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TV Shows You Can't Believe Are Still Around
Here's a topic I once posted on another messageboard, and have decided to start it up over here. 
Recently, while flipping through the channels, I started thinking about the longevity of different TV shows, how many seasons they're made before production of new episodes ends.
Some shows never even get out of the gates, being canceled before they even find an audience. Others find a small but loyal audience, but are still canceled after only a season or 2. Some shows get a good run, lasting a few seasons, but get canceled while they still have some good stories left to tell. A rare few get to have a full, healthy run, ending at just the right time, giving the audience a true sense of closure.
Then there are those few shows that are like the Energizer Bunny... They just keep going and going and going. A rare few deserve the longevity they've enjoyed, such as Doctor Who (with 26 seasons in its original run, and now heading into Season 5 of its revival, it's the longest-running science fiction program of all time!) and America's Most Wanted. But most of these shows that run and run and run, do so in a way that defies logic, because no sane, rational person can explain their popularity and longevity. One good example of such a show, now finally OFF the air (not counting reruns) is Friends. Did we REALLY need a DECADE of that show?!?
This thread is about "outing" these improbably long-lived shows that defy all logic, the shows that make you cringe because you just cannot understand why they've stayed on the air so long. Even the few that are actually GOOD TV have been on so long, that you've grown tired of them. Here's my list:
And for the record, I DO enjoy watching The Simpsons. It doesn't change the fact that I can't understand its incredible longevity.
And let me clarify now to avoid confusion later; this topic is meant to be about shows that are STILL IN PRODUCTION. Shows that are still being made. Some people on the other forum brought up shows that have been in reruns forever, but new episodes haven't been made in many years. It is not my intent for this topic to be about those shows. I mainly want to discuss shows such as America's Funniest Home Videos that have been on the air FOREVER, but are STILL in production on new episodes.
Just a little clarification.
Recently, while flipping through the channels, I started thinking about the longevity of different TV shows, how many seasons they're made before production of new episodes ends.
Some shows never even get out of the gates, being canceled before they even find an audience. Others find a small but loyal audience, but are still canceled after only a season or 2. Some shows get a good run, lasting a few seasons, but get canceled while they still have some good stories left to tell. A rare few get to have a full, healthy run, ending at just the right time, giving the audience a true sense of closure.
Then there are those few shows that are like the Energizer Bunny... They just keep going and going and going. A rare few deserve the longevity they've enjoyed, such as Doctor Who (with 26 seasons in its original run, and now heading into Season 5 of its revival, it's the longest-running science fiction program of all time!) and America's Most Wanted. But most of these shows that run and run and run, do so in a way that defies logic, because no sane, rational person can explain their popularity and longevity. One good example of such a show, now finally OFF the air (not counting reruns) is Friends. Did we REALLY need a DECADE of that show?!?
This thread is about "outing" these improbably long-lived shows that defy all logic, the shows that make you cringe because you just cannot understand why they've stayed on the air so long. Even the few that are actually GOOD TV have been on so long, that you've grown tired of them. Here's my list:
- The Jerry Springer Show... When will this show, a blight on moral values and good taste, ever end?!?
- Power Rangers... As far as I know, new episodes STILL keep running, both in Japan and here in the States. What I can't figure out is WHY?!?
I've heard a rumor that it was ending after this season, but it's still in the TV guide every time I look at it, soo... - Survivor... Granted, when it first came on, it was unique and different, but isn't anyone getting TIRED of it yet?!?
- Cops... Again, isn't anyone getting tired of watching this? How many times can people watch the police busting stupid criminals before it gets old?!? At least America's Most Wanted does a public service. Cops (and the knock-offs that are just like it) is just voyeurism at its worst.
- America's Funniest Home Videos... This show long ago stopped being about real events spontaneously or accidentally caught on tape. It's obvious most of the videos are "staged" for the show, and it's been that way for years. Even worse, it panders to the lowest common denominator: Rednecks that actually think the "Stupid Human Tricks" people stage for the show are funny. I lost interest ages ago, why doesn't anyone else?
- The Simpsons (*ducks all the thrown rocks, tomatoes, etc.*)... Is this the greatest animated series ever? That's debatable. Is it the most successful? Very probably. Still doesn't explain why Fox and Matt Groening are still producing new episodes. In the very near future, it'll reach its 20th anniversary on the air, if it hasn't already. I'm surprised Fox and/or Matt Groening hasn't called it quits yet. I would've thought they would've run out of ideas long ago... But I would've thought wrong, I guess.
And for the record, I DO enjoy watching The Simpsons. It doesn't change the fact that I can't understand its incredible longevity.
And let me clarify now to avoid confusion later; this topic is meant to be about shows that are STILL IN PRODUCTION. Shows that are still being made. Some people on the other forum brought up shows that have been in reruns forever, but new episodes haven't been made in many years. It is not my intent for this topic to be about those shows. I mainly want to discuss shows such as America's Funniest Home Videos that have been on the air FOREVER, but are STILL in production on new episodes.
Just a little clarification.
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