SPOILER ALERT: Series finales will be briefly discussed for Lost, Friends, Seinfeld, Family Ties and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Read at your own risk.
The minds behind Lost recently revealed the characters were not dead the whole series and were instead in purgatory; indeed, they were deceased for the final church scene. Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, Lost’s showrunners, also noted that the title and show were a metaphor for people searching for meaning in their lives. Obvious, but nonetheless brilliant, because most of the characters did find meaning in their lives while on the island, and they also discovered their strengths. Plans to auction a script that answers many questions, with the proceeds going to charity, have also been discussed.
As someone who planned their Wednesday nights around Lost and quickly became addicted to the story line and characters, I can tell you it was a very sad day for me when the show ended.
For this Throwback Thursday, we mourn the loss of, but also celebrate some shows that had many Americans tuning in for their series finales.
Friends (2004)
Viewers gathered together to watch the final episode of Friends had many questions on their minds: would Rachael go to Paris? Would Ross go as well? Are Monica and Chandler really leaving The Village? As it turns out, the producers thought up three alternate endings.
Luckily the show ended with the group heading to Central Perk Café for the last time and viewers saying goodbye to Drake Ramoray, Chanandler Bong, Princess Consuela Bananahammock, Monanna, Ron and the Big Green Poker Machine.
Seinfeld (1998)
Seinfeld wrapped the final episodes bringing back memorable characters to act as “character witnesses” for a trial that would determine the fate of Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer. Fans watched as the group was sentenced for breaking The Good Samaritan Law.
A large portion of the Seinfeld fan base quickly expressed disappointment with the series finale. The last conversation in the jail cell between George and Jerry serves as a book end. The two have the same conversation they started in the pilot episode, referencing shirt buttons and the beginning of “The Show About Nothing.”
I’m only a fan of the ending, because it leaves the group intact and gives me hope that Elaine and Jerry will someday end up together, but only if they do not refer to one another as “Shmoopie.”
Family Ties (1989)
Alex P. Keaton finally leaves home for New York in the series finale that aired for just over 36 million viewers. Don’t forget, you can catch Courtney Cox at the beginning of her career in the later episodes of Family Ties.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1977)
I can see why it was so hard to say goodbye to its dynamic cast of Mary Tyler Moore, Valerie Harper, Ed Asner, Gavin MacLeod and Ted Knight (an honorable mention to Betty White). The show was a pioneer in focusing on the career woman and championing women in the workplace.
Cover Photo Source: afekung
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://wpmaster.sjadv.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Our-Space-Kristi.png[/author_image] [author_info]Kristi is a Junior Executive at SJG. She graduated with a BS in Advertising and Public Relations from Northern Arizona University. She bleeds blue and orange, or red, or blue and red, depending on the season. Kristi spends her free time cheering on her Chicago teams, volunteering and exploring different neighborhoods. She also enjoys snowboarding, mixology and writing, but avoids doing them all at once (snow patrol tends to frown on that).[/author_info] [/author]