Game of Thrones is ending tonight, Sunday, May 19, 2019, with Season 8, Episode 6 meant to air from 9 to 10:22 p.m. That is also the timeframe when five other shows will air their season finales. Not everyone will be watching the GoT finale, of course, but even people with a casual interest may want to tune in to see how it all ends.
People watch TV differently today than even a few years ago, but same-day ratings are still important, especially for struggling shows. A low season finale number doesn't exactly send a show out on a high note.
Plus, there's the spoiler issue. If you can't watch 3-4 shows Sunday night, you may end up being hit in the crossfire as spoilers fly across the internet on Monday. There's also just the watercooler issue. Monday morning is going to be all about Game of Thrones reactions, and you may have to work hard to find reactions and next-season-buzz on the other shows.
Here are five shows that might wish they could move their finale dates from tonight, but it's too late:
NCIS: Los Angeles Season 10 (10-11 p.m., CBS)
The second half of NCIS: LA's big JAG reunion may have its thunder stolen by the Game of Thrones finale. Then again, maybe there's not much crossover between audiences? The Thrones finale runs past 10 p.m., so anyone who watches that and switches right over to NCIS: Los Angeles will miss at least 20 minutes of the "False Flag" drama, as David James Elliott (Harm) and Catherine Bell (Mac) return.
American Idol Season 17 (8-10 p.m., ABC)
There was a time when an American Idol finale would be the big cultural event of the season. Instead, ABC's show is still getting 7-8 million viewers a week, but nothing like The Good Old Days. However, Idol still has plenty of fans and they should be invested in the outcome of tonight's finale. Who will win: Alejandro Aranda, Laine Hardy, or Madison VanDenburg? Scheduled performers also include Adam Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Daddy Yankee, Dan + Shay, Jon Pardi, Kane Brown, Kool and the Gang, Luke Bryan, Montell Jordan, Shayy, and Weezer. If you happen to miss who wins, or any other major events, come back to CinemaBlend for the scoop.
The Red Line Season 1 (8-10 p.m. CBS)
Noah Wyle's drama The Red Line may feel like it just started, but it's already finishing. That's what happens when you air two episodes a week. It started April 28 and now there are two episodes airing back-to-back on May 19 -- Episode 7, "I Must Tell You What We Have Inherited," and Episode 8, "This Victory Alone Is Not the Change We Seek."
Charmed Season 1 (9-10 p.m., The CW)
The Charmed reboot had a tough hill to climb right out of the gate, convincing fans of the previous series to give it a chance. It hasn't exactly been a ratings darling, but at least The CW has already renewed it for Season 2. This might be a show that fans binge during the hiatus to get ready for Season 2, rather than feeling like they have to watch it Sunday night.
Les Misérables on Masterpiece (9-10:30 p.m., PBS)
You might think that the PBS crowd has no crossover with HBO, but drama is drama and Les Miz knows drama! The six-episode miniseries -- starring Dominic West as Jean Valjean, David Oyelowo as Javert, and Lily Collins as Fantine -- airs its finale tonight as well.
For TV watchers who have no interest in Game of Thrones -- fear not! After tonight, and a bunch of post-finale chatter, you won't have to hear about it again ... until the prequels come to HBO. But they probably won't get THIS much fanfare.
