...I haven't felt this empty on the closure of a television show since maybe "Roseanne"...I mean, I wasn't happy when "Friends" went off the air, but there was the (now I know EMPTY) promise of "Joey" still being around...that show was more "After M.A.S.H." than "Frasier" to say the least.
I think, 'cause I identified so strongly with the characters. Not only were they gay characters, but the two best friends on the show (who had a rocky friendship throughout) were named Brian and Michael, the one was a comic book geek, his mother, Debby, was an idealized version of Paul's mother, Linda. I've been through so much with these characters...coming out, cancer, gay marriage, gay divorce, a gay bashing or two, a murder investigation, drug addictions/interventions, sexual exploration, etc.
To the cast and crew of the show...thank you for creating these characters and keeping them going for five seasons...especially through this political climate.