'Will and Grace' Finale

Thursday's series finale of Will and Grace had moments reminiscent of nearly every episode of the series before it: There were moments of side-splitting laughter and teary-eyed emotion. It's the incredible writing that made me a fan of the show in the first place, and it's incredible writing that brought an end to the show's long run on NBC. WARNING: Here be spoilers.

Going into this finale, the fate of Will and Grace's friendship was up in the air as each wanted to do their own thing to pursue happiness, but also wanted to remain together as best friends. The finale takes us through their lives from present day to 20 years in the future. After Leo returns and gets back together with Grace, there's a couple years that W&G don't speak to each other. Finally they make up but never have what they had over the course of the series.

Then there is a question: If "fate" brought them together and "fate" was going to keep them together, why was there this separation for so many years? It turns out that Will's son and Grace's daughter end up meeting on their first day of college in an identical way that W&G met. The children go on to marry each other, sealing the connection of W&G 'til death do their children part. I thought this was a very sweet way for the show to end and interjects that surprise element that the 'West Wing' finale didn't have (see previous entry).

The tables turn when, in this look into the future, Karen loses all of her money and Jack becomes sole beneficiary to Beverly Leslie's fortune. Don't ask. In the end, Karen, Jack, and Rosario end up living together for decades as a happy, slightly twisted family. The finale had another special moment as Jack and Karen sing "Unforgettable" to each other, with Sean Hayes (Jack's actor) seemingly playing the piano part himself live.

In the end, the four characters have a drink to the lives they've lived, the friendships they've bonded, and happiness they've given to each other. A great ending to a great show. My grade for the finale: A solid "A."

My Take on the 'West Wing' Finale

As the TV networks' seasons end, so ends a couple of my favorite shows forever. The first was 'The West Wing,' which finished its run with the inauguration of a new president. My grade for the finale: a solid B. WARNING: spoilers follow.

The show ended expectedly: President Santos was installed, Bartlet left, sentimental one-liners were said by all, MANY wide shots were seen of some important character soaking in a room of the White House for the last/first time, Leo McGarry was remembered, and *cough* Toby was pardoned *cough*.

You just had to know that Bartlet would pardon Toby. What's a little disconcerting to me is that the writers couldn't find a way to fit Toby INTO the final show. He was nowhere to be found. Even Sam showed up briefly, but not Toby -- unless you count the "Previously on The West Wing" thing at the very beginning.

So in the end, there were no surprises. Josh didn't propose to Donna, which would have been nice. We didn't hear any resounding comments from the new president in his inaugural speech -- in fact, we didn't hear ANY of his inaugural speech. The show just seemed to end with one last deep sigh of combined relief, sentiment, and sadness.

Did I enjoy it? Oh, sure. It was a good show, and a nice ending to the series. I think the producers and writers could have done more, but it ended nicely. I'll have to find something else to do with my Sunday evenings now.

Coming later this week: My thoughts on the end of 'Will and Grace.'

A Triple Double on 'Heaven'

If you haven't seen the finale of 7th Heaven and don't want to know what happens, stop reading now.

I don't watch the show, but read on CNN's Web site that the series finale was Monday night. While reading through, I noticed that three of the Camden children and their respective spouses were ALL expecting twins. Not one set of twins. Not two sets of twins. THREE sets of twins.

Now I know that 7th Heaven has made a reputation of being a mushy, sappy family show. But the writers went a little overboard with three of the kids having twins. One is certainly believable. Maybe two. But three? I guess that the writers figured you can't have too much of a good thing for your series finale.

Of course, that was the nature of 7th Heaven: Over-done feel-good drama.

Soccer Moms, Beware!

In a world of gansta rap talking about f-ing some b -- well, you know -- and punk rock artists screaming at the top of their lungs about how they hate everything, there's a country song for the rest of us. It has nothing to do with losing your girl, losing your truck, or losing your dog. No, this one is about is about a...

90 Pound Suburban Housewife Drivin' in Her SUV.

It debuted on NPR's Car Talk in January and was recently spotlighted by Jeanne Moos on CNN. The song warns you, "She's hell on wheels. She's the new big deal. She's America's true sweetheart." Absolutely frickin' hilarious. If you're willing to shell out 99 cents, go ahead and buy it off of iTunes. It won't win any Grammys, but it sure is funny and so VERY true.

Now we need a song for those oblivious frat boys with the stereo blasting in their Camaros/Mustangs/Scions. Hey guys, those signs on the side of the road with the numbers? That's where that "speed limit" thing comes from. Do us all a favor and stay REMOTELY close to it, okay?