fannishliss

If I'm figuring correctly, Supernatural will be tied with Smallville for Longest Running SF show (besides Doctor Who) at the end of next year!!!
s1 & s2 = 22 each
s3 = 16
s4, 5, 6,  = 22 each
s7, 8, 9 = 23 each
s10 I suppose will be 23.
= Total: 218.
Currently, the "North American" record for longest running SF show is Smallville, with 218 episodes.
Next, is Star Gate SG-1 with 214 episodes over ten years.  In third place is XFiles with nine seasons.  I am surprised to see that Star Trek the Next Generation only ran for seven years, and Highlander for six. And of course Buffy for seven.

If you have been a fan of long-running shows, what do you think of how Supernatural compares, in terms of how it has maintained Sam and Dean as steady leads, while rotating other important characters like Castiel, Bobby, Crowley, and beloved guests like JDM, Ruby, Meg, the Harvelles, Garth, the Ghostfacers, Jody, Charlie  (once you start listing awesome SPN characters, it gets hard to stop)?

In Star Gate and in XFiles there was turnover amongst the leads -- Daniel ascended and was gone for a while right? and in XFiles, Scully and Mulder took a back seat in the last two seasons.  What about on Highlander?   Next Gen had pretty steady leads, but was a huge ensemble show (as were Voyager and DS9).  Buffy remained fairly steady over seven years with Buffy, Willow and Xander always together as a team, right?  And of course, over the 50 year history of Doctor Who, there have been at least twelve Doctors and dozens of companions.

Supernatural has held my attention like no other show, all because the Show focuses on the troubled relationship between the two brothers, and the choices they make as they try to Save People while Hunting Things.    Such a simple premise, but so astonishingly fruitful!

I think another thing SPN did right was the way it incorporates the playfulness between brothers into every episode.  I laugh and cry by turns watching Supernatural.  I love them SO MUCH.  My son, who is 13, has been watching Show since 2007-- half his life.  Star Trek has my huge respect (the Federation flag is MY flag), and I love Doctor Who, but Supernatural just rivets me to my seat, year after year.  Not even XFiles or Buffy ever owned me like this.

Part of it, as I mentioned above, is the way SPN succeeds in creating amazing guest characters, like the Nun from the recent ep.  Star Trek was originally pitched as Wagon Train to the Stars... I think SPN is similar in that we are introduced to side characters and really care about them by the time they leave, even over the course of one episode.  SPN is a detail-rich show, where every actor (according to lore at cons) is made to feel like they really matter, and they DO.

What do you guys think about Show culture and why it has succeeded so well?  I also just have to say -- Serge Ladouceur.  Cinematography on this show is just stunning.  And who heads up set dressing, because they freaking RULE.

Um, I'm up for S11.  Just sayin!