May is generally the month when the broadcast networks put their latest season to rest. While there are plenty of finales, as we've covered in its own post, that doesn't mean there aren't premieres and specials.

This month, 'Jesse Stone' is back, 'Friday Night Lights' returns to NBC, BBC America brings back new seasons of 'Ashes to Ashes' and 'Gavin & Stacey,' while the long-awaited return of 'The Boondocks' comes to Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. FOX is bringing back 'Past Life,' launching a new season of ''So You Think You Can Dance,' and premiering their quirky new police dramedy, 'The Good Guys.'

Why get depressed about what you'll be missing, when there's plenty to get excited about, Don't miss a thing with our May guide.

In the DVR era, I have this new problem/blessing that happens to me every year. I jump on board these shows and then just get too busy to keep up with them and they pile up and sit there on my DVR unwatched. As an example, I just finished "Chapter 5" of John Adams last night; damn that's a good mini-series. But now that 99% of the network shows are wrapping up their seasons, I'm looking at three months of solid catch-up time.

I can also use the time to try out series I've always wanted to get into but just haven't for some reason or another; I'll use that "no time" excuse again. With more videos streaming online at Hulu (thanks ABC), seasons coming out ever faster on DVD and more vintage shows coming out the field is wide open. Of course, I'm probably taking on more than I can handle, but dammit I'm excited!

You know how those wacky British like their shows in short bursts with beginnings, middles and ends? Well maybe that's what ABC is thinking of when they announce that Life on Mars will finish its run with its 17th episode. They're promising a satisfying sense of closure, including answers as to why Detective Sam Tyler finds himself in 1973.

One theory that we're told can be ruled out is the coma that the UK original used to explain Sam Tyler's time travel. It would make the mystery kind of anticlimactic if they used the same explanation. We're also not told if Annie will finally punch Ray once and for all for being a misogynist bastard

The UK version of the series was an actual hit, but designed for the limited format completing two eight-episode runs. Meaning the US iteration, which is being canceled due to low ratings, will still run one episode longer than its successful predecessor. It was a creative decision to end the UK series after two seasons.