Series Finales: Thanks for the Memories

<A HREF='http://television.aol.com/show/the-wire/1130387/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>'The Wire'</font></a>

Finale Date: March 9, 2008

Sadly, this HBO series never entered the cultural zeitgeist the way network sibling <A HREF='http://television.aol.com/show/the-sopranos/255225/main' target='_blank'>'The Sopranos'</a> did, despite lavish critical praise in later seasons. Over five years, a huge ensemble cast portrayed realistic urban life in Baltimore, tackling divisive issues of drugs, violence, ethics, politics, education, corruption and, quite simply, human nature.

<A HREF='http://television.aol.com/show/jericho/762069/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>'Jericho'</font></a>

Finale Date: March 25, 2008

When CBS ordered seven Season 2 episodes after an initial cancellation, 'Jericho' proved that networks <i>do</i> listen to a show's rabid fan base. But <A HREF='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/skeet-ulrich/211706' target='_blank'>Skeet Ulrich</a> and the rest of the Kansas town's residents -- all survivors of a nationwide nuclear attack -- couldn't survive another weapon of mass destruction: low ratings.

<A HREF='http://television.aol.com/show/las-vegas/67800/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>'Las Vegas'</font></a>

Finale Date: Feb. 15, 2008

It was hard to take this show seriously -- that's what made it fun. Of course, it helped that Montecito offered oodles of eye candy (e.g., <A HREF='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/molly-sims/362731' target='_blank'>Molly Sims</a>, <A HREF='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/josh-duhamel/362749' target='_blank'>Josh Duhamel</a> and <A HREF='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/james-lesure/237521' target='_blank'>James Lesure</a>). But when NBC and exec producers couldn't agree to provide closure in the final pre-writers'-strike episode, fans were left with a very preggers Sims bleeding out. Not so fun anymore.

<A HREF='http://television.aol.com/show/girlfriends/59796/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>'Girlfriends'</font></a>

Finale Date: Feb. 11, 2008

This sexy sitcom, which lasted eight and a half seasons and survived the jump from UPN to The CW, couldn't outlast the writers' strike, with execs deciding post-strike to put "creative and financial resources" elsewhere -- namely, the Pussycat Dolls reality show <A HREF='http://television.aol.com/show/pussycat-dolls-present-girlicious/10157875/main' target='_blank'>'Girlicious</a>.' Did they think fans wouldn't know the difference? Girl, <i>please</i>.