[jimbobthrowawy]

Outside of the US it's pretty common for shows to end after, comparatively, very few episodes. Especially places like the UK.

Though, lightly-scripted comedy and current affairs shows tend to go on much longer and it's quite surprising when they're cancelled.

[gerdesj]

"comparatively, very few episodes. Especially places like the UK"

OK - Fawlty Towers: 12 episodes. Now, look up the Two Ronnies, Morecambe and Wise, Victoria Wood, Absolutely Fabulous, French and Saunders, Lenny Henry, Monty Python's Flying Circus, Ben Elton, The Fast Show, ... oh and I'm watching Dawn French doing current stand up right now. Jo Brand, ... oh this is getting boring and I've missed out loads. That's just a few comedians.

We have a few soaps that have stood the test of time too and a few current affairs programmes that have been around for a while: Coronation Street, East Enders, Have I got News for you, QI, The Archers, Panorama.

The BBC alone has been running for quite a while and I'll finish with an honourable mention for Blue Peter.

I haven't really refuted your argument but then that was pretty arse to start with. Gave me an excuse to reminisce for a while 8)

[eesmith]

Now you've got me wondering if it's time to buy some fork handles. ;)

[gerdesj]

I was six in 1976 so too young to understand the original. I think I would have been 10 or so when I first saw a repeat with the family around the box and got it!

Ironically enough its called, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Candles, the Four Candles sketch. Everyone I know, including you, call it "fork 'andles".

It was and is a work of genius. 53 year old me still loves it as much as 10 year old me!

[eesmith]

Another example; "telenovelas tell one self-contained story, typically within the span of a year or less", and there have been many hits. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telenovela .