May means weddings, funerals and, most of all, cliffhangers.
A number of TV favorites are about to sign off for the season. (‘Bye, for now, “Revenge.”) Others are ending forever. (Dr. House, you sociopath, I’ll miss you most of all.)
A few long-lived series have outlived their welcome (looking at you, “Desperate Housewives”) but an occasional deserving, quirky hour has won extended life (thanks, Fox, for giving “Fringe” one more season, thanks).
TV’s May finales are calculated to get the maximum punch during a ratings sweeps month, so we won’t know in advance whether they leave with bangs and wimpers. Either way, this month’s calendar is packed.
Here’s a look at some of the most eagerly awaited finales:
Sunday, May 6
“The Amazing Race” – There’s nobody left to root for, let alone to like, as the two-hour finale begins. After five continents, 22 cities and nearly 40,000 miles, four teams race through Japan and onward to Honolulu in pursuit of the $1 million prize.
May 7
“Two Broke Girls” Max (Kat Dennings) and Caroline (Beth Behrs) attend a Manhattan gala as a way to meet Martha Stewart (playing herself) and pitch their cupcake business.
“Castle” Castle’s on the trail of the man who shot Kate Beckett during last year’s May sweeps. Will those two ever get together?
May 8
“The Voice” The performance and voting finale is Monday; the singing contest’s winner is announced Tuesday.
“New Girl” Road trip! Thomas Lennon (“Reno 911”) guest stars as a possible new flatmate for one who’s moving out; Dermott Mulroney returns as a love interest for Jess (Zooey Deschanel).
“Unforgettable” On the trail of her sister’s murderer, Carrie (Poppy Montgomery) returns to Syracuse, where the killer may have struck again.
May 9
“CSI” While they tackle the gruesome murder of a sheriff’s wife, Russell (Ted Danson) and Finlay’s (Elisabeth Shue) messy past is explored.
May 10
“The Office” No matter what happens, cast and crew should be glad to get past this difficult season, post-Michael (Steve Carell).
“The Big Bang Theory” Wolowitz (Simon Helberg) makes his final preparations to launch into space. What will his mother say?
“Parks & Recreation” The fate of Leslie Knope’s (Amy Poehler) political candidacy will be decided.
“The Secret Circle” Teens use black magic to help their friends…what could possibly go wrong?
May 11
“Fringe” A two-parter in which, Fox says, the team is “pushed to the breaking point as they desperately attempt to prevent a catastrophic event that threatens the lives of everyone.” Doesn’t that describe every week?
“Blue Bloods” Frank (Tom Selleck) is in command as intelligence indicates an imminent terorist attack.
May 13
“Survivor: One World” A two-hour finale will crown one castaway the sole survivor.
“Desperate Housewives” A two-hour series finale after eight years on Wisteria Lane. Expect courtroom drama and gasp-worthy moments.
May 14
“How I Met Your Mother” It’s a full hour episode as Barney’s (Neil Patrick Harris) wedding day arrives, and his wife is finally revealed.
“Gossip Girl” A big reset will change everything going forward in this Upper East Side Cliffhanger. Blair Waldorf chooses between the men in her life.
“Bones” Someone may not survive. How’s that for a cliffhanger?
“Mike & Molly” Wedding bells are a finale tradition. Unclear whether Mike (Billy Gardell) and Molly (Melissa McCarthy) tie the knot.
“Smash” Marilyn: The Musical takes the stage. Will the tedious behind-the-scenes storylines be erased by stellar musical numbers?
May 15
“Cougar Town” A hurricane blows into town, both emotional and weather-related.
May 16
“Suburgatory” George (Jeremy Sisto) and Dallas (Cheryl Hines)? Or George and Eden (Alicia Silverstone)? Someone out there is bound to be disappointed.
“Criminal Minds” A two-hour finale as a hostage situation plays out in real time. Also, Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster) signs off.
May 17
“Awake” Two hours’ worth of conscious and unconscious suspense as Michael Britton (Jason Isaacs) realizes the truth behind the accident and a conspiracy to cover it up.
“Grey’s Anatomy” As usual, it’s a crisis a minute as the doctors fight for their own lives while trying to save everyone around them. And Bailey and Ben figure out their relationship.
“The Mentalist” It seems the killer Red John may have escaped Det. Jane (Simon Baker) yet again. Or not.
“Person of Interest” Amy Aker (“Angel”) will play a psychologist whose number is up.
May 18
“Grimm” Mary Elizabeth Mastranonio and Bree Turner guest star and everyone’s back to looking for those elusive gold coins.
May 21
“House” Jennifer Morrison, Kal Penn, Amber Tamblyn and Olivia Wilde are set to return as Dr. Gregory House hangs up the stethoscope (at least as far as the TV trivia books go) in a two-hour series finale.
May 22
“Glee” The McKinley High School class of 2012 graduation celebration should sort out who’s leaving, who’s staying.
May 23
“Modern Family” The adoption saga continues, plus babysitting, prom and shocking future plans.
“Don’t Trust the B—- in Apt. 23” Dean Cain guest stars.
“Revenge” Just as Emily is getting close to her goal, a “big, explosive event” sets everything in flux again.
May 31
“Touch” The story comes full circle to revisit the events of the pilot episode.
Joanne Ostrow: 303-954-1830 or jostrow@denverpost.com
