Season after season, we all become attached to the characters of our favourite TV shows. So when these shows come to an end, it’s hard to say goodbye to our on-screen pals.
We had a look back at some of the best TV show finales and then checked to see if a reboot was on the cards.
How I Met Your Mother
On air: 2005-2014
Seasons: 5
*The show:** Marshall Eriksen (Jason Segel) reveals his plan to propose to girlfriend Lily Aldrin (Alyson Hannigan), prompting panic in their friend Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) about the need to get moving to find true love.
The finale: Fans were angry about the depressing finale. Ted and Robin Scherbatsky (Cobie Smulders) end up together in the present day because the titular mother died of cancer.
Reboot chances: Forget it. Neil Patrick Harris (Barney Stinson) said earlier this year that “there are better ideas” than bringing back the comedy.
Ted (Josh Radnor) and Robyn (Cobie Smulders).
(Image: Supplied)Seinfield
On air: 1989-1998
Seasons: 9
The show: The “show about nothing” remains one of TV’s best-loved sitcoms because it was hilarious in how it portrayed the many absurdities of everyday life.
The finale: Fans really hated the last episode, which saw all the main characters jailed. According to Rolling Stone mag, the finale was co-creator Larry David’s “wry way of finally giving his lovably horrible protagonists their comeuppance”.
Reboot chances: Larry once refused to revive the show for a special live episode and a network boss said in April that Seinfeld is guaranteed to never be rebooted.
Jerry Seinfeld starred in the cult-hit comedy.
(Image: Supplied)Will & Grace
On air: 1998-2006
Seasons: 8
The show: Groundbreakingly hilarious, the sitcom focused on the friendship between gay lawyer Will Truman (Eric McCormack) and interior designer Grace Adler (Debra Messing).
The finale: Many were disappointed with the finale, which revolved around Will and Grace having a huge falling out and gradually reconciling over about 20 years.
Reboot chances: It’s back! The 2017 update has been successful partly because it returned to its roots, with the two titular characters still living together in a two-bedroom apartment in Manhattan after 11 years away from the audience. A third season has already been announced.
The loveable cast of Will & Grace.
(Image: Supplied)Friends
On air: 1994-2004
Seasons: 10
The show: One of the biggest hits in the history of TV followed the merry misadventures of six 20-something pals
as they navigated their working and social lives, all shacked up in an apartment block in New York City.
The finale: Ross (David Schwimmer) and Rachel’s (Jennifer Aniston) rocky relationship dominated the finale and consequently left us unsatisfied because it robbed the other amazing characters of meaningful screen time.
Reboot chances: Jennifer has revealed she “fantasises” about starring in a reboot. We, however, can’t see the appeal of 50-year-olds hanging out in a coffee shop.
Friends was a huge hit as soon as it hit the screens.
(Image: Supplied)Cheers
On air: 1982 – 1993
Seasons: 11
The show: Starring Ted Danson as barman and ladies’ man Sam Malone, Cheers was a brilliant ensemble piece about a group of locals who meet at a pub to drink, relax and escape life’s ills.
The finale: The final episode was extraordinary for its melancholy. One by one, the cast members depart, leaving Sam alone in the dark with his one enduring love: the bar itself.
Reboot chances: Co-executive producer Rob Long has said he’s keen to jump on the reboot bandwagon. “I’ve pitched a reboot ’til I’m blue in the face. I’d love to do it,” he told Variety.
Cheers was Ted Danson’s breakthrough role. He played the role of Sam Malone.
Image: Supplied
A Country Practice
On air: 1981 -1993
Seasons: 13
The show: One of Australia’s greatest dramas, the show explored life in a small hospital in the fictional town of Wandin Valley. Who can forget its highest-rating episode, featuring the death of much-loved farmer Molly Jones (Anne Tenney)?
The finale: The Valley was ravaged by bushfires and the locals rallied to help each other. But there was hope too, with people gathering for Terence (Shane Porteous) and Rosemary’s (Maureen Edwards) wedding.
Reboot chances: Network Ten aired a terrible reworked version in 1994. A new reboot is currently being considered.
A Country Practice holds a special place in many Australian’s hearts.
(Image: Supplied)Blue Heelers
On air: 1994-2004
Seasons: 13
The show: It was led by famous TV cop, Tom Croydon (John Wood), but is best remembered for Lisa McCune, as Constable Maggie Doyle.
The finale: Tom was in a bad way, with disgraced former cop Adam Cooper returning to Mount Thomas to make bogus accusations against him.
Reboot chances: Fans would love it, but it seems unlikely.
Even after 13 years on TV screens, the fans still beg for more.
(Image: Supplied)The X-Files
On air: 1993-2002
Seasons: 9
The show: When the show hit screens in 1993, the chemistry between David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson captured our imaginations.
The finale: The finale was special because it brought back Agent Mulder, giving fans a chance to see him and Agent Scully together again.
Reboot chances: A successful 10th season came in 2016, prompting an 11th.
Who can forget the chemistry between these two?
(Image: Supplied)The Sopranos
On air: 1999 – 2007
Seasons: 6
The show: The late James Gandolfini never skipped a beat as mobster Tony Soprano, who plumbed the depths of depravity under the guise of a “waste management consultant”.
The finale: The show’s creator, David Chase, was criticised for the finale, which built suspense around Tony meeting his family for dinner, and ended abruptly with a black screen after Tony looked up to the camera, leaving us wondering if he was murdered.
Reboot chances: A prequel film to the series, The Many Saints Of Newark, is being worked on.
The finale still has people scratching their heads.
(Image: Supplied)MAS*H
On air: 1972-1983
Seasons: 11
The show: This all-time great focused on the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War in the ’50s.
The finale: Following a ceasefire, the characters finally got to go home, but it meant they wouldn’t be together again.
Reboot chances: “Nobody thinks it’s a good idea,” said Loretta Swit (Major Houlihan).
The ending was bitter-sweet for many fans.
(Image: Supplied)McLeod’s Daughters
On air: 2001 – 2009
Seasons: 8
The show: After the sudden death of Jack McLeod, the owner of Drover’s Run cattle station, his two estranged daughters, Claire and Tess, are reunited to manage the heavily mortgaged property. Together, they put aside their differences to run Drover’s Run with an all-female team.
The finale: With drought ravaging Drover’s Run to the bone, the girls are fighting to save it from going under. Thankfully, with the help of old friends and loved ones, they manage to secure Drovers Run for the next generation.
Reboot chances: For years, dedicated fans have been asking for a reboot and whispers between cast and producers had always been happening behind the scenes. In 2017, the Aussie drama almost had a reunion but it was scrapped due to “creative differences.”
But this week, McLeod’s Daughters producer, Posie Graeme Evans, announced on her Instagram in June 2020 that a reboot was well and truly underway – and this time, it’ll be hitting the silver screen!
The cast of McLeod’s Daughters.
(Image: Channel Nine)“THE STORY CONTINUES. Yes – it really does. And I’m letting you know first,” she explained.
“We’re developing a feature film. It’s called The McLeods of Drovers Run and I started writing the story a couple of months ago. Today we heard that we’ve got backing from Screen Tasmania and the Tasmanian Government to write the very first stage of the movie.”
WATCH BELOW: See the McLeod’s Daughters stars reunite.
