# Shows that have many old and long time characters return for the last episode (possible spoilers). **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 30, 2015, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-have-many-old-and-long-time-characters-return-for-the-last-episode-possible-spoilers/721212 "2015-05-30T18:53:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2015, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-have-many-old-and-long-time-characters-return-for-the-last-episode-possible-spoilers/721212/1 "2015-05-30T18:53:26Z")
What are some shows that have done this? Have, like, most or even all of the main characters return in the last episode, either in their own scenes or one, big “all the characters together” scene? I can think of three off hand (videos included): [Seinfeld](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MECtoQ9YL3Q) (don’t watch if you have not seen the last episode of Seinfeld) [Scrubs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLsyUZ2nGbo) (don’t watch if you have not seen the last episode of Scrubs) [Glee](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaqVwlkTENc) (don’t watch if you have not seen the last episode of Glee) ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2015, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-have-many-old-and-long-time-characters-return-for-the-last-episode-possible-spoilers/721212/2 "2015-05-30T19:30:01Z")
Cheers, Parks and Rec, ST:TNG ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2015, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-have-many-old-and-long-time-characters-return-for-the-last-episode-possible-spoilers/721212/3 "2015-05-30T19:45:37Z")
The last episode of “Perry Mason” had the big three of Raymond Burr, Barbara Hale and William Hopper. William Talman, whose appearances were reduced the last few years because of legal troubles (Burr prevented him losing his job entirely) got to lose the case but invited Mason to dinner (actually Lt Drumm-Richard Anderson–delivered the invite). Lee Miller, who turned 98 two weeks ago, made his 116 appearance in 271 episodes. One of my favorite things about this episode is Perry Mason character Earl Stanley Gardner was the second judge and many of the crew were interviewed as part of the investigation. Whodunit? Can’t reveal “The Final Fadeout” here. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2015, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-have-many-old-and-long-time-characters-return-for-the-last-episode-possible-spoilers/721212/4 "2015-05-30T19:46:53Z")
> [@Jim\_s\_Son](#): > > The last episode of “Perry Mason” had the big three of Raymond Burr, Barbara Hale and William Hopper. William Talman, whose appearances were reduced the last few years because of legal troubles (Burr prevented him losing his job entirely) got to lose the case but invited Mason to dinner (actually Lt Drumm-Richard Anderson–delivered the invite). Lee Miller, who turned 98 two weeks ago, made his 116 appearance in 271 episodes. One of my favorite things about this episode is Perry Mason character Earl Stanley Gardner was the second judge and many of the crew were interviewed as part of the investigation. Whodunit? Can’t reveal “The Final Fadeout” here. That was great show and brilliant idea to stage the murder on the TV set to include the crew. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2015, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-have-many-old-and-long-time-characters-return-for-the-last-episode-possible-spoilers/721212/5 "2015-05-30T20:34:15Z")
The West Wing: [spoiler]Near the end, a lot of people who had appeared off and on on the show appeared for Leo’s funeral a.k.a. the John Spencer memorial. (Including such people as Ainsley Hayes.) But the real big return was Rob Lowe for a few episodes near the end. And why didn’t Ed and Larry get their own show? They practically held things together![/spoiler] ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2015, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-have-many-old-and-long-time-characters-return-for-the-last-episode-possible-spoilers/721212/6 "2015-05-30T20:42:57Z")
_Quantum Leap_. In the final episode Sam met a few old friends he had made on previous leaps … sort of. It wasn’t the final episode, but the 20th anniversary episode of \*Doctor Who \*had guest appearances by several old characters. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2015, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-have-many-old-and-long-time-characters-return-for-the-last-episode-possible-spoilers/721212/7 "2015-05-30T20:45:14Z")
ER brought back many cast members (whose characters were still alive) for the series finale. Not sure if it was “most,” but certainly some unexpected ones. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Mapp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miss_mapp/32/369_2.png) [@Miss\_Mapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Mapp)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2015, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-have-many-old-and-long-time-characters-return-for-the-last-episode-possible-spoilers/721212/8 "2015-05-30T20:54:12Z")
Rhoda and Phyllis returned for a visit in the final episode of the Mary Tyler Moore show. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2015, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-have-many-old-and-long-time-characters-return-for-the-last-episode-possible-spoilers/721212/9 "2015-05-30T21:23:45Z")
The controversial ending of _Lost_ brought back a lot of dead/old characters. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2015, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-have-many-old-and-long-time-characters-return-for-the-last-episode-possible-spoilers/721212/10 "2015-05-30T21:28:09Z")
The final episode of **Homicide: Life on the Street** was set up as a TV movie, and had every actor who ever was a regular member of the cast in it – including a couple who played characters who died. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-have-many-old-and-long-time-characters-return-for-the-last-episode-possible-spoilers/721212/11 "2015-05-31T21:33:25Z")
The final episode of [Dallas](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0553288/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast) (the original series) brought back Gary and Valene, Ray, Sue Ellen, Kristin and some others whom I’ve forgotten over the years. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-have-many-old-and-long-time-characters-return-for-the-last-episode-possible-spoilers/721212/12 "2015-05-31T21:50:53Z")
In the last episode of “Barney Miller” he had mental flashback visions about most of the older cast members, like Abe Vigoda, Jack Soo, Gregory Sierra and Linda Lavin; also a fair number of former perps and complainants also stopped by to say good-bye (the precinct was closing for good that day). ---
**Author:** ![C.Montgomery\_Burns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecd19e/32.png) [@C.Montgomery\_Burns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C.Montgomery_Burns)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-have-many-old-and-long-time-characters-return-for-the-last-episode-possible-spoilers/721212/13 "2015-05-31T21:52:37Z")
The last season of How I Met Your Mother had many of their memorable characters come back, and one of the last episodes (I can’t remember which one- I want to say Gary Blauman, but I don’t know) has a ‘where are they now’ segment where they tell the audience what happened to a lot of secondary characters from over the series. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-have-many-old-and-long-time-characters-return-for-the-last-episode-possible-spoilers/721212/14 "2015-05-31T22:23:15Z")
Did Ron Howard return for the final Happy Days episode? I seem to recall him in that finale episode. I know for certain he was in the Andy Griffith back to Mayberry tv movie. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-have-many-old-and-long-time-characters-return-for-the-last-episode-possible-spoilers/721212/15 "2015-05-31T23:03:51Z")
**update** I checked, and [wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Days_%28season_11%29)confirms Ron Howard was in the finale, he attended Joanie/Chachi wedding. [video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NuyA7R8pRE) ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-have-many-old-and-long-time-characters-return-for-the-last-episode-possible-spoilers/721212/16 "2015-05-31T23:56:05Z")
> [@C.Montgomery\_Burns](#): > > The last season of How I Met Your Mother had many of their memorable characters come back, and one of the last episodes (I can’t remember which one- I want to say Gary Blauman, but I don’t know) has a ‘where are they now’ segment where they tell the audience what happened to a lot of secondary characters from over the series. Yeah, “Gary Blauman” was the name of the episode - it was the two episodes before the two-part finale. ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-have-many-old-and-long-time-characters-return-for-the-last-episode-possible-spoilers/721212/17 "2015-06-01T00:25:14Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > In the last episode of “Barney Miller” he had mental flashback visions about most of the older cast members, like Abe Vigoda, Jack Soo, Gregory Sierra and Linda Lavin; also a fair number of former perps and complainants also stopped by to say good-bye (the precinct was closing for good that day). Weird about that, the actress that played the female detective ‘Roz’ in a three-episode arc also previously played the wife of one of the semi-regular citizens (the guy who kept promoting a vigilante group). In the finale she appeared as the wife, her previous character, not the more recent female detective. > [@aceplace57](#): > > Did Ron Howard return for the final Happy Days episode? I seem to recall him in that finale episode. > > I know for certain he was in the Andy Griffith back to Mayberry tv movie. Ron Howard also actually appeared for the first time in the (sort of) series finale of _Arrested Development after narrating every episode. In fact, he had the very last line in the very last shot!_ (not counting the show’s eventual revival on Netflix). ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-have-many-old-and-long-time-characters-return-for-the-last-episode-possible-spoilers/721212/18 "2015-06-01T13:45:02Z")
Head of Class’s finale had child prodigy Janice Lazarotto return from her studies at Harvard to pick up her high school diploma. The fact that I knew this without googling it is very nerdish… ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-have-many-old-and-long-time-characters-return-for-the-last-episode-possible-spoilers/721212/19 "2015-06-01T14:37:29Z")
**CSI** is about to have its finale and both William Peterson and Marg Helenburger are expected to appear, so add this one on the list soon. Steve Carell appeared in the final **Office**. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-have-many-old-and-long-time-characters-return-for-the-last-episode-possible-spoilers/721212/20 "2015-06-01T17:17:52Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > **CSI** is about to have its finale and both William Peterson and Marg Helenburger are expected to appear, so add this one on the list soon. Oh man, there goes my theory that Sara murdered Grissom and keeps his body in a chair in their “living” room. Oh well, if I don’t watch the finale, it can still be so. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-have-many-old-and-long-time-characters-return-for-the-last-episode-possible-spoilers/721212.md?page=2)