How Long Did the Honeymooners Run
Classic TV sitcoms live on through syndication and cable TV programming but many had relatively short original runs. Though TV Guide ranks it as the second greatest all-time television show I Love Lucy ran just six years from 1951 through 1957 with a total of 194 episodes. The third show on TV Guide’s list of greatest shows aired only one season and produced a measly 39 episodes. This show, The Honeymooners, aired October 1955 through September 1966.
The Honeymooners offered a glimpse into the life of working class Brooklyn resident Ralph Kramden, a role played brilliantly by legendary comedian Jackie Gleason. Art Carney played Ralph’s friend and neighbor Ed Norton. Though The Honeymooners was a top rated show in the CBS lineup Gleason elected to end rather than “cheapen” its short run. After the sitcom ended the characters of Ralph and Ed were continued through sketches on Gleason’s variety show until Carney left The Jackie Gleason Show in 1967.
Later what is reported to be a cartoon version of the sitcom was introduced. The cartoon featured working class caveman Fred Flintstone and his buddy Barney Rubble. The Flintstones enjoyed a six-year run from September 1960 through April 1966 with over 160 episodes having aired.