Which episode officially made Grey's Anatomy the longest-running American primetime medical drama?
Answer
We Didn't Start the Fire
“We Didn't Start the Fire” officially made Grey's Anatomy the longest-running American primetime medical drama.
The episode is the fifteenth installment of season 15 and the 332nd episode overall. It aired on ABC on February 28, 2019, pushing Grey's Anatomy past ER, which had ended its 15-season run with 331 episodes. The milestone was therefore based on total episode count and the show's continuing primetime run.
The episode was directed by Chandra Wilson, who also plays Miranda Bailey, and written by Andy Reaser. Its plot includes a celebration at Grey Sloan Memorial, Owen's personal turmoil, Betty's parents returning Leo, and the arrival of Andrew and Carina DeLuca's estranged father. The record-breaking significance was easy to overlook because it was embedded in a busy ensemble episode rather than presented as a separate special.
The title comes from Billy Joel's 1989 song “We Didn't Start the Fire.” A common mix-up is identifying the show’s season 15 renewal as the milestone itself; the official episode milestone occurred when this 332nd episode aired.