This weekend, The Simpsons, already the longest-running prime-time series in American television history (and which has been renewed for two more seasons), arrives at its 700th episode! One wonders what other series are following it.
In the Top 25 longest scripted prime-time series coming to us from American channels, we find many shows dating from the beginnings of the industry. Some may never leave the standings at this stage because they have lasted. This is particularly the case with dramatic anthologies, those which fueled the mythical “first golden age“. It must be said that at the time, the seasons were not 22-24 episodes, she could edit up to 42 episodes and more for example.
That said, with the recent addition of Supernatural, and certainly soon to be South Park, some have either dropped from this rankings or will soon be gone. So here are the updated rankings taking into account the number of episodes aired so far this week – we will update it shortly, of course.
- The Simpsons (1989-…, FOX) – 700 episodes
- Gunsmoke (1955-1975, CBS) – 635 episodes
- Lassie (1954-1971, CBS) – 591 episodes
- Kraft Television Theater (1947-1958, NBC) – 525 episodes
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999-…, NBC) – 486 episodes
- Studio One (1948-1958, CBS) – 467 episodes
- New York District (1990-2010, NBC) – 456 episodes
- Death Valley Days (1952-1970, Syndication) – 452 episodes
- The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952-1966, ABC) – 435 episodes
- Bonanza (1959-1973, NBC) – 431 episodes
- NCIS (2003-…, CBS) – 408 episodes
- My Three Sons (1960-1972, ABC) – 380 episodes
- Grey’s Anatomy (2005-…, ABC) – 370 episodes
- Armstrong Circle Theater (1950-1963, NBC) – 370 episodes
- The Griffins (1999-…, FOX) – 362 episodes
- Dallas (1978-1991, CBS) – 357 episodes
- The Big Story (1949-1957, NBC) – 349 episodes
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951-1959, CBS) – 347 episodes
- West Coast (1979-1993, CBS) – 344 episodes
- The Danny Thomas Show (1953-1964, ABC) – 343 episodes
- Lux Video Theater (1950-1957, CBS) 336 episodes
- Les Experts (2000-2015, CBS) – 335 episodes
- Emergencies (1994-2009, NBC) – 331 episodes
- Supernatural (2005-2020, The CW) – 327 episodes
- Criminal Minds (2005-2020, CBS) – 324 episodes
They will soon enter the top 25:
- South Park (1997-…, Comedy Central) – 309 episodes
- American Dad! (2005-…, TBS) – 300 episodes
