It’s all coming to an end

By which I mean TV shows.

Just watched the season Finale of CSI: Miami – another season, another cliff-hanger. To be honest, it’s lacking in originality. Last season on CSI:NY they had the drive-by on the bar which the entire team was inside of. I can’t recall exactly but I’m sure it’s happened more than once on Miami too. C’mon – we all read TV Rage/Futon Critic/TV Guide et al – by now we know if a show is returning or not, and it’s hardly likely to come back with just Eric and Horatio is it?

And this morning finds me mourning the passing of an old friend. Yes, 24 has finally finished after 8 glorious seasons (or days). I was surprised they didn’t kill Bauer off – I suppose Fox is thinking Films, just as they did with The X-Files.

You won’t find me mourning the ending of Lost though – ‘cos I don’t watch the piece of shit – but I believe that’s another show that’s ended it’s run (far outliving my expectations).

Last week saw the season finale of one of my favourite shows, Fringe, with a real treat in store for season three. I was also dismayed by news that 2 new medical shows which started this year will not be returning: Miami Medical (for
UK viewers think Casualty on crack!) and Trauma (Casualty on crack driving a helicopter). Trauma was good, well, kinda OK – watchable, but very samey. Miami Medical, however, will be missed. It’s got some great characters, fast paced and lots of shouting “Stat!”, just what every medical drama needs. I wish it could have stayed around but it’s viewing figures have been dropping lower and lower each week. I suppose they’re lining up another reality show or a sitcom about a cat to replace it. Or maybe a loop of a coin on the end of a chain spinning with the voice-over saying “Look” Shiny!!” Anything to keep the US audience watching.

Still, it’s not all doom and gloom. The end of the season means the start of mid-season shows Lie To Me and Leverage – both top quality shows which I’ve been looking forward too for a long time. Lie To Me is especially good, just because Tim Roth is in it – genius casting. Oh and USA network are having another season of White Collar – quite an interesting departure from the usual FBI drama.

So tonight both flavours of NCIS finish. Both the veteran and it’s sibling are scheduled to return (thanks CBS). Wednesday sees the season finales of both Criminal Minds and CSI:NY, both of which are coming back too, only Criminal Minds is expecting! Yes the show being (crappily) called Criminal Minds 2 has been green-lighted – it is due to star Forrest Whittaker, who was in a previous episode of Criminal Minds with his high-tech team, tracking down a serial kidnapper/murderer. I’m quite looking forward to that.

And finally, FlasForward will end on Thursday … for good! ABC – what the f..? Apparently cancelled after the final episode was shot, so there’s little chance of any real tying up of the storyline.

OK, I'll direct you here for a full update of the status of TV. Looking at the list it seems ITV have cancelled The Bill – I’ve not watched it since June and Carver (before he got fat and booze ridden) so no loss for me, I was just surprised it was still running after 26 series. They probably had it tucked away on ITV3 or 4 :P I only watch 2 shows on ITV – Lewis and Midsomer Murders (though with John Nettles set to leave Midsomer, I don’t know if I’ll still be watching).

I just looked at how much I’ve just written, and realised I watch too much TV. Bah, impossible. There’s no such thing