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The "Gunsmoke Factor" -- about the future of "The Simpsons"

Davros2006

Davros2006

(I debated about whether or not to post this thread in "National TV" or "Classic TV". I think I picked the right place.)

Based on what I've heard as of late, FOX has yet to renew The Simpsons. If they do renew it, it would at least match the number of seasons made by a U.S. prime time comedy or drama series that was previously set by Gunsmoke -- 20 seasons. (Non-scripted prime time shows (such as news magazines) like 60 Minutes and 20/20 don't count.) (Side note: We're not counting the time it was first seen on Tracey Ullman's show prior to 1989.)

Aside from Gunsmoke (1955-75), Kelsey Grammer has a similar record (pending further research if anyone else is involved) in which he played a single TV role (Frasier Crane) for 20 years over two shows (Cheers from 1984 to 1993 and then his own spin-off from '93 to 2004).

Has anyone else besides me suggested a possibility of a "Gunsmoke Factor" in which a TV character and/or nighttime scripted series such as Gunsmoke runs no more than 20 years? Think about it and tell me your feedback.
 
There is one other show that, depending on the ratings, may hit that mark soon,
and that's "Law & Order" on NBC.
 
Let's not forget. The current running show that is the longest running with original episodes...

WWE Monday Night RAW
 
Very true Word Life. However, I think they're talking about over-the-air network shows and not cable. As for WWE Smackdown! on network TV? It's pilot episode was a special taped in New Haven in the spring of 1999. It became a regular series starting with the 1999-2000 season...UPN 1999-2006, CW 2006-2008, MY 2008-????
 
Not to Mention The Red Skeleton Show 's duration over a 20 year span between 1951 to 1971.

Or Monday Night Football which could fall in the same category with Monday Night Raw.

As for "The Scripted side of things," This may be the last for The Simpsons, FOX is number 1 now, when it started it had to carry the network.

Now it's there like NBC does with Law & Order, ER, etc. just a marquee name to fill up space for primetime programming.

It hasn't been that funny in years, especially since Family Guy came back on the air.

While they're at it, they can pull the plug on King of the Hill too, it hasn't been funny since 2003.
 
The bulk of the animation is done in Korea. I wouldn't be to0 surprised to see the simpsons last for 30 years, There are still plenty of people out there who lo0k forward to it every Sunday.
 
demographics:
Gunsmoke had the AARP crowd (before AARP) which is NOT primetime anymore.
Ed Sullivan got them, too....but added the elementary school audience.
granted.....that's LOTS of eyeballs, but not the right eyeballs for 2008.
therein lies the Simpsons dilemma. even though lots of people still look
forward to it (just like back in the day with the Flintstones), are they
the under 35 and over 21 age people? how many males (the most difficult
to get in broadcast non-sports)? someone who started watching the
first season of the Simpsons in high school has passed relevancy.....
except for Freshman who will reach that mark in 4 months.
i'm waiting for the prescription drug ads.
 
No discussion of long running programs would be complete without mentioning the soap opera "The Guiding Light".

"The Guiding Light" began its run in 1937, on NBC's "Red" radio network, where it remained until 1947, when the show was stolen away by CBS radio.

"The Guiding Light" transitioned to CBS television in 1952, and for the next four years, the show was simulcast by both CBS radio and television, until the radio division cancelled the show in 1956.

To this very day, "The Guiding Light" remains on the daytime schedule of CBS Television.

Over 70 years on the air......the longest running program in the history of broadcasting......

It's very likely that no other program will EVER approach this milestone.
 
Well Gunsmoke has so many episodes though. 635 episodes and it ran for like 5 or 6 years at a half hour then expanded.

The Simpsons has a couple things going for it. First is the limited amount of comedies on TV. Second is that it's animated and you can create things easy without cost (locations etc). Third is that it's getting so old and the older episodes don't always air so it's easier for the writers to repeat gags and not be caught on it, except by hardcore fans (like me).

I think the Simpsons really supports the rest of FOX's Sunday night animation block. As I understand it "Family Guy," will spin of the black guy (I think his name is Cleveland) into his own show for the latter part of 2009.

Finally the Simpsons is easy on the cast. It's a lot less work being a voice actor (note I didn't say it wasn't hard only that it's less difficult) so the cast can do other things too. I don't know how the revenue is shared but in 2007 the Simpsons merchandise pulled in 2.5 BILLION US dollars. (Of course that was helped by the movie). You don't see "Two and a Half Men" dolls do you (The #1 comedy currently).
 
I sure don't look forward to seeing a new Simpsons episode every Sunday anymore. It has been going downhill since 1998. They should've packed up around the same time as Seinfeld, or in 2000 at the latest.
 
The good thing is when the Simpsons finally goes off the air, Nick at Night can dump Fresh Prince and George Lopez and air a whole marathon of Simpsons 7 days a week from sundown to sunup.
 
Dighton Rockhead said:
No discussion of long running programs would be complete without mentioning the soap opera "The Guiding Light".

"The Guiding Light" began its run in 1937, on NBC's "Red" radio network, where it remained until 1947, when the show was stolen away by CBS radio.

"The Guiding Light" transitioned to CBS television in 1952, and for the next four years, the show was simulcast by both CBS radio and television, until the radio division cancelled the show in 1956.

To this very day, "The Guiding Light" remains on the daytime schedule of CBS Television.

Over 70 years on the air......the longest running program in the history of broadcasting......

It's very likely that no other program will EVER approach this milestone.
Click to expand...
I am guessing THE GUNSMOKE FACTOR refers to the Longest Running SCRIPTED show on PRIME TIME TV only,not news or variety shows or sports or pseudo-sports (such as Pro Wrestling and Roller Derby) or Daytime TV (like Soap Operas, Talk Shows, Court Shows or Game Shows). Just SCRIPTED PRIME TIME SHOWS ONLY!
 
turkeydance said:
demographics:
Gunsmoke had the AARP crowd (before AARP) which is NOT primetime anymore.
Ed Sullivan got them, too....but added the elementary school audience.
granted.....that's LOTS of eyeballs, but not the right eyeballs for 2008.
therein lies the Simpsons dilemma. even though lots of people still look
forward to it (just like back in the day with the Flintstones), are they
the under 35 and over 21 age people? how many males (the most difficult
to get in broadcast non-sports)? someone who started watching the
first season of the Simpsons in high school has passed relevancy.....
except for Freshman who will reach that mark in 4 months.
i'm waiting for the prescription drug ads.
Click to expand...

The Simpsons continues to do well in the 18-49 group, particularly males. Those of us who were the earliest fans at the younger end of the demo are certainly closer now to the upper end, but there are enough of the younger fans that have come along to continue to make it successful, albeit not quite as 'buzzed' about anymore as something newer like Family Guy.
 
Based on what I've heard as of late, FOX has yet to renew The Simpsons. If they do renew it, it would at least match the number of seasons made by a U.S. prime time comedy or drama series that was previously set by Gunsmoke -- 20 seasons.
Click to expand...

What's the world record?

ixnay
 
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