The Fans Deserve A Say In LOST Time Slot Change
This has been eating at me all day long. This is my personal perspective, and I’m not selling it as the best perspective, but here it is:
The move of LOST to 10pm IS cowardly and disrespectful to the fans. I know so far the poll shows that fans are pretty split on the impact, but I see it as all bad for several reasons:
1) The anti-LOST press is going to EXPLODE with this news. Already people are using terms like "ABC blinked in the face of a game of chicken".
2) LOST is a good family viewing choice and is now going to be in a time slot not conducive to family viewing.
3) The later hour is likely to result in a loss of viewers since a lot of people just aren’t going to stay up. Isn’t the slot after LOST known as the time slot of doom?
Of course, above all it’s just a question of how much does ABC think fans can take? We endured a summer hiatus to be rewarded with six episodes that LOST, frankly, were shaky. Not bad, certainly some were on par with the best work the series has delivered, but some were very shaky. And I’m sorry, six episodes of nothing but tease on the others wasn’t revealing enough for this to be considered a "mini-season". The intended idea was awesome and hopefully you can do it next year, but this year, IMO, there was no mini-season in the respect of a self contained arc. The time spent with the others was a study in ‘putting-off’. I like to use Jack’s quote… "Are you going to tell me why I’m here, or am I just going to sit around and watch cartoons." (paraphrasing folks…)
Now we have another painstaking hiatus with these ridiculous LOST MOMENTS to get us through, only to be told mid stream that now our show is going to be on an hour later.
ABC, you’re worried about American Idol taking LOST viewers? Do you realize that your actions are likely pushing them away as well?
Well there is only one way to find out. Let’s poll on this. And let’s send this far and wide. Let this be the poll, let this be the voice of the fans. The question is: Will changing LOST’s time slot cause you to stop watching on premiere day. I’ll update this post with the poll shortly. We’ll aim to try to get coverage on Netscape, Reddit, and Digg as well. Please spread the word. Let’s consolidate here. Use the comment system as an open letter.
echo $php_poll->poll_process(51);
?>
Now, let’s get the word out to fans. Let’s make sure our voices are heard. Whether you have issue like me, or don’t.
This strikes me as a staggeringly poor move on ABC’s part. For all of the reason’s stated in Doc’s post. Speaking as a Lost fan who is hugely dedicated to the show, moving the time slot will absolutely affect my viewing habits. I work five days a week and as much as I need my Lost fix I just can’t see staying up that late. Will I stop watching? No. Will I stop watching on Wednesdays and making it a permanent fixture of my weekly viewing habits? Probably. Whereas Lost used to be a standing weekly appointment for me, I’m now most likely going to be taping the episodes and watching them when I have the time (never took much of a liking to watching them on my computer screen). A move like this builds a disconnect with Lost fans who like myself, used to set aside the same time every week to immerse themselves in the show. Frankly, people aren’t going to make a show which ends at 11 a priority. The whole thing wreaks of reactionary decision making, whereby executives with no sense of perspective see the shows ratings falling, or see another show eating up a large share of the potential audience, and make some boneheaded (and ill-fated) decision in response to that, instead of looking at the bigger picture, which is that even with lower ratings than the first season, the show is still a “ratings juggernaut” as Doc mentioned earlier. And after a summer hiatus, the horribly executed Lost Experience, a luke-warm mini-season, and now another 12 week hiatus to get through… this really is just a terrible idea through and through. Lost has 16 straight episodes coming up starting in February. That’s something special, and should have been a real chance to reconnect with viewers and get people excited about the show. To miss that opportunity, and only push viewers further away by placing the show in a dead-zone of a time slot… it’s just senseless, and a real shame.
Comment by Bunny Suction — December 6, 2006 @ 6:44 pm
I won’t repeat myself here. But who are we kidding? We will wait til 10 and watch. Of course we will. Those that won’t…those that are borderline (who used to be big fans of the show, but are not sure now and who are prolly laughing and wiping their hands of the situation) and those who are the casual watcher. It’s a double edged sword, who’s main problem to begin with is too many viewers. It really doubles the presure for a show in which is TRYING to be great. This is ABC’s doing. I am sure Carlton and Damon are “on board” of course. It’s their baby. We CAN look at this THIS way…at least it won’t have to go against AI and it will probably win the time slot it will be in. I think the news sucks as it is again pandering to those that don’t really watch anyway, not that they really did something really terrible. Now moving it off of Wednesday..that would not be good. It also feels a little like how ABC treated Twin Peaks.
Comment by downthehatch — December 6, 2006 @ 6:49 pm
I’m not going to lie. I’ll be staying up. Otherwise, what would I have to talk to all you guys about :). The problem is, some people won’t be able to do it. They just won’t.
Comment by docarzt — December 6, 2006 @ 6:51 pm
in regards to Bunny’s statement of ABC being too reactionary…So true. The Nine, which was critically acclaimed was yanked with no news on it. In Hiatus. And Daybreak. I am already hearing a yank for that already. I mean COME ON it is a 13 episode show! Stick with it! It’s GOOD. And the “ratings game” that seems so very prevailent this season for LOST has really left bad tastes. How am I supposed to like a show when there is constant banter about it’s ratings. Sometimes I wonder about ABC and their wisdom sometimes.
Comment by downthehatch — December 6, 2006 @ 6:55 pm
It doesnt really bother me the time slot i could care less about its the show that counts. I sometimes watch American Idol so now its easier to watch both without taping.
Comment by Karted — December 6, 2006 @ 7:25 pm
I really don’t care except for one thing I work third shift Have to start at 11pm which means I will have to miss the last 15 minutes. At least Most wednesday nights I don’t work.
Comment by Kevin — December 6, 2006 @ 7:28 pm
i think the change sucks and is totally disrespectful to the loyal fans and the show itself. but i think your poll needs to be changed, because i agree with none of those options, u need one that says “disagree but will still watch” or something. But yeah, LOST and American Idol are two completely different shows, Idol will always win in the raitings because its a family show, LOST appeals to a smaller and different audience and those fans will commit, even during Idol.
Comment by steve — December 6, 2006 @ 7:50 pm
I think some people need a Happy Meal. Since when do any networks poll the fans (or care) when they make a schedule change? Get over it folks, we don’t have that much power. Just sit back, relax and wait for episode 7
Comment by alan — December 6, 2006 @ 9:12 pm
I agree that Lost shouldn’t be moved. It did suffer in the ratings a bit because of AI, but it wasn’t that larege of a dip from where it was most of the season. I wonder how much is because they are afraid of AI, and how much is because they were catching grief about low ratings leading into the 11 o’clock news?
I’m curious why it’s said that the mini-season had no arc? To me, the arc was from the moment that they woke up prisoners, to the moment that they are going to escape. We didn’t find out Why they were captured in the first place, but that’s because that’d tell us what The Others are up to, and that’s part of a much larger arc.
And what’s going to happen to these Lost moments? ANyone know if we will still get them after Daybreak is gone?
Comment by riverthebald — December 6, 2006 @ 9:27 pm
I may have to set my clock to LOST Standard Time, so that it looks like it’s only 9PM.
Comment by Maurice Tift — December 6, 2006 @ 10:21 pm
After all that whining, you forget to include another option in your poll:
I always record it on my DVR/Tivo and never watch it on Wednesdays anyway so it could be on at 3:00 am for all I care.
I’d love to see stats about how many people record it and watch it whenever (everyone I know does that) or downloads the episodes and watches them whenever.
Parking yourself in front of the TV at whatever time on Wednesday without the option to FF/REW/PAUSE/FRAME BY FRAME that a DVR/Tivo provides is sooooo last millenium.
Comment by Jeremy Bender — December 7, 2006 @ 12:05 am
What’s the big deal? Do you go straight to bed at 10:00 on wednesdays?
No, you hop onto the ‘net and discuss the episode
It’s really no big deal at all; the fact that people are taking personal offense to this is somewhat funny.
Comment by Cactus Friend — December 7, 2006 @ 12:36 am
as long as i can download it thursday morning i dont care. its only an hour for gods sake!
Comment by richie — December 7, 2006 @ 3:12 am
That’s just it Cactus. I do have to be asleep before 11. I work long hours and that’s just a fact of life for me, and many others like me. And whether it may be stoneage or not, the truth is the many many people still don’t have Tivo or DVR. Additionally, Tivo watchers are pretty much not reflected at all in the Nielsen group that determines the show’s ratings, the group that ABC is so concerned with.
Comment by Bunny Suction — December 7, 2006 @ 4:48 am
I voted that I will wait the extra hour. Not because I have no problem with it, but because I know that I will stay awake to watch. Assuming of course, that the show delivers… If they move it to 10PM and the show doesn’t give me a compelling reason to stay awake then I’m gonna end up in the “lost” viewership group…
Comment by Skirtz — December 7, 2006 @ 6:32 am
I rather like that it’s on later. I’m going to be in class this winter and having Lost on late just means that I don’t have to stop studying, watch Lost, and then go back to studying after. Now I can just watch lost and go to bed.
And this is coming from a guy in Newfoundland.. check the time difference from EST to Newfoundland time, it’s an hour and a half!
Comment by Chris — December 7, 2006 @ 7:01 am
I would argue about the family aspect of Lost. Yes, most of the time it is. No argument there. But tell me, would you let your 10 year old daughter or pre-teen son watch the love scene between Kate & Sawyer in the mini-season? Can you honestly tell me they would have enough perspective on male-female relationships to understand what is going on?
Comment by Hussman — December 7, 2006 @ 7:15 am
DocArzt,
Thank you for bringing this up. My question and concern is: Does it really matter what we say here or how we vote? Is anyone from ABC looking at this or do they care? I would like to think that it does, but the sad reality that I suspect is that we are just making ourselves feel better with a place to rant and rave.
Comment by JoefromUtah — December 7, 2006 @ 8:08 am
I agree with other comments here. Lost is definitely not a family show and the “viewer discretion advised” is definitely appropriate. This show will now be on after my kids are in bed, so I like the move personally since I usually had to tivo the show to view at about 10-11 pm anyway.
Comment by Brady — December 7, 2006 @ 8:26 am
JoefromUtah: Do they read? Yes. Do they care? Probably not.
Comment by docarzt — December 7, 2006 @ 10:07 am
STOP WHINING YOU IDIOTS STUCK IN THE 20TH CENTURY. TIVO OR DVR IT AND WAIT 1 DAY. IT’S NOT THAT DIFFICULT. SHOW SOME PATIENCE. I DO THIS ANYWAYS TO AVOID COMMERCIALS AND IT WORKS GREAT.
Comment by Lord Beric — December 7, 2006 @ 10:54 am
I can’t believe ABC is doing this. My theory is they will do us the same favor they did to the “Invasion” and “Surface” followers.
Comment by spiderman3d — December 7, 2006 @ 1:42 pm
WE wait to see this show forever, then only 6 episodes. Pretty poor planning on the show’s part. This was the one show that I NEVER missed. But due to it’s laziness and lack of foresight, they are being bumped from a prime time spot. I will not stay up later to watch it, oh wait, it’s not even on for four months yet. They blew a good thing.
Comment by Cindy — December 7, 2006 @ 2:21 pm
“I would argue about the family aspect of Lost. Yes, most of the time it is. No argument there. But tell me, would you let your 10 year old daughter or pre-teen son watch the love scene between Kate & Sawyer in the mini-season? Can you honestly tell me they would have enough perspective on male-female relationships to understand what is going on?”
well, i think the “family” aspect of the show refers more to teenagers (both early and late). and lost isnt exactly a show all about sex, and if youre seriously uncomfortable with letting your kids watch it…bear in mind the Tv-14 rating.
that said, i have to get up too early to like this change. smarter move would be changing it from 8-9, really. :/
Comment by President Logan — December 7, 2006 @ 2:45 pm
In my opinion, the question that we should be asking is not whether we will watch it…anybody who is posting on a Lost board will, of course. People into the show won’t give up because of a time change. I could understand outrage if they moved it to another night, but that’s not the case. Anyway, I personally am mad at the show. I get this feeling of cockiness that I didn’t in the previous 2 seasons both from the show and in the press that the producers have done. What I mean by this, is that they are so assured that we will hang on every word of the gospel of Lost (which most of us will, no matter how angry we act/type), that they are just taking for granted all of the fans, and ABC as well. The “mini-season” rubbed me the wrong way…it had some good reveals, and I’m sure that it set up a lot of what’s to come, but it felt self-assured and somehow different to me. Maybe I just expect so much from Lost…that feeling that your mind was just blown, and you had to kind of pick up the pieces and see what they all meant. However, for me, at the end of the mini-season, all that I could think was “I hope that the “full season” in February will bring those of us feeling ‘Lost’ back to what we came to love”. I guess we’ll see.
Comment by Ol Numba 7 — December 7, 2006 @ 2:49 pm
Jeremy, I agree, I work nights and can never watch it live anyways, so all television that I watch is on my own timeframe via DVR. I’d be interested in seeing how many other people do the same also. I’m sure that it’s a lot… and Lost is always number one in downloads on iTunes after it airs.
Comment by riverthebald — December 7, 2006 @ 6:02 pm
as you said doc, “Let this be the poll, let this be the voice of the fans.” With under 10% of the people actually worried about the move i would say this is a non-issue. i think those of us on the boards have taken Lost a little too seriously recently (which i think translates to unhappy viewers). we all need to just take a deep breath and realize that while it the show isn’t as good as it was in s. 1, we still are watching one of the best shows in recent memory. and if you ask me one of the reasons season one was SOOOO good was because we knew absolutley nothing. As we get more info., there is less to keep our imaginations running. Keep hope people, and stop talking so badly about lost as if it were one of the worst shows on TV, im really getting tired of all the complaining about such a good show.
Comment by Gary — December 7, 2006 @ 7:27 pm
I’m sorry but to say that under 10% of the people are complaining about the move is a blatant fabrication. Based on the comments, as well as the poll results opinion is split pretty much down the middle. Granted there are many more who are frustrated by the move than those who are claiming they will swear off the show all together. And that’s a good thing. Because it’s a good show and this in and of itself doesn’t warrant walking away for good. But for those who regularly watched the show each week at it’s scheduled time, this sort of move just adds to a disconnect which has been growing for quite some time. For my part, the simple fact of my work schedule will mean it will be very difficult for me to see the show during it’s scheduled weekly slot. A greater number of Tivo vieweres doesn’t attract advertising dollars, nor does it serve to boost all-important ratings, so honestly the move just doesn’t seem very well thought out.
Comment by Bunny Suction — December 7, 2006 @ 8:08 pm
This change sucks. Because of my schedule, I wont be able to watch lost live on wednesdays, or thursdays, or fridays, and hopefuly i will have time to watch lost on my laptop in my car wich means paying for the show. This change sucks.
Comment by zeke — December 8, 2006 @ 4:01 am
Gary… just remember, this is not an attack on the show. It is question of the powers that be. I’m sure Damon and Carlton are on board with the change, what choice do they have?
Comment by docarzt — December 8, 2006 @ 5:18 am
It’s the last straw for me. I was shakey enough with the poor six episodes which did nothing but delete Mr. Ecko. I am not a tape it kind of guy. I’ve done it in the past for those times when I have a commitment which would preclude watching a show but to do it on a regular basis, no way, there is no TV show worth it.
I have enjoyed the ride but it’s time to get off. It is a darn shame ABC is run by idiots. This will probably be recorded as the bone head TV scheduling move of the 21st century.
Comment by doug — December 8, 2006 @ 6:16 am
It’s one hour! After 3 months of waiting, I think we can handle a couple extra hours. Lost fans are the b**chiest group of fans I’ve ever heard. Yes, there are reruns, midseason breaks, and (sighs in disbelief)commercials. Believe it or not, a large group of delusional Lost fans seem to believe that there were more commercials in season 3 than in previous seasons.
Don’t we want Lost to have good ratings? First we b**ch that Criminal Minds (is that the title?) is beating Lost in the ratings, then we b**ch when ABC attempts to correct the problem.
On general fan b**chiness, I’d also like to address the Paulo/Nikki haters. YOU DONT EVEN KNOW THEM YET! How about we wait until the two have had 5 minutes of collective airtime before we decide that they should die. What really blows my mind is that these are the same people who complained about introducing new characters into season 2, then proclaimed Desmond, Eko, etc. as their favorites. If you’d shut up and wait for more info on Paukki (doesn’t really work, does it?), you might find that you enjoy them also.
I could go on for days, so, in conclusion, you’re on this site and reading comments so I’ll assume you’re a Lost fan. Shut up and enjoy your damn show.
Comment by Brian Laws — December 8, 2006 @ 7:56 am
I have no problem waiting one more hour to watch. I feel I have invested so much at this point I might as well keep going with it. I just got DVR this season and I had to tape a few shows. I’m a basketball season ticket holder and the games sometimes conflict with Wednesday nights. I’d rather it come on at 9 but it won’t make that much of a deal to me.
Comment by Silky — December 8, 2006 @ 11:40 am
I’m not sure I’d call it the “slot of doom”. Brothers & Sisters is doing pretty well in that slot on Sundays.
And I just rewatched the pilot episode a few days ago, and the shot of the pilot in the tree as well as the pilot’s blood on the window struck me as not-exactly-family-viewing. I think the same thing will keep Lost going that keeps the internet abuzz, in certain circles, with speculation as to when the second season of Twin Peaks will be released on dvd. Fan interest.
As much as I realize that ratings run the networks, there will always be a part of me that doesn’t really want to have in-depth Lost conversations with people who’ll quit watching it just because it’s “past their bedtime”.
Comment by Robin — December 8, 2006 @ 12:30 pm
Seriously, everyone who thinks this is a bad move, stop whining! If we’re lucky it’ll mean they will push the “envelope” further by not coming on until 10pm. Worse case scenario most of you who spend hours upon end talking about the show after it airs will have to go to bed and wait until the next day to talk about it. Seriously? If you’re such big fans of any television show you watch more than one television show (it’s just common sense, how else did you know to start watching Lost) and you’ve stayed up later than 10pm to watch a show before. Move on already.
Comment by Merlboroman — December 8, 2006 @ 2:19 pm
Before going on a rant about your fellow posters, remember that this thread is meant to give your opinion on the time change, not your opinion on other peoples opinions, which is just foolish… and, well, trolling. Don’t be a troll. Be a gnome.
Comment by docarzt — December 8, 2006 @ 7:30 pm
I agree with Docarzt to an extent, but come on. We fans come to these sites BECAUSE WE’RE FANS. Not because we want to listen to people complain about the show.
I cannot believe the audacity of some people: “The fans deserve a say in Lost’s time change?” Why? Are we in some way superior to all other fans? Are fans (of all shows) going to create the TV schedule now? This makes zero sense to me. In case you’ve forgot, the miniseason was a result of your complaints. You whined about the reruns and now we all have to suffer. I don’t want Lost fans involved with scheduling ever again.
I’ve never heard of a show’s creators doing so much to please their fan base. I feel so bad for Carlton, Damon, etc, who try so hard to please us, but only receive one vicious complaint after another.
Comment by Brian Laws — December 9, 2006 @ 12:34 am
I seriously doubt the poll is a ‘blatant fabrication’ and am not sure that you really do have a more reliable way of getting the numbers, Bunny - especially if you are talking about the comments here. It’s entirely possible that only 10% of the people are going to be negatively affected by this time change, and that’s probably what ABC was hoping for (that, at worst, only a small percentage of Lost viewers would turn away).
I understand that your personal situation makes you feel as if your ‘group’ is the majority but that doesn’t have to be the case, as the poll shows.
Comment by Cactus Friend — December 9, 2006 @ 2:16 am
From a ratings/advertising stand point the most important number is the people who are going to tape/tivo. Of course this poll is completely unscientific because it might contain votes from foreign markets where the change has no impact anyways. Personally I think people who are voting “i give up” are full of BS…
Comment by docarzt — December 9, 2006 @ 12:10 pm
Cactus, you’re mis-reading my post. I didn’t say my group was in the majority. Nor did I say that the poll was a blatant fabrication. I said that the statement made earlier, that “less than 10% of the people were actually worried about the move”, was (and still is) entirely false. Looking at the poll numbers, yes, a majority of individuals are saying they will not have a problem with the change (56.2% as of this post). That leaves 43.8% who will either be taping, changing their viewing habits, or walking away. That’s hardly less than 10%, which was my point. Incidentally, I fall into the group that will not be walking away, and honestly I think those who say they are are over-reacting. But am I agitated by the move and will I have to work around it? Yes.
Comment by Bunny Suction — December 9, 2006 @ 4:41 pm
I’d just like to point out that here in the UK, Lost has ALWAYS aired at 10pm (and months after it’s been shown in the US/on a pay-to-access channel, but that’s not the issue at hand here). I understand that when people are used to a time-slot and then it changes, it can cause problems - but honestly, nothing that can’t be overcome, as people have said.
Comment by Louise — December 10, 2006 @ 4:42 am
I personally enjoy the fact that LOST has made this business decision.
They have done what they could only do, which is give us later on in the year 16 straight weeks of LOST. Now, the problem of the program moving to 10, yeah it is a stretch for us fans who are dedicated to the show, but WHAT ABOUT THE MAINSTREAM!?!?!?!? THAT IS THE MAIN TARGET.
American Idol holds it, and after what was seen last year, I am sorry to say, LOST doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell to compete with that. The ratings for Idol were SIGNIFICANTLY higher and the constant reruns made it look really bad next to 24.
So maybe we should hold our tongues until part II is done. And I thought the 6 episodes were decent enough to be a great epilogue to what will come in the 16 episodes to follow.
Comment by Atif — December 11, 2006 @ 10:36 am
This makes zero sense to me. In case you’ve forgot, the miniseason was a result of your complaints. You whined about the reruns and now we all have to suffer. I don’t want Lost fans involved with scheduling ever again.
Hahahahaha, that’s absolutely right. And if they did 23/24 straight episodes, you’d have people complaining “OMG! I’m tied to my TV on Wednesdays, I need a break! This is just too much!”. They can’t win.
DVR’s people, DVR’s. They rule: not only can I watch the show when I want, I can pause it to go get another beer, I can rewind something to see it in more detail, I can do a frame by frame to get the number on a hotel door to see if it’s 4 8 15 16 23 or 42 etc. etc. DVR’s are cheap, most cable companies offer them, they’re the way to go.
Comment by Henry Holland — December 12, 2006 @ 9:52 am
I will probably stay up and watch LOST…but it does upset me that they are changing the time slot because I normally tape CSI:NY and watch Medium that are also on at 10:00 on Wednesday. Now I will be forced to lose one of the other shows that I like since I can only DVR 2 shows at the time and you have to watch one of them. I always watch…and DVR….LOST because I like to watch it again, in case I missed any clues. I do know that my sister doesn’t have a DVR and goes to bed at 10 due to her work schedule. She said, she would not watch LOST at 10 but would probably rent it when it comes out on DVD. I like American Idol too but would much rather watch LOST and tape AI.
Comment by Donna — February 7, 2007 @ 7:40 am