what the longest tv show in the us

The longest-running TV show in the U.S. is generally considered The Tonight Show franchise, which has run for 70 seasons across multiple hosts. If you mean the longest-running scripted American show, The Simpsons is a top contender, with 34 seasons.

Quick Scoop

• Longest overall U.S. TV franchise: The Tonight Show, 70 seasons.

• Longest-running scripted U.S. series: The Simpsons, 34 seasons.

• Other long runners: Sesame Street, 54 seasons; Saturday Night Live, 49 seasons; Survivor, 46 seasons.

Small Clarification

“Longest” can mean different things:

• Most seasons overall
• Longest continuously airing
• Longest scripted series
• Longest prime-time series

For a simple answer, The Tonight Show is the best-known longest-running U.S. TV show by total seasons.