There may be no statistics to prove this statement, but deciding when to close the curtains on a successful TV series must be one of the most difficult decisions any producer can face. The show still has the backing of the network, and the viewership numbers are still at an acceptable standard, so it’s easy to want to milk it for every drop it’s worth.
Having said all that, there is no denying that a number of popular TV shows could get end dates. Not only does this give its fans closure, but also prevents the show from “jumping the shark” – a phrase used to reference when the writers of a show have seemingly run out of creative ideas or a direction in which to take it.
Here are some popular shows that can get end dates sometime soon:
Supernatural
Many may not be aware of this, but the popular demon-slaying brothers Dean and Sam Winchester (Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki) were supposed to be off the air a long time ago. Starring in Supernatural on The CW, series creator had initially planned a three-season series that he later extended to five, and what was to be the finale was well received. The CW – who was obviously loving the attention it drew – made the decision to renew the series for a sixth season in 2010, and it has been rolling on ever since.
Dean and Sam have endured just about everything throughout the show, including multiple deaths and trips to hell. They have vanquished many a demons and have had to make a number of sacrifices to get to what is now the 10th season. Surely, they deserve a break from their supernatural battles in the near future.
Bones
Any fan of science, comedy, drama or any combination of the three is almost sure to be a fan of Bones. The series – which airs on Fox – recently entered into its 10th season, and many will acknowledge that this is no easy feat.
Bones is centered on Dr. Temperance Brennan (played by Emily Deschanel) who is a world-renowned forensic anthropologist. With her team of specialists and interns at the Jeffersonian Institute, Dr. Brennan works with the FBI – Special Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) in particular – to examine the remains of victims and help them to close cases. He gives her the nickname “Bones” – which is where the title of the show came from – and though she was not a fan, like many other nicknames it would eventually stick.
As a fan of the show, there is no rush to see it go, but looking at the bigger picture such course of action may be wise. Science aside, there doesn’t seem to be much more that the show can offer. At one point, many fans were wondering whether or not Bones and Seeley would drop the charade and get together, but they now have a daughter (Christine, in Season 7) and even got married (Season 9).
With the couple – and many of the shows other popular characters – overcoming their respective personal issues, maybe it’s time that Fox decides to give fans closure, like the crime-solving duo have delivered to so many on the show. Based on recent chatter, however, it doesn’t seem likely to happen soon.
Also included in this list is the ABC-aired Revenge. Despite being relatively young (it’s now in its fourth season) many fans of the series have voiced the sentiment that an end date might not be such a bad move.
The series focuses on the exploits of Amanda Clarke (Emily VanCamp), a woman who infiltrates the Hamptons as Emily Thorne with a single goal in mind – to seek revenge. In her early years, her father (David Clarke) was framed for treason and subsequently killed in prison, so she has returned to her old neighborhood to exact her own brand of justice on whoever did her father wrong, members of the Grayson Family in particular.
At the onset the show was (and to some extent still) captivating, but it is now threatening to enter the stage of irrelevance. Amanda/Emily has managed to pretty much ruin the lives of everyone who played a role in her father’s demise, but what appears to be her obsession with the Graysons has become a bit overwhelming.
On top of all that, we have discovered in Season 4 that David Clarke is actually alive. Doesn’t that negate the whole premise of the show? Sure, there is likely to be some more twists in the tale, but to what end considering her motive for revenge is living and breathing – quite well too.
“Honorable” Mentions
While the shows listed above are t the head of the line among those that could get a series finale, there are other shows that might come to mind. Despite being America’s longest running scripted prime time series, The Simpsons has been criticized for “jumping the shark” on seemingly countless occasions, and the ABC hit Grey’s Anatomy also appears to be heading in that direction.
It is understandably difficult to end a series that (after years) has managed to maintain a strong viewership base, but there are instances when an end date is what the show and its fan deserve.
Popular TV Shows That Could Soon Get End Dates
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