Well it’s almost summertime. Can you feel it? While it means an end to the monotony of our daily schedule and our escape to summer, it also means the end of some of our favorite TV shows as programming excitement gives way to guitars, cargo shorts, and bonfires on the beach and television interests become focused on the daily dose of Sports Center and midnight airings of Chapelle’s Show. 2004 brought a monumental end to the television season, leaving us hanging on in anticipation of next fall or bringing an end to some legendary favorites. So here they are, the big farewells of 2004.

The O.C.
Gaining immense popularity this school year, the acting challenged, college aged cast of the O.C. beckoned us back week after week as the vague resemblance of a plot twisted beyond anything comprehendible. The season finale, a disappointment to many die-hard fans, featured the union of Caleb and Julie Cooper, the discovery of the dire financial situation of Caleb, the departure of Ryan Atwood with Theresa, pregnant with a child that might be Ryan’s, an emotional outburst from the “25 year old should be starting a family in real life” hearthrob Seth Cohen who plans to travel to Tahiti in 42 days on a miniature pontoon sailing boat without supplies, as well as a host of other unimaginable plot twists. Yet, we remain supremely entertained by the primetime soap opera and the lure of California life and simply can’t wait to fill our Wednesday slot again. What will happen next year? Who knows, maybe Ryan will hookup with Summer and Marissa with Seth and Caleb will marry Kirsten. Or is that his daughter? Who knows anymore.

Friends
Well, after a decade, the Friends phenomenon has finally come to an end—a good thing too because, as evidenced by the finale, mediocrity had become the standard. Rachel stayed with Ross. Monica and Chandler got two babies not one. Epitomizing the 10-year smash series itself, there was nothing daring, outrageous or drop-jaw spectacular about the series finale. Instead, the finale offered a series of hackneyed events including the everpopular airport venture to win a lover over, the birth of children, and the obligatory

Frasier
One of my personal favorites, the sharp and witty show ended this year true to form, saying goodbye in style. The ending was somewhat predictable, but hey, that didn’t ruin the Passion of the Christ. Longtime Frasier watchers knew what was to come when the Crane Brothers volunteered to arrange the wedding of their father. Naturally, an absurdly elaborate plan was concocted (boasting Chinese acrobats, a gospel choir and an antique cannon) and destined to lead to a ruinous series of slapstick events. Most appropriately, Eddie, Martin’s dog, swallowed the rings, bringing the characters to the office of a novice veterinarian, which then became the site of the birth of Niles and Daphne’s son and Martin and Ronee’s wedding ceremony. Consummating the use of intelligent innuendo throughout the show, Frasier said goodbye in fashion reciting a Tennyson quote, “It may be that the gulfs will wash us down; It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles, And see the great Achilles whom we knew, and added a heartfelt admonition that the things we regret most are those we did not do.” Undoubtedly, Frasier wins best finale of the year.

TheBachelor
Thankfully, I was fortunate enough to miss this embarrassment. Hopefully, you didn’t watch either. Was true love found? Who knows. But you know, the last three relationships didn’t last and I find it hard to believe that this Jessica girl is going to make it through a winter of watching Jesse Palmer chilling on the sidelines with his clipboard in hand simultaneously trying to endure the chill of -35º F Temperatures, piercing winds, and swirling snow flurries at the Giants’ Meadowlands home.