Saying goodbye to a favourite TV series can be hard, especially if producers get it wrong. Here's six who didn't ?
All good things must come to an end. We've recently said a final cheerio to the Entourage boys, in an episode that can best be described as so-so, and after a decade of service, Spooks is nearing the end of its existence. So will Harry get a more memorable exit than Ari? You've got to hope so. Here are six of the best end-of-show finales to provide inspiration ? add your own favourites in the comments
M*A*S*H* ? Goodbye, Farewell and Amen ? broadcast 28/2/1983
11 Seasons, 251 Eps
Fifty two million people watched the last soppy and predictable episode of Friends but the dismantling of the 4077th was seen by 106 million viewers ? ratings only topped by 2010's Super Bowl XLIV. The episode itself was a perfect representation of the series, plenty of melancholy, a heavy dose of dark comedy and the full horrors of war never too far away.
Quantum Leap ? Mirror Image ? broadcast 5/5/1993
Five seasons, 95 episodes
The opening credits tell you all you need to know about shape-shifting time-travelling do-gooder Sam Beckett: not content putting right what once went wrong he's always selfishly wondering if his next leap will take him home. Finally his question was answered: no. That'll teach him to stand in a largely untested quantum leap accelerator. Instead he gets to meet a bartender who may or may not be God and who possibly controls all the action.
Only Fools and Horses ? Time On Our Hands ? broadcast 29/12/96
Seven series, 63 episodes
Let's ignore the misjudged and unnecessary Only Fools and Horses specials broadcast this century (you'll thank me) and instead look to the original final episode. It drew to a close with the brilliant news that all was truly well in Peckham. Del Boy was finally a millionaire, Rodney was back together with his wife and we'd all had a lot of laughs. It was the perfect end to the most-loved show the BBC will probably ever make ? funny, heartfelt and perfectly in tune with what the nation wanted for the characters.
Malcolm in the Middle ? Graduation ? broadcast 14/5/2006
Seven seasons, 151 episodes
Some successful shows don't know when to call it a day (ahem, Red Dwarf and Scrubs) and end up spoiling a good thing. But the producers resisted the temptation to follow Malcolm to college. Stealing the last episode from under the noses of Hal and Malcolm are Reece ? whose latest act of concentrated evil leaves the whole family, quite literally, in the shit ? and Lois, the ultimate matriarch who finally tells Malcolm what's expected of him: to become one of the great US presidents. In between there's still time for Hal to offer his legs to a lone shark and the boys reveal the worst thing they ever did.
Blackadder Goes Forth ? Goodbyeee ? broadcast 2/11/89
Four Series, 24 Eps
Many would argue that the Blackadder series is the finest comedy Britain has ever produced, and ? despite a questionable first series ? it's difficult to argue otherwise. It was brilliantly funny throughout, right up until the last 60 seconds. Completely switching the show around, Messrs Curtis, Elton and Lloyd showed their skill and delivered a perfectly pitched, poignant ending. It still gets you every time.
Six Feet Under ? Everyone's Waiting ? broadcast 21/8/2005
Five seasons, 63 episodes
Each of the previous 62 episodes started with a death. The finale began with a birth; the premature birth of recently departed Nate and Brenda's child. With creator Alan Ball as writer and director of the episode, loose ends are tied up and relationships mended ? but it's the last six moments that really matter, as we get to see the remaining significant moments in the key characters lives and, of course, their deaths.
Honorable Mentions
Lost
You know all those people who halfway through series one said: "They're all dead," only for the producers to say they were wrong? What felt like 20 years later we found out they weren't.
The Sopranos
A typically brilliant but controversial end to Tony's story as the infamous 'cut to black' got half the viewing audience all agitated.
Cheers
"I'm sorry, we're closed." Now that's a last line!
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2011/oct/06/six-to-watch-show-finales
Comedy Economic growth (GDP) US foreign policy Television industry Economic policy Mark Bright
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