TV shows you're surprised are still going

[Kyng]

Over in the Technology and Computers forum, we have a thread about "Sites you're surprised are still going". However, it's not just websites that last for longer than you might expect: TV shows do this as well . And, here's a place to list some of them!

I'll start off with Eggheads. This is a quiz show where amateur quiz teams face off against a team of quiz goliaths (the titular 'Eggheads'), who have won some of the UK's most prestigious quiz shows. It started in 2003, and it was quite well-received: for a few years, it was one of my favourite quiz shows. However, in 2009, The Chase arrived - and it had the same premise, but much faster pacing and higher production values, which just made Eggheads look slow and boring by comparison. Nevertheless, the show carried on with the BBC for over a decade - until, in 2020, they decided to remove the show from their schedule. And I thought that really was the end... but then, for some reason, Channel 5 decided to pick it up. It's still going on its new home - but I do wonder for how much longer.

Anyway, do you have any of your own to add?

[Kyng]

Another one I'd like to suggest is Fifth Gear.

To give a bit of background: in 2001-02, Top Gear underwent a massive change in format. Up to and including 2001, it was a serious show about cars - but from 2002 onwards, it became more of an entertainment show about the three presenters and their personalities - and the cars were just there to give them something to talk about . This new format was massively successful - but it wasn't for everyone, and so, Channel 5 started a show called Fifth Gear, which was a car show based on the old pre-2002 format of Top Gear.

It never achieved anything like the same level of success as Top Gear - partly because it was perceived as a rip-off, and partly because it was on Channel 5 (and therefore, nobody would have watched it even if it was spectacular ). It got dropped by the channel in 2011 - and in the years since, it's bounced around from one channel to another - but surprisingly, nearly 20 years after it started, it's still going!

[Tiger Eyes]

In all honesty, I am generally shocked NCIS is still going strong. This is in large part to the fact the storylines are constantly being reused season after season and the characters are all well over being time to move on. I just feel it's time to let this series go. There are actually none of the characters left on the series. Even Sean Murray wasn't a regular from the start.

[Kyng]

Another one that surprises me is Britain's Got Talent.

It's had 15 series now - but pretty much all the acts I know from it are from the first five years. It hasn't generated any 'buzz' for a long time now: pretty much thr only time I ever hear about it is whenever one of the acts is controversial for one reason or another.

Can't see it lasting much longer, TBH.

[Shiny Star]

Another one that surprises me is Britain's Got Talent.

It's had 15 series now - but pretty much all the acts I know from it are from the first five years. It hasn't generated any 'buzz' for a long time now: pretty much thr only time I ever hear about it is whenever one of the acts is controversial for one reason or another.

Can't see it lasting much longer, TBH.

Amen to that. I used to religiously watch and LOVE that show. However, over the years, it lost its appeal to me. The vibe changed. I would say that the biggest famous people to come out of that show are Diversity, Susan Boyle and Calum Scott. The first two appeared on the show over a decade ago. Saying that, I sometimes do watch the odd clip on YouTube.

Riverdale. Strong cast and big fan base but the plot definitely got lost alone the way. I’m assuming it’s because there was high demand and not too much planning ahead. It’s a guilty pleasure of mine though and it’s madness that so many seasons in it’s become supernatural. Season 1 was so solid though.

[Kyng]

Another one that surprises me is Britain's Got Talent.

It's had 15 series now - but pretty much all the acts I know from it are from the first five years. It hasn't generated any 'buzz' for a long time now: pretty much thr only time I ever hear about it is whenever one of the acts is controversial for one reason or another.

Can't see it lasting much longer, TBH.

Amen to that. I used to religiously watch and LOVE that show. However, over the years, it lost its appeal to me. The vibe changed. I would say that the biggest famous people to come out of that show are Diversity, Susan Boyle and Calum Scott. The first two appeared on the show over a decade ago. Saying that, I sometimes do watch the odd clip on YouTube.

Yeah, I rather enjoyed the first series . But I watched less and less of it as time went on - and after 2009, I think I'd stopped completely.

(I have seen a few YouTube clips of later series, but that's it, and I don't think I could name any of the famous acts after the ones you mentioned!)

[Opal Fruit]

I was sure I'd already said The Simpsons here! Lost its appeal long ago.

Also agree with Britain's Got Talent.

[Shiny Star]

Another one that surprises me is Britain's Got Talent.

It's had 15 series now - but pretty much all the acts I know from it are from the first five years. It hasn't generated any 'buzz' for a long time now: pretty much thr only time I ever hear about it is whenever one of the acts is controversial for one reason or another.

Can't see it lasting much longer, TBH.

Amen to that. I used to religiously watch and LOVE that show. However, over the years, it lost its appeal to me. The vibe changed. I would say that the biggest famous people to come out of that show are Diversity, Susan Boyle and Calum Scott. The first two appeared on the show over a decade ago. Saying that, I sometimes do watch the odd clip on YouTube.

Yeah, I rather enjoyed the first series . But I watched less and less of it as time went on - and after 2009, I think I'd stopped completely.

(I have seen a few YouTube clips of later series, but that's it, and I don't think I could name any of the famous acts after the ones you mentioned!)

Susan is pretty iconic if you look up her audition. Always gives me goosebumps. Calum has hit mainstream music, like you might know some of his songs but not know it's him. :p

[Kyng]

A bit of a different one - but I'm surprised Only Connect is still going.

That's not because it's declined in quality or anything (on the contrary, it's as good as ever). Rather, it's because I'd have expected them to have run out of questions at least 10 years ago. And yet, they somehow keep coming up with new ones !