Lost

[criterionmaster]

'Lost' Planning End Date
By James Hibberd



In a highly unusual move for a broadcast series, ABC and the producers of "Lost" are in discussions to determine an end date for the show.

The date will set a limit to the number of "Lost" seasons to come and will be announced to fans. The show's producers, speaking at ABC's Television Critics Association press tour session, said having a conclusion date will bolster fan confidence in the series' narrative. A timeline for making the decision was not announced.

"It's time for us now to find an endpoint for the show," said executive producer Carlton Cuse. "JK Rowling announced there were seven books in the Harry Potter series and it gives fans . 'The X-Files' was a cautionary tale for us. It was a great show that ran two seasons too long. 'Lost' has a short-half life."

"None of us want to be doing the stalling show," added executive producer Damon Lindelof. "We don't want them to be building sandcastles next week."

Thought the series ratings have dipped this fall, the show remains one of ABC's top-rated programs. During the first season, Mr. Lindelof said the show could run nine seasons if necessary, noting the island has plenty of mysteries. Recently, fans and critics have grown frustrated, however, with the show's continually expanding mythology that keeps piling on new mysteries and characters.

After the panel, Mr. Lindelof suggested the series might cap at 100 episodes, which would only result in two more seasons. But ABC Entertainment President Steve McPherson sought to downplay the producers' statements, noting that "we've had those discussions for the past two years."

Earlier while on stage, Mr. McPherson said he agreed with critic complaints that the first six episodes this season pulled the story too far from the group dynamics that made the show popular.

"[The writers] made a clear choice that first installment would be about Jack, Kate, Sawyer and The Others," he said. "For me, the show I really invest in is having everybody together. I thought it was a riveting six episodes, but I like it when they're all together and they're heading toward that again after the break."

Though Mr. McPherson stood by his decision to schedule a four-month break in the "Lost" schedule this season, he reiterated his plan (first reported last month in TelevisionWeek) to try and run next season's episodes without a break or repeats, launching either in the fall or spring.

While at TCA, Mr. McPherson also said that freshman dramas "The Nine" and "Six Degrees," which were pulled from the schedule earlier this season, will likely return to finish their runs before May. But "Day Break" will only be available ABC.com.

Two other dramas on ABC's slate-"The Traveler" and "Notes From the Underbelly"-will premiere by the end of the season.

[criterionmaster]

Wow, someone actually watches this show! I thought this thread was going to go to waste after no one posted in it for so long. To tell you the truth, I have avoided this show like the plague. It seems to be super over-hyped, so I will just wait until no one mentions it to give it a try, also, my parents have said it isn't a super amazing show or anything.

[ie]

I saw one episode from the second season less than a year ago and I really liked it. I thought it was very well done and showed a lot of promise for the entire series, but I just never got around to seeing anything else. Not in the episodes-of-a-series kind of fix right now, I guess.

[malicious32dll]

The show doesn't really seem to be going anywhere...

[PTAhole]

Yeah, I agree. I watched the first two seasons, but the second one just irritated me, so I haven't been watching the third. I guess I'll rent the DVDs.

[sacrilegend]

I tried watching it once with my best guy-friend, but I fell asleep halfway through the first episode. I woke up, saw that the same boringness was still dominating the screen, and went back to sleep. Gosh.

[PTAhole]

So, I decided to give Lost another go. I'm watching it from the beginning again on DVD. The first season is really great. Maybe the second will play better on DVD than it did on a week to week basis.

[PTAhole]

Yeah, it's amazing. Only four more to go.

[captainofbeef]

Yea, my roommates hooked me on this during first semester and I haven't been able to stop watching. I can't wait to see what happens now. Does anyone know why it wasn't on last week by the way?

[PTAhole]

Probably just to have the finale air during sweeps.

[captainofbeef]

I've been rewatching all the episodes again, I really don't like the first season very much. It isn't as essential to the series plot, even though a lot of character background is provided. I find some of the episodes flat out boring.

The second season is much more interesting though, especially with the added contact with the Others, Eko, and "Henry Gale."

[PTAhole]

Yeah, the first season may actually be my least favorite, aside from season 3, maybe. I think seasons 4 and 5 (and 6 if the ending is good) are the best seasons.

[captainofbeef]

Yea, that one is awesome, with the plane, Boone's death, and the beginning of the Jack/Locke rivalry. The season finale is pretty good too.

[PTAhole]

I know a lot of people will hate it, but I loved the ending.

[PTAhole]

The only huge question I had lingering was Walt. Otherwise I didn't care that some of the smaller mysteries weren't answered.

[criterionmaster]

i just watched the pilot. really enjoyed it. i'm definitely hooked, but i'm going to be a silent watcher and not really talk about it because EVERYONE is talking about it. i can't really tell from the pilot but it seems like a show that would be a little bit better on a channel like hbo. i don't think this story can do everything it should on a network channel.

[captainofbeef]

I personally hated the ending, too many questions unanswered and failure to realize that if you are going to develop the Island as a "character," you have to tie up its loose ends.

[criterionmaster]

how can anyone not like the first season of lost? it has me on the edge of my seat! i'm on episode 14 right now. i've watched that in two sittings. i really hope claire and shannon die very soon. i hate them so fucking much.

[PTAhole]

You'll get your wish with one of them. I won't say who.

[criterionmaster]

it better be claire. don't tell me any more details but she is absolutely fucking retarded. i hate her so much. i can't listen to her another second.

[captainofbeef]

The first season is great for establishing characters but its not as intriguing as the following seasons.

[criterionmaster]

that makes me excited for the rest of the seasons. i'm on the last three part-er right now!

[criterionmaster]

one more thing, it's kind of weird seeing tons of random people that haven't been involved hardly at all yet. do they ever get more involved?

[PTAhole]

A couple of them do. A lot of them don't.

[captainofbeef]

May 30, 2010 19:40:42 GMT -5 criterionmaster said:

one more thing, it's kind of weird seeing tons of random people that haven't been involved hardly at all yet. do they ever get more involved?

I guarantee that you will dislike the ones that do get involved, I will be really surprised if you actually enjoy their involvement.

[PTAhole]

Yeah, there's only one good new character in season two, and he doesn't become a major player until season three.

[criterionmaster]

yeah, i already hated that artz retard or whoever who only had a tiny role in season one. we'll see what happens. claire must fucking die haha.

[PTAhole]

I have no problem with Claire. I have no idea why hate her so much.

[criterionmaster]

maybe she gets better but the way she delivers her lines is obnoxious. "MY BAHBAYYYY" i understand she has an accent, but she is just annoying and i feel she is way over-the-top. obviously she is a needed character, but everything she does pisses me off and how she acts is irritating. i like nearly every character besides her, especially my boy jin. we'll see. it doesn't take me out of the show or anything.

oh wait, michelle rodriguez is by far the worst person on the show now. i've always thought she couldn't act worth shit. she plays the same kind of role no matter what and it's always that tough hotheaded girl. i really hate her.

[PTAhole]

Yeah, Ana Lucia sucks.