TV Q&A: When did TV shows begin to have finales?

You have questions. I have some answers.

When did TV series start tying up a story at the end of their run instead of just stopping? Which was the first?

Series finales have long been huge audience attractions. The series finale of “The Fugitive,” which wrapped up Richard Kimble’s pursuit of the one-armed man, was the most-watched telecast ever when it aired in 1967. The series finale of “M.A.S.H.” in 1983 now holds the top spot (not counting Super Bowls).

Because of its success, it’s easy to think that “The Fugitive” set the stage for future finales, but there were in fact several before it. The earliest one I have found dates to 1960, when children’s show “Howdy Doody” aired its farewell episode, one famous for the usually silent Clarabell speaking “Goodbye, kids,” at the end. Other n