanks Peabody, Feanor and Sjtm

I also love old time TV shows and still watch them. Of the above list, my favorite TV show probably is Gunsmoke. The show ran between 1955 to 1975, and the best episodes (IMO) are from 1960 to 1970 period. That is where show lighten up a bit as everybody got comfortable in their roles, and Festus was introduced into the show.

I also have alot of TV shows on DVD in my collection, and watch these DVDs regularly:

Good Times
Three Stooges
Different Strokes
Marries…with children
Give Me a Break
Wild Wild Wild West
Sanford And Son
Odd Couple
Andy Griffith
Honey Mooners
Hawaii-Five-O
Whats Happening

And tons of cartons such as Tom and Jerry, Bugs Bunny and Friends

Looks like NCIS will be joining that list as they are in season 13 and are already renewed for season 14 and 15. I watch a lot of Me TV and really enjoy the old shows too. I never appreciated Festus when I originally watched him on Gunsmoke, but I get a kick out of him now. I was probably too young to enjoy the barbs that him and Doc threw back and forth at each other.

[recoveryone]

Looks like NCIS will be joining that list as they are in season 13 and are already renewed for season 14 and 15. I watch a lot of Me TV and really enjoy the old shows too. I never appreciated Festus when I originally watched him on Gunsmoke, but I get a kick out of him now. I was probably too young to enjoy the barbs that him and Doc threw back and forth at each other.

must remember TV season are not the same as calendar seasons. 15 seasons equal to 3 years on calendar. There have been some great shows that took time or never given the time to gain big followings. Mile stones for TV shows today is the 100th episode, so roughly if a shows last 2 years its considered a major hit.

Shows like Game of thrones and other pay channel shows are setting a whole new standard on longevity as they only put out one season a year. This type of holding the fans in limbo for a year has been a gold mine for HBO/Showtime and the rest.

[Smokey]

I never appreciated Festus when I originally watched him on Gunsmoke, but I get a kick out of him now. I was probably too young to enjoy the barbs that him and Doc threw back and forth at each other.

Festus as a comic relief is one reason the Gunsmoke ran for so long. The first time Festus apeared on Gunsmoke, he was clean shaven and was a playboy. And he was not funny, but serious.

The second time he appeared on show, they changed his character to scrubby looking, funny talking poacher. And Festus as we know today was born.