Shows in their final season: what to expect
The only thing worse than watching a new show bite it early is seeing an old favorite jump the shark, heading on past its prime and ultimately losing the glory that made it so great to begin with. The upcoming season will see the end of a number of long-running series. The road’s been bumpy for all of them, but they’ve managed to come back time after time to wow us all over. Here’s what’s in store.
- Smallville: Starring Tom Welling as a teenaged Clark Kent, this series won over fans of all ages who enjoyed its blend of high school and comic book archetypes. The 9th season took a darker turn as Clark embraced his alien heritage at the expense of his human relationships. In the new season, fans can expect to see Clark’s path to the role of Superman reach its end, and possibly appearances by cast members who have left the series.
- Rescue Me: This drama based on a band of New York City firefighters revitalized the career of Denis Leary and took a hard look at life in the Big Apple after the events of September 11. Due to FX’s shorter seasons, the show still has two seasons left, with its 6th premiering on June 29, 2010. The final episode will air on September 11, 2011.
- The Oprah Winfrey Show: Perhaps the most beloved talk-show of all time, The Oprah Winfrey Show will be ending on September 9, 2011. Fans can expect more of the show’s characteristic openness and surprising events—such as Tom Cruise’s leap onto the couch in 2005. There will also likely be plenty of anniversary and finale celebrations to send this iconic show with the fanfare it deserves.
