The End of an Era (Many of TVs Best Shows are Nearing Their Finale)

***SPOILER ALERT*** (see bottom of page)

There are few things filled with more disappointment and anticipation than when a popular TV show decides to call it quits.  After all, fans nearly regard the characters of their favorite shows as friends and family.  Successful shows often run for the better part of a decade, and they become ingrained in our lives and daily routines.  Finales in particular are able to gather crowds, the M*A*S*H finale is still the most watched broadcast in American history (of course M*A*S*H wasn't only well done and incredibly popular, but it had the advantage of limited competition because few homes had cable at that point, and the big 3 networks still ruled the day).  Everyone wants to know "how it ends", whatever "it" might be.  Finales can create quite a buzz, Seinfeld, The Sopranos, and Lost all made big news and water cooler chatter when they came to their end.  There is usually a big finally every few years or so, and there is a built up to the main event.  But this year there is an inordinate number of fan favorites and critically acclaimed programs that are winding down.

For some reason 2011 will be the end point for 4 shows that in one way or another have shaped television and pop culture over their run.  This summer is the last season for The Closer, Weeds, Rescue Me, and Entourage.  DVRs across America are going to have plenty of free space with these massively popular shows leaving a huge vacuum behind.

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