May sweeps got you down?

All this talk about "only three episodes left" totally stressing you out?

As fun as the finales, guest stars and life changing events are, ultimately all this brouhaha means one thing -- the season is coming to a close. No Lynette. No Bright. No Sawyer. No Jacks. No Logans. No "Will they kiss?" No "Who crashed the bus?" No "How will they break out?" Once May sweeps ends on May 24, we'll know who won "American Idol," "Survivor" and "The Amazing Race." And (sniff) seven series are leaving us for good. "West Wing" and "Alias," I think I'll miss you most of all.

But we can stop our TV pity party because I'm here to help. I'm here to tell you the shows we can look forward to this summer until we begin this dance we love to dance again in September.

"Rescue Me": Denis Leary's tour de force returns to FX on Tuesday, May 30 with the added bonus of Susan Sarandon as a love interest for Franco. (Um, can you blame her?). And last summer's witty comedy "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" is back in the middle of June.

"The Closer" and "Saved": Breakout the candy bars because Kyra Sedgwick's captivating drama returns on Monday, June 12 and TV's best mother Frances Sternhagen (see "Cheers," "Sex and the City," and "ER") will guest star as Brenda's disapproving mother. Tom Everett Scott's new series "Saved," about a paramedic, premieres on June 12 as well.

"My Life on the D List": Kathy Griffin's hilarious, self-deprecating and brutally honest reality series returns for a second season on Bravo on Tuesday, June 6. And (whoo-hoo) her husband Matt will be part of the series. It would be embarrassing if I confessed to you how upset I was when I heard they had separated.

"Windfall": This long awaited series (okay maybe I was the only one waiting, but still) stars Luke Perry. Oh you need to know more? The drama follows 20 lottery winners and also stars "Boomtown" favorites Jason Gedrick and Lana Parrilla, Jon Foster ("life as we know it"), Sarah Wynter (Jack's girlfriend Kate on "24" ) and Malinda Williams ("Soul Food").

"Entourage" and "Deadwood": Let's hug those summer TV blues out, bitch. These two series return to HBO on Sunday, June 11 and we all know "Entourage" hit its pitch-perfect stride last season.

Where Have I Seen Them Before?

Shawn was the first to recognize Michelle Nolden was Don's love interest, Robin, on "Numb3rs" and Bug's new love interest, Dr. Amy Bowen, on "Crossing Jordan." And because I am all about the fun facts, I'll tell you that she played Rob Morrow's wife in the Showtime series "Street Time."

Well, we were all very excited to see Paul McCrane as the new bad guy talking to President Logan on "24." McCrane was, of course, Dr. Romano on "ER." And Mark will always remember him with his big hair on "Fame." Vicki was the first to point out that we now officially have something of a "Robocop" reunion on "24." McCrane, Ray Wise (the vice president) and Peter Weller (Christopher Henderson) are all in the cast this season.

Marguerite Moreau was Suzanne the executive making googly eyes at Dave on "What About Brian." Moreau was Reed last season on "The O.C.," Monica on "life as we know it," and we saw her earlier this season in Hurley's flashback.

Believe it or not, Jordon was the first to recognize William Katt, "The Greatest American Hero," as the father of the patient on "House."

Larry Drake was the building owner on "7th Heaven." He's best known for playing Benny on "L.A. Law."

Quotes of the Week

"I hope you don't mind my bossing you around like this, but, technically, I don't work for you anymore." Chloe to Bill Buchanan on "24." Thanks to Andrew who was the first to submit the most popular quote of the week. Seriously, we could not love Chloe any more.

"If it didn't involve a motorcade, I'd drive you to the airport myself." President elect Santos to Josh about Josh leaving for vacation on "The West Wing." Thanks to Julie for the quote.

"I'm too old for US Weekly and it never stopped me." Lorelai to April on "Gilmore Girls" when April says she thinks she's too old to love the book "Harold and the Purple Crayon."

"Don't fall for her Alan. She's just a guest star." Melissa to Alan about Chelina on "Boston Legal." Thanks to Ren and Jeff for the quote.

"I dole out compliments at the most once a year, and like a squirrel you must gather up these acorns to sustain yourself for the upcoming cold, sarcastic winter." Dr. Cox to J.D., Eliot and Carla on "Scrubs." Thanks to Doris for the quote.

"'Nip/Tuck' is making a complete mockery of my profession." Jake to Andy on "Everwood."

Highlights of the Week Ahead
All times listed are Eastern Time for May 1 to 7

You know we've put up with quite a few silly things over the years on "7th Heaven" (Monday, WB, 8 p.m.). The show's utter ridiculousness is part of its innate charm. But the last two episodes that were one long commercial for Oreo cookies were a bit much. I may boycott Oreos in the future just to make a point (and in fact, I'm eating reduced fat Chips Ahoy as I write this column. Delicious, but I digress.). This week's penultimate episode (unless, as rumored, the show returns for an 11th season on The CW) contains flashback scenes to the pilot and a pregnancy scare for Simon and Rose.

Yes, I've been a little annoyed with the holding pattern over at "Prison Break" (Monday, FOX, 8 p.m.). Did Veronica do anything but look petulant last week? And Nick is such a bland non-character that I could barely muster the energy to care that he has connections to Abruzzi. But I loved, loved, loved that Dr. Sara Tancredi was on to Michael's shenanigans. As I've said Michael's quite dreamy (heck, even I may be tempted to help him break out), but it's much more interesting for Sara to be smart and not duped. Also memo to the show runners: I'm all set with scenes of the faux teeth going in and out of Terrance Steadman's mouth. We get it. Fake teeth. Thanks.

"Everwood" (Monday, The WB, 9 p.m.) continues to be awesome so why not talk about it some more? The show shines when it hits directly on a core truth. Like the fact that high school best friends can grow apart when they don't have as much in common or that a twenty year old jock might be tempted to cheat on his girlfriend and then feel awful about it afterwards. And the real brilliance of the show is that is never, ever afraid to make its characters completely unlikable -- so Ephram was sullen and irritable and Amy is self-involved and a little self-righteous (which often happens to the best of us our first year of college). This week Bright must live with the consequences of what he's done.

I so need William Devane, David Caruso and Mandy Patinkin to compete in the TV Gal Overacting Olympics. After Devane's performance on "24" (Monday, FOX, 9 p.m.) last week, it would be a tough competition, but I'd still give the edge to Caruso. Also I must tell you that if you don't hear from me, it's because I've run away with Bill Buchanan. Love him.

Former teen queen Molly Ringwald guest stars on "Medium" (Monday, NBC, 10 p.m.).

Since the show's stellar first season I have said John C. McGinley deserves an Emmy nomination for his outstanding performance on "Scrubs" (Tuesday, NBC, 9 p.m.). And I have to think that last week's episode is going to finally get him the nomination he so deserves. Dr. Cox's breakdown continues this week.

I don't think I ever had this few people to root for on "The Amazing Race" (Wednesday, CBS, 8 p.m.). If Yolanda and Ray get eliminated I officially won't care who wins. I kind of dislike the other three teams equally. How about you?

Is it me or do you find "Invasion" (Wednesday, ABC, 10 p.m.) absolutely tedious? There's just something about the way the action is moving these days that is almost intolerable. Last week I found myself constantly pausing my TiVo to calculate how much longer the episode would go on. And it's too bad because I think the performances -- especially the fabulous William Fichtner and Tyler Labine -- are pretty great. This week Russell and Tom decide they have to leave Homestead.

Cue the "St. Elmo's Fire" theme music. Judd Nelson guest stars as a Hollywood movie executive on "CSI" (Thursday, CBS, 9 p.m.).

Love Anna but someone has got to explain to me what's going on with her hair on "The O.C." (Thursday, FOX, 9 p.m.).

Chris O'Donnell continues his guest star stint on "Grey's Anatomy" (Sunday, ABC, 10 p.m.) as Meredith's new love interest. I praised "Everwood" for not being afraid to make their main characters unlikable but I think the problem with "Grey's Anatomy" is that they didn't build up enough audience goodwill with Meredith in the first place. But I'm so happy George has a new girlfriend.

Jordan is in so much trouble in the season finale of "Crossing Jordan" (Sunday, NBC, 10 p.m.).

That's all for today. I'll be back next week with thoughts on the season finale of "Veronica Mars," what's to become of "Gilmore Girls" sans the show's creators, "Desperate Housewives," "Alias" and much more. Plus, a look at the pilots I hope get picked up next season. Have a question, seen a familiar face, have an inside scoop or want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com.