As of 2018 which TV sitcom holds the record for the Longest Running Sitcom in the World?

"Last of the Summer Wine" is the longest-running sitcom in the world. It is a British sitcom, created and written by Roy Clarke, and originally broadcast in the United Kingdom (UK) by the BBC from 1973 to 2010. It premiered as an episode of "Comedy Playhouse" on 4 January 1973. The first series of episodes followed on 12 November 1973. The BBC confirmed on 2 June 2010 that due to the ages of the cast "Last of the Summer Wine" would no longer be produced and the 31st series would be its last. The final episode was broadcast on 29 August 2010. The 295 episodes have been seen in more than twenty-five countries including the U.S.A. and Canada.

It was set and filmed in Yorkshire, England, and centred on a trio of old men and their youthful misadventures. The membership of the trio changed several times over the years. The original trio consisted of Bill Owen as the mischievous Compo, Peter Sallis as easy-going Clegg and Michael Bates as uptight Cyril. When Bates left due to illness in 1976, the role of the third man of the trio was filled in various years by the quirky war veteran "Foggy" (Brian Wilde), who had two lengthy stints in the series, the eccentric inventor Seymour (Michael Aldridge), and former police officer "Truly of The Yard" Truelove (Frank Thornton). The men never seemed to grow up.

Right up to the final episode, the show continued to receive large audiences for the BBC and was praised for its positive portrayal of older people and family-friendly humour.