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Q: I know "The Simpsons" is the longest running cartoon, but what's second longest? Is it anywhere near "The Simpsons'" precedent?

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Author: 
Adam Thomlison / TV Media

There are actually a few qualifiers on the various run-length records set by "The Simpsons," but the two challengers most often cited are "The Flintstones" and "Scooby-Doo."

"The Simpsons" was named the longest running prime-time animated series in 1997 after airing its 167th episode, surpassing "The Flintstones."

In 2006, it surpassed "Scooby-Doo" as the longest running animated series at any hour. This was a tricky one, as "Scooby-Doo" has appeared with various names ("What's New, Scooby-Doo?," "The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries," etc.) since debuting as "Scooby Doo, Where Are You!" in 1969. However, the Guinness World Records association, which is generally the authority for these matters, treats them all as one.

All this is just regional, though, and "The Simpsons" still has a long way to go to catch Japanese animated series "Sazae-san," which premiered in 1969 and has aired continuously since, with an episode count in the thousands (it was entered into the Guinness records in 2013 as the longest running cartoon in the world with 2,250 episodes and has aired more since).

Then, of course, there is "The Simpsons'" claim to being the longest running scripted prime-time series. In season count, it surpassed "Gunsmoke" to get there in 2009, with its 21st. However, "Gunsmoke's" seasons were longer, so it still leads in episode count with 635.

"The Simpsons'" 25th season finale in May was its 552nd episode, however it's been renewed for another year, and Fox is showing no sign of losing faith.

 

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