Longest running TV series? 72 years

CBS is pulling the plug on daytime’s Guiding Light, the longest-running drama on television, after 57 years, a victim of a long ratings decline.

Light began life as a 15-minute radio serial in 1937 (!) and moved to TV in 1952, gradually expanding to an hour in 1977. Along the way, it introduced viewers to many stars, including Kevin Bacon, Calista Flockhart, Allison Janney, James Earl Jones, Cicely Tyson, Taye Diggs, Hayden Panettiere and Brittany Snow.

Another random fact: Soap operas are named after their original sponsors, major soap manufacturers like Proctor & Gamble. (the mooorre youuu knoooww…)

via USAToday