Now that I have kids, I'm seeing a lot shows that I used to watch as a child, like "Tom and Jerry".
Tom and Jerry started in 1940 made by William Hanna and Joeseph BArbera.
William and Joseph went on to make/produce a large number of different cartoons. They nearly dominated Saturday morning at one point.
It is slapstick comedy based around two main characters in the title as well as other characters.
It has a number of parodic spinoffs, from the Simpsons' "Itchy and Scratchy" to Nickelodeon's "Ren and Stimpy". 
There were 115 shows produced during its run from 1940-1958.
And it has had years of reruns ever since. 
they won seven academy awards tying with disneys Silly Symphonies.