Longest-Running Comedy Series by Episode Count
The animated series "The Simpsons" is often cited as the longest-running scripted comedy series by episode count. It premiered on December 17, 1989, and continues to air new episodes. As of its latest seasons, the series has produced hundreds of episodes across more than three decades on the Fox network.
Longest-Running Live-Action Comedy Series
For live-action comedy, "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" is among the longest-running shows in the United States. The series premiered on FX in 2005 and later moved to FXX. Its continuous run and consistent production schedule have made it a notable entry in lists of long-running comedies.
Why These Series Run for Decades
Long-running comedy series typically rely on ensemble casts, broad appeal, and syndication revenue. A stable format and large episode library help these shows remain profitable for networks and streaming platforms over many years.
For more details on television longevity records, see the Television Academy's overview at Television Academy.
