Television has become a staple part of life for the majority of people and in some countries television is now regarded as an essential human right (ridiculous in my opinion). Through the years, many shows have come and gone, but some have stuck around and become world record setters. This list looks at 10 of those programs.
Record: Longest running cooking show.
Originally airing in October 1989, and continuing to the present, “Ciao Italia with Mary Ann Esposito” has been running on public television stations coast to coast in the US and also worldwide for 20 years. Host Mary Ann is responsible for all the content on the program, and she has to avoid certain recipes that wouldn’t hold up well under the hot lights of a television studio. She has also published 10 cookbooks covering Italian cuisine and focusing on Sicilian and Neapolitan favorites.
Record: Longest running scripted drama.
“Gunsmoke” was an American television staple for 20 years between September, 1955 and September, 1975. The show, set in Dodge City, Kansas in the 1870’s, was an extension of a highly popular radio program of the same name, but the TV show featured a different cast. Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness) was faced every week by western despots who had no respect for the law or his friends, Chester, Festus, Doc, and Miss Kitty.
Record: Longest running scripted comedy.
Animator Matt Groening originally created “The Simpsons” as a series of short clips to be featured on The Tracey Ullman Show in the late 1980’s. The show became one of the first ratings hits for the fledgling Fox Network when it was expanded into a weekly half-hour primetime show in December, 1989. “The Simpsons” initially focused on juvenile rascal Bart, but eventually switched to the lovable Homer as the star of the show. In 2007, “The Simpsons” was released as a full-length feature film, and the television show is currently still going strong in its 20th season.
Record: Longest running game show.
Although “The Price is Right” originally aired in 1956 with host Bill Cullen, it was discontinued in 1965. When it returned in September, 1972 with new host Bob Barker (coming over from “Truth or Consequences”), the new version found unprecedented longevity. “The Price is Right” changed hosts with the retirement of Bob Barker in 2007, but it has continued to outlast a changing television landscape for 37 years, and has survived to the present, largely due to a resurgence of the show’s popularity on college campuses.
Record: Longest running children’s program.
The Children’s Television Workshop and muppet creator Jim Henson combined to create a powerful children’s show in 1969 that featured education and entertainment. The show originally aired in November, 1969 and has continued to the present for an amazing 40 years. Many of the “jokes” in the programming are intentionally aimed at adult viewers, and “Sesame Street” has the unique ability to attract both toddlers and their parents.
Record: Longest running program filmed in Hollywood.
Although it is set in Port Charles, New York, daytime drama “General Hospital” is the longest West Coast production on American television. The show debuted in April, 1963 as a half-hour program, and expanded to a full hour in 1978 to remain a constant fixture on ABC for 46 years. The show’s highest point was achieved in the early 1980’s with the marriage of Luke and Laura (the highest viewership of any daytime drama for a single episode), and a wacky plot involving secret agents, world domination, and a mysterious object known as The Ice Princess. When popular Laura (Genie Francis) left the show briefly, she was replaced as Luke’s love interest by a young and savage Demi Moore.
Record: Longest running sports program.
This event originally aired in 1962, and was an extension of the Professional Bowlers Association. The “Pro Bowlers Tour” was highly responsible for the popularity of bowling in America during the 1960’s and 1970’s, and the championship game regularly drew many more viewers than did college football. When ABC ended its yearly run with the “Pro Bowlers Tour” in 1997, it was briefly picked up by CBS and then the Fox Sports Network through 2000. Finally, ESPN gave it a permanent home in 2001, where the “Pro Bowlers Tour” has been able to continue enjoying its uninterrupted run for 47 years.
Record: Longest running daytime drama.
Soap opera “Guiding Light” made the jump from NBC radio to CBS television in June, 1952 and is scheduled to air its final episode in September, 2009, giving it a run of 57 years. The show has survived and rolled with many marketing swings (color television, African American characters, expansion from half-hour to full-hour, etc.), but was finally axed on April 1, 2009 by CBS. Although the last official episode will air on September 19, host Proctor & Gamble is still in negotiation to move the program to another venue and perhaps keep the series alive at a new home.
Record: Longest running network newscast.
Originally airing in August, 1948 with anchor Douglas Edwards, the “CBS Evening News” has been the flagship program for the CBS network for 61 years. The anchor desk is extremely stable, and has featured only six news anchors during its entire run. The venerable Walter Cronkite followed Douglas Edwards, and Cronkite was eventually succeeded by Dan Rather. Following a brief pairing of Dan Rather with Connie Chung in the mid-90’s, Rather continued as the sole anchor until a scandal forced him to resign in 2005. He was briefly replaced by Bob Schieffer, and the current anchor desk is held by Katie Couric.
Record: Longest running show in worldwide broadcast history.
“Meet the Press” is a Sunday morning talk show that began in November, 1947, and features a moderator and topical guests discussing everything from politics to the economy to foreign affairs. Eleven moderators have graced “Meet the Press,” including original moderator Martha Rountree, Roger Mudd, Chris Wallace, and its longest-serving moderator of 16 years Tim Russert. When the ever-popular Tim Russert died unexpectedly in 2008, he was briefly replaced by a retired Tom Brokaw, and finally by David Gregory, which all adds up to an amazing 62 years of continuous television broadcasting.
Cool list
You think it’s ridiculous that TV is considered a “right” in some places, yet you bother to write a list on TV shows? Lols
Oh yeah… Do you think you could have written it a bit less Americanized? Jokes!
I’m just preparing you for the inevitable – “ALL OF THESE ARE AMERIKAN, AMERICA SUCKS!!!! PUT SOME GOOD SHOWS THERE!!!” – good luck 
Lovely List , great work.
I had no idea that “Ciao Italia” has been on the air for 20 years!! I watch it periodically (although I do prefer other cooking shows) and she does present some wonderful recipes, however, as one fluent in Italian, I have to say her pronunciation and accent when she speaks Italian is very bad and very Americanized. You’d think that after all this time she would have developed proper diction!!
I’ve never even heard of Gunsmoke and I’ve never watched a single episode of General Hospital, Guiding Light (didn’t know that was still on) nor Meet the Press.
Very interesting list!
“The Simpsons” also qualifies as the longest-running animated cartoon
Mark – I wrote the intro not the list- and I think tv is a priveledge not a basic human right.
7. jfrater : So do I, I just thought that if warrrreagl felt the way indicated in the introduction, well, then maybe he’d wasted his time
what’s the difference between a scripted drama and a daytime drama? Surely guiding light was scripted and therefore beats number 9 by almost 40 years
sam sung, a “daytime drama” typically airs during the daylight hours and features a continuous plot that carries throughout all the episodes. A “scripted drama” airs during primetime (8PM to 11PM on the East Coast) and features single, separated episodes that do not necessarily connect.
here is a tidbit there is a statue of festus from gunsmoke downtown in the town i live in, apparently he was born and raised here
Syndicated guns on the list, g – broke my neck craning to watch Robotech when I was prepubesces, one of television’s life lessons yo
How about “The Joy of Painting” for setting the record for making people fall asleep in the shortest amount of time?
#2 – The BBC started regular news programming on it’s television service in 1936. The news service was stopped for the duration of WW2 and started again in January 1948.
Another non American record would be ‘The Sky at Night’ which holds the record for the longest running programme with the same (original) presenter, April 1957 to present. http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/skyatnight/proginfo.shtml
Right, before anybody says anything, I’ve just re read the title and noticed it’s American programmes.
My Bad, very sorry.
I’ll get me coat.
Told y’all it was coming… Even on a list entitled “Top 10 Record Setting Programs On AMERICAN TV” we still have people commenting on an American tilt…
i never felt old before today…when i saw the line “the television show is currently still going strong in its 20th season.” about the Simpsons.
i can remember being 13 watching the shorts on the Tracy Ullman Show. then again, i was also watching Jim Carey on “In living Color”, watched Warrant in the Aresnio Hall Show, & was delighted to go wander aimlessly at the mall for hours.
*sigh* when did the space.time continuum catch up with me?
Mark at #16. I did apologise. It wasn’t my intention to criticise anything somebody my have perceived as too American, I just thought for once ‘Oohh! I’m sure I can beat that’. I was wrong, and if I could delete my comments I would have done.
Interesting list by the way.
This is one of my favourite sites on all of the internets.
cheetah, no need to apologize. The only non-American TV I know about is “Hey Hey It’s Saturday” because Gezzanator got me hooked on the old clips on YouTube. I would love to learn more about non-American TV record-setters, too.
18. Cheetah : I was having a go at you, no malice in it. Thanks though, your comments did give me a minor fit of hysteria
Interesting list warrrreagl. I’ve only ever seen three of these shows, but I’ve heard of General Hospital. It does kinda make you feel a little old to see how long they’ve been running. Got to be honest, I think Sesame Street was much better when I was a kid! I never realised how long-lived Gunsmoke was though.
Seeing as you’re interested to hear; another UK record setter is Blue Peter, an afternoon childrens show which has been running since October 1958. It’s a factual show covering just about everything. Because it’s a stalwart of most people’s childhoods certain things about it have become almost legendary – such as the Blue Peter Badge, the elephant that relieved itself on set and the annual charity drive encouraging kids to organise Bring n Buy sales.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/classic/bluepeter/
Ahhhh. Now I’m feeling the love. Thanks for your patience with a dumb Englishman.
21. Spange : Hmm… Current female presenter so hot based on photos on BBC website…
i often think the simpsons should have stopped in its prime and left without a trail of mediocore, not worthwile episodes
i often think the simpsons should have stopped in its prime and left without a trail of mediocore, not worthwile episodes
25. Jamie3039 : Simpsons episodes… Not worthwhile? Out! Out I say! Blasphamer!
Yes! Long Live the SImpsons! One of the funniest animated T.V. shows on the air!
27. Cybogen : But it’s so sacreligious…
Re: Gunsmoke, “Law & Order” has been going since 1990, shouldn’t it take the record?
29. Darren : Do you have problems reading *all* numbers, or just dates?
MTV should have an award for being the fastest station to go from revolutionary to commercial garbage the quickest.
I would think The Tonight Show would also have some kind of record….longest running nightime talk show?
stopped watching television 15 years ago, that is, as soon as I had internet access. tv is dead.
Great list, Warrrr! I had a feeling Jamie wrote the introduction. He’s such an elitist.
I was expecting M.A.S.H. to show up for it’s record breaking final episode until I realized all of these were the longest running in their genre. Doh! 
30. Mark, in a slight defense of Darren, I see his point. Some of the shows in the list haven’t actually hit their official anniversary yet this year. I believe he’s right in that “Law & Order” will soon tie and then surpass “Gunsmoke,” but it just hasn’t happened yet.
Thank you, Miss Cheeshy. Always a pleasure.
That is one creepy picture of Bob Barker…
Why is there a picture of Beaker in the menu for this list? I was so hoping to see “The Muppet Show” as “Longest-running Puppet-starring Variety Show” or something. I know “Sesame Street” was on here, but Beaker doesn’t live there! Whatupwitdat?
I know all of these shows (no old jokes, Mark!). Best is the simpsons. I agree with Law and Order, but know that would be at 11 on the list…almost there!
However, I like the Muppets over Seasme Street. It was funnier!
These two Muppet Show sketches left me in stitches…
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=OCbuRA_D3KU
I wonder how often the lady from the cooking show has to repeat recipes….
I can attest to Price is Right being a HUGE deal to college kids. If we didn’t have class, we were watching Bob Barker….and sometimes even when we did have class. I love The Price is Right. If BB still hosted, I’d DVR it. Really.
the only show that i’ve ever followed on this list is the simpsons. surprising, right?
37. oouchan, i agree with you on the muppets, that show was awesome
i used to fake sickness so that i could stay home from school to watch the price is right. i loved the mountain climber yodeling guy. just the other day, i downloaded the “price is right music library”. 30ish tracks that remind you of all different parts of the show.
http://www.eggcityradio.com/?p=170
download and enjoy.
listen to some of the tracks without looking at the title and see if you can guess what is going on during the show. your brain will make connections that you have never thought about before.
damien_karras….thanks for those!
What country/countries think(s) TV is a “basic human right”? I’m guessing you mean “civil right,” which is a far cry from “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”?
Nice list
The image for General Hospital shows Luke through the years. Luke was never the most attractive guy in the world but geez as he is getting older he is looking like something out of Dorian Gray’s painting.
Maybe the writers can write into the script that he has to wear a bag or mask.
@13 Joe Mama: You mean you didn’t like watching Bob Ross paint all of the “happy little clouds”?
I can’t believe The Simpsons are still going. One of my favorite shows. I do think it is “fizzling” out though but it could just be me not watching it on a regular basis anymore – work, life, etc.
I am probably in the minority here but I like The Simpsons (and King of the Hill which is going bye-bye) much better than Family Guy and American Dad or whatever it is and South Park. I can’t stand those 3 shows. But to each their own.
too bad Whose Line Is It Anyway was against Friends, otherwise it could appear on this list…
anyway, nice one!
Jamie3039: I agree with you about The Simpsons! The old episodes were way better than the new ones. They used to have morals and happy endings, now they’re just stupid, not funny jokes and slapsick humor. They should have quit while they were ahead! I still like the reruns of older episodes tho!
The_Snowdog: The simpsons and king of the hill ARE WAY better than family guy and american dad! I once watched half an episode of american dad and had to turn it off it was soo bad!
The other reason to stay home from school to watch “The Price is Right” was the babes. mmmm-mm. Holly. Barker’s taste in the ladies was… Roddenberry-esque.
i think the title should be changed to “Top 10 Longest running Programs On American TV” not “Top 10 Record Setting Programs On American TV” there are alot of other records that have been set by different tv programs that dont just inculde there length in run time.
More Non American Record Setters?
How about “The Late Late Show” on RTE, Irish National Broadcaster). The longest running TV chat show in the world….
What’s the most watched show ever worldwide? I heard somewhere that it was the 2008 FIFA World Cup Finals, which had 1 billion viewers…I don’t know how accurate that is.
2006, sorry.
Wow. i am surprised that ER didn’t make the list somehow. That was one looooong painful experience.
I woulda put Sesame Street first.
Although not mentioned in your list Warr, I sure do miss ER.
Nice list and good to see you published.
Uh… Shouldn’t this be the Top 10 Longest Running Shows (by category) on American TV?
There are far more records and firsts that could be included on this list.
The longest running scripted drama can’t be that show, if you’re talking worldwide records. We have Coronation street in the UK and thats been going on for over 40 years!
I remember Demi Moore being on General Hospital back in the day. She played raspy-voiced journalist Jackie. There were quite a few people on that show who went on to become stars–Rick Springfield (Dr. Noah Drake), John Stamos (Blackie), Jack Wagner (Frisco). And Richard Simmons used to show up occasionally!
Hey, good list. I haven’t seen many of these shows, coming from the UK, but we did get Sesame Street, and of course the Simpsons. Sesame was so funky! Grover was my fav. We used to get a lot of imported TV in the 1970′s – hence my knowledge of Our Gang (in B&W), Bonanza, Rawhide, Little House, and a few other even older shows too. In the 80′s we got all the ‘detective dramas’ – Magnum PI – which lasted 8 seasons, Kojack, Hill Street Blues and such. Rosanne lasted quite a while, and so did Cheers. Yeah, we got ‘em all! It’s crazy really.
The UK had their own Price Is Right for a while, as well as Wheel of Fortune and many other franchise game shows.