SHORT TAKES : Garry Shandling, Himself, to Live

Reports of the death of Garry Shandling’s character on the final “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show” are premature.

The last show’s theme is death--Shandling’s, specifically. And though the lead character is killed off, in the tradition of television series endings, there is a surprise.

In its inevitable style, “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show” ends with Shandling talking right to viewers at home.

“People always say, ‘Is it your show or is it your life?’ ” Shandling says to the camera. “This is just a show.”

The final episode of the show, which made its debut four years ago on the Showtime cable network, is slated for telecast on June 1.

“We both made this decision a long time ago,” co-creator and producer Alan Zweibel said during a taping of the final show earlier this week. “It’s time to try something else.”