Now that some time has passed, here's a few thoughts about a few season finales -- including two series finales -- and what writers and producers might learn for future programs (Warning: Spoilers ahead!).

1. Stick to your strengths: 'The Big Bang Theory' smartly addressed the ongoing romance of Penny and Leonard in the finale, but kept us laughing at his and her frustrations over it. They didn't promise a reconciliation, but it sure implied that there's still a lot of simmering romance there. It wouldn't be surprising if they get back together in season four or not. That's smart writing.

They also stuck to their strengths by saving the best gag, Sheldon meeting the female Sheldon, for the pseudo-cliffhanger ending. You don't expect cliffhangers in sitcoms, but this one works. You can't wait to see if Sheldon will have a new relationship with this woman, or if it's just a fleeting social experiment for the scientists.

2. Know the ending before you start: Every season of 'Lost' was filled with mystery and exciting developments, thrilling characters and more and more reasons to stick with the yarn. However, the season finale didn't answer all the questions the series posed and that's because the writers didn't know the ending before they started writing. They cannot convince me that all the twists and turns were just part of the tale that ended in Jack's head. The result was a mediocre finale.

What 'Lost' needed was a Rod Serling on the writing staff. Think about all those fantastic 'Twilight Zone' episodes or the final scene of 'Planet of the Apes' where Charlton Heston saw the crown of the Statue of Liberty. That kind of twist ending was what
'Lost' needed, something jaw-dropping and memorable. If the writers had know that ending before they commenced, it would have all added up and left us far more satisfied.

3. Deliver the goods: Hype is part of the business, but 'The Mentalist' teased a Red John face off with Patrick Jane which turned out to be a bait and switch. Instead of real terror, we got the slasher film version of it including a bunch of college students making a slasher film. Considering the importance of Red John in Jane's life, the ending felt like a cheat.

Sure, he returned to his barren home with the Red John marker on the wall, but there didn't seem to be any startling new development in the 'confrontation.' The mid-season slaughter of Bosco's team by a Red John disciple was more dramatic.

4. Don't destroy the franchise: For most of the final season, '24' seemed to be intent on destroying Jack Bauer -- and they did ruin the American presidency!!! -- but the satisfying wrap up redeemed Jack just enough to set him off on another adventure in a feature film. The emotional moment with Chloe via drone was a goodbye worthy of the show and their relationship and left Jack with at least one ally for future adventures.

Also, by sending Jack off virtually naked -- no passport, no gun, no money, no cell phone -- but with the Russians out to kill him, creates a great premise for the proposed film. The '24' franchise could be as potent as the Bourne trilogy now, and until Kiefer Sutherland is too old to pull it off, '24' has a lot of life left in the property.