As a dedicated fan of classic TV shows, I must say that Fox has always been a powerhouse when it comes to producing some of the most memorable and long-lasting sitcoms. From “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia” to “King of the Hill,” these shows have captured our hearts with their unique humor and relatable characters.
It’s quite a challenge for a television show to get approved for a pilot, then picked up for an entire series, and subsequently run for numerous seasons. In fact, many shows don’t survive beyond their first season, and those that manage to run between five to ten seasons are truly successful. Over the years, only a few shows have managed the extraordinary feat of lasting more than 10 seasons. These shows, often live-action productions featuring outstanding dramas or iconic sitcoms, or exceptional animated series, are worthy of recognition for their long-lasting presence on our screens. Here’s a list of 32 such TV shows that have made an impressive impact over time.
NCIS
The crime-solving series set within the Naval Criminal Investigative Service originated from JAG, airing from 1995 to 2005. Yet, it’s clear that NCIS outshone its predecessor in terms of popularity. Not only did the original show continue for several decades, but it also sparked a series of spin-offs, some of which we’ll discuss later on.
The Simpsons
The humorous portrayal of life in Springfield, focusing on Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart, Maggie, their family, and acquaintances, gained immense popularity following its debut in 1989. As the longest-lasting American animated show, American sitcom, and primetime TV series, The Simpsons has earned a cherished place on television screens for numerous generations.
Cheers
Between the years 1982-1993, people had an opportunity to step into a Boston bar where everyone felt like they were part of a familiar group, much like spending time with characters such as Sam, Carla, and Norm… in essence, they could experience the charm of the hit TV show Cheers. This beloved sitcom amassed great success, garnering 28 Emmy Awards out of 111 nominations and six Golden Globe Awards from a total of 31 nominations.
The Big Bang Theory
Initially, “The Big Bang Theory” focused on a group of intellectually talented young men and a stunning woman living nearby. However, as the series progressed over its 12 seasons, it evolved into something far greater. Not only did this show shine light on geek culture beyond being the target of jokes, but it left an enduring impact through its prequel spinoff titled “Young Sheldon.”
Gunsmoke
From 1952 to 1961, Gunsmoke gained popularity through its radio broadcasts. However, it found even greater success when it was transitioned to television in the midst of this period. With a run spanning 20 seasons and five TV movies produced following its conclusion in 1975, the series centered around Marshal Matt Dillon maintaining law and order in post-Civil War Dodge City, Kansas, holds the distinction of being the longest-running primetime live-action television series for a considerable amount of time.
Law & Order
Without a doubt, police procedurals were already familiar when Law & Order made its debut in 1990. However, this Dick Wolf production, centered around New York City detectives and prosecutors, has undeniably risen to become one of the most renowned examples of this genre due to its inherent quality and the vast small-screen empire it spawned. Initially airing on NBC for 20 seasons, the show was later revived by the network in 2022.
Family Guy
Initially, “Family Guy” didn’t have a smooth debut; it was taken off air by Fox in 2002 following only three seasons. Yet, through syndicated re-runs and DVD sales, Peter Griffin and his Quahog, Rhode Island companions made their way back to the network in 2005. Since then, the show has provided countless laugh-out-loud episodes, though it’s not devoid of its share of debates. We’re fortunate that there’s a creator who continues to entertain us with both laughter and tears.
Dallas
For 14 seasons, the prime-time soap opera “Dallas” held viewers spellbound as it centered around the Ewing family, who controlled the Ewing Oil company and Southfork Ranch. Interestingly, this duration matches that of the spinoff series Knot’s Landing. Post its initial run, Dallas experienced a revival between 2012-2014; however, it disregarded the storylines from the two movies that came after the original show ended.
American Dad!
2005 marked the year when Seth MacFarlane brought back “Family Guy” on television, and at the same time, introduced “American Dad!” This show initially aired as part of Fox’s Animation Domination lineup and later moved to TBS. Although it may not be as widely known as “Family Guy,” the antics of Stan Smith and his family and friends have amassed a significant following of their own.
Bonanza
In the early days of television, “Bonanza” was another popular Western series that aired on NBC from 1959 to 1973. Every week, audiences tuned in to follow the adventures of the prosperous Cartwright family who resided near Virginia City, Nevada during the 1860s. The show led to three television films and a brief spin-off titled “The Ponderosa” which ran in 2001.
South Park
Have you ever visited South Park to hang out with some of my friends? The show “South Park,” created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, originally began as two animated short films before being ordered for a series in 1997 on Comedy Central. “South Park” has undeniably been one of the most contentious programs on this list due to its numerous provocative episodes, yet there’s no denying the significant imprint it’s left on popular culture… when it isn’t mocking it, that is.
Blue Bloods
Tom Selleck, renowned for his role as Magnum P.I., spent a significantly larger portion of his career on the CBS series “Blue Bloods”. In this drama, he portrayed NYPD Commissioner Frank Regan, who led the Reagan family through their diverse roles in law enforcement over 14 seasons.
Supernatural
Among the shows that survived The WB’s transformation into The CW, “Supernatural” stood out. This series chronicled the adventures of brothers Dean and Sam Winchester as they hunted supernatural beings across America over a span of 15 seasons. During this time, it garnered a devoted fanbase, becoming the longest-running live-action fantasy show. Following its run, a brief spinoff titled “The Winchesters” was introduced.
Criminal Minds
This protocol focuses on the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit employees who specialize in criminal profiling. The initial version of “Criminal Minds” was broadcast on CBS for an impressive 16 seasons, a significant achievement in itself. Interestingly, only two years after its conclusion, it returned as an exclusive series on Paramount+, but under the new title “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders“.
M*A*S*H
Back in ’72, two years after the M*A*S*H movie made a big splash, a TV show based on it started airing on CBS. Inspired by that 1968 novel about three army docs, this comedy-drama set during the Korean War ran for an impressive 11 seasons. In fact, its finale was the most-watched TV broadcast in the U.S. from ’83 to 2010 – talk about a lasting impact! As a gamer, I can only imagine how immersive those stories must have been for viewers back then.
Law And Order: Special Victims Unit
1999 marked a significant milestone for the TV series “Law & Order,” as it officially expanded into a franchise when “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” debuted. This spin-off, which centered on crimes involving sexual misconduct, quickly gained popularity that rivaled or even surpassed its original counterpart. Actress Mariska Hargitay has been the central figure of “SVU,” portraying Olivia Benson since the show’s inception, making her the longest-running main cast member.
Grey’s Anatomy
For quite some time now, viewers have gotten to know the staff at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital (renamed Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital), as depicted in the long-running series Grey’s Anatomy. The show premiered on ABC in 2005 with Ellen Pompeo’s Meredith Grey serving as the central character, and notable cast members like Katherine Heigl, Patrick Dempsey, Kate Walsh, Eric Dane, and Jesse Williams have graced our screens throughout its run.
Frasier
Frasier Crane didn’t join the cast of “Cheers” until its third season, but following the show’s end, his character became the main focus for the spin-off that was set in Seattle, Washington and revolved around him hosting a radio show. Similar to “Cheers”, “Frasier” ran for 11 seasons and accumulated numerous Emmy awards. Almost twenty years after the original series ended, Kelsey Grammer resumed his role as Frasier for a revival/sequel on Paramount+.
Modern Family
For eleven seasons, the TV show “Modern Family” focused on three types of interconnected families: nuclear, blended, and same-sex families. This series featured stars like Ty Burrell, Julie Bowen, Sofia Vergara, and Ed O’Neill, among others, becoming one of ABC’s most-watched programs. By the time it concluded in 2020, it had collected a total of 22 Emmy awards.
ER
Although it wasn’t the initial medical series titled ER (the original being referred to as E/R), the one created by Michael Crichton, author of Jurassic Park, undeniably made a far greater impact on popular culture. Featuring stars like George Clooney and Angela Bassett, along with John Stamos and Ming-Na Wen, among others, this NBC series set in the fictional Cook County General Hospital showcased numerous prominent talents throughout its 15-season run.
Bob’s Burgers
In 2011, Fox bolstered its selection of adult animation by introducing “Bob’s Burgers”, a series revolving around the Belcher family managing their burger restaurant and the peculiar patrons they encounter. This show has led to both a feature film adaptation and a comic book spin-off. However, it stands strong on its own merit, demonstrated by its Emmy awards and nominations, as well as other honors it has received.
Two And A Half Men
In 2003, actors Jon Cryer and Charlie Sheen, known for their association with the Brat Pack, joined forces on the hit series “Two and a Half Men.” The show centered around Cryer’s character, Alan Harper, and his son Jake (played by Angus T. Jones), who moved into Sheen’s character, Charlie Harper’s Malibu residence. It turned out that Charlie Harper was Alan’s brother. Over time, both Sheen and Jones departed from the show, making way for Ashton Kutcher as Walden Schmidt to join the cast. Despite these changes, “Two and a Half Men” enjoyed a successful run with an impressive 12 seasons.
NCIS: Los Angeles
In a similar fashion to how JAG introduced NCIS back in 2003, NCIS itself aired special episodes in 2009 to pave the way for its first spinoff, NCIS: Los Angeles. This series focused on the Office of Special Projects in the featured city and starred Chris O’Donnell, LL Cool J, Daniela Ruah among others. The show ran successfully for 14 seasons on CBS.
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Way back in the year 2000, I found myself immersed in the gritty world of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation that unfolded on CBS. It wasn’t long before this series took the globe by storm, garnering both praise and critique for its graphic content and intense violence. After running for a whopping 15 seasons, it eventually wrapped up. Fast forward to 2021, they revived the show as CSI: Vegas on Paramount+, following in the footsteps of its spin-offs Miami, NY, and Cyber.
Hawaii-5-O
Although the Hawaii-5-0 reboot had a healthy run of 10 seasons, the original, spelled Hawaii 5-O, lasted just a little longer at 12 seasons. From 1968 to 1980, viewers spent time with characters like Steve McGarrett, Danno Williams and Chin Ho Kelly as they tracked down and apprehended criminals around the Hawaiian Islands, and the series’ popularity led to “Book ‘em” becoming part of the pop culture lexicon.
Murder, She Wrote
After establishing a reputation for herself on stage and screen in productions such as “The Manchurian Candidate,” Angela Lansbury made an indelible impact on television when she portrayed Jessica Fletcher in “Murder, She Wrote.” Over 12 seasons and four TV movies, her character, the mystery novelist Jessica Fletcher, unraveled mysteries surrounding murders that occurred in her hometown of Cabot Cove, Maine, as well as various global locations.
Bones
The series, titled “Bones,” distinguished itself within procedurals due to its emphasis on forensic anthropology and archaeology. In this program, Emily Deschanel’s character, Temperance “Bones” Brennan, would analyze the human remains presented by FBI agent Seeley Booth (played by David Boreanaz), for investigative purposes. This unique approach resonated strongly with viewers, leading to a 12-season run on Fox.
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia
The show “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” initially aired on FX before shifting to FXX in 2013, has been sharing the escapades of characters Charlie, Dennis, Mac Dee, and Frank – collectively known as “The Gang.” They manage Paddy’s Pub, an Irish dive bar in Philadelphia, and are undeniably some of the most despicable individuals ever to tread on Earth. Despite their questionable actions, they have created some of television’s funniest comedic scenes, and it now holds the title as the longest-running live-action sitcom.
The X-Files
Originally airing on Fox from 1993 to 2002, the TV series known as The X-Files featured characters Fox Mulder (played by David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), who investigated unexplained cases with a paranormal twist. Although it wouldn’t have been eligible during its initial run, the show returned for two more seasons from 2016 to 2018. A movie titled The X-Files was also released in 1998, and another film called The X-Files: I Want To Believe premiered in 2008.
King Of The Hill
Once more demonstrating Fox’s knack for excelling in adult animation, the series King of the Hill garnered significant critical praise throughout its 13-season run. Portraying the lives of the Hill family and their associates, it received two Emmy awards and numerous other accolades. In 2023, more than a decade after its original conclusion, it was announced that King of the Hill would make a comeback, with Hulu subscribers able to catch up on the revival.
Will & Grace
The sitcom “Will & Grace,” which aired on NBC from 1998 to 2006, not only qualified for this list due to its original run but also because it returned for three more seasons from 2017 to 2020. This long-running series, focusing on the lives of friends Will Truman (played by Eric McCormack) and Grace Adler (Debra Messing), along with their companions Jack McFarland (Sean Hayes) and Karen Walker (Megan Mullally), garnered 18 Emmys awards and a total of 96 nominations.
Curb Your Enthusiasm
After spending nearly all seasons of “Seinfeld”, Larry David moved into the limelight with “Curb Your Enthusiasm” starting from 1999, a TV series loosely based on his one-hour special by the same name. In this show, he portrayed a fictitious version of himself, often landing in embarrassing social predicaments. Despite occasional breaks from 2000 to 2024, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” managed to run for an impressive total of 12 seasons by the end.
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2024-08-26 17:38