Our Favorite Shows to Make It to 1,000 Episodes

Great television is one of the hallmarks of American society, and the small screen has given society plenty of long-running series that have stood the test of time.

While most shows run for a handful of seasons, there are some that have continued over the years to huge numbers, easily passing 1,000 episodes in their quest for television domination. From long-running talk shows to fan-favorite game shows, nearly every genre of television has at least one contestant who managed to outlast the others to achieve a spot in the 1,000 episode club.

Click through for some of our favorite TV shows that have passed that elusive 1,000 episode mark.

Reality TV

The latest show to achieve the coveted 1,000-episode crown, Cops was a new format of reality television that allowed viewers to ride along with police officers as they tracked down criminals. 

To celebrate the milestone, Spike aired special titled Cops Beyond the Bust hosted by Terry Crews that featured officers and suspects from the show as well as footage from previous episodes.

Soap Operas

Nearly all of the major soap operas have reached the 1,000 episode benchmark, from the iconic General Hospital to other favorites including The Young and the Restless, Guiding Light and All My Children, Entertainment Weekly shares. Before the days of reality television, people still wanted to see colorful characters concocting schemes and acting out, and soap operas were just the place to do it.

Courtroom Drama

America’s favorite judge premiered her show in 1996 and is still going strong, with 5,909 episodes and counting.

Judge Judy is so popular, Amy Schumer even sat in the audience during a recent episode, prompting a wave of social media confusion, which Schumer later cleared up on Instagram.

“Hell yeah! You know I was in the audience on Judge Judy,” the comedian wrote. “My sister and I sat in on the cases for the day because we love her!!!!!”

Talk Shows

Before becoming Oprah, film star and chairwoman, CEO and CCO of the Oprah Winfrey network, she was Oprah Winfrey, talk show host. The media icon’s series, which became the highest-rated television program of its kind in history, premiered in 1986 and ran for 4,561 episodes until 2011.

Along with Winfrey’s eponymous offering, other daytime shows on the elite list include Dr. Phil, The View, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Rachael Ray, The Talk and The Rosie O’Donnell Show.

Game Shows

Hosted by Bob Barker until his retirement in 2007, the daily favorite is now helmed by Drew Carey. The show began in 1972 and has notched 9,600 episodes and counting.

Other game shows to pass the 1,000-episode mark include Pyramid, Jeopardy!, Wheel of Fortune and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?.

Late Night

Jimmy Kimmel has been making audiences laugh during late-night and the next day on YouTube since 2003, and the funnyman’s show has notched 2,694 episodes so far.

Other late-night members of the elite club include The Merv Griffin Show, The Daily Show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Late Show with David Letterman, Chelsea Lately and Conan.

Photo Credit: Paramount Domestic Television