Longest Running TV Shows of All Time

TV serials are an extension of films, which have the golden opportunity to go deeper in terms of story-telling. While films have a limited time, more often than not, a lot of areas like sub-plots alternate character arcs, etc. get cut short because of time constraints or duration limits.

This is probably one of the biggest setbacks of movies. However, TV shows do not have this problem. They do not have this problem because they are longer, perhaps a certain episode is half an hour long or an hour long, at best, which is half of a movie’s duration, but these TV shows last longer, in terms of seasons, spin-offs, etc.

So, they get the golden opportunity to go deeper in terms of story-telling and the complexities of a narrative, a character, or a screenplay.

Sometimes, these narratives have too much material or drama in them which motivates the creators to make it even bigger, and more complex as an idea or style, which results in extended seasons of a particular TV show. We are going to be looking at some of these extended TV Shows which went on to become the longest-running TV Shows of All Time.

Grey’s Anatomy (2005-Present)

Grey’s Anatomy is about the daily activities of surgical residents, interns, and attendings in the fictitious Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital (which used to be Seattle Grace Hospital, Seasons 1-6, Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital, Seasons 6-9, and Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital, Seasons 9-present), as the interns grow into seasoned doctors under the supervision of their residents, attendings, and leaders of surgery.

Each episode normally starts with a voice-over narration by Meredith Grey or a season’s regular that foreshadows the week’s subject. Each season corresponds to the doctors’ academic year, and every successful year certifies the residents for a higher level in the surgical profession. The season usually concludes with a dramatic event, such as a death or a character departure.

The program’s 19th season debuted in October 2022, marking Meredith Grey’s (Ellen Pompeo) last season as a regular of the series.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005-Present)

The sitcom depicts an ensemble of outcast, egotistical sociopaths known as “The Gang” who run a small, failed Irish pub named Paddy’s Pub in South Philadelphia. The Gang was originally made up of caretaker Charlie Kelly (Charlie Day), bouncer Mac (Rob McElhenney), and barman Dennis Reynolds (Glenn Howerton), all of whom own Paddy’s Pub, as well as Dennis’ identical twin sister Dee Reynolds (Kaitlin Olson), a struggling aspiring actress and she works as a waitress there.

During season 2, the gang is joined by Frank Reynolds (Danny DeVito), a strange millionaire and the inattentive father of the Reynolds twins, who acquires the majority of the bar’s ownership. He quickly becomes the Gang’s financial spark, frequently financing most of the Gang’s highly complex plots while also surrendering to the group’s unreserved immorality.

Each member of The Gang demonstrates unethical behavior and uncivil characteristics such as severe self-interest, unhealthy fraud, narcissism, violence, inordinate drinking and drug use, uncontrolled emotions, cruelty, and complete disregard for those around them, as well as severe dependence on others, foolishness, and an unexpected absence of understanding of basic social norms.

CID – Crime Investigation Department (1998-2018)

The first dramatic investigation series on Indian television has also become one of Sony Entertainment Television’s most popular shows. Intense and completely unpredictable, “C.I.D.” has captured fans for the past two decades and continues to keep them glued to their television screens with its fascinating plots and excitement.

The private obstacles faced by the C.I.D. team staying in their line of duty are also interrelated in its fast-paced narratives, along with continuous adventure, immense pressure, and risk.

The show consists of hard-hitting police investigative stories about inquiry, identification, and suspense. The serial’s protagonists are a prestigious group of cops from the Crime Investigation Department led by ACP Pradyuman (Shivaji Satam).

While the plots are plausible there is an intense focus on dramatic storytelling and the technical challenges that the police face. At every point, the story throws up exciting twists and turns, putting officers on the run as they chase down criminals using the smallest clues.

The Bold and The Beautiful (1987-Present)

The Bold and the Beautiful began its long run on television in 1987 and is situated in the same universe as one of the longest-running shows, The Young and the Restless. This companion series covers the Forrester family’s numerous dramatic adventures over several decades.

According to some estimates, the series is the most popular soap opera in the world, and it is among the handful continually broadcast on network television.

Like its sister programs, the Bold and the Beautiful continues to create fresh episodes today, having already shown over 8,000 episodes, making it one of the longest-running TV shows.

Supernatural (2005-2020)

Siblings Sam and Dean Winchester continue in their father’s steps, chasing down evil supernatural entities such as beasts, spirits, and even fallen gods while trying to protect innocent people.

Following their “family business” despite their dad’s death, the brothers quickly discover that the “hunt” includes battling with more powerful entities such as heavenly beings, reapers, as well as Death, in addition to slashing and chopping monsters and demons.

Law & Order (1990- Present)

Detectives and prosecutors in New York City are pursuing justice, and lives are on the line. In stories straight out of the news, detectives investigate serious and frequently fatal crimes, analyzing evidence and questioning individuals until someone is arrested.

The office of the district attorney next constructs an indictment to bring down the offender by demonstrating their guilt without a reasonable doubt.

Working together, these skilled teams traverse every aspect of the complicated criminal justice system to make New York an even more secure place—and keep the most dangerous criminals off the streets.

Family Guy (1999-Present)

This animated series follows the Griffin family on their adventures, which are ill, deformed, and politically incorrect. Peter and his wife Lois live in Quahog, Rhode Island, with their three children. Meg, their oldest daughter, is socially ousted; adolescent Chris is clumsy and unskilled with women; and Stewie, their youngest, is a genius baby intent on murdering his parents and destroying the planet.

Brian, their talking dog, holds Stewie in line while drinking martinis and dealing with his troubles.

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952-1966)

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet was a US television comedy that ran on ABC from October 3, 1952, to April 23, 1966. It featured the real-life Nelson family. Following an extended run on the radio, the program was moved to television sets where it continued to be successful, initially airing on both radio and television.

With seasons, it was the longest-running live-action sitcom on American television ever till It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia overtook it on December 1, 2021 (but it still holds the record for total episodes produced: 435). The sitcom starred Ozzie Nelson & his spouse, the singer Harriet Nelson, as well as their two sons, David and Ricky.

Don DeFore portrayed the Nelsons’ neighbor “Thorny” on multiple occasions.

The Simpsons (1989-Present)

The Simpsons are the typical (if rather unconventional) nuclear family. Homer, the adorable dufus father, fumbles indifferently throughout his family’s lives and duties at the nearby nuclear power plant.

Marge, the dominant but dutiful mother, Bart, the fourth-grade kid who has achieved less and enemy of Springfield Elementary’s management, Lisa, the bright and trustworthy eight-year-old, and Maggie, their sometimes overlooked kid, complete the family.

Based on a series of tiny animated skits from The Tracy Ullman Show (1987), the characters known as the Simpsons go on numerous wacky adventures in their hometown and beyond.

Additional characters feature an inept lawyer, the dictatorial owner of a nuclear power plant, the Simpsons’ too-perfect neighbors (the Flanders), and the less-than-perfect “Klown” Krusty. Vibrant individuals and circumstances abound.

In conclusion, the world of television has given us some truly remarkable and enduring shows that have stood the test of time. These longest-running TV shows have captivated audiences with their intricate storylines, captivating characters, and the ability to delve deeper into narratives that films often cannot.

From the beloved classics to the modern favorites, these shows have become a part of our cultural fabric.

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