Cancelled U.S. shows

Lost isn't the only fan favorite that will be saying its goodbye to its faithful fanbase.  There are a few others which aren't just popular or long-running but set the bar higher for what became golden television.

Law and Order, which rivals (and started earlier than) CSI when it came to series-franchies building, will finally have its last perp arrested, its last case tried, and its last debate between idealistic prosecutor and hardened cops finally argued.  After 20 years and a series of cast changes, it is time to finally say goodbye.  My own favorite incarnation of Law and Order has Assistant D.A. Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) hammering away against criminals at the dock while providing a moral fulcrum to his team amidst the political and legal storms surrounding them.

Fortunately, Law and Order is survived by the indomitable Law and Order:  Special Victims Unit, which has the dynamic duo of Stabler (Christopher Meloni) and Benson (Marita Hargitay) tag-teaming to bring pedophiles, rapists, snuff artists, and other perverse wackoes to justice.

After 8 life-threatening ordeals, each happenign witin the span of 24 hours, one-man army Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) is finally calling it quits.  After seeing his wife murdered, his best friend die in the line of duty, another best friend turn traitor, who can blame him?  The producers of 24 said they wanted to quit while they were ahead - but we can't just write off Jack yet.

He'll continue to fight terrorists, but this time in 24 adaptations for the big screen.  Not sure how they can squeeze real-time drama in just 2 hours, but I'm fine with it.  Anything to see Jack back in fighting form.



And while Smallville is returning for the tenth season, the producers have said it'll be their last - and hopefully their best.  I can understand the logic here.  We've seen the evolution of Clark Kent since the series introduced him first to us as an insecure kid trying to hide a big screen.  We've seen him grow more comfortable with his powers, create a network of his own super-powered allies, stared evil in the face time and again, outgrew Lana Lang to fall in love with Lois Lane, balanced his twin lives between adopted Earth farm boy and Kryptonian prince. 

Now all he needs to do is don the famous-red-and-blue to become Superman as this famous fan manipulation shows.

Smallville's tenth season finale is a show not to miss.  We've waited long enough.