Longest running comedies in TV history

[Mike]

Although not one the longest running shows, The Honeymooners is certainly one of the most revered by many. Today where I work I saw very briefly an ad on the side of a bus for a new Honeymooners show with an all black cast. I don't know if it's a movie or a TV show. I was in a hurry and didn't have time to look closely. Oh.... where did I see it? In the bus yard. I'm a transit bus driver, (but definitely NOT a Ralph clone THANK YOU!! - although I assure you that there ARE many Ralph clones driving buses). LOL! Mike

[Maxwell]

Although not one the longest running shows, The Honeymooners is certainly one of the most revered by many. Today where I work I saw very briefly an ad on the side of a bus for a new Honeymooners show with an all black cast. I don't know if it's a movie or a TV show. I was in a hurry and didn't have time to look closely. Oh.... where did I see it? In the bus yard. I'm a transit bus driver, (but definitely NOT a Ralph clone THANK YOU!! - although I assure you that there ARE many Ralph clones driving buses). LOL! Mike

They Honeymooners was only a stand-alone series for one season (1955?) when Gleason got tired of doing a live one-hour variety show every week. (Indirect Benny connection here: Gleason's announcer during the first incarnation of his variety show was Jack Lescoulie.) The Honeymooners started even before Gleason's CBS show on DuMont's "Cavalcade of Stars" (I think I have the title right) with Pert Kelton as Alice.

It's probably a good thing the half hour show didn't last much longer because the other half hour was occupied by the Gleason-produced Stage Show (the show that first inflicted Elvis Presley on an unsuspecting TV audience) hosted by Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey who died in 1956 and 1957 respectively. That would have been a sure ratings killer.

When the second incarnation of Gleason's variety show was cancelled, I think he tried a half-hour show for awhile, and I don't think the Honeymooners appeared on it, but I have little recollection of it, and then was off the air for a year or two. CBS was saddled with something like a 30-year contract with him (NBC was stuck witht he same kind of deal with Milton Berle), so they put Gleason in one of the most infamous shows in the history of television: "You're in the Picture" which lasted a grand total of one episode.

There was good reason for that. It was terrible. I saw that one episode, and I vowed, or maybe my parents told me, to never watch it again. Unfortunately that made us miss the famous "apology" show where Gleason spent the half hour confessing his sins for appearing on such a fiasco while drinking a cup of "tea."

That got him an interview show for the rest of the season. I think that led to "Jackie Gleason's American Scene Magazine," a new hour variety show without the Honeymooners (see I didn't forget what I was writing about) for the first few seasons.

The Honeymooners were back when the show again became the Jackie Gleason Show, with only Art Carney from the original group. IIRC the start was the series of musical episodes where the Kramdens and Nortons won a trip around the world or something like that.

Not long before he died, Gleason found film (kinescopes, I assume) of the Honeymooners episodes from the '50s and released them to television as "the lost episodes."

[Maxwell]

Shoot! I forgot to summarize my original point! (Sheesh!)

That was, although the Honeymooners was far from the longest running series, it has to rank up there in number of years they were seen on the air if not actual number of shows in which they appeared.

[LLeff]

That was, although the Honeymooners was far from the longest running series, it has to rank up there in number of years they were seen on the air if not actual number of shows in which they appeared.

And remember, the Jack Benny Program where Jack plays Ralph Kramden is available in our video library for people who love both Jack *AND* the Honeymooners.

[shimp scrampi]

I definitely also recall one of the "lost" Honeymooners where Jack has a silent cameo, the sketch involves Ralph and Alice panicking about their rent being due with lots of complaints about the stingy landlord. And guess who appears at the door, hand outstretched?

[Mike]

I saw the bus ad again today. It's a movie which opens June 10. Mike

[Mike]

I hear the movie is a real dud. Is anybody going to see it? Let us know if it's as bad as they say it is. Mike

[WaltP]

I'll put a vote in for "The Dick Van Dyke" show, which has been on the tube since it first started in 1959.

[Jack Benny]

Is this topic talking about the longest running shows on TV with the highest number of episodes, highest number of years of first run episodes, or longest run including re-runs in syndication?

The first two categories are easily won by Red Skelton! His show was the longest running comedy program in the history of television with 20 years on the air and pushing 1000 episodes.

The third category has got to go to I Love Lucy, Since it hit the air in 1951?, it's never been off the air!

Most shows are judged successful by how many years they were originaly on the air, and in this category Jack comes in at a strong second!

TV Comedies with Most Seasons!
1. Red Skelton - 20 Seasons
2. Jack Benny - 15 Seasons
2. Jackie Gleason - 15 Seasons
4. Ozzie and Harriet - 14 Seasons
5. Danny Thomas - 13 Seasons
5. Dinah Shore - 13 Seasons
7. My Three Sons - 12 Seasons
7. Lucy - 12 Seasons
8. All in the Family - 11 Seasons
8. Carol Burnett - 11 Seasons
8. Groucho - 11 Seasons
8. MASH - 11 Seasons
8. Frasier - 11 Seasons

[Jack Benny]

I really can't see how you can seperate Radio from TV. It's not like the Radio performers had a choice in the 1930's, there was not TV to be on. Also, many many shows just slid from Radio to TV, so the Radio years should be conted in my book.

This puts Jack at 22 Seasons in Radio and 15 Seasons on TV, for an unprecidented 37 Seasons of broadcast comedy. This number is topped by nobody!!! There are a couple like Lucy and Red Skelton in the high 20's, but nobody did season after season of comedy as long as Jack![/u]

[Maxwell]

If you go by total years on the air with his own show, you'd have to go with Bob Hope. Although his TV shows were specials, except for the years where he hosted "Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theater," his specials ran into the '90s. His first series started around 1937, and his last TV special was in 1996. For much of that run, Hope's specials ran once a month.

[Jack Benny]

Maxwell,

It appears that you have made a couple more posts then... hold on a minute... someones at the door...let me get that...

[Jack Benny]

...sorry about that...as I was saying, Maxwell...Maxwell...are you listening...You have made a few more posts...darn phone...I better get that, could be an imortant call...

[Alan]

The article i had referenced for "the most eps" was for "comedies."(and for original eps, not reruns).

They may have just plain made a mistake in omitting Red skelton, or like the Bob Hope show(s), considered it to be in the "variety" show category rather than a comedy.(?)

I have always been amazed at the overall length of JB's broadcast career, but Maxwell's stats on Bob Hope reminded me of how even more unbelievable Hope's run was.

[Jack Benny]

Jello, yet again,

Too bad about all the interuptions, but as I was saying, Maxwell you appear to have a few more posts then... oh, will you look at that, I appear to have more then you now, how did that happen...nevermind.