“Game of Thrones”
Series that broke records
The main actors of two series that have broken records: Kit Harington from “Game of Thrones”, alongside Bryan Cranston from “Breaking Bad”.
© Helen Sloan/HBO/imago images/Cinema Publishers Collection
Each of the following TV productions set a record. An overview of the street sweepers among the series.
In the area of TVAll kinds of records can be found in series. The following eight productions have made or broken records in various respects.
“The Simpsons”: The longest-running animated series
“The Simpsons” has been broadcast on the US channel Fox since 1989 and there is no end in sight. Homer, Bart and Co. hold the record for the longest-running animated series in US television history. In 2018, “The Simpsons” also overtook the now-obscure western series “Gunsmoke” (in Germany under the name “Gunsmoke”) to become the longest-running scripted television series in US TV history.
But that’s not all: “The Simpsons” also holds another record, namely the one for the most celebrity guest appearances in a series. Over 700 stars have already appeared in animated form in the successful program and voiced their characters themselves – including Michael Jackson (1958-2009), Sting (72), Ringo Starr (83) and the cast in the first years of the series alone the bands Red Hot Chili Peppers, Aerosmith and Spinal Tap.
“30 Rock”: Most Emmy nominations for a comedy series in one year
The comedy series “30 Rock” by series creator Tina Fey (54) takes place behind the scenes on the NBC television station. In the smart series, head author Liz Lemon (Fey) deals with colorful characters such as her controlling, sometimes egomaniacal boss Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin, 66) or the extroverted star Tracey Jordan (Tracey Morgan, 55).
Critics in the US loved the program, and so there was in 2009 the record of an incredible 22 Emmy nominations. At that time, no comedy series could achieve so many in a single year. In the premier category “Best Comedy Series” there was also the coveted trophy, for the third time in a row.
“Game of Thrones”: Biggest simulcast of all time
The fantasy series “Game of Thrones,” which ended in 2019, also triumphed at the Emmy Awards a total of 59 times. But the show by series creators David Benioff (53) and DB Weiss (53) holds another record: The second episode from season five, entitled “The House of Black and White,” was watched in an incredible 173 countries. “GoT” holds the record for the biggest simulcast of all time. HBO had made the series available in more countries at the time, as “Game of Thrones” also regularly landed at the top of the rankings of the most pirated series.
“Friends”: Most expensive commercials
At the turn of the millennium, the comedy series “Friends” was universally popular – and even today, many viewers swear by the story of the six New York friends Ross (David Schwimmer, 57), Rachel (Jennifer Aniston, 55), Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow, 60), Joey (Matt LeBlanc, 56), Monica (Courteney Cox, 59) and Chandler (Matthew Perry, 1969-2023).
Completed in May 2004, the series finale of “Friends” set the record for the most expensive commercials: advertisers had to pay $2 million for a 30-second spot to the broadcaster NBC. At the time, this number was only exceeded by the major sporting event Super Bowl in the USA.
“Everyone Loves Raymond”: Greatest Leading Actor
This record makes you smile: The sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond” ran on the US channel CBS from 1996 to 2005. The title character Ray is played by comedian Ray Romano (66). Ray’s older brother Robert was played by actor Brad Garrett (64), and he holds up an unusual record in the series landscape: With a height of 2.03 meters, Garrett is considered the tallest actor to have played a leading role on television. By the way, the mime also won an impressive three Emmy Awards for his performance in “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
“Doctor Who”: The longest-running sci-fi series
This series should not be missing from any record list: In “Doctor Who” the doctor experiences adventures as a time traveler, solves problems and fights injustice in the world. Many actors have already played the main character. Most recently, “Sex Education” star Ncuti Gatwa (31) took on the role. “Doctor Who” was broadcast for the first time in 1963, making it the longest-running sci-fi series.
“Succession”: Most swear words in a series finale
The HBO series “Succession” has also enjoyed great popularity since 2018. However, the smart show about the Roy family’s successor power struggle posed a potentially surprising record: There was more swearing in the series finale “With Eyes Open” than in any other ending to a television series before. A total of 235 swear words were used here in 88 minutes. This would be unthinkable on strictly regulated regular US TV, but the premium cable channel HBO has always been known for adult themes and language, as well as violence and nudity.
“Breaking Bad”: The best-rated season of all time
In 2014, the Guinness Book of Records declared the popular series “Breaking Bad” the highest rated show of all time. What happened? On the review collection site “Metacritic” The final fifth season of the gangster series about the former chemistry teacher Walter White (Bryan Cranston, 68) and his partner Jesse (Aaron Paul, 44) received an incredible score of 99 percent positive reviews from critics – a truly extraordinary achievement.