Is it May already? Another television season has come and (almost) gone, meaning that reality shows are putting their seasons to bed with new champions, and the top dramas on the air are setting up spectacular endings and cliffhangers that will provoke gossip all summer long. In chronological order, here's what to look for in several season finales over the next two weeks:

May 10: The Amazing Race (CBS, 8 p.m.): After the most ill-timed bathroom break in reality TV history flushed the hopes of sisters Kisha and Jen, it's down to the wire for the final three teams. The favorites are probably lawyer siblings Victor and Tammy, who have been consistently strong and have displayed the kind of growth arc (Victor learning not to condescend to his little sister) that the race likes to show in its winners. But Margie and her deaf, annoying son Luke can't be discounted, as they have rarely been far from the top. As for cheerleaders Cara (she's OK) and Jaime (don't get me started), there is often one team that makes the finals despite appearing totally overmatched, and they never seem to pull off the shocking surprise.

May 10: Celebrity Apprentice (NBC, 8 p.m.): The series that once had MBAs beating down the doors for a casting invite is now a train wreck on a par with one of Flavor Flav's date nights. But if people would rather watch this instead of Life (RIP), who am I to judge? Mortal enemies Annie Duke and Joan Rivers each have their pick of previously fired contenders to assist them on the last challenge, a party and silent auction. Donald Trump is not afraid to make the unpopular call, so look for him to hire Rivers, who went absolutely berserk a couple of weeks back.

May 11: House (Fox, 8 p.m.): A frankly mediocre season concludes in the aftermath of the shocker in the most recent episode: it looks like a newly sobered House and Cuddy finally did it. Since no one wants to see a domesticated House, it will be interesting to see how this plays out. Also, one has to wonder if someone will be joining Amber and Kutner in the great hall of departed doctors. House has never gotten around to adding Taub and Thirteen to the main cast, and they have been on the show for nearly two full seasons. That can't be good.

May 13: Lost (ABC, 9 p.m.): This is the one show that is not afraid in the least to kill off important characters (even if death tends to be less permanent here than on most other programs), and since the two most recent season finales have seen us saying goodbye to Charlie and to Michael, there's a good chance someone will join them. Ben and Locke will continue to battle for the upper hand, a fight that seems destined to end with one of them biting the island dust. The offseason will be long, but take heart: with Lost ending next year, this is the last cliffhanger we will ever have to wait out.

May 17: Survivor: Tocantins (CBS, 8 p.m.): As of this writing, we are down to the final six, and it appears that J.T. and Stephen have established control of the game, after first winning the trust of two sides of a fractured majority, and then systematically worked to undermine both. The big question is whether the two men will keep working together, or if one will attempt to get the jump on the other so that he can go to the finale with the thoroughly weird Benjamin "Coach" Wade, who can't possibly win. Jeff Probst emcees/referees the reunion following the two-hour finale.

May 18: 24 (Fox, 8 p.m.): Jack Bauer has been dying on 24 for the last several hours, but I don't think it's too much of a spoiler to say that he will be cured of his incurable disease. But considering that this is a show that raised Tony Almeida from the dead and showed us a White House being invaded amphibiously, it's all par for the course. The finale might finally straighten out the double and triple crosses of this entertaining and preposterous season. Will Tony finally get his "silent clock" at last, or is that privilege denied to dirty stinking traitors, even if they happen to have gorgeous smoldering dark eyes?

May 19: Dancing with the Stars (ABC, 9 p.m.): Following the surprise departure of Lil' Kim, the race stands as follows. Ty Murray: has to be a dead man walking, or dead man riding a bull. Shawn Johnson: the teen has been surprisingly good, but she's no Kristi Yamaguchi. Melissa Rycroft: she joined the cast at nearly the last minute and has pretty much outperformed everybody. Gilles Marini: never bet against a hunk who also has a little talent. But while Gilles may be the favorite, these finales have surprised before. And come on, you have to watch for the return of Steve Wozniak.

May 20: American Idol (Fox, 8 p.m.): An Adam Lambert vs. Danny Gokey showdown has looked like a sure thing for three months now, but given that Kris Allen and Allison Iraheta both overcame an almost total publicity blackout to get to the final four, an upset cannot be ruled out. The Idol finale has become infamous for head-scratching cameos, return appearances from departed contestants we never realized we missed, and winners having to warble songs about riding the wings of a dream on a rainbow to the stars.

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