Two finales, one season

Tonight is the last new episode of Heroes until January 22. We won't see a new episode of Lost until February 7, or Jericho until February 21. Welcome to the new, and fast-rising, world of the television season's "fall finale." I must say, I'm digging it.
I don't like reruns, and prefer to have as much new television in a row as possible. Network executives have discovered the key to this: show several new episodes in a row, take an extended break, perhaps fill the space with another show for a while, then finish up the season with another block of new episodes. Lost will return with 12 or 13 new episodes. So will Jericho. Heroes, from what I read this morning, will follow a new arc in January, break again, and then finish up with another story arc going into May sweeps. It's fun actually, taking breaks from favorite shows. I can use the vacation from necessary television during these next few weeks, just as I do when summer comes along.
So tonight is the end of the "Save the Cheerleader, Save the World," storyline. Here's hoping that next month's story arc will lend itself to a marketing plan and tagline that's just as fun and kicky.