Shows that ran longer than you realized

[DRW50]

Are there any shows where you look back and think, "I had no idea that went on so long"?

I just did that with Step by Step. I had forgotten it was on for seven seasons. I guess because I dropped out after the third or fourth.

[Gray Bunny]

It started in like '91 or '92 right? I remember that it and Family Matters jumped networks to CBS for their last season. Can't remember too much since I didn't watch either once they switched. I just remember that the original mother on Family Matters left and that on Step By Step, the youngest son (dark haired boy that was Frank's bio son) was MIA just like FM's Judy.

[Eric83]

Yeah Family Matters was horrible at the end and I had no idea it moved to CBS or had another Harriet until a few years ago.

[DRW50]

Both shows moved to CBS in their short-lived attempt at a TGIF. I'd just forgotten there were so many years in between. I liked the first season best, with Patrika Darbo.

[VirginiaHamilton]

The Jeffersons owns this thread. Granted, I'd known of the show through reruns as a kid (wasn't born when it debuted and was in pre-school when it left the air), but I was shocked to find out that it ran for 10 years - the longest of any Norman Lear show, if I'm not mistaken.

[Mathewson]

I liked the later seasons of Step by Step more. The characters were more mature and the episodes more interesting. To be honest, I never liked Patrika Darbo. Maybe that's me being shallow because of how she looked but her character also annoyed me a lot. I didn't mind seeing the youngest kid get phased out and written out. He was so useless and I never liked him. But Rich (and Jason Marsden) was so annoying, which was the downside about the later seasons.

7th Heaven, which was NEVER a good show! The first three seasons weren't too bad but it was godawful after that. I stopped watching after season 6, and it seems they went to ELEVEN seasons!!! Unbelievable.

[SFK]

AITF/ABP. Some weeks back, Antenna TV aired the episode where Mike, Gloria, and little Joey moved to CA (CO brought me to tears). I was even more saddened because I knew this meant Edith was going to be dead in the next episode. Duh. I totally forgot about Steffy and all that. And I hadn't realized that ABP's had as many seasons as it did. As a kid, I found ABP so drab and depressing, in the way I would grow to love about British shows, ha. But not unlike James on Good Times, I have developed such a huge appreciation for CO and AITF/ABF as I've matured.

[SFK]

It's amazing to me how long the majority of the TGIF shows ran and then, BAM!, all of them gone. I have enjoyed subsequent ABC Friday night programming like Wife Swap, Shark Tank, and What Would You Do?, I can't remember however what they immediately offered after the demise of TGIF. I'm sure it was sad for loyal viewers that final Friday the TGIF slogan was used (I was of high school "goin' out" age at the time). I do remember when Full House was still a part of TGIF. Remember before 20/20 would start, dude would sing, "See you next week! Gonna have a good time! TGIF!"

[VirginiaHamilton]

On the flip side, I was shocked to find out that The Odd Couple only ran for 5 years. Those reruns that I watched as a kid seemed to make it stretch out to at least a decade-long run.

[All My Shadows]

The Dukes of Hazzard. I always assumed it ended after the Coy and Vance season, never realizing that Bo and Luke returned for two additional seasons. Even more than that, it's hard for me to conceptualize the fact that the Dukes, Alice, and The Jeffersons all shared a TV season with shows like The Cosby Show, Night Court, and Who's the Boss.

[DRW50]

Didn't they try a more 'mature' Friday night comedy lineup right after? I can't remember. Some of the last I remember was Boy Meets World, and some sitcom about a teenager and a genie (You Wish).

[Eric83]

The lineup ended in 2000. I don't remember anything from that season except BMW and Sabrina.

Yeah they had that show Less Than Perfect with Sara Rue and Sherri Shephered (?) and the show Hope and Faith with Kelly Ripa. I think 8 Simple Rules even got moved there after John Ritter died.

Same on Dukes of Hazzard. Didnt realize there were more until I discovered the CMT reruns back in 2005/6 ish... the show never got its groove back when Bo and Luke returned.

Another show that lasted longer than I thought was According to Jim.

[Mr. Vixen]

Rules of Engagement! I like the show and occasionally catch reruns on Fox when I'm sick or happen to be home, but I had no idea it was still running.