Television has played a pivotal role in entertaining America for decades. TV shows offer more than entertainment as many of them also inform the audience about the latest trends in society. Over the years, America has seen its fair share of TV shows. In fact, several studios have invested hundreds of billions of Dollars into commissioning these shows.
As with all industries, not all of these shows have been successful. Some have been canceled after the first couple of seasons after receiving negative ratings from critics and fans. However, many of these shows have also been outstanding successes, thrilling and entertaining audiences for years, and receiving positive ratings from critics and fans.
Some were so good that they were on the air for decades and the fans still couldn’t get enough of them. This article focuses the light on America’s longest running TV shows. These television shows have cemented their place in the hearts of viewers, and have claimed their place in the TV Hall of Fame. Here we go!
Sesame Street
For most millennials, the moment Sesame Street came onto the screen, they just knew it was about to be a good time. This TV show which has been airing since 1969, is a kid’s show that was filled with entertainment, education and a bunch of interesting characters.
With an array of diverse cast, these guys have given us some iconic moments like “Elmo’s World”. However, the interesting fact is that for 54 years, the relevance of the show has not waned and people still giggle and smile at the sound of “Sunny Day, Sweepin’ the clouds away”
The Tonight Show
Was the tonight show a staple in your home while growing up? Well, if it wasn’t then we feel bad for you, as you have missed out on the gold standard of late-night TV shows. Yeah sure, you might argue that there are way more interesting shows on TV, but how many of them have the class of The Tonight Show? From the times of Jack Paar to the current host, Jimmy Fallon, we can all testify that the show has given us nothing short of top class entertainment.
The perfect mix of comedy, music performances, and interviews all make the show the perfect late-night destination for the past 54 years. It is recognized as one of the longest running TV shows still airing in 2024.
General Hospital
It will be hard to make a list of long running TV shows without mentioning General Hospital. This show is like the blueprint for television longevity, and the ardent followers have mostly followed it judiciously. Of course, most of the followers probably inherited the shows from those older than them, and they probably also got it passed down to them.
Well, when a TV show has been running since 1963, what do you expect? With lots of the characters that started the show now dead or old, seeing the TV show must feel like living in a time machine. Anyways, the show now runs on newer and younger casts, but it still retains the relevant storylines that has kept it as one of America’s longest running TV shows.
Saturday Night Live
Wherever they cook up amazing TV shows, you can be certain that Saturday Night Live came up from the same cook-pot. Saturday Night Live has given us some absolutely golden moments that have over the years earned the show a status as a cultural institution. With the way the producers blend a mix of comedy and live entertainment, it has constantly kept Americans glued to their screens since 1975.
So, if you are in for some good entertainment, tune in and you might see some obscure talent get their few minutes that catapults them to stardom. You could even get a glimpse of a popular star, giving you a closeup of their personality. Altogether, the show is a joy to watch and deservedly so, as it ranks as one of the longest TV shows in America.
Conclusion
We have to understand that it takes a lot for TV shows to continually run for so many years without being discontinued. To achieve this feat, the show must have excellent ratings and viewership, and the only way to achieve this is to continually churn out quality content.
Other long running shows in America include Wheel of Fortune (1975 - present), Meet the Press (1947 - present), and Days of Our Lives (1965 - present). Overall, we have to give it to these shows for entertaining Americans by continuing to reinvent their narratives and creativity to remain relevant year after year.