It is certainly not uncommon forTV showsto becanceled after just a handful of seasons. Of course, this can happen for any number of reasons. Some shows are driven off the air by poor ratings. Others simply reach a satisfying conclusion, leaving no need for the program to continue any further. Even more shows fall victim to issues unrelated to the actual content, such as financial restrictions, problems with the cast, or even the reality that the network may just want to make room for new programming.
On the other hand,someTV shows feel as though they will last until the end of time.While this is much rarer, these series possess a level of timelessness that makes them bound to keep churning out new episodes year after year. Explanations for this immunity from cancelation can range all the way from the complexity of its stories and characters to the historical impact of the show itself. For whatever the reason may be, audiences can rest assured knowing that these TV shows will be around for years to come.
Grey’s Anatomy
Cast
Grey’s Anatomy is a medical drama series revolving around surgical interns, residents, and attendings at the fictional Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. The show features the professional and personal lives of these medical professionals, led initially by Dr. Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo. Created by Shonda Rhimes, the series highlights the complexities of medical cases while delving into the interpersonal relationships among the hospital staff.
Set in a Seattle hospital,Grey’s Anatomyhas been entertaining audiences for over twenty seasons, with more already on the way.The medical drama series dives deep into the lives of various staff members at the hospital, exploring their growth, changes, and relationships both at work and outside of it.Grey’s Anatomyholds the honor of being the longest-running scripted primetime series of the popular television network, ABC. The series is a prime option for viewers who just can’t get enough of medical dramas.
15 Episodes Of Grey’s Anatomy That Aged Poorly
Grey’s Anatomy may have been a groundbreaking show when it started, but that doesn’t mean that all of its episodes aged all that well.
The primary factor that keepsGrey’s Anatomygoing is the way the show capitalizes on the hospital setting, which has inspired various other programs to do so as well.Though the series does explore the personal lives of the various characters, the hospital consistently remains at the center of the program, acting as the true tie between everyone who appears in the show. This allows the series to continue to thrive even when characters come and go. As long as the hospital is still standing,Grey’s Anatomycan continue telling the stories of those inside it.
Doctor Who
Doctor Who: Released on August 13, 2025, this series follows the Doctor and their companion as they journey across time and space, encountering a range of extraordinary friends and adversaries, expanding the universe of the long-running British science fiction series.
Having already achieved the status of being the longest-running science fiction series of all time,Doctor Whoshows no signs of disappearing any time soon.The British series, which first went on the air in 1963, features a character known as the Doctor, who travels across time and space, working tirelessly to provide help wherever it is needed and to stop any evils that may arise along the way. Having already sparked various adaptations across a wide range of media, it feels more than likely thatDoctor Whowill continue to appear in some capacity for many years.
Part of what has allowedDoctor Whoto withstand the test of time is the inherent flexibility that its protagonist allows.The Doctor is part of a rare species of beings who, upon dying, can essentially be reborn as a new being, one with a different appearance/personality,but with all the memories of the previous iterations. Because of this, when it comes time that the actor playingthe Doctor must leave the show, the writers can simply introduce a new actor into the role, sparking a new series of adventures in the process.
House of the Dragon
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
When a new series is tied to one of the most popular TV shows ever, it is bound to be a lasting success.This is sure to be the case forHouse of the Dragon, a new fantasy drama series from HBO. The series serves as the prequel toGame of Thrones, whose eight-season run garnered an impressive 59 Emmy Awards. Based on the writings of George R.R. Martin,House of the Dragonis set nearly two centuries beforeGame of Thrones, and follows a large cast of characters through a tumultuous time in the history of their land.
The show already has a massive, dedicated fan base, being the spin-off of another hit program.
Though it is still very early in the show’s run,House of the Dragonhas all the necessary tools to endure an extended period on the air. The show already has a massive, dedicated fan base, being the spin-off of another hit program. It also presents a complex, thoroughly developed world, one rife with interesting characters and a captivating history. In choosing to follow a large ensemble of characters instead of a select few,House of the Dragoneffectively sets itself up with numerous branching-off points for future seasons.
Survivor
Survivor is a reality competition series set in remote locations where contestants, divided into tribes, must survive with minimal resources for approximately 39 days. Participants face physical challenges for rewards and immunity, with losing tribes attending Tribal Council to vote off a member. Released in 2000.
In terms oflong-running reality competition programs, few have captivated their audiences quite to the extent ofSurvivor.The popular CBS series has been pitting its brave contestants against each other for 47 seasons now, quickly approaching an incredible 700 episodes. Each season, a new batch of contestants is brought to an island, where they must use their own complex strategies, physical abilities, and survival skills to avoid being voted out by their peers. Audiences consistently tune in each season to see who will take home the grand prize of a million dollars.
Even with an abundance of reality competition shows on TV,Survivorconsistently manages to stand out.The series is easily among the most complex of its genre, with new challenges and strategies arising with every new season.Along with its new cast and new island each season, all of these factors allowSurvivorto maintain a consistent level of freshness, effectively avoiding the dullness that most reality programs fall into over time. Fans can only wonder what new twists will be introduced as the series approaches its fiftieth season.
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels, premiering in 1975. It features comedy sketches parodying contemporary culture and politics, performed by a rotating cast. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest and includes musical performances.
In 1975, Lorne Michaels changed television history by creatingSaturday Night Live(known asNBC’s Saturday Nightat the time).Each episode of the iconic late-night show features a cast of up-and-coming comedians performing an assortment of zany comedy sketches, as well as appearances by a special guest host and performances by a musical guest. The series has become a TV staple over the years, with practically every celebrity imaginable making an appearance at one point or another.SNLhas launched the careers of countless comedians, such as Bill Murray, Tina Fey, and Adam Sandler.
Even though some seasons aren’t received quite as well as others,SNLis unlikely to ever be canceled because of its limitless potential and esteemed reputation. With the revolving structure of its cast, the show is constantly giving new actors a chance to shine, always with the potential of creating the next biggest star in the world of comedy. The series is currently in the midst of its historic fiftieth season, and is still attracting a stunning roster of hosts, musical guests, and guest stars every weekend.
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an animated series set in the fictional town of Springfield, following the daily lives of the Simpson family—Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. Premiering in 1989, the show is renowned for its satirical commentary on politics, media, and American culture, featuring numerous celebrity guest appearances.
With more than 770 episodes already in the books,The Simpsonsis not only the longest-running American animated series ever, but the longest-running American sitcom as well.Created by Matt Groening, the series follows the lovably dysfunctional family of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. Each week, the characters get into new shenanigans with the other comical residents of Springfield, never failing to bring big laughs.
The Simpsonshas lent its name to everything from video games to theme park rides, with the iconic quintet becoming one of the most recognizable TV families ever.
By this point, it truly feels unlikely thatThe Simpsonswill ever be canceled.Even with a noticeable decline in quality around the eleventh or twelfth season, the show has persisted as a staple of the Fox network, now in its 36th season.The Simpsonscontinues to attract major guest stars to lend their vocal talents to new characters, making the series a non-stop who’s-who of voices. Additionally, the fact that the series is animated greatly contributes to its longevity, as the writers have never had to worry about their beloved characters aging.
Dancing with the Stars
Dancing With The Stars pairs celebrities with professional dancers to compete in ballroom dancing challenges, judged by a panel of experts and audience votes.
The popular competition series,Dancing with the Stars, has been bringing beloved celebrities to the dance floor for nearly two decades now, with no signs of stopping the music anytime soon.Each season follows the same structure; a new cast of celebrities is welcomed in, partnered up with professional dancers, and the duos must compete each week to avoid being eliminated. The last partnership standing wins the coveted Mirrorball Trophy. The series is currently in its 33rd season, and will air its 500th episode by the end of the year.
As long as new celebrities are willing to keep dancing,Dancing with the Starsis bound to remain a hit.Though the structure has remained consistent, each season promises an exciting new experience for the audience.With a stacked lineup of previous stars including actors, athletes, models, and even politicians, the series always promises to feature someone to root for, no matter what your interests may be. With the broad appeal of its stars and the pure entertainment of its performances,Dancing with the Starsis highly unlikely to be canceled in the near future.
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon features comedian Jimmy Fallon as host, bringing a mix of comedy sketches, celebrity interviews, and musical performances. The show, which airs weeknights, continues the long-standing tradition of The Tonight Show franchise, combining humor and entertainment with pop culture and current events.
As far as late-night TV goes,The Tonight Showhas been one of the most recognizable programs for many decades. The popular TV show airs every weeknight, with each night involving the host casually discussing the news of the day, chatting with special guests, and presenting various entertaining segments. FormerSaturday Night Livecast memberJimmy Fallon has hosted the show for the last decade, while other popular figures like Johnny Carson and Jay Leno also had substantial hosting stints before him.
With guests appearing from practically every corner of the world,The Tonight Showoffers something for everyone, even if you aren’t able to catch it every night.
Part of what makesThe Tonight Showsuch a staple is its consistency.Viewers know that they can tune in on any weeknight to get a humorous take on what’s going on in the world, see some charming interviews with celebrities, and have a good laugh.With guests appearing from practically every corner of the world,The Tonight Showoffers something for everyone, even if you aren’t able to catch it every night. Having withstood seven decades and numerous hosts,The Tonight Showpromises to continue entertaining viewers for years to come.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is a television series that premiered in 1999. Set in the criminal justice system of New York City, it follows an elite team of detectives who investigate sexually-based offenses, focusing on their efforts to solve complex cases and seek justice for victims.
Created by Dick Wolf,Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(orSVU, for short) has been captivating audiences with its deep dives into the dark side of life in New York for many years.The series, which began as a spin-off of the originalLaw & Orderprogram, highlights the individuals tasked with investigating some of the most disturbing crimes to occur in the big city. Many episodes are based directly on true events, making them all the more chilling to watch unfold.
The 25 Best Law & Order: SVU Episodes
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has been nominated for (and won) many awards, and its best episodes are a big reason why.
Though the series does include overarching narratives throughout the seasons, many episodes ofSVUhighlight their own self-contained investigations.This gives audiences a satisfying glimpse into the extensive variety of crimes that occur not just in New York City, but around the world. With no shortage of chilling cases to inspire new episodes,there is seemingly nothing to stopSVUfrom continuing for many more years. The series is currently in its 26th season, and recently surpassed the milestone of 550 episodes.
Sesame Street
One of the longest-running children’s television shows in the world, Sesame Street premiered in 1969 and is still airing episodes to this day. The show uses puppetry (courtesy of Jim Hensen’s Muppets), animation, and live-action to bring a series of educational segments to children, always keeping a comedic, heartfelt tone.
Perhaps the most recognizable children’s program of all time,Sesame Streethas been entertaining and educating young audiences since the 1960s.The long-running series features Jim Henson’s Muppet characters working alongside human performers to teach viewers important lessons about all parts of life. The series has been praised in recent years for being willing to discuss serious topics not typically discussed in children’s programming, going above and beyond to spread messages of kindness and love to kids around the world.
With colorful characters like Elmo and Cookie Monster being among the most easily identifiable TV characters ever, it feels incredibly unlikely thatSesame Streetwill be taken off the air anytime soon. Even with a massive influx of content geared specifically toward children, the classic program has remained a standout, continuing to teach new lessons and even welcoming innew celebrity guests with every episode. As long as little kids are watching television,Sesame Streetis almost certain to be there for them.
