"NYPD Blue" ends its 12-season run this Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET on ABC. No one is looking to hurt anyone here, so with a silent, but meaningful nod of my head I bid the show a heartfelt farewell. As the precinct handles its last crime, you will find me hugging the TV wailing, "Don’t go, Andy. Don’t go." (Memo to my neighbors: Don’t be alarmed. Remember, I eventually got over "Buffy" ending. This too shall pass).

But there will never be another show like "NYPD Blue." Of all the long lasting relationships I’ve had with TV shows, this ABC police drama has provided the most consistent entertainment. Sure we’ve had our spats (oh, you know I’m still upset about how Danny’s exit was handled) but there was an immense comfort in tuning in every Tuesday night to see how Andy and the gang solved the case every time. And despite numerous cast changes (only Dennis Franz was in both the first and last episode), the show is still going out, if not on top of its game, still very much in the game. Never once have I thought it was time for the show to go. I still don’t. I remained true blue to the very end. We all know how quickly great shows can become mediocre. Think of it — in the time "NYPD Blue" was on the air, "The Practice" premiered in the "NYPD Blue" time slot, won numerous Emmys and critical acclaim, became a shadow of its former self and was cancelled. "ER" is nowhere near the show it once was. "Alias" and "24" both hit bumps in the road in only their third seasons.

That didn’t happen to "NYPD Blue" because the writing was always strong, the cast changes spot-on, and the performances stellar. But it truly was one fabulously grouchy detective who made all the difference. Franz created one of the best, fully realized characters we’ve ever seen in prime time. His performance was so nuanced that, as I’ve said before, Andy could spend an entire episode in silence and we would know exactly what he was thinking.

Television will never be the same without him.

Sweeping up February Sweeps

The Good

I’m officially declaring Dina to be the best "24" villain ever. She could take both Nina and Sherry Palmer in a fight. No contest. Also I’m going on record now predicting an Emmy nomination for Shohreh Aghdashloo.

The Luke Perry renaissance. Perry was both the hot gay nerd on "Will & Grace" and Val’s blast from the past on "What I Like About You." Perry and hopefully those fabulous sideburns will be back on Garth’s show for two episodes in May. Somewhere Brenda is seething.

The Disappointing

Maybe it is because Cynthia Nixon’s voice is so distinctive, but I kept thinking of Miranda during her appearance on "ER."

And I’m always happy to see Clay, but the "Scrubs" as a four-camera comedy didn’t quite work, did it?

The Bad

Paula and Simon’s fake fighting on "American Idol." Neither one can really pull it off so they should just take it down about 20 notches. Since I’m complaining, enough already with Ryan’s homophobic insults towards Simon. It is juvenile. It is insulting. And those with flat-ironed, highlighted hair should not throw stones.

I will never understand why "The West Wing" insists on bringing Mary Louise Parker back again and again.

Freddie Prinze, Jr.’s fake Boston accent on "Boston Legal." It was particularly egregious because I could have sworn he didn’t have an accent when he first appeared on the series.

The Downright Awful

Three words: "7th Heaven" musical. My ears. My ears. Although ... raise your hand if once you stopped watching, you couldn’t stop yourself?

Quotes of the Week

"You don’t have a type. You have magazines." Luke to Friedman on "Joan of Arcadia." Thanks to Chuckie for the quote.

"Your girlfriend’s boyfriend just came out of a coma. Trust me I’m the one guy on earth who can totally relate." Ephram to his father on "Everwood."

"In a second life I want to come back as your microphone." Simon to Amanda on "American Idol." All together now — eeeewwwww.

"Everyone gets a new life on this island." Locke to Shannon on "Lost." It’s true. Just look at what’s happened to Charlie Salinger.

"You look different with Brenda out of town." Todd to Val on "What I Like About You."

"Marissa and Alex — no longer welcome in the red states." Seth to Ryan on "The O.C." Thanks to Amy for the quote.

"Man, they sure talked fast in those things." Lorelai about old movies on "Gilmore Girls." Thanks to Matt for the quote.

Where Have I Seen Them Before?

Well everybody is thrilled that Cameron Bancroft, Donna’s boyfriend Joe Bradley on "90210," is Agent Castle on "24." Yenae was the first one to send me this familiar face.

Jeff Perry, Harvey from "Nash Bridges" and Richard Katimski on "My So-Called Life," was the man Sawyer killed on "Lost." Thanks to Michelle. Danica McKellar, the beloved Winnie Cooper on "The Wonder Years" and Elsie on "The West Wing," was everywhere this February sweeps. She was on "NCIS" as a woman who witnessed a murder. She was on "Jack & Bobby" as the student on Grace’s ethics committee. And you’ll see her this week in the series finale of "NYPD Blue." Thanks to Ken for catching all of Winnie’s appearances.

Kali Rocha, Halfrek on "Buffy," was the publicist for the kidnapped heiress on "Without at Trace." Thanks to Melanie for recognizing this familiar face.

Robert LaSardo played the recently paroled man that Maxine helped reconnect with his children on "Judging Amy." He was nefarious drug dealer Escobar Gallardo on "Nip/Tuck." Tom Irwin, Angela’s dad on "My So-Called Life" and just seen as the man who committed suicide so his daughter could have his kidney on "ER," was the father of the daughter who accidentally killed her best friend on "Judging Amy." Austin Majors, Theo on "NYPD Blue," was one of Cynthia Nixon’s sons on "ER."

Highlights of the Week Ahead All times listed are Eastern Time for Feb. 28 to March 6

It’s "Summerland" (Monday, WB, 9 p.m.) time and the living is not so easy. Since we last left Ava Gregory (Lori Loughlin) and her bevy of kids, everything has been put in a holding pattern. So even though three months have passed in TV time, Ava is still torn between two lovers (I give the edge to the fellow in the opening credits), Bradin (Jesse McCartney) is still getting into adolescent trouble except now his songs play over the show’s melodramatic montages, Nikki (Kay Panabaker) is trying to be less of a parentified child and more of a teenager and Derrick (Nick Benson) is wondering how he can garner a guest spot on "7th Heaven" because then his acting would look really good. Oh to be in an Aaron Spelling prime time soap. That, my dear readers, is the show’s charm. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Is anyone else worried that Tony could turn bad on "24"? (Monday, FOX, 9 p.m.)

Before we say a final farewell to "NYPD Blue," Jimmy Smits hosts a one-hour retrospective Tuesday at 9 p.m. on ABC. Look for Kim Delaney, Amy Brenneman, James McDaniel and Gail O’Grady — but not David Caruso — to reflect on their time of the show.

Boston Rob and his fiancee Ambaah are back for "The Amazing Race" (Tuesday, CBS, 9 p.m.). I’m so rooting for them. Do I have a problem with them winning another million? Absolutely not. Do we only pay Jennifer Garner for one season of "Alias" and expect her to do the rest for free? The other teams are out to get them, but my Rob is much smarter and savvier than his competition thinks. So far after watching the premiere, I’m also rooting for Uchenna and Joyce and Lynn and Alex.

Finally we get Hurley’s back story on "Lost" (Wednesday, ABC, 8 p.m.). We got a hint last week when we caught a glimpse of him on the TV. Jorge Garcia infuses the series with some much-needed comic relief. I don’t even really care that he appears to have gained weight since landing on the island. Now I’m sure you’ve all heard the rumor that one of the regulars is not going to live to see season two. My opinion on this has not changed — Boone and Shannon are the only two characters the series can live without.

Dear Josh Schwartz: Can we keep Zack on "The O.C." (Thursday, FOX, 8 p.m.)? Pretty please. He’s the best of all your new characters. I’m totally okay with Lindsay moving to Chicago though. Love, Amy.

"Law & Order: Trial by Jury" premieres this Thursday at 10 p.m. on NBC. The incomparable and much-missed Jerry Orbach reprises his role of Detective Lennie Briscoe for the last time. Also look for Candice Bergen as the judge and Bebe Neuwirth, Annabella Sciorra and Amy Carlson as the lawyers.

To the TV Gal Reader Belongs the Spoils

You know the rules. Don’t read if you don’t want to know.

Billy Campbell and Johnny Messner arrive on "The O.C." on Thursday, March 10. Messner will try to bribe Julie. But we all know you should never mess with the Dragon Lady. Marissa will realize that maybe living out on her own isn’t all she thought it would be. And Alex will develop quite the jealous streak.

Amy Poehler is back as Gob’s wife and Carl Weathers is back as Tobias’ acting teacher on "Arrested Development."

Reunited and it feels so good. We knew they couldn’t keep Luke and Lorelai apart for too long on "Gilmore Girls." Lorelai’s relationship with Emily is a whole other story. Logan and Rory will agree that they can see other people.

We won’t have Erin to kick around anymore on "24." She’ll be replaced at CTU. Think of the most inconsequential story line the show has had this season and you’ll be able to figure out why. Also, Jack and Audrey’s ex-husband Paul will have to work together.