Television shows are classified into seven TV ratings. As determined by The TV Parental Guidelines, cable and free-to-air television shows can be rated Y, which indicates the language and content is suitable for all children; Y7, which indicates the language and content is suitable for older children (although a specified age is not provided); Y7 FV, which indicates the language and content is suitable for older children (although parents should be aware that the program depicts fantasy violence); G, which indicates the language and content is suitable for general audiences; PG, which indicates the language and content is suitable for general audiences but parental guidance is suggested; PG 14, which indicates the language and content is suitable for general audience but parents are strongly cautioned to monitor the program; MA, which indicates the language and content is suitable for mature audience only. The rating will appear at the start of the program, before opening credits or any program scenes are allowed to appear. A list of reasons will also appear stating the content (oral or visual) that should be of concern to parents and audience. For example, a television show could be rated M for adult language and graphic violence.
Television shows are categorized by type. Based on the format of the show, it will fall into one of the following types: episodic, reality, talk, music, paid programming, soap opera, news, situation comedy, game shows, family friendly shows (such as awards shows), cartoons, court shows, sports, magazine and lifestyle, or Sci-Fi and Fantasy. While a television show may infuse elements of comedy and drama or news and talk, it will only assume one type and be categorized as such. For example, a game show featuring comedy sketch artists or stand-up comedians would not be categorized as a situation comedy; instead it would be categorized as a game show. This is because the format is that of a game show (e.g., a game or competition is played by contestants---in this case sketch artists and stand-up comedians---for a specified prize or reward).
Television shoes can be scripted, improvised or both. As of 2009, the HBO series "Curb Your Enthusiasm" continues to be largely improvised with the actors using their own dialogue to tell scripted story ideas. The 2003 to 2006 Fox show, "Arrested Development," starting Jason Bateman, was largely improvised with actors improvising dialogue for pre-planned scenes. These and other shows rely on story ideas that are then used to create scenes that are largely improvised.
Scripted shows like "Law and Order" and "ER" rely on very specific dialogue that requires research and a fact-checking team. As a result, very few lines are unscripted or improvised.
Television shows are generally 30 to 60 minutes with some news programs lasting up to three or four hours depending on the show. Made-for-television movies, family-friendly shows and court show running times can vary. All episodic or serial shows (e.g., any show that has multiple episodes) have the same running time for each episode.
As of 2009, some of the longest-running shows on television include "Gunsmoke," Lassie" and "The Simpsons."