MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. — “A relic of a bygone time.” “The uncoolest show on TV.” “Inexplicably never-ending, like a Cher farewell tour.”

Critics and bloggers can beat it up all they want. If “America’s Funniest Home Videos” has proved anything over the decades, it is this: It will get the last laugh.

Twenty-five years after unveiling its first piano-playing chickens, vaudevillian babies and backyard trampoline bumblers — and nine years after YouTube seemingly ate its lunch — “America’s Funniest Home Videos” is still going strong, and more. Last season, according to Nielsen, it ranked as the No. 1 show for family viewing. Summer reruns climbed 11 percent among young adults compared with last year.

Why does this war horse endure?

Start with the invention that was supposed to kill it. “I remember first hearing about this thing called YouTube,” said Vin Di Bona, who has produced “America’s Funniest Home Videos” since its start. “I looked to see what it was, and three of the first six videos were from our show.” Mr. Di Bona used salty language to express his initial anger.