What is the Longest Running TV Series?

JustDave

JustDave

Well-known Member
I google this for no particular reason. I never would have guessed, but thinking about it, the genre does have a devoted following. A soap opera:
The longest-running TV show of all time is "Guiding Light," which originally started as a radio show in 1937 and transitioned to television in 1952, running for a total of 72 years. However, for currently airing shows, "General Hospital" holds the record as the longest-running scripted American soap opera, having been on air since 1963.
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I actually watched General Hospital for an entire week about 40 years ago when I was home with one of those awful flu bugs of the past. I forget which one it was. I lost interest after 2 days, but forced myself to watch a whole week just to see if I could find anything addictive about it.
 

The longest-running TV series of all time is Guiding Light, which began on radio in 1937 and transitioned to television in 1952, running until 2009 for a total of 72 years. While it had a long radio run, its television lifespan is also notable, spanning 57 years.

This video provides an overview of some of the longest running TV shows, including Guiding Light:
 
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The O.J. Simpson trial of 1994 killed Soap Operas and ushered in the new era of reality television...in my opinion anyways.
 

77 Years! Meet the Press- 1947
Honorable Mention
60 Minutes 57 years, 1968
The Price is Right 54 years, 1956 (This show was "off the air" for about 7 seasons, before returning)
Jeopardy 41 years, 1964

Let's Make A Deal 1963-1976.
The current version of the show aired in 2009. After 1976 the show was in syndication. Don't know if they were reruns or new shows.
 
Paladin1950 said:
77 Years! Meet the Press- 1947
Honorable Mention
60 Minutes 57 years, 1968
The Price is Right 54 years, 1956 (This show was "off the air" for about 7 seasons, before returning)
Jeopardy 41 years, 1964

Let's Make A Deal 1963-1976.
The current version of the show aired in 2009. After 1976 the show was in syndication. Don't know if they were reruns or new shows.
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Are these shows considered [tv series] ?
 
I've heard that Olivia Benson, detective played by Mariska Hargitay on Law & Order, Special Victims Unit, is the longest running character and actress on a tv series in history. And it is my favorite show.
 
there's a British soap that been on UK tv since 1960..... Coronation street.... it's a drab kitchen sink type Continuing Drama which is what Soaps ar now called... but its been going for 65 years.... and the lead character has been in it since the beginning and he's now in his 90's and still working ...

The worlds longest present day Drama, is a British Radio Soap.. ( continuing drama) which is aired on BBC radio4 , which was first broadcast in 1951.. and is still going.... 74 years on...
 
hollydolly said:
there's a British soap that been on UK tv since 1960..... Coronation street.... it's a drab kitchen sink type Continuing Drama which is what Soaps ar now called... but its been going for 65 years.... and the lead character has been in it since the beginning and he's now in his 90's and still working ...
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Incredible, my sisters were Coronation Street addicts, it bored me to tears. I had to look up the actor and the character, none the wiser. However, the acting profession are more time out of work than in work. A significant percentage of actors, often cited as around 92%, are out of work at any given time. This is a common characteristic of the profession, and it's important for those considering acting as a career to understand this reality. But as the long term Coronation Street actor proves, there's always an exception.
 
Been There said:
ā€œThe Simpsons?ā€ I had heard this when I watched part of the show about 5 years ago. Maybe it was the longest running animated show.
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According to Google, The Simpsons is the longest running animated TV series.

Yes, The Simpsons is the longest-running scripted primetime television series in the United States, both in terms of seasons and individual episodes. It surpassed "Gunsmoke" to claim this title. It also holds the record as the longest-running animated television series in U.S. history
 
oldman said:
According to Google, The Simpsons is the longest running animated TV series.

Yes, The Simpsons is the longest-running scripted primetime television series in the United States, both in terms of seasons and individual episodes. It surpassed "Gunsmoke" to claim this title. It also holds the record as the longest-running animated television series in U.S. history
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According to my TV reference book about cable& network shows,"The Simpsons" debuted on Fox Dec 17th,1989 Sue
 
horseless carriage said:
Incredible, my sisters were Coronation Street addicts, it bored me to tears. I had to look up the actor and the character, none the wiser. However, the acting profession are more time out of work than in work. A significant percentage of actors, often cited as around 92%, are out of work at any given time. This is a common characteristic of the profession, and it's important for those considering acting as a career to understand this reality. But as the long term Coronation Street actor proves, there's always an exception.
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HC...as an ex BBC employee .. and my husband still One of BBc studio bosses.. and head of studios on a well known British Tv show currently... I know very , very well about the issues with actors, and work... however on the conitnuing dramas. ( aka soaps).. that's the dream of most actors, even classical actors because it gives them a steady income , even if only for a short period...

It's very dfficult for example for an actor to get a Mortgage, because the work is so spasmodic.. unless they are huge name... so if they can get a contract for a soap,. that .. and or a Commerical contract ( adverts).. will put them on a steady footing
 

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