15 TV shows that need to end already

“Home of the Brave” — Torres boldly breaks protocol when he learns a witness in an NCIS case is wanted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Also, Abby, Bishop and McGee woo landlord Tony DiNozzo Sr. (Robert Wagner) in the hope of subletting Tony’s apartment, on NCIS, Tuesday, Nov. 1 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. Pictured: Mark Harmon Photo: Bill Inoshita/CBS ©2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

NCIS (CBS)

Like Criminal Minds, NCIS is another long-running CBS police procedural, but this time, it follows the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, which investigates crimes involving the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

The show was just picked up for a 16th season, and it is the second-longest-running scripted, non-animated U.S. primetime TV series currently on the air, beat only by Law & Order: SVU. But why does any scripted drama need that many seasons? How do they still keep the stories fresh and keep coming up with crimes that they can easily solve in the span of one episode?

The latest season saw the departures of Duane Henry, a regular over the last couple seasons, and Pauley Perrette, one of the show’s stars since the beginning. When stars start dropping, it might be time to send the show off to sea.

But it doesn’t seem like CBS will be pulling the plug anytime soon. Despite a decline in viewership over the years, the show is still one of the top shows on the air in its time slot, and people still seem to love it. Like Criminal Minds, NCIS also has a loyal fanbase, and critic reviews are still favorable.

With a show that is loved by many and still holding strong in the ratings, it’s hard to let it go. But the network needs to take a moment and realize that the longer they hold on to the show, the more it will stray from the original plot. You have to go out with grace, so why not do it while you have the chance?