7/16    Is Simpson's the longest running TV show yet?
        \_ The Simpsons is the longest running prime-time TV show.
        \_ Didn't "Meet The Press" have an impressive run?
        \_ Well, if you are counting all those "news", "soaps" and "talk
           shows", I am sure some local TV 6:00PM newscasts have been
           around a long time too.
        \_ "Meet The Press" has been airing since 1947.
        \_ Gunsmoke is.
                \_ Only if you limit to "entertainment" shows, otherwise
                   the champion is NBC's Today show, on continously since
                   the fifties.  There's a number of 20+ year old soap
                   operas (Days, General Hospital, As the World Turns).
                   The Simpson's only ranks high in longevity among sitcoms
                   where after 10 1/2 years it's approaching MASH's record
                   of 11 years.
                   \_ Only these types of shows can last that long because
                      they never have to create any new storylines.
                   \_ Did cheers beat mash?
                        \_ No.
                        \_ No. Cheers only ran 10 seasons.
                   \_ if you ignore talk shows, I think Dr. Who has the
                      claim to fame. Although didnt have new eps every
                      season.
                      \_ when was the first season?  wasn't it the late 50's
                         or something? Who >>>>>> startreck
                         or something? Who >>>>>> startrek
                         \_ according to the episode list linked to by
                            http://www.drwho.org the first episode  aired in
                            63. The "most recent" one was in 89.
                            Its too bad they couldn't revive it now. But
                            in some ways, the prior ones just weren't
                            "hard core" enough sci-fi to compare to
                            B5 , etc. It was more fantasy.
                            "sufficiently advanced technology" and all that.
                            Except the last few got way too silly.
                            Peter Davidson ruled.
                            \_ Dr. Who movie currently in the works. -mogul
                              \_ wasn't there already one with the eighth doctor
                              or something?
                                \_ "The Five Doctors"?  More like a double
                                   length episode.
                                 \_ Fox made-for-TV movie.  Had an 8th
                                    Doctor.  --dbushong
                            \_ Peter Davison, no 'd'.  --dbushong