The November and February sweeps are typically dominated by special events such as awards show and the Super Bowl, but May sweeps are all about season finales, big guest stars, and cliffhangers. Here’s a small taste of what’s in store over these next four weeks (dates for season finales are included).

The Big Bang Theory (May 10): Howard has to choose between NASA and Bernadette. Hey, didn’t the shuttle program end? That just might help him make up his mind!

The Office (May 10): It won’t be as traumatic as losing Steve Carell, but the finale will explain the impending departure of Robert California (James Spader).

CSI: NY (May 11): The most endangered member of the franchise has a season-ender planned that can easily double as a series-ender if the show gets the bad news from CBS. Let’s just say that it’s the latest proof that collecting crime scene evidence is a lot more dangerous job on TV than it is in real life.

Fringe (May 11): This show is in perennial danger of cancellation, and the various universes within the show are always in peril, so that will add up to plenty of drama during these final three weeks.

Desperate Housewives (May 13): The ladies on Wisteria Lane say goodbye after eight years, and given how over-the-top the show has been typically, expect every possible stop to be pulled off. We’ve already been informed that several past regulars (though presumably not Nicolette Sheridan) will be returning, some of them from beyond the grave.

How I Met Your Mother (May 14): Are they really going to marry off Barney? We’ve seen so many bait-and-switches on HIMYM that we can’t dismiss the possibility.

Smash (May 14): The musical finally opens, but the identity of the lead remains a secret. We have a second season (at least) ahead before the show makes it to Broadway.

Two and a Half Men (May 14): I guess Jake is now a full-fledged man, because he’s getting out of high school.

Criminal Minds (May 16): Paget Brewster is leaving the show for a second time. Does this mean Prentiss is being killed for real? Actually, it appears someone in the gang will be getting married instead, which will be an unaccustomed moment of lightness for the series.

Grey’s Anatomy (May 17): The original group of residents is facing their boards, which provides a logical path off the show for any actor that doesn’t agree on a new contract. But this being Grey’s, we can also look for some sort of season-ending calamity at the hospital that could provide a way out for several others as well.

Parks and Recreation (May 17): The longest city council campaign in history comes to an end, with repercussions for everyone in the department, not just Leslie.

House (May 21): There are shows that don’t have to worry about cliffhangers, of course: the ones that know they aren’t coming back. Given that we know Wilson has cancer, and that the title of the final episode is “Everybody Dies,” we might not want to see what comes next. Olivia Wilde and Amber Tamblyn will be back for the big farewell.

Glee (May 22): It’s graduation day for the likes of Finn, Rachel, and Kurt, and perhaps the first indications of how a show set in a high school is going to keep them around for Season 4.

Revenge (May 23): Try not to be too shocked: someone is going to die.

Tags: amber tamblyn, Criminal Minds, csi: ny, desperate housewives, fringe, glee, grey's anatomy, house, how i met your mother, james spader, nicollette sheridan, olivia wilde, Paget Brewster, parks and recreation, revenge, smash, the big bang theory, the office, two and a half men