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.
Good old Guiding Light… My mom has been watching it since she was a teen (in the 70s) because her mom watched it. I got into it for awhile, but it’s definitely ridiculously cheesey. I find it amazing that the actors and actresses that play Rick, Reva, Josh, Harley and many more have been on playing the same character since the 80s O_O;;
The theme song changed recently and the chorus is “Only love can save the world” and my mom always sings “Only luck can save the show!”. Guess they didn’t have luck at all
What about Hockey Night in Canada as longest running sports program.
The other day,I said that “10 cases of liberal hypocrisy”
was the best list I had seen–Today,I have to say this is the worst. Absolutely nothing of interest here whatsoever,at least to me.Did ex-coach Tubby help you with this? I would have thought last year’s game against Bama would have made your list–I’m sure it seemed to last an eternity to you–HaHa-
17. ringtailroxy – May 6th, 2009 at 3:15 am [Report Abuse]
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?
I feel for you, RTR, I really do. I was eight years old when the Simpsons gained syndication, and I’d never heard of Tracy Ulman or her show yet… and I remember Arsenio Hall… Warrant, In Living Color with Jim Carrey as Fire Marshall Bill… etc. Ok, now I feel old too. Anybody got some of the ORIGINAL G.I. Joes or Transformers for me to hold so that I can feel young again? You know, from back when they were made out of good old american Metal or steel?
American*
I dont normally coment on lists that I have no interest in but I would just like to make a passing comment on the pro-bowling at number 4.
Anyone that can turn the most boring godawful pastime into entertainment and a marketing phenomenon needs a medal the size of a frying pan.
Fortunately I know this person very well, his name is Buckeye Epstein and he is a marketing marvel for turning what is in essence skittles into a national fixation with Americans.
Personally I go bowling to get drunk, and I have never understood how my game gets so much better the more I drink, it must be the lack of reality.
I used to love the Simpsons. But now I think it’s time for them to retire. I think their current episodes are not where near as funny as their old ones: Flaming Moe’s, Springfiled gets a Casino, Springfield get a Monorail, or Bart and Lisa go to Duff Gardens. As you can see I used to be a big fan. Their episodes from the 90′s were some of the best. Before they had some of the best parodies of pop culture and society (which the Family Guy has stolen and jammed in our faces, although it’s a funny show as well), but now it seems like they are trying to hard to do so.
As for the Price is Right, love that show, went once in college on a day trip. Totally worth it and the stage girls are even hotter in person.
Like many others, I didn’t see the American in the title. I came so close to pointing out Hockey Night in Canada is the longest running sports series. I was so proud that I could disprove a list, but as it turns out I’m an idiot.
I liked the list. Television is always great.
This list is only for American TV, Not fair, I say.
What about England’s DOCTOR WHO, as the longest-running science fiction television show in the world!
smithstar, I was just trying to give Bama fans some ideas of other things to watch this Fall when the latest probation sanctions include a TV ban for the Criminal Tide.
69. Lydia: “This list is only for American TV, Not fair, I say.”
I’m all for lists that can capture the attention of the LV users no matter where they live on the planet. Yeah, alot of the lists are American based, so I did roughly 5 minutes of research and found this: (updated daily)
http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/listverse.com
Not an excuse, just showing an accurate breakdown of LV users.
finally! a good list! -_- Thank you!!
Good Job Warrr! Nostalgia is a good feeling. Lunch time when I was in elementary school it was The Flintstones followed by Leave it to Beaver. Bob Barker was the after school fix. Totally awesome when they expanded to a full hour. I loved Gunsmoke – I remember watching it when I was really, really young; I was in awe of Miss Kitty – that and Rat Patrol. This in the days before we had colour TV, ancient times.
warrrreagl
HAHA–Just a little ribbing–All in good fun–I used to take the Iron Bowl a lot more serious than I do now–Really got all tore up-It’s all turned into big business now-It’s all about the money (at all the schools)-I was a Bama fan when Ears Whitworth was the coach and we didn’t win a game–Actually,I liked your list–(I didn’t know anyone from Auburn could write)–Hey just kidding you again–LOL
Wait a second? Mary Ann Espisoto has been on the air longer than Julia Child and Graham Kerr (The Galloping Gourmet)?
Who woulda thunk it? The woman annoys the ***** outta me.
BUT she does know what she’s doing, I think. My ex-wife was VERY Italian… she and her family were very dismissive of more “Americanized” Italians (medigans… prounounced “med-hih-GAHNS”) who don’t “really” know what it is to be Italian, and whose cooking is an amalgam of American and Italian, rather than “authentic” Italian. She (the ex-wife) was of the opinion originally that Esposito was “medigan.” But I think she later came to acknowledge that Espisoto probably knew what she was doing, from listening to her recipes and watching the way she cooked… though we still found her intensely annoying.
oh the memories this list brings..lol one of the first memories I have is being called in to watch a new show “its called sesame street” my then foster mom said. Good list…thanks for the flashbacks.
And one day about a month ago, I turned on the tv and “wok with yan” was on…anyone remember that show, man it was on for a long time too I thought.
re #62 yes hockey night in canada has been on the air, starting on radio in 1931 then moving to tv in 1962(thank you wikipedia)…dr who began in 1963…the tonight show began in 1954 with jack paar…but johnny carson was by far my fave
37. oouchan : “…no old jokes, Mark!…”
I wouldn’t dare
Randall – Loved Graham Kerr until he found god and gave up all his good bad habits.
Have fond memories of Jeff Smith, The Frugal Gourmet as well.
The price is wrong, *****!
@78 – just FYI Hockey Night in Canada made its TV debut in 1952, not ’62. Still going strong!
Why IS The Price is right so popular with college students? Is the Billy Madison joke still running strong? I’m a college student, and neither I nor my friends watch it, but I’m curious to know why its so appealing.
Other then longest running programs you could have..:
Program with the most spinoffs (Happy days? L&O?); Character portrayed by the most actors; First F-bomb dropped on prime time television; First homo*****ual kiss; Shortest running program (I recall hearing of a show that was cut off mid-showing on it’s pilot episode, anyone know what that was?); etc. etc.
You could also create a list of television firsts. I’m not sure if that already exists, but I’d be really psyched to see that.
No, Kate. I think YOU should create that list. It sounds fascinating.
hahahaha general hospital!
Kate: “I recall hearing of a show that was cut off mid-showing on it’s pilot episode, anyone know what that was?”
That was ‘Australia’s Naughtiest Home Videos’ which was – no joke – footage of animals mating with a laugh track over the top of it. The owner of the station was watching at home, and he was so enraged that he called the station and told them to “turn that ***** off!”. It was actually pulled before it reached the commercials, and the second half never aired.
warrrreagl: Maybe. I’m a horrible writer, especially compared to the caliber on this site (this is by far my favorite website ever!). I’ll try, though.
Baxter: That’s awesome! I think it’s a different show I’m thinking of- for some reason I think it was a drama circa 1990-95. It might of been a local (to Michigan) show, though.
I can’t believe how old some of these shows are- call me ignorant, but I was certain TV didn’t actually exist till the 1950s, so I was surprised to see some shows running since the 40s.
I’m also surprised by the endurance of the soaps. Do people still *watch* those things?!
you forgot pokemon, the longest running show based on a video game
What about “Sugarfoot” with Will Hutchins–Isn’t that still going?
OMG OMG!!! *THIS* is how I find out Guiding Light is being cancelled?! I had no idea! Nooooo!
*ahem* Anyway. Awesome list. As usual!
Holy crap this is a *^($ed up list. This person does not know a thing about American television. Wow this list list should be deleted. So stupid. Do a little research and maybe actually look up how many people were viewing these programs and the times they were on. If you don’t do that than almost all would be soaps. I am sorry but this list need demolition bad! Damn for such a great site such a ***** list comes out. JF please fix it.
92. Leatherface : Why do you feel the need to bless us with your presence? Seriously, because I’m sure there are plenty of other things you could be doing right now. Like, say, not commenting on LV?
Oh yeah maybe you should make note of what type of programs you are *****yzing for the list. Cheers ran a hell of a long time and so did that one with that comedian. Both set records as did the one with the therapist guy living with his dad. I am just saying do research before posting lists. I love this site and try to read it everyday, but c’mon how about a truth in there. I am not american by the way, I am NATIVE AMERICAN. Just proud of that so thanks for your time.
I’m pretty sure that you could have included WWE Monday Night Raw on this list, I remember them saying that they’re the longest running weekly live show or something like that.
I love the Price is Right! My mom let me pick AM or PM Kindergarten, and I picked PM so I could watch the Price is Right before I went to school. (And so I didn’t have to get up early!)
Awesome list Warrrreagl!
yay!three cheers for the simpsons…teletubbies anyone..?
lol
Play School for a lot longer than Sesame Australian (Australian kids’ show).
Leatherface,
Not sure what record you think Cheers holds but it only ran for 11 years so is 9 short of The Simpsons. Nor was it the lobgest running series at the time it ran as MASH also ran 11 years. I assume the therapist show you refer to is Frasier, but again only 11 years. That one with that comedian – can’t help there as I need a leeetle more information.
Apart from that the rest of your comments are stupid beyond belief.
The Other Darren
Dr who has not been on screen continuously since 1963 as it had a lengthy break between 1989 and 2005, mind you the initial 26 year run probably qualifies as some sort of record.
Cheers
Lee
Leatherface wrote:
“Cheers ran a hell of a long time and so did that one with that comedian. Both set records as did the one with the therapist guy living with his dad.”
He then goes on to admonish warrrreagl with:
“Do a little research…..”
What a tool.
BTW, I’m Native American as well….I was born here, so that counts as Native, correct?
99. ScoJo : Yeah, but he didn’t write a list on that knowledge…
“…BTW, I’m Native American as well….I was born here, so that counts as Native, correct?”
I don’t think that’s exactly the way it works….
**sarcasm**
/slaps forehead
Research! A little research! Dang, I knew I forgot something…
I wouldn’t exactly say that the Simpsons are going strong, the last few seasons have been garbage
Hah. Just a little note: I live in the Netherlands, and the only one of these shows I have ever seen is Sesame Street. I have heard of most of them, though…
number 9 is incorrect the longest running scripted drama is WWE Monday night raw
@ #6, Chuchu:
Not even close. Some Japanese cartoons have been running since the 60s, outdoing the Simposons by some 20 years.
I have only seen 2 of these -The Price is Right and Sesame Street.
joe mama (13) The Joy of Painting used to absolutely captivate and fascinate me. I can only draw stick figures and to watch an amazing picture painted right as I watched was mesmerizing to me.
you forgot Seinfield as BEST SHOW EVER
Simpsons was great, but it hasn’t been great this decade
Leatherface: This was a fantastic list, full of accurate information. I understand that some readers prefer articles focused on historical events or cultural practices, but this is a solid (and entertaining) list.
Watch game $how$ like The Price i$ Right everyday!!! The Price is Right is the ultimate American game $how. It deal$ with price$ of normal con$umer product$. Buy all product$ you $ee on The Price i$ Right!!! MAX OUT YOUR CREDIT CARD$!!!! $pend all your MONEY on The Price i$ Right product$!!! And hotel$!!!! Li$ten to what me$$age$ Bob Barker give$ you through the televi$ion…$pay and neuter your pet! We mu$t $top animal$ from breeding and taking over the planet and en$laving human race in $atanic alliance with robot$. Bob Barker al$o advocate$ having $ex with beautiful women on a regular ba$i$ and he also enable$ people to $tay in hotel$ and re$ort$ through the $how. THE PRICE I$ RIGHT EMBODIE$ EVERYTHING GOOD ABOUT $PACE$HIP JE$U$ DOCTRINE.
It i$ vital that we $upport pay-per-view televi$ion, adverti$er$, infomercial$, con$umer product$, ma$$ mailing, and telemarketing. $tay up a$ late a$ you can on a work night, then around 2 am $tart watching the informercial$. Buy a thighma$ter. Buy time-$hare. Buy a vegetable dicer. Charge them all to your credit card. In fact, get a$ many credit card$ a$ po$$ible. Take advantage of all credit card offer$ $ent to you in the mail, do not be afraid to try even if your credit $core i$ bad! If you max out a credit card, get another one. Max out all your credit card$. Buy infomercial product$, magazine $ubscription$, $tay in hotel$, do exten$ive amount$ of touri$m, $hop at the mall everyday, turn your$elf into an Economic Powerhou$e. Just pump $$$money$$$ into the economy it is what keeps u$ going. If everyone $topped $pending and $tarted $aving, the economy would collap$e and we would turn into a third-world country ravaged by war and di$ea$e. MONEY I$ $ACRED. Work hard to get it. $tay overtime at your job. Work two job$. DO NOT WORRY ABOUT YOUR $OCIAL OR $EXUAL LIFE!!! Have no friend$, have no lover$: they are di$traction$ from working! Ju$t keep working a$ much a$ you can. Do not $leep. There are 24 hour$ in a day, there’$ no rea$on why you $houldn’t be working at lea$t 18 of them every day. U$e the 6 remaining hour$ for $pending money and maybe taking a nap. Do thi$ every day. When you are off of work, $PEND ALL YOUR MONEY. Play in ca$inos, buy magazine$, buy $tocks and bond$, max out all your credit card$. THE NAZI$ WERE RIGHT: WORK $HALL $ET YOU FREE!!!!!
LIKE BUTTER CHURNING YOU CREATE ECONOMIC POWER THROUGH ACTIVITY!!! CREATE A $UPER ECONOMY THAT WILL ALLEVIATE ALL $UFFERING AND ALLOW THE RECEPTION OF THE HULK HOGAN METATHE$I$!!!!!!!!!
The Law and Order series, which is in its 19th season will probably outdo Gunsmoke for the longest running scripted drama very soon! its brilliant
The Simpsons is the longest running tv show that nobody cares about anymore.
93. Mark,
I was insulting this one list and yes I was a little radical in my language. You however have no right demanding my absence. The person doing the list should have put more thought and research into it. I do not think that is much. After all I love this site I just found this list flawed beyond all reason. Disagree if you like but I voiced my opinion and will stand by it. Cheers.
#9** Look at Miss Kitty. Is she a WILTF or what ?
13. joe mama – May 6th, 2009 at 2:41 am
“How about “The Joy of Painting” for setting the record for making people fall asleep in the shortest amount of time?”
No way! I loved that show. I want to buy the little kit and make beautiful mountains with the swipe of a palette knife!
It made me sad when Bob Ross died. :’(
Though not an american show, I believe that Corination Street or as i like to call it THE blue collar british soap has been running for 50 + years.
#3. America sucks? What country do you live in?
im so bufff
113. Tryclyde – May 8th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
The Simpsons is the longest running tv show that nobody cares about anymore.
Say you don’t mean that. Its still a great show! Cone on. Watch some and you’ll see it still is a riot!