Going out with a bang

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It's time for a final farewell to a couple of prime time's most obsessively fan-followed series -- Lost and 24.

The end is near.

Yes, it's true, every May Day marks the beginning of the end of the television season, as the final "sweeps" ratings period of U.S. television's fall-to-spring campaign brings several solid weeks of stunt casting, special two-part episodes and suspense-packed cliffhangers aimed at keeping viewers from venturing outside to enjoy summer until at least the beginning of June.

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Viewers will be bidding a final farewell to 24’s Jack Bauer.

This year, the May sweeps schedule carries a bit of special significance because the end of the 2009-10 TV season also means the final farewell to a couple of prime time's most obsessively fan-followed series -- Lost and 24 -- which means, finally, perhaps a chance for a not-completely-crappy day in Jack Bauer's future and (less likely) a sense of resolution and relief for the remaining survivors of Oceanic Flight 815.

Tears will be shed. Hearts will be broken. Serial killers will be pursued, vows will be betrayed, reality-show winners will be chosen, guest-star villains will confound and, maybe, just maybe, someone somewhere in some show will experience an actual TV-series happy ending.

Here's a quick rundown of May's season-finale schedule:

THIS WEEK:

Cold Case (Sunday at 8 p.m., CBS/9 p.m., CTV) -- two-part finale with a soundtrack provided by the Rolling Stones.

MAY 9-15:

The Amazing Race (May 9, CBS/CTV) -- the final sprint from Shanghai to San Francisco.

The New Adventures of Old Christine (May 12, CBS) -- Christine has second thoughts about her engagement after meeting Max's friends.

Private Practice (May 13, ABC) -- an unexpected death leaves staff at the clinic reeling.

ALSO THIS WEEK:

America's Next Top Model (May 12, Citytv)

Mercy (May 12, NBC)

The Vampire Diaries (May 13, CTV)

MAY 16-22:

Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains (May 16, CBS/Global) -- by the time the final tribal-council votes are cast, the line between good and evil will have completely disappeared.

The Middle (May 19, ABC) -- Betty White guests as a school librarian who's determined to make Brick pay for his 31 unreturned books.

C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation (May 20, CBS/CTV) -- the team's effort to stop the Dr. Jekyll killer could require help from a convicted murderer.

30 Rock (May 20, NBC/Citytv) -- Liz thinks (again!) she may have met the man of her dreams; Jack must finally choose between his two dream dates.

Fringe (May 20, Fox) -- in the conclusion of the two-part finale, Walter and Olivia visit "the other side." Leonard Nimoy guests.

Grey's Anatomy (May 20, ABC/CTV) -- Mandy Moore guest stars as Seattle Grace faces its biggest crisis yet.

ALSO THIS WEEK:

American Dad (May 16, Fox)

Desperate Housewives (May 16, ABC/CTV)

Brothers & Sisters (May 16, ABC/Global)

Castle (May 17, ABC/CTV)

House (May 17, Fox/Global)

V (May 18, ABC)

Modern Family (May 19, ABC/Citytv)

Cougar Town (May 19, ABC/Citytv)

Kitchen Nightmares (May 19, Fox/Global)

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (May 19, NBC/CTV)

Parks and Recreation (May 20, NBC/Citytv)

The Office (May 20, NBC/Global)

The Mentalist (May 20, CBS/CTV)

Bones (May 20, Fox/Global)

90210 (May 20, Global)

Ghost Whisperer (May 21, CBS/CTV)

The Bridge (May 21, CTV)

Medium (May 21, CBS/CTV)

Miami Medical (May 21, CBS)

MAY 23-29:

Lost (May 23, ABC/CTV) -- in a recent interview with a showbiz trade publication, Lost's producers said the finale will contain as many questions as answers. Here's one: Huh?

The Simpsons (May 23, Fox/Global) -- the Idol judges and Ryan Seacrest lend their voices to a musical sendoff.

The Big Bang Theory (May 24, CBS/CTV) -- love blossoms (with guest star Mayim Bialik) after the boys sign Sheldon up for online dating.

24 (May 24, Fox/Global) -- As we knew he would, Jack Bauer stands alone -- the last righteous man -- in the two-hour series finale.

Law & Order (May 24, NBC) -- Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn helps close out the series' 20th season.

American Idol (May 25 & 26, Fox/CTV) -- for this series, who wins won't be as important as what's lost: it's Simon Cowell's last stand.

The Good Wife (May 25, CBS/Global) -- Alicia must choose between standing by her man or pursuing a workplace relationship.

ALSO THIS WEEK:

The Celebrity Apprentice (May 23, NBC/Global)

Family Guy (May 23, Fox/Global)

The Cleveland Show (May 23, Fox/Global)

Rules of Engagement (May 24, CBS)

How I Met Your Mother (May 24, CBS/Citytv)

Two and a Half Men (May 24, CBS/CTV)

Chuck (May 24, NBC/Citytv)

NCIS: Los Angeles (May 24, Global/May 25, CBS)

CSI: Miami (May 24, CBS/CTV)

The Biggest Loser (May 25, NBC/Citytv)

Dancing With the Stars (May 25, ABC)

NCIS (May 25, CBS/Global)

Parenthood (May 25, NBC/Citytv)

Criminal Minds (May 26, CBS/CTV)

CSI: NY (May 26, CBS/CTV)

FlashForward (May 27, ABC)

AND BEYOND...

Glee (June 8, Fox/Global) -- it's the final showdown at Regionals between New Directions and their arch-rivals, Vocal Adrenaline; rumour has it that judging chicanery may affect the outcome. Hello, Sue?

brad.oswald@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 1, 2010 C1