Nearly *not* the longest running sitcom in history.

[theatrically_inclined]

The space travelling sitcom Red Dwarf was supposed to have a new series this year, but for undisclosed reasons it seems to be on hold. Had the series aired it would technically have been running for 37 years, equalling the Summer Wine record. However, during that period Red Dwarf has only had 13 seasons and some were only short runs or specials, so 23 years there wasn't an episode. Whereas Summer Wine has been running almost continuously - only having no episodes in 3 different years.

Would season 14 of Red Dwarf count as breaking the Summer Wine record if it was made, next year - or later?

 

[Barrychuckle]

I certainly wouldn't! by the same logic you could say To The Manor Born ran for longer than Only Fools & Horses as the special was aired 25 years after the original series. Whereas there weren't many years when there wasn't a series of LOTSW.

 

[mashibinbin]

I certainly wouldn't! by the same logic you could say To The Manor Born ran for longer than Only Fools & Horses as the special was aired 25 years after the original series. Whereas there weren't many years when there wasn't a series of LOTSW.

I agree with this and equally dispute Doctor Who's recent 60th anniversary accordingly.

 

[maltrab]

I asked Alan Bell why he appeared in the special Extra Extra, he told me they all believed it to be the end of the show as it was going to be cancelled

 

[Barrychuckle]

I asked Alan Bell why he appeared in the special Extra Extra, he told me they all believed it to be the end of the show as it was going to be cancelled

If Extra Extra was the pilot episode it may well have been cancelled at that point

 

[mashibinbin]

If Extra Extra was the pilot episode it may well have been cancelled at that point

It would never have been commisioned!

 

[theatrically_inclined]

I certainly wouldn't! by the same logic you could say To The Manor Born ran for longer than Only Fools & Horses as the special was aired 25 years after the original series. Whereas there weren't many years when there wasn't a series of LOTSW.

Well that was a "special" much like the re-visit of Are You Being Served in 2016

 

[captain clutterbuck]

Park all this noise about LOTSW where did this announcement about certainly my beloved Dwarf appear and when

 

[wstol]

Last of the Summer Wine was continuous though, wasn't it?
Red Dwarf has had MANY, LONG, LENGTHY GAPS.
I think in the history of LOTSW, there was probably only one year, 1980, where there was no new episodes either made nor shown.

 

[Graham]

If Extra Extra was the pilot episode it may well have been cancelled at that point

Apparently it was also the most expensive episode made.

 

[Pearl]

Not really a fan of Red Dwarf but at its height my kids loved it, we had a cat called smegg. I'm glad they didn't end with Extra Extra, not saying the end was spectacular but it deserved better.

 

[theatrically_inclined]

Park all this noise about LOTSW where did this announcement about certainly my beloved Dwarf appear and when

sorry, it's not in my list of potential video subjects, so I didn't save the reference...
update, source: Craig Charles in a recent Radio Times interview.

 

[Barrychuckle]

sorry, it's not in my list of potential video subjects, so I didn't save the reference...
update, source: Craig Charles in a recent Radio Times interview.

Are you able to give away any snippets or timescales for your next video ? I've really missed them

 

[theatrically_inclined]

Are you able to give away any snippets or timescales for your next video ? I've really missed them

I hope to have a video ready in about a week to ten days (related to a book you sent me). I have a number of short series written (3, 4 ,5 videos) that will follow soon-ish. The 9-part series has to wait until I have funds to travel for filming.

 

[Barrychuckle]

I hope to have a video ready in about a week to ten days (related to a book you sent me). I have a number of short series written (3, 4 ,5 videos) that will follow soon-ish. The 9-part series has to wait until I have funds to travel for filming.

Can't wait hopefully new videos will attract many viewers and result in more income for you

 

[RickAns]

When there are huge, many year gaps in between seasons when the viewer is not ever sure if there will be another episode or series to come... Should that can be included in the 'run time' of a show? I don't think so. Near consecutive yearly seasons, yes that should count. Gaps should be minded, not counted. (A pun on London's "Mind the Gap" phrase.)

If one plays a piano for a year, then stops and does not play again for 20 years. After that time plays again for a year and stops. They can hardly claim to have 22 years of piano playing experience. More like two.

added:
Don't get me wrong, I am a Red Dwarf fan. Just don't think that 30+ year time line should count as a longest running show. LotSW should have that honor. Or something like Doctor Who.