The Best Long Running Series

Story posted October 20, 2021 in Arts & Entertainment by Arts & Entertainment Staff.

Some shows are too good to stop too soon. In this listicle, the Arts and Entertainment Department take a look at some of the more popular shows that have been around for quite a while.

“Grey’s Anatomy” (2005 – Present)

Since 2005, Grey’s Anatomy has kept fans coming back season after season. The show stars Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey from her surgical internship through becoming a world renown general surgeon.

The show focuses on the love triangle between Grey, her boyfriend/boss Derek Shepherd and his ex-wife Addison Shepherd, who is also their co-worker. Along with this “relationship,” there are many other inappropriate and dramatic relationships that are born in the workplace.

The show is well known for adulterous relationships, unexpected pregnancies, fights, natural disasters and any and all things in between.

The show is unfortunately also well known for killing off many beloved characters. Over the seasons, the audience has watched many surgeons come and go. Meredith Grey, Richard Webber and Miranda Bailey remain the only original characters left on the show.

Overall, the show is filled with drama and heartbreak. Even with all the drama, they still fit in the medical side of the show. Every episode is filled with new patients and backstories.

Grey Anatomy is on its 18th season and each episode is around 40 minutes long, perfect to binge watch. – Savannah Swartz

“Saturday Night Live” (1975 – Present)

There may not be a show that has had a more significant impact on comedy, pop culture or politics than “Saturday Night Live.” It first aired on October 11, 1975, and has aired for 47 consecutive seasons.

“SNL” is a variety sketch show that airs on Saturday nights from 11:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. the following day on NBC. It features a celebrity host who stars in the sketches with the cast along with a musical guest who puts on two performances during the show.

Some of the most prominent comedians got their start on “SNL.” Will Ferrel, Adam Sandler, Amy Poehler, John Belushi, Andy Samberg, Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey, Chris Rock and Norm McDonald are only a handful of famous comedians who came from the sketch show.

“SNL’s” prominence in pop culture is unparalleled. 14 movies have been created from SNL sketches including “Blues Brothers” and “Wayne’s World.” Tina Fey’s hit show “30 Rock” is based on her time at “SNL.” The first viral YouTube video comes from an “SNL” digital short “Lazy Sunday” which aired in 2005.

“Saturday Night Live” is largely associated with political satire and political sketches dominating the show’s cold-opens. Chevy Chase’s impersonation of president Gerald Ford is cited as impacting the 1976 election along with Tina Fey’s impersonation of vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin in the 2008 election.

While people may debate what era of “SNL” is the best or if the show is even good anymore, it seemingly isn’t going anywhere and its impact cannot be ignored. - Sophia D’Ovidio

“Friends” (1994 – 2004)

Airing in the 1990’s, the popular sitcom “Friends” is a classic show. Running for 10 seasons, “Friends” won over the hearts and souls of people everywhere.

The feel-good show is about the ups and downs six friends face living in New York City. Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe, Ross and Joey get into all sorts of unprompted comic situations. Each character has a very particular personality, but together they develop beautiful friendships and relationships.

Since the show lasted for ten years, each season portrays new sides of the characters as they face new conflicts and experiences. Moreover, the show has iconic lines that they maintained consistently for years. “We were on a break!” and “How are you doin?” will forever have a special meaning in the hearts of people everywhere.

By the end of the series, you feel as if you know and love each character. “Friends” is a must watch long running show. - Camila Rodríguez

“The Simpsons” (1989 – Present)

One of the longest running shows, and most iconic, is “The Simpsons.” Starting in 1989, the Simpson family hijinks have been branded into the minds of all viewers earning it a great reputation.

Not to mention, the memes the show has created, especially surrounding its ability to predict. “The Simpsons” has seemingly predicted future events during their episodes, forming its very own following of theorists thinking about how it cannot be coincidental.

“The Simpsons” is a comedic series filled with offhanded jokes and focus on the tomfoolery of the Simpson family and its head, Homer Simpson, and what that means for the town of Springfield.

Additionally, “The Simpsons” has done a crossover with the younger show “Family Guy,” featuring main characters Homer Simpson and Peter Griffin fighting over beer, of course.

The show is now owned by Disney following the Fox merger, so “The Simpsons” is now available on Disney’s two-year-old streaming platform Disney+. – Colton Pleslusky

 

Savannah Swartz is a first-year majoring in communications. To contact her, email at sms9072@psu.edu.

Sophia D’Ovidio is a first-year majoring in communications. To contact her, email at sgd5184@psu.edu.

Camila Rodríguez is a second-year majoring in communications. To contact her, email car6323@psu.edu​.

Colton Pleslusky is a fourth-year majoring in telecommunications. To contact him, email csp5289@psu.edu.