Fans prepare to say goodbye to two popular shows this year

Goodbyes are always hard, whether it’s to an old friend, a beloved pet, or, in this case, a television series.

“When I hear my favorite show is ending, it makes me sad, but I’m also eager to know what cliffhanger or plot twist the series will end with,” said junior Gianna Mascardo.

“Glee” and “Parks and Recreation” have begun their highly-anticipated final seasons.

“Glee”

“Glee” debuted its first season in 2009. The show first followed the adventures of an Ohio high school show choir and their attempt to win a national singing competition.

In later seasons, including the final one that premiered on Jan. 9, follows the lives of the former students as they try to make it in the world of show business in New York City.

The show features memorable characters, such as drama queen Rachel Berry (Lea Michele), stylish singer Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer), and optimistic glee club coach William Schuster (Matthew Morrison).

“My favorite character is probably Kurt because he’s not afraid to express who he is,” said sophomore Haley Chambers. “And he’s always really nice to everyone.”

“Glee” was the first and only show of its kind. At the time, a musical television series was something that had never been done before.

But Glee quickly became more than just a television show. It went on to spawn chart-topping albums and a world tour featuring the show’s cast.

Television network Oxygen even produced a spinoff called “The Glee Project” in which contestants compete for a guest-starring role on Glee.

Despite its massive success, on Oct. 16, 2013, producer Ryan Murphy revealed that their decision to end “Glee” was based largely on the death of actor Cory Monteith, who played the kind-hearted jock Finn Hudson in July of 2013.

Murphy also announced that the show’s final season would take place back in Ohio, with Rachel returning to coach the Glee Club after Schuster quits his job.

While “Glee” fans, self-proclaimed “Gleeks”, may be sad to see “Glee” end, hopefully season six will give this well-loved show a proper send-off.

“Parks and Recreation”

“Parks and Recreation” also began its final season this January. While fans are upset that the show has reached its final season, many saw this coming after two prominent characters were written off the show.

“I’m kind of sad that it’s ending, but after Ann (Rashida Jones) and Chris (Rob Lowe) left, I knew it was bound to happen,” said senior Jeanina Farmer.

This mockumentary-style sitcom follows overachieving government employee Leslie Knope’s (Amy Poheler) attempts to improve her hometown of Pawnee, Indiana.

Knope starts as a mid-level employee. She soon works her way up to higher government positions, all while facing challenges from Pawnee’s quirky townspeople.

The show is probably most loved for Knope’s charismatic co-workers, including sarcastic April (Aubrey Plaza), buffoonish Andy (Chris Pratt), and Knope’s geeky husband Ben (Adam Scott).

“My favorite character is April,” said Farmer. “Mr. King said I remind him of her and that’s how I started watching the show.”

Michael Schur, producer of NBC’s “The Office”, had originally planned to make “Parks and Recreation” a spin-off series of “The Office.”

After months of considering ideas, Schur decided to use the mockumentary format used in “The Office”, but create a show with completely different characters.

After leaving “Saturday Night Live” in 2009, Poehler signed on as a producer for the show.

It was later decided that she would also play the leading role of Knope.

Season six of the show resolved all of the show’s major storylines, leaving fans wondering what the show will focus on in its seventh and final season.

“I was actually pretty surprised when I heard they were having another season,” said senior Olivia Bouchet. “So it’s like I’m not really feeling the baggage of ‘Oh no, what if they don’t wrap this up or address this?’”

The final season of the show will feature a time-jump into the future, putting all of the show’s characters at different points in their lives.

Viewers will be interested to see what storylines the show’s creators have come up with for the end and what their favorite character is like in the future.

Although all good things must come to an end, fans can be assured the final seasons of both “Glee” and “Parks and Recreation” will give the characters the fitting endings they deserve.