Long Lasting and Loved Television Shows - Part 1 Quiz

Answer: Gunsmoke

This western aired from 1955-75 with a total of 635 shows. It was the longest running TV serial western before 2015. "Gunsmoke" was also a radio show which started before the TV series.

Answer: M*A*S*H

The final show of "M*A*S*H" was such an event that the informal name for people watching it together was a mash-bash.

"M*A*S*H" was on from 1972-83 with 256 episodes.

Answer: Sesame Street

Yes, Oscar the Grouch was a regular on "Sesame Street".
The star of the show was of course a tall, yellow, talking bird - Big Bird.
It began running in 1969.

Answer: The Tonight Show

Johnny Carson was the host most famously attached to this show, hosting 4531 episodes according to Wikipedia, though Jay Leno made more appearances, 4610, in two periods as host of the show - from 1992-2009 and 2010-14. Some of the other hosts over the years included Art Linkletter, Merv Griffin, Joey Bishop and the incomparable Groucho Marx.

Answer: The Simpsons

Homer has actually succeeded in getting the word "Doh" to be included in the Oxford English Dictionary.
The show actually started as a series of animated sketches for the "Tracy Ullman Show" and after 3 successful years broke off into its own time slot.

Answer: Bonanza

The theme song for "Bonanza" was chosen by the Western Writers of America in 2010 as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time.
Of the kids, Michael Landon and Pernell Roberts both went on to star in their own shows. Dan Blocker died suddenly during a routine surgery while "Bonanza" was still in its 13th season.
Lorne Greene, the Jewish Canadian-born "father" of the Cartwright family went on to star in many TV shows - some as a major character and others in cameo appearances.

Answer: Lassie

"Lassie" ran for 17 seasons in its original setting while Lassie lived with a family and then another 2 years while she was alone.
Rin Tin Tin was a German Shepherd whose tv life ran concurrent to Lassie though ending much sooner.
Beethoven was a St. Bernard in the movie and tv series which followed.
Flipper was a dolphin.

Answer: The Big Bang Theory

A prequel spin-off, "Young Sheldon", started in 2017.
"Big Bang Theory" premiered in 2007.
The science is always checked before going on air.

Answer: All in the Family

Among the spin-offs were "Maude", "The Jeffersons", and "Archie Bunker's Place".
Because of the impact it had on American society I had to include this even though officially it wasn't 10 seasons long and anyway, although the show lasted "only" 8 seasons with over 200 episodes. "Archie Bunker's Place" was a continuation which lasted another 4 seasons.

Answer: Hawaii 5-0

Called 5-0 because Hawaii was the 50th state in the Union, this show has had a revival with the show being recast and continued.
The first run was from 1968-80 with the new series starting in 2010.
The famous theme song, was actually re-recorded later and made it to number 4 on the charts. Da-da-da-bum-bum-buuuuuum.