LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The improbable marriage of Doug and Carrie Heffernan (Kevin James and Leah Remini) reaches an hourlong implausible conclusion after an impressive nine seasons on the air for "The King of Queens," most of them in the shadow of "Everybody Loves Raymond."

CBS asked critics not to spoil the story, as if our consciences would allow such a thing. So let's just say that writer Michael J. Weithorn resolves a shaky Heffernan marriage, the impending wedding of Carrie's dad, Arthur (Jerry Stiller), and Doug and Carrie's quest for an adoption in China. All of these situations are dealt with in ways that will surprise no one but that, nonetheless, should satisfy the show's fans and followers.

"Queens" was conceived as a modern-day "Honeymooners." James, unlike Jackie Gleason, could not comically threaten domestic violence, and Remini, unlike Audrey Meadows, was not required to hide her beauty. Still, the humor in both series ran on a parallel track and asserted that marriage could survive bickering and bluster as long as, deep down, the couple truly loved each other.

Despite its endurance (the 200th episode aired in April), "Queens" falls short of being one of TV's great classic sitcoms. Nonetheless, it was dependably funny, occasionally very clever and, thanks to the magic of syndication, should be around in reruns for years.

Highlights of the final hour include the return of actress Merrin Dungey (Deacon's wife) and Gary Valentine (James' real-life older brother), and a nostalgic slide show at the program's end.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

- "The King of Queens " - in the shadow of "Everybody Loves Raymond."

- "Queens" falls short of being one of TV's great classic sitcoms.

Hey, screw this guy! :(

He's not entirely incorrect. I mean we love the show and it will always be a classic to the fans, but during most of it's run, it was kind of in the shadow of "Raymond." And it didn't get a big send off like Raymond, Friends or even That '70s Show got. If I didn't glance at the small pic in this week's Entertainment Weekly, I wouldn't have known the finale was tonight. It's a great show and will be forever rerun, it's already popular in reruns and all but the current season are out on DVD.

With that being said, I liked the finale. It still hasn't hit me yet that there's no more Doug, Carrie, Arthur, Spence, Deacon, Danny and the gang. But it will, on a very sad day. :(

Well I LOVED it!!!! I watched it twice and will sleep well tonight knowing The Heffs are happy! Thanks for the ride.:wave:

The finale was wonderful!!!
I thought it was the perfect ending. :king:

The finale was wonderful!!!
I thought it was the perfect ending. :king:
Arthur was magnificant!!! He made the entire episode!!

Arthur was magnificant!!! He made the entire episode!!

I AGREE!!! It was good to see Holly and Lou too:)

I loved the final. It was great and it was a wonderful ending for us fans, IMO.

I enjoyed it too, it was funny having Arthur show back up at the door with suitcase in hand.

Poor Holly was left pregnant and alone! :( :p

I wonder what's next for Leah and Stiller? Anyone hear anything?

I was glad to see Holly was brought back for the finale, but it wasn't all that satisfying in my opinion.

I would have liked to see kids brought in for the entire final season. I think they could have done a lot with Doug and "child rearing" (he was just a kid himself). lol

To me, the last few episodes got too "down" even though they had it end on a good note, it still left a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth.


Kevin James claims he wanted the show to end so he could focus on doing movies (?????) - the only movie I can remember him in was "Hitched" so I don't know where the offers are flooding in. :lol:

Leah is working on a website that celebrates the "joys" (funny stories) of parenthood. I saw the first clip and it looked pretty funny.

I do hope the best for all of them - I'm going to miss the show overall.

I am holding out for a spinoff

I would like to have seen Ricki Lake and the character Richie in the finale.

Also, the finale seemed rushed. Last week, I can't recall Arthur even being shown. It would have been nice to have the wedding in last week's episode or at least added two more episodes and just stretched it out some. It just seemed to "hurry up and finish". So many great characters came out of KoQ's and it would have been nice to see them all appear. Lou Ferrigno's appearance was too darn small.

ALSO, I MADE THE PREDICTION AND I WAS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT ABT THE FINALE...CHECK OUT MY PREDICTION ON POST NUMBER 4:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=200071&highlight=carrie+pregnant

Considering the season eight finale could have very well been the series finale, I was extremely pleased with it. I really couldn't think of a better way to end the show.

I
I would have liked to see kids brought in for the entire final season. I think they could have done a lot with Doug and "child rearing" (he was just a kid himself). lol

To me, the last few episodes got too "down" even though they had it end on a good note, it still left a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth.


.
Agreed i would have wanted to see how they are as parents. i love the show but the ending just didn'y end well for me.

Agreed i would have wanted to see how they are as parents. i love the show but the ending just didn'y end well for me.
Same here. Even if the last season showed them as parents, that would have been great.

I'm glad that Doug and Carrie stayed together in the end and that they got the baby they wanted. :)

I enjoyed it too, it was funny having Arthur show back up at the door with suitcase in hand.

:nod:

I would have liked to see kids brought in for the entire final season. I think they could have done a lot with Doug and "child rearing" (he was just a kid himself). lol

To me, the last few episodes got too "down" even though they had it end on a good note, it still left a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth.

I do hope the best for all of them - I'm going to miss the show overall.

:nod:

I would like to have seen Ricki Lake and the character Richie in the finale.

Also, the finale seemed rushed. Last week, I can't recall Arthur even being shown. It would have been nice to have the wedding in last week's episode or at least added two more episodes and just stretched it out some. It just seemed to "hurry up and finish". So many great characters came out of KoQ's and it would have been nice to see them all appear. Lou Ferrigno's appearance was too darn small.

ALSO, I MADE THE PREDICTION AND I WAS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT ABT THE FINALE...CHECK OUT MY PREDICTION ON POST NUMBER 4:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=200071&highlight=carrie+pregnant

Lou just annoyed me in the end LOL, also did they all not know that Holly was pregnant?? LOL It seems like no one took notice. Was it ever brought up in the last season?

Due to my work and school schedule I've missed the whole last season.

Lou just annoyed me in the end LOL, also did they all not know that Holly was pregnant?? LOL It seems like no one took notice. Was it ever brought up in the last season?

Due to my work and school schedule I've missed the whole last season.

Nicole Sullivan left the show towards the beginning of season 8. They just brought back Holly for the finale.

They didn't "all" live happily ever after, like in Frasier. I felt bad for Holly....she looked "older", too...

I thought it was a great finale. :) Very good episode!!

Nicole Sullivan left the show towards the beginning of season 8. They just brought back Holly for the finale.
Big mistake for Nicole to leave KoQ for uncertain horizons. The show she left for got cancelled (rightly so).