Ailing without “Alias”? Try these alternatives

Letting go of a beloved television show is much more difficult than it seems. Whether the… Letting go of a beloved television show is much more difficult than it seems. Whether the characters have grown up, had babies or kicked butt, they’ve seemed real enough for a true fan to invest interest in them. Take a moment to reflect on some of the shows that had to say goodbye this year. Shed a few tears, have a moment of silence in memory of the good times — and if you still can’t handle it, there are always the DVDs.

“Alias”

The Jennifer Garner/J.J. Abrams drama said goodbye this Monday after five years of action-packed adventure. “Alias” forced viewers to say farewell to some of the show’s most adored characters, a move that at least helped ease viewers into a full-fledged goodbye. The show, responsible for shaping Garner’s stardom, always knew how to surprise. Building the complex plot is what “Alias” did best, and every episode left viewers wondering just what was going to happen next. Abrams passed this gift of surprise on to his other ABC show, “Lost,” with much success.

If you don’t think you can live without “Alias” try…

“24.” Trade in government agent Sydney Bristow for Jack Bauer. The Fox drama, starring Kiefer Sutherland, knows how to keep viewers in suspense with a whole season of episodes that are supposed to take place in real time, making one whole season one day in Bauer’s life.

“Charmed”

After the third season of the hit WB show, actress Shannen Doherty decided to leave, supposedly because of friction on the show’s set. While the blow could have given the supernaturally themed show an early death, “Charmed” overcame its loss to continue for five more years, ending this past Sunday. The show, about three sisters who discover they’re powerful witches, never stopped reinforcing the importance of strong family ties.

If you don’t think you can live without “Charmed” try…

“Supernatural.” Both WB darlings, the shows have two things in common — their strong emphasis on family and their battles against the supernatural. The shows illustrate the power of love and how it even affects the most mysterious aspects of the characters’ less-than-normal lives.

“That 70’s Show”

The 200th episode became the series finale for “That 70’s Show.” When the show began eight years ago, it welcomed a group of new, young actors — including the now well-known Ashton Kutcher and Topher Grace. The show tried to make the older generation nostalgic for their youth while helping teens to see how things really haven’t changed much. The show’s young actors brought their inexperience to the small screen, making the show seem more like reality than rehearsal.

If you don’t think you can live without “That 70’s Show” try…

“How I Met Your Mother.” The show features a group of friends just like “That 70’s Show,” and “Mother” is just as silly. The actors of the CBS comedy have an undeniable charm that makes them well worth watching.

“Malcolm in the Middle”

A show that finally proved to the world that crazy families are everywhere, “Malcolm” included a cast of characters that was unforgettable. The tight-knit family found more than a few ways to make each other miserable, and they had an eccentricity that helped viewers to relate to their stories. The show’s seven-year run left the audience with more than a few memorable lines and even more hilarious moments.

If you don’t think you can live without “Malcolm in the Middle” try…

“Two and a Half Men.” Nothing spells out a dysfunctional family better than Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer. The actors play two brothers who pass their wisdom on to the young Jake (played by Angus T. Jones). The comedy puts all three of the characters into sticky situations that leave viewers laughing.

“7th Heaven”

The WB show that ran for ten seasons was a mess with outlandish plot twists, but the show’s moral fiber made it one of the few that families could watch together. “7th Heaven” focused more on the characters than anything else. The audience could just hope that all the members of the Camden family could find happiness at the end of the day. Through all their relationships and tribulations, the young Camdens grew up and became adults right along with the show’s main audience.

If you don’t think you can live without “7th Heaven” try…

Anything. Nothing on television right now has the same morals and soap opera plots that “7th Heaven” did, but many other shows have a lot more to offer.