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PHOTOS: 11 TV shows that have stood the test of time

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Tuesday, April 8, 2014
"Dancing with the Stars" premiered its 18th season this week, making it one of the longest running shows in US history. Which other TV shows have survived ups, downs and fickle viewers to become modern classics?
ABC's hit "Modern Family" just aired its 101st episode, making it 101 times we've laughed at Phil Dunphy being LA's funniest, most ridiculous realtor. The show has been praised by critics and viewers alike for its realistic portrayal of an extended family.
"How I Met Your Mother", better known as HIMYM, has been a game-changer in the conversation of modern dating. With such breakthrough theories as the "hot-crazy scale", "woo girls" and "the lobster situation", viewers have tuned in to watch Ted, Marshall, Lily, Robin and Barney for over 200 episodes.
Ah, "Friends." This is what you thought your life would look like if you moved to New York City. Let me save you 10 seasons of longing: you will never get to spend this much time in a cute coffee shop, dating your roommates is never a good idea, and Ross and Rachel... well, that's one surprise that must not be spoiled.
"Grey's Anatomy" is one of those rare shows that rises above the gender divide: at first glance it seems like a girly show, but men have been known to curl up with a beer and identify with McDreamy from time to time. The show has been on for 10 seasons.
Sam and Diane from Cheers (Ted Danson and Shelley Long) had such screen chemistry that viewers couldn't help but be delighted. Following the stories of an ex-baseball player who comes to own a bar, his staff and his girls, "Cheers" was a feel-good show that provided lots of laughs and even some deep thoughts for 11 seasons. It's also where Kirstie Alley got her TV debut.
A few of the longest-running TV shows are animated. "Family Guy" offers equal amounts of laughs and cringes, with a dysfunctional but loving family at the center. The show has aired for 12 seasons, with a break in 2002.
William Petersen, Paul Guilfoyle, and Marg Helgenberger investigate a bomb explosion in a scene from the first season of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation." The show has now been on for 14 seasons, with viewers tuning in to see grisly crimes solved in under an hour. Some say it's messing with our perception of real crime, but in the meantime, it's proven pretty addictive.
"Law & Order: SVU" is the CSI of the judicial system. SVU stands for Special Victims Unit, with cases usually revolving around rape, assault and molestation. For 15 seasons, the show has inspired young, impressionable undergrads to apply to law school - if even one of those leads to catching a bad guy, we're all for it.
Perhaps no show creates as much divisiveness as "South Park". The brain child of Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the show follows four friends who amuse themselves in the most vulgar possible ways. Despite its cringe factor, the show continues to serve as cutting social commentary, skewering celebrities and religious leaders alike. No one is safe in South Park, at least for its past 17 seasons.
Finally, we come to our longest-running show of all time (which is still on the air): "The Simpsons". Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart and their neighborhood entourage have become nothing less than cultural icons, and each character is surprisingly deep. Celebrity guest stars have included the likes of Johnny Cash, Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Jackson and Stephen Hawking - this guilty pleasure isn't going away anytime soon.
Tell the story as you see it.
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PHOTOS: 11 TV shows that have stood the test of time"Dancing with the Stars" premiered its 18th season this week, making it one of the longest running shows in US history. Which other TV shows have survived ups, downs and fickle viewers to become modern classics?
AP Photo/ Charles Sykes
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