What was the longest running dramatic TV series in history?

CodyBond007

Premiering on CBS in September 1955 and completing its network run September 1975, Gunsmoke is the longest running dramatic series in the history of television. Two of its stars, James Arness and Milburn Stone, remained all 20 seasons, with Amanda Blake a close second, departing after 19 years. The series started out as a half-hour show, and expanded to an hour in its seventh season. Prior to Gunsmoke (and The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp which premiered the same week), western shows generally focused on fantasy characters such as the Lone Ranger and Hopalong Cassidy, holdovers from movie and radio serials. Gunsmoke was one of the earliest "adult westerns," centering around the exploits of Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness) in the frontier town of Dodge City, Kansas in 1873. His kindly companion was Doc Adams (Milburn Stone), the town physician who spent many hours chugging beers at the Long Branch Saloon, owned and operated by the shapely Kitty Russell. Over the years there were several changes in the supporting cast, most notably the replacement of Matt's loyal deputy, Chester Goode (Dennis Weaver), with hillbilly deputy Festus Haggen (Ken Curtis). Gunsmoke started a longtime trend for TV westerns. At one point there were 30 of them on the air at the same time. But Gunsmoke outlasted the others and at the time of its cancellation in 1975, it was the only show of its kind still on the air. http://www.tvland.com/shows/gunsmoke/ Sep 21 05, 4:38 PM

dejavucub4

Yep, now I'll give ya 30 minutes to get outta Dodge....Kidding of course. Sep 22 05, 11:48 AM

gmackematix

Wasn't Matt Dillon the role that John Wayne turned down for fear of typecasting as a cowboy? Sep 23 05, 10:47 AM

gmackematix

Dr Who hasn't been running continously but that wasn't asked for so as it started in 1963 that has longer than "Gunsmoke". In the UK, the drama serials "Crossroads", "Emmerdale", "Pobol y Cwm" and "Eastenders" have all run for 20 years or more. "Coronation Street" has run for 45 years to date and William Roach has played Ken Barlow in it for all that time. However, the record "Gunsmoke" does hold is the longest running drama series starring one central character played by the same man... at least in the US anyway. Sep 23 05, 11:01 AM

gmackematix

How could I forget "The Bill", the police series which has been running since 1984 or "Taggart" which has been totting up the murders since 1983? Sep 23 05, 11:05 AM

gmackematix

Oh yes, and "Brookside" lasted for 21 years while school drama "Grange Hill" is still going after 27 years. That's it, I've said my piece on this one now. ;) Sep 24 05, 6:37 AM