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Top 20 Longest-Running TV Shows of All Time

admin — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 22:54:29 +0000

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At a time when attention spans are shorter than ever, the world’s longest-running TV shows stand out as the ultimate test of endurance.

From cult favorites that outlasted entire networks to series that launched icons and became multi-generational staples, the 20 longest-running TV shows show how different genres have endured.

#1 Gunsmoke (20 Seasons)

CBS’s radio and television Western, which starred the iconic Marshal Matt Dillon (portrayed by James Arness), first premiered in 1955 and officially ended in 1975.
With a total of 635 episodes across 20 seasons, Gunsmoke was crowned the longest-running western in TV history (EBSCO) and scooped up 15 awards (per IMDb).
Ironically, the award-winning show was scheduled to be cancelled in 1967 due to low ratings, but CBS President and Gunsmoke fan William Paley ultimately reversed the decision.
Gunsmoke continued, winning over fans with quality scripts, top-notch casting, and a nuanced perspective on morality.

#2 Family Guy (23 Seasons)

Fox’s Family Guy follows the troubled everyday life of well-intentioned worker Peter Griffin and his dysfunctional family of Lois, Meg, Chris, Stewie, and talking pet dog Brian.
The animated sitcom has been on the air since 1999, releasing a total of 445 episodes across 23 seasons.
According to creator Seth MacFarlane, who fought to keep his smash-hit show going, fans still can’t get enough of Family Guy’s bold and relatable comedy, offbeat storytelling, and cutaway gags. The show’s momentum remains strong:
“At this point, I don’t see a good reason to stop. People still love it. It makes people happy, and it funds some good causes,” he said during an interview with the Los Angeles Times.
“There was a time when I thought, it’s time to wrap it up. At this point, we’ve reached escape velocity. I don’t know that there’s any reason to stop at this point unless people get sick of it.
Unless the numbers show that people just are, ‘Eh, we don’t care about Family Guy anymore.’ But that hasn’t happened yet,” MacFarlane added.

#3 Law & Order (25 Seasons)

The longest-running crime drama in US television history has quietly become a comfort show for millions. Law & Order premiered in 1990 and has remained on the air ever since, with more than 500 episodes across 25 seasons (per Business Insider).
Decades later, the franchise continues to resonate with audiences thanks to its grounded portrayal of American law enforcement and the criminal justice system.
As reported by the outlet, its lasting appeal stems from how the show mirrors real-world headlines and explores complex moral territory.
Fun fact: Law & Order was the only drama fully filmed in New York City during the ’90s, while most others were shot in Los Angeles and relied on stock NYC imagery.

#4 Doctor Who (26 Seasons)

Widely considered the longest-running and most iconic sci-fi series ever made, Doctor Who first aired on November 23, 1963.
The BBC canceled it in 1989, but the show returned in 2005 and has been a cult favorite ever since (per Screen Rant).
Despite some ups and downs over the years, the franchise continues to evolve. A new Christmas special is slated for 2026, proving there’s still plenty of life in the TARDIS (via The Hollywood Reporter).

#5 South Park (28 Seasons)

Since its 1997 debut, South Park has sparked both admiration and outrage with its crude humor and razor-sharp social commentary.
The animated comedy follows Stan, Kyle, Eric, and Kenny as they navigate absurd scenarios in their Colorado town.
With 334 episodes and counting (per IMDb), the show shows no signs of slowing down. While often divisive, its fearless approach to satire ensures it remains a cultural lightning rod.

#6 Love of Life (29 Seasons)

Premiering in 1951 and wrapping in 1980, Love of Life was a daytime soap that ran for nearly three decades on CBS (per IMDb).
The show built a loyal following with its gripping portrayal of two sisters: virtuous Vanessa “Van” Dale and her conniving counterpart, Margaret “Meg” Dale. That emotional tug-of-war kept fans watching to the very end.

#7 Last of the Summer Wine (31 Seasons)

Airing from 1973 to 2010, Last of the Summer Wine followed three elderly friends in rural Yorkshire as they got into mischief with the enthusiasm of kids.
The beloved British sitcom ran for 31 seasons and produced 295 episodes.
Fans were heartbroken when the world’s longest-running sitcom finally came to a close. “It’s sad to see it go,” one woman told the BBC. “It was funny without being crude.”
Her husband agreed: “There was no bad language, so the whole family could watch. It’s the end of an era.”

#8 Top Gear (33 Seasons)

BBC’s Top Gear has been a staple for car enthusiasts since its original launch in 1977. Though it ended in 2001, the show was successfully rebooted in 2002 with Jeremy Clarkson leading a revamped format that became a global hit (per Business Insider).
The iconic series hit a major bump in 2022 when production was halted after host Freddie Flintoff was involved in a crash during filming (via The Guardian).
Despite its recent shutdown, Top Gear remains one of television’s most beloved car shows, praised for its captivating stories, dynamic host chemistry, high-production visuals, and no-nonsense British humor.

#9 The Simpsons (37 Seasons)

Since premiering in 1989, The Simpsons has defined modern animation with its dysfunctional yet beloved family: Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie.
Now in its 37th season, the iconic series has aired 797 episodes and counting (per LiveNOW from Fox).
Early on, the show became a sensation thanks to its slapstick comedy, sharp satire, and eerie knack for “predicting” real-world events.
It has won 37 Emmys and eight People’s Choice awards, and holds the record as both the longest-running sitcom and animated show in history.
While still producing new content, some fans believe its best years are behind it.
One Reddit critic argued, “If this version of the show was brand new and premiered today, it wouldn’t be revolutionary in any way. The satire is toothless, the voices sound tired, the animation is bland and lifeless.”

#10 The Bold and the Beautiful (37 Seasons)

CBS’s The Bold and the Beautiful premiered in 1987 and quickly became a global soap opera phenomenon. Airing in more than 100 countries, it reportedly reaches 35 million viewers worldwide (per the Toronto Sun).
In an interview with Numéro Netherlands, longtime star Katherine Kelly Lang credited the show’s staying power to its perfect blend of familiarity and freshness.
“Brad Bell knows how to strike a balance between keeping the show new and exciting and also giving the viewers the same great stories they’ve always known and loved.”
She added, “It’s about a glamorous, successful fashion family in Los Angeles. The characters are unforgettable, the plot twists are jaw-dropping, and the fashion is gorgeous.
There is always a mystery. One secret gets exposed, and suddenly lives are changed.”

#11 All My Children (41 Seasons)

When ABC debuted All My Children on January 5, 1970, it changed the soap opera landscape forever. The show quickly became known for its never-ending drama and fast-paced storylines (per PEOPLE).
After 41 years, the beloved series aired its final episode on September 23, 2011, leaving both fans and cast heartbroken.
“It’s been a fantastic journey,” said Susan Lucci, who played the iconic Erica Kane for the show’s entire run (per The Hollywood Reporter).
“I’ve loved playing Erica Kane and working with Agnes Nixon and all the incredible people involved with All My Children. I’m looking forward to all kinds of new and exciting opportunities.”

#12 One Life To Live (45 Seasons)

Debuting in 1968, ABC’s One Life to Live ran for 45 seasons and earned a place in soap opera history.
The show not only collected Emmy Awards but also launched the careers of stars like Nathan Fillion, Blair Underwood, Marcia Cross, and Bryan Cranston (per Glamour).
Although it officially ended in 2013, the show’s legacy continues. Fans still revisit its bold, progressive storytelling and expansive cast of unforgettable characters.

#13 #10 Survivor (49 Seasons)

Survivor, the iconic reality TV competition, has been thrilling viewers since 2000. Contestants face grueling challenges and ruthless strategies to win the coveted title of Sole Survivor and a grand prize of one million dollars (per PEOPLE).
Now in its 49th season, the CBS series continues to deliver high-stakes drama with every installment. And while only one walks away with the million, other players also earn compensation.
“I think people are always surprised to learn that we do earn money,” said former contestant Corinne Kaplan on the Trading Secrets podcast.

#14 The Young and the Restless (50 Seasons)

CBS’s The Young and the Restless has been a daytime TV powerhouse since its debut in 1973. In 2024, the show celebrated its 13,000th episode and has earned an impressive 77 Daytime Emmy Awards to date (per Spectrum News 1).
Peter Bergman, who has portrayed Jack Abbott since 1989, reflected on the show’s extraordinary run at a CBS celebration.
“From 1980 to the present, it was a one-hour show. We did 11,226 episodes, and that, of course, is 11,226 hours. Together, they equal 12,113 hours. That’s 504 days,” he said (via Michael Fairman TV).
He added, “That’s more television hours than all of the Law and Order’s, NCIS’s, Gunsmoke, Lassie, Criminal Minds, CSI’s, Dallas, Knots Landing, Murder She Wrote, Two and a Half Men, and Blue Bloods episodes combined. And we have a lot of people to thank for that.”

#15 As the World Turns (54 Seasons)

Airing on CBS from 1956 to 2010, As the World Turns ran for 54 seasons and delivered more than 13,000 episodes (per IMDb).
The long-running soap was nominated for numerous Daytime Emmy Awards and earned praise as one of the best in its genre for its storytelling, compelling characters, and emotional depth.
Even decades later, Irna Phillips’s creation continues to stir nostalgia among longtime fans. “ATWT has been on the air, television that is, almost as long as I have been around,” one viewer said.
“These folks are like a second family, with all their quirks and peculiarities.”

#16 Sesame Street (56 Seasons)

Since premiering on November 10, 1969, Sesame Street has become a global icon in children’s television.
The show revolutionized educational programming and remains a favorite among both kids and adults (per Sesame Workshop).
With nearly 5,000 episodes to date and a record-setting 193 Emmy Awards, Sesame Street continues to innovate with every season (via BBC).

#17 Guiding Light (57 Seasons)

Guiding Light holds the Guinness World Record as the longest-running soap opera in both radio and television history (per Guinness World Records).
The show began as a radio drama on January 25, 1937, and made the leap to television in 1952, airing on CBS until September 18, 2009. Set in the fictional town of Springfield, it centered on the Bauer family and their community.
With 57 seasons and 15,762 episodes, Guiding Light remains a monumental part of American television history, and its legacy continues to shine.

#18 Days of Our Lives (61 Seasons)

First airing on November 8, 1965, NBC’s Days of Our Lives recently hit its 15,000th episode milestone in December 2025 (per PEOPLE).
Now entering its seventh decade, the show was renewed by Peacock for two additional seasons, extending its run through 2028 (via The Hollywood Reporter).
The renewal followed 13 Daytime Emmy nominations in 2025, including best daytime drama, writing, and directing, as well as multiple acting nods.
Actress Susan Seaforth-Haye, who has played Julie Williams for decades, shared why the series still resonates: “It’s beloved for showing the truest of emotions even when the plots seem fantastical.”
“That’s our history and our strength,” she said.

#19 General Hospital (63 Seasons)

Since its debut in 1963, General Hospital has become one of television’s most enduring soap operas. The ABC series holds the record as the longest-running scripted drama still in production in the United States (per ABC).
With more than 15,800 episodes to its name, the Emmy-winning show continues to draw in audiences with its blend of medical drama, raw emotion, and decades-long character arcs (via IMDb).

#20 Coronation Street (66 Seasons)

Coronation Street debuted in 1960 to low expectations, with some critics predicting it would flop. More than 60 years later, it has become a cornerstone of British television (per BBC).
Granada Television’s long-running soap has aired thousands of episodes, won Best Soap for the second consecutive year at the 2025 Inside Soap Awards, and was hailed as “the greatest TV show on the planet” (per Daily Mail).
The Radio Times even called it “the single most significant achievement in British television history.”
With its mix of kitchen-sink realism, working-class authenticity, humor, and melodrama, Coronation Street has earned the loyalty of millions over the decades.

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Three Poems for Trusting Time – The Marginalian

admin — Sun, 22 Jun 2025 12:21:20 +0000

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If you want to befriend time — which is how you come to befriend life — turn to stone.

Climb a mountain and listen to the conversation between eons encoded in each stripe of rock.

Walk a beach and comb your fingers through the golden dust that was once a mountain.

Pick up a perfect oval pebble and feel its mute assurance that time can grind down even the heaviest boulder, smooth even the sharpest edge.

Art by Sophie Blackall from Things to Look Forward to

Rising forty feet above the rocky cliffs of Carmel is a great poem of gravity and granite that Robinson Jeffers (January 10, 1887–January 20, 1962), poet laureate of the co-creation of time and mind, composed with his wife Una and their twin sons.

A decade before Carl Jung built his famous stone tower in Zurich and conceptualized the realized self as an elemental stone, Jeffers apprenticed himself to a local stonemason to build Tor House and Hawk Tower. As this rocky planet was being unworlded by its first world war, he set about making “stone love stone.”

Seeing stonecutters as “foredefeated challengers of oblivion” and poets as stonecutters of the psyche, he went on hauling enormous slabs of granite up from the shore, carrying time itself, cupping its twelve consolations in his mortal hands, writing about what he touched and what touched him.

Hawk Tower

OH, LOVELY ROCK
by Robinson Jeffers

We stayed the night in the pathless gorge of Ventana Creek, up the east fork.
The rock walls and the mountain ridges hung forest on forest above our heads, maple and redwood,
Laurel, oak, madrone, up to the high and slender Santa Lucian firs that stare up the cataracts
Of slide-rock to the star-color precipices.

We lay on gravel and kept a little camp-fire for warmth.
Past midnight only two or three coals glowed red in the cooling darkness; I laid a clutch of dead bay-leaves
On the ember ends and felted dry sticks across them and lay down again. The revived flame
Lighted my sleeping son’s face and his companion’s, and the vertical face of the great gorge-wall
Across the stream. Light leaves overhead danced in the fire’s breath, tree-trunks were seen: it was the rock wall
That fascinated my eyes and mind. Nothing strange: light-gray diorite with two or three slanting seams in it,
Smooth-polished by the endless attrition of slides and floods; no fern nor lichen, pure naked rock…as if I were
Seeing rock for the first time. As if I were seeing through the flame-lit surface into the real and bodily
And living rock. Nothing strange… I cannot
Tell you how strange: the silent passion, the deep nobility and childlike loveliness: this fate going on
Outside our fates. It is here in the mountain like a grave smiling child. I shall die, and my boys
Will live and die, our world will go on through its rapid agonies of change and discovery; this age will die,
And wolves have howled in the snow around a new Bethlehem: this rock will be here, grave, earnest, not passive: the energies
That are its atoms will still be bearing the whole mountain above: and I, many packed centuries ago,
Felt its intense reality with love and wonder, this lonely rock.

A generation later, another great poet displaced from the bedrock of belonging by another world war tried to make sense of being human by turning to stone:

STONE
by Charles Simic

Go inside a stone
That would be my way.
Let somebody else become a dove
Or gnash with a tiger’s tooth.
I am happy to be a stone.

From the outside the stone is a riddle:
No one knows how to answer it.
Yet within, it must be cool and quiet
Even though a cow steps on it full weight,
Even though a child throws it in a river,
The stone sinks, slow, unperturbed
To the river bottom
Where the fishes come to knock on it
And listen.

I have seen sparks fly out
When two stones are rubbed.
So perhaps it is not dark inside after all;
Perhaps there is a moon shining
From somewhere, as though behind a hill —
Just enough light to make out
The strange writings, the star charts
On the inner walls.

And although we are “creatures shaped by the planet’s rocky logic,” we are also creatures shaped by the myriad mercies of time, saved over and over by the leap beyond logic that is trusting time.

FORGIVENESS
by Maria Popova

May the tide
never tire of its tender toil
how over and over
it forgives the Moon
the daily exile
and returns to turn
mountains into sand
as if to say,
you too can have
this homecoming
you too possess
this elemental power
of turning
the stone in the heart
into golden dust.

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The Whole of It – The Marginalian

admin — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 02:49:47 +0000

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By Maria Popova

Because we are creatures made of time, what we call suffering is at bottom a warping of time, a form of living against it and not with it — the pain of loss, aching for what has been and no longer is; the pain of longing, aching for what could be but is not yet and may never be; the pain of loneliness, an endless now hollowed of meaning. There can be consolation in looking backward to fathom the staggering odds of never having been born, and in looking forward toward the immortal generosity of our atoms. But nothing calibrates our losses of perspective, nothing consecrates these transient lives bookended by not yet and never again, more than broadening our time horizon until the vista of our own lives becomes not a discrete point but part of a great continuity — one that comes alive in this splendid poem by Hannah Fries:

THE WHOLE OF IT
by Hannah Fries

If you step back, you can see it all
on the horizon: your mother’s death, the children
grown, their smooth eyelids crossed with veins
like saffron filaments. Further still, and see
your smiling grandmother treading the cold ocean,
tiny lakes in her collarbones, your great-
great grandchildren drawing their names
in the sand with sticks. The seas
rising and falling, ice scraping the earth,
and pockets of life surviving — lee sides, hot springs,
protected places. First light on the first day
of your life, and first light of first stars.
And in this way, every death, each apparent ending,
might, in the mind of spacetime, be woven
into one memory, so that always is
this tree, and the long days of falling in love
over the intricate pattern of bark and leaf,
and the first green cell learning to swallow sun.

Couple with Hannah’s magnificent poem “Let the Last Thing Be Song,” then revisit Kahlil Gibran on befriending time.

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