I may have to call in sick for the remainder of the day. My second-favorite show in recent memory, Veronica Mars (number one is the U.S. version of The Office), has apparently met a premature end, as I feared. The precedent has certainly established that critical acclaim and a rabidly loyal cult following aren't enough to save a show (I should know, as a fan of Arrested Development, My So-Called Life, Twin Peaks, Freaks and Geeks ... now I'm getting depressed). But the fat lady has merely warmed up and is waiting in the wings; while the snarky show about the teen P.I. isn't on the CW's fall schedule, it may be considered as a mid-season replacement. Frankly, I wish they'd just put all of us out of our misery. (Edit: Apparently life support has been pulled; the latest update indicates Veronica is officially canceled. Help me.)

Returning: America's Next Top Model, Beauty and the Geek, Everybody Hates Chris, Friday Night Smackdown, The Game, Girlfriends, One Tree Hill, Pussycat Dolls Present (midseason), Smallville, Supernatural.

Canceled: 7th Heaven, All of Us, Gilmore Girls, Reba, Runaway, Veronica Mars (?).

As I noted last week, these are exciting days for television viewers as season and series finales are being fired at us every night. Meanwhile, every day, a major network unveils its scheduling plans for the upcoming fall season. As Maggie noted over at TiFaux.com, "It's like Christmas, only you don't get to open your presents for four months."

General Electric Co.'s (NYSE: GE) NBC was first to report yesterday, and there weren't many surprises. Walt Disney Co.'s (NYSE: DIS) ABC is in focus today, with only a handful of shows still on the bubble.

My stress level begins to build tomorrow when CBS Corp. (NYSE: CBS) makes its upfront decisions known to the world. At issue for me personally is How I Met Your Mother. This ratings-challenged Monday-night comedy that, while it isn't the best thing on television, is unique, quirky, and smart. The five core characters are all strangely likable, from ultra-modern Canadian woman Robin Scherbatsky (Cobie Smulders) to suspect Lothario Barney Stinson (the incomparable Neil Patrick Harris). Last night's season (hopefully not series!) finale wrapped up some plots, but left the future wide open. I only hope we get to see more of the gang next year and beyond -- especially since the audience (and the central character) has yet to meet the titular mother!