"Stargate SG-1" was one of longest, if not the longest, running sci-fi television series of all time. The last episode, the season and series finale, aired a few short months ago. Based on the movie, "Stargate (1994)", it started out on the Showtime cable network and then was sold to the Sci-Fi cable channel after two seasons (I believe). While the first-run episodes appeared on the Sci-Fi channel and overseas affiliates, it also did extremely well in syndication. A friend of mine used to watch it on both the Sci-Fi channel and a local television network affiliate in Phoenix, Arizona.

I'm sure that some people would argue that "Star Trek" was the longest running sci-fi television series. They would be sadly mistaken. Each iteration of that franchise lasted no more than eight years. Each one was a separate television series, with "Star Trek: The Next Generation" being the longest running. After destroying the fan base with the convoluted continuity of "Enterprise", the television part of the franchise may be dead for a long time.

Although "Stargate SG-1" spun off from the movie, changing a few key details in the process, it has earned its own place in science fiction and television history. Perhaps it had a jump start over other series in that Richard Dean Anderson of "MacGyver" fame was placed in the lead character role of Jack O'Neill. Don S. Davis, who played the general, was also associated with "MacGyver". Both Richard Dean Anderson and Don S. Davis bowed out from the last two seasons of the series and that contributed to the decline in ratings which caused it not to be renewed for an 11th season.

"Stargate SG-1" stars Richard Dean Anderson, Don S. Davis, Amanda Tapping, Christopher Judge, Ben Browder, Beau Bridges, Claudia Black and a few more I can't remember right now. Here's one of the intros, along with a prank clip, for your viewing pleasure: