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.