How 'The Big Bang Theory' 200th Episode Milestone Stacks Up To Other Sitcoms

"The Big Bang Theory" will reach a milestone Thursday night when the show airs it's 200th episode, titled "The Celebration Experimentation." Throughout the years, some of the greatest half-hour comedy series of all-time have reached the 200 mark, while other ones have come close but didn't quite get there. What are some of the most successful tv sitcoms that have the most episodes and have come close or near 200 episodes?

Animated sitcoms have had some long runs on TV and many are still going strong after being on the air for over 20 years. "The Simpsons" has a whopping 588 episodes in 27 seasons. The Simpsons" is not only on pace to go over 600 episodes, but it's also possible the series could make it to Season 30. Right now, the show is renewed through Season 28, while the cast's contracts have options through Season 30, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "South Park" will air it's 20th season this year and has 267 episodes up to this point. Seth MacFarlane's "Family Guy" is right behind "South Park" with 263 episodes in 14 seasons.

Aside from half-hour animated comedies, there are many classic half-hour shows that continue to live on in re-runs which have accomplished the achievement of 200 episodes. "Cheers" ran for 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993 with 270 episodes, while the spinoff show "Frasier" also ran 11 seasons from 1993-2004 and had 264 episodes. "Happy Days" made it up to 11 seasons with 255 episodes from 1974 to 1984, and in just eight seasons "The Andy Griffith Show" lasted for 249 from 1960-1968.

In the 90s, "Friends" was one of the most popular shows on TV. "Friends" began in 1994 went on for 10 seasons before finishing up in 2004 with 236 episodes total. "Home Improvement" was another 90's show that had a long life, lasting from 1991-1999 with eight seasons and 204 episodes. Some series started in the 80's and then signed off in the 90's. "Roseanne" started in 1988 and ended in 1997 following nine seasons with 222 episodes. "The Cosby Show" made it's debut in 1984 and finished up in 1992 with 202 episodes in eight seasons.

Recent sitcoms have also crossed the 200 episode mark before eventually going off the air after nine seasons. CBS's "How I Met Your Mother" made it to 208 episodes in 2014, "The King of Queens" reached 207 in 2007 and "Everybody Loves Raymond" got up to 210 in 2005. On NBC, "The Office" lasted 201 episodes in 2013.

Some great shows had long runs on TV, but came up short when it came to reaching 200 episodes. Before being rebooted for the Netflix series "Fuller House," ABC's "Full House" was on the air for eight seasons between 1987 and 1995, coming up just short of 200 episodes with 192. "Seinfeld" got up to 180 by the time in ended in 1998, while "Scrubs" also lasted nine seasons from 2001-2010 and stopped at 182. The classic "Laverne & Shirley" went on for eight seasons from 1976 to 1984 before ending at episode 178.

"The Big Bang Theory" premiered on Sept. 24, 2007, and has not only been one of the most successful sitcoms, but also one of the most successful shows to premiere that year. "Rules of Engagement" debuted on Feb. 5, 2007, ran for 100 episodes in seven seasons and ended in 2013. "Gossip Girl"was another popular show that came out in 2007, which aired 121 episodes in six seasons before ending in 2012.

The 200th episode of "The Big Bang Theory" will feature a few guest stars as the gang celebrates the birthday of Sheldon (Jim Parsons). Watch a preview of Thursday's show below:

The 200th episode of "The Big Bang Theory" airs Thursday on CBS at 8 p.m. EST.

Check out the chart below to see how many episodes ran for some of the most successful sitcoms: