Breaking News - Lost to End in 2010 after Three Shortened Seasons
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Thanks to Doc Jensen for the heads up. USAToday has reported that LOST will end in 2010 after three more sixteen episode seasons. And yes, to answer the first question that came to your mind, this does mean longer hiatuses. Here are the details.
In a highly unusual move, the network announced plans today to end the show after three more shortened seasons of 16 episodes each. The episodes will air consecutively, repeat-free, from February to May.
ABC’s bold step marks a response to the show’s producers, who have been eager to set a finish line to better plot out their convoluted mystery of plane-crash survivors and to placate fans who are frustrated that the show seemed to be vamping its way to a conclusion.
"Among fans there was an unease that they were making an investment in a show that’s complicated without any sense of where that’s going to lead them," co-creator Damon Lindelof said in an exclusive interview. "From the very beginning, fans and even critics have been saying, ‘Are you making it up as you go along?’ " which was "a legitimate question."
That’s four months on, eight off, for those keeping track. Before you go ballistic, hear me out. This is a very very good thing.
I Love the arrangement for a lot of reasons. Growing up in the Star Wars generation we waited almost four years between films for a meager couple of hours worth of story; waiting eight months for sixteen hours worth of story is a piece of cake in comparison. Besides, the point here is that the writers now have their canvas; from this day forward not a single line of script will be written for the purpose of putting off or slowing down the plot advancement. I think we got just the slightest taste of that during the second leg of Season Three; I fully expect Season Four to be the event of a life time for us LOST fans, and the best part is it will be the first of three. Totally stoked here folks.
This elevates LOST to the status that it deserves to be; LOST has always been larger than Television. This is a statement to the truth of that, this story and its fans have bent the will of this gigantic network to forge a unique playing field for this story. This is historic. If you’re not ready to embrace it now, at least wait until you see the fourth season and the kind of focused story telling it will bring before you make judgment.
I will bet money that we are going to get more story out of 16 episodes written with a clear endpoint in mind than we got out of a full season written with nothing but uncertainty and the constant need too keep from revealing too much of the end game. The trade off is in our favor in the long run.
I know it’s hard to grasp, but if it helps you, think of it like this: LOST will be concluded with a trilogy of sixteen hour chapters. There is no precedent for that on television, or in the cinema, period. This is historic. We should be very proud that these guys have accomplished this. LOST is going to get a conclusion that will be beyond our wildest dreams.
On a personal note, I think Damon Lindelof is far too accommodating to fans by granting the question of "Are they making it up as they go along?" legitimacy. There is no quantum plane in story telling where the entire journey can be seen from beginning to end before it is written. The cries of "where do they come up with this stuff? They must be making it up as they go along!" for me were symptoms of too much "T.J. Hooker" and not enough "Twilight Zone," let alone "The Prisoner," in one’s pop culture diet. It’s a funny time we live in when a detailed and challenging story brings forth cynical masses demanding to see the Emperor’s wardrobe.
God bless ya Damon, you are indeed a diplomat. I don’t think I could contain my sarcasm at such a ludicrous suggestion; at the very least I’d drive them even more insane by saying "Yeah we have it written, but we’re thinking about changing it… we’ll see what happens." Enough uncertainty to make the average myopic’s head explode.
How do you feel?
I don’t really know how to feel about this. How about you Doc?
Comment by Jimmy Zer00 — May 6, 2007 @ 9:41 pm
HORRIBLE idea. I honestly read that and said “No way; you’re making this up, right?”
But it would appear as if it’ll end in 3 more years. I mean, think about it: we’re only HALF-WAY through.
This is ridiculous. Just make two regular seasons.
Comment by Chris — May 6, 2007 @ 9:46 pm
Ok this is great news. Here is why:
Hours of LOST (Season One): 25
Hours of LOST (Season Two): 24
Hours of LOST (Season Three): 23
Hours of LOST (Seasons 4-6): 57 (assuming 2 hour season finales)
TOTAL HOURS: 129
TOTAL HOURS PRODUCERS WANTED: about 110 (because they wanted 100 episodes with 2-hour season finales)
This is a perfectly reasonable number. ABC probably didn’t want to upset fans by making it six FULL seasons, but at the same time, wanted to suspend its success for one more year. Thus, seasons four thru six will be short and sweet.
lovin it
Comment by berf — May 6, 2007 @ 9:51 pm
Choosing an end date is great.
HOWEVER.
Three shortened seasons instead of two regular seasons? TERRIBLE TERRIBLE IDEA. They should end after two more seasons instead of stringing it along. 10 out of 10 on the lame scale. Talk about infuriating fans.
Weak. Weak. Weak.
My $0.02.
Comment by Airk — May 6, 2007 @ 9:52 pm
They’re doing this so there won’t be such a time crunch to crank out episodes. It will improve the quality of the best show in television history. Geez people, have some patience. Savor the mystery. I’m glad they’ve set an end date, as opposed to letting the show die on the vine.
Comment by Stev — May 6, 2007 @ 9:52 pm
AWFUL.
Maybe Desmond can turn the failsafe key again and go back in time to smack Darlton for agreeing to this?
Comment by What the hell? — May 6, 2007 @ 9:54 pm
I would also like to add that they’re doing exactly what they shouldn’t…and what I said they shouldn’t when they said they’re working on an end date…they’re stretching the show out as long as they can.
Comment by Chris — May 6, 2007 @ 9:58 pm
48 episodes after this season? By my calcs that’s enough to trim some fat and have two full seasons. I love this show to death, but I don’t know if I can stick with it for only 4 months and then have EIGHT MONTHS in-between.
Comment by samfishercell — May 6, 2007 @ 10:03 pm
Seriously? You all would be bitching regardless of what the shows remaining length was.
Comment by Sindles — May 6, 2007 @ 10:05 pm
I disagree. If they’re stretching it longer than it should be stretched (making it six seasons rather than 5), it seems like they’re prolonging mysteries rather than solving them, which is counter-productive to making shorter seasons.
ABC wants ratings to go up by making it be a consecutive season starting in January, but they’ll be losing viewers by prolonging mysteries rather than solving them.
Comment by Chris — May 6, 2007 @ 10:08 pm
ok my calculations were wrong cuz i thought it said 18 episodes not 16.
nevertheless, this is AWESOME.
its just like 5 seasons but with more premieres/finales!!! more time to develop the show will make it SOOO MUCH BETTER!!! Its only like 2 episodes more than 5 seasons! GREAT IDEA! GO ABC WOOT!
Comment by berf — May 6, 2007 @ 10:09 pm
I’ve updated the article to give my thoughts. I think its genius for a variety of reasons. First, this very talented crew of writers can now plot against a canvas of 48 episodes. That can only equal an epic story. You cannot plot like that when you don’t know how long you’re going to be on the air. Once LOST begins this cycle I guarantee you we will be blown away by what the story does. Remember, these guys have been holding back most of the time because they don’t want to get to a point where the endgame is in site, then have to figure out how to stall it. LOST has never run the show as a carrot on a stick. Now, instead of that sensation of an epic story bubbling under the surface, the epic will be told.
Second, is already in the article at this point but worth repeating if you didn’t catch my update. I grew up waiting almost four years between Star Wars films and those were just a couple of hours of story. Having experienced that, eight months is a piece of cake.
Seriously folks, give it a chance. If anything this elevates LOST to the status that it deserves to be; LOST has always been larger than Television. This is a statement to the truth of that, this story and its fans have bent the will of this gigantic network to forge a unique playing field for itself. This is historic. If you’re not ready to embrace it now, at least wait until you see the fourth season and the kind of focused story telling it will bring before you make judgment.
I will bet money that we are going to get more story out of 16 episodes written with a clear endpoint in mind than we got out of a full season written with nothing but uncertainty and the constant need too keep from revealing too much of the end game. The trade off is in our favor in the long run.
Comment by DocArzt — May 6, 2007 @ 10:10 pm
I agree episodes should be better once you know exactly how many episodes you have left, but why not make two 23/24 episode seasons rather than three 16 episode seasons?
Again, seems counter-productive to me.
Comment by Chris — May 6, 2007 @ 10:15 pm
This is totally non-scientific, but I bet if you removed the filler from s1, s2, and s3, you’d actually have less than 16 episodes worth of the big story.
What is difficult to grasp when you first read this is the impact it has on how the story is going to be told. In essence, LOST is going to be concluded with a three part sixteen hour trilogy. There is no precedent for that. This is history in the making.
Comment by DocArzt — May 6, 2007 @ 10:35 pm
I have mixed feelings on the 16 episode seasons. On the one hand, it sucks to only get 16 episodes per year. On the other hand, they can put more time into each episode.
Well, I do prefer quality of quantity.
Comment by Matt B — May 6, 2007 @ 10:37 pm
Yeah, I get that, and I do think it’s phenomenal what they’re doing.
That said, it seems to me as if they’re taking something that should be cut in half and cutting it in thirds, you know what I mean?
Comment by Chris — May 6, 2007 @ 10:58 pm
This is horrible. 2010 for answers? This is the worst news I’ve ever heard for LOST.
5 full seasons please.
Comment by John — May 6, 2007 @ 11:07 pm
Suck! Only 2 24 episode season please.. I can’t see this show lasting to 2010 and I am a hardcore fan. Don’t milk the box DVD sets abc.
Comment by thedanceman — May 6, 2007 @ 11:24 pm
I think it’s great.
Come on people be realistic, this is a TV show not a mini-series. ABC wants to dominate in the ratings for as many years as they can afford. We should just be thankful they are allowing this to happen, and not turn this in to another X-Files.
Comment by Papa Kin — May 6, 2007 @ 11:24 pm
Believe me, my initial reaction was the same as yours, but there is no comparison. What they are doing from here on out is releasing a trilogy of highly condensed, plot oriented cycles. We’re not going to be thinking of LOST as a TV series anymore. Now it is more like an ‘event’ as Lindelof said. Instead of thinking in terms of ‘when does the next season start’, it will now be ‘the next chapter is…’
Comment by DocArzt — May 6, 2007 @ 11:30 pm
I get the distinct feeling that no one would be complaining if they had announced 3 more 23-episode seasons.
But I digress…
Perhaps it was broken up into three seasons for a reason…to aid in the arc they’re going for.
Damon has stated before that each season has a focus. Season 1 was about the survivors, 2 was about the hatch, 3 was about the others.
What if 4 is about the separation of sides and revelation of a different sect of others? Or maybe the groups coming together? 5 might be about the history of the island…the ANCIENT history, that is. And 6 could bring it all full circle with revelations and rescue…bring the theme of faith vs. science to the breaking point with another “incident”…an all-out battle. Who knows?
I can only see this strenghtening the show. Sure, 8 months is a terribly long time to have to wait and wonder, but it’ll be worth it in the end.
Plus, as someone pointed out, season premieres and finales are always fantastic, so if this means more of them, good!
Comment by Alex — May 6, 2007 @ 11:30 pm
sorry to say it but Lost has completely lost the plot, and people will stop watching it because of the ridicule idea of ending it till 2010….
Comment by Mario — May 6, 2007 @ 11:37 pm
Wow…
1. I’m happy they announced an end date… so thumbs up for ABC on getting that right…
2. I dont like that theyre only doing 16 episodes… why not do 24?! If 3 24 episode seasons are too much… then do 2 more seasons
Comment by Troy Cafferky — May 6, 2007 @ 11:37 pm
I’m game. Look, people are gonna bitch & moan no matter what decision has been made…Talking ’bout a Catch-22 situtation! I think they’ve found the best mode to accomodate the writers & the audience AND most important of all, the storytelling. People bitched so much about the so called filler epis & now they get the undiluted stuff & moan AGAIN saying it’s too short? Get a grip, please. Don’t be selfish as some commentators have stated…8 months? Come on that’s nuthin. In Europe they gotta wait a damn year before they get a nu season albeit without any break whatsoever…Just a little patience, yeeaahhh…
Comment by JDSalinga — May 6, 2007 @ 11:59 pm
I’m not sure I like this. I understand what you’re saying about more info in 16 eps vs less in 23 but I like the 23 eps and don’t know why they can’t just have 3 more seasons with the regular # of eps. FWIW, I never complained about how the story’s been told so far. I think the masses that are used to the “I want my answers now” have made this happen and the beauty of Lost was that the answers didn’t come one after another. Now it looks like they will.
Comment by jbdean — May 7, 2007 @ 12:37 am
NNOOOOO!!! Im upset that lost is ending but at least we will get REAL answer that have more meaning and direction towards where the show is gonna end up. 8 months is long compared to the hiatus we had with the mini season an they lost a lot of viewers then. What will it be like waiting a whole 8 months for only 16 hours? I agree ABC are gonna milk the box sets. Lost rules 4ever!
Comment by WILLOW — May 7, 2007 @ 1:19 am
That’s a ridiculously terrible idea. Lost is already an over-dragged story and giving it 3 more years !!! I bought the DVDs of the previous two seasons but that’s where I stop. I can’t believe it!!! Morons…
Comment by Dan — May 7, 2007 @ 1:48 am
Lost is not a movie! I don’t buy the excuse, “Well you can wait 3 years for the next Star Wars etc. cant you? That’s because sometimes movies can take 3 to 4 years to make. TV shows don’t take that long.
Shows used to last 9 months then we had 3 months of summer repeats. Now it’s reversed. They want to give us 3 or 4 months of shows and an 8 or 9 month summer/fall break! Give us a break!
Comment by U R LOST — May 7, 2007 @ 2:41 am
talking about “There is no quantum plane in story telling where the entire journey can be seen from beginning to end before it is written”
never heard of Babylon 5? JMS wrote all the show before start shooting, the WHOLE show. and it’s still a sci-fi icon
Comment by Frankino — May 7, 2007 @ 3:00 am
Reading people’s responses to this news from a British perspective has been very interesting. Over here, twenty plus episodes in a single season is utterly inconceivable anyway, and so the announcement of sixteen-episode seasons doesn’t seem so much of a blow.
Our most prominent ‘genre’ series is probably Doctor Who, which consists of thirteen-episode seasons shown continuously over a three-month period. Nine-month hiatus periods are therefore the norm for us. Furthermore, we have no equivalent of the US system of showing repeats of a single show continuously in a single slot, punctuated by new episodes as they become available. We’re used to concentrated bursts of new material followed by interminable periods of NOTHING.
I’m not suggesting that one system is better than another, I hasten to add.
Comment by Clovis Sangrail — May 7, 2007 @ 3:12 am
Man… now we have to wait for February??
Hopefully the season 3 finale isn’t a really big cliffhanger, which it will be.
Comment by Jay — May 7, 2007 @ 3:29 am
Great now we have an end point bue 3 more 16 episode seasons come on abc its Lame Lame Lae. Why not just give us to more proper seasons.
Comment by steve — May 7, 2007 @ 4:05 am
Frankino… read your comment again. I said there is no plane where you can see the entire story before it has been written. Then you turn around and say he wrote the whole thing before it was filmed. I appreciate you making my point for me and everything… but…. y’know…. you could have sounded a little more agreeable…
Comment by DocArzt — May 7, 2007 @ 4:21 am
About 8 episodes in the past 2 seasons have been middling/just plain bad and could have been condensed into the good ones.
Those episodes are now gone. I’m pretty psyched…I wonder what this means for the original Season 4 arc back when they were planning the pilot…is it going to extend into the middle of the 5th season?
Comment by JoshSpazJosh — May 7, 2007 @ 4:24 am
I like that they set the end date. They can map out how they want to unfold the answers we’ve all been waiting for without having to worry about coming up with new questions to extend the series. I can see making it 3 16 episode seasons from ABC’s perspective. This gives them an extra season of ad revenue and to look for the “next big thing”. Plus, the shortened season thing works well for shows on cable such as “Battlestar Galctica”, “The 4400″ & “Nip/Tuck”. This has also got to work well for the actors. This gives them more time to work on other projects when the show’s on hiatus, so they may be more likely to stay with the show until the end (unless TBTB decide to kill them off, of course).
Comment by Pete317 — May 7, 2007 @ 4:36 am
8 months off also helps accomodate those LOST actors who want to do feature movies. Perhaps this is to keep some of them around for 3 more years.
Comment by iowalost815 — May 7, 2007 @ 4:45 am
It’s actually a good idea in my opinion because it gives the cast a break too do more things and the writers to think out how they will end it all. I’m sure you people have more things in life than just LOST.
Comment by John — May 7, 2007 @ 4:50 am
aslong as it means no filler (read; rose & bernard, claire, charlie, sun & jin) episodes in each season, then i’m happy
Comment by villain — May 7, 2007 @ 4:57 am
I don’t mind the break, but I do mind the shortened seasons and heres why…..
Now that they have a long time to film 16 episodes, this means they will be done filming each season around February/March. However, I will be going to Hawaii on my honeymoon next year in the first week of April. This means I will not be able to see them filming and won’t be able to get pictures.
Also, they’ll be charging the same $50 for 16 episodes instead of the usual 23….that blows. It’s just like Family Guy now that seperates the seasons into different volumes so instead of buying 20+ episodes now, you’re buying 13 episodes for the same price.
This world is going to hell because of people’s greed….f^cking ABC.
Poor decision unless the DVD prices drop.
Comment by Muscle_Bob_Buff_Pants — May 7, 2007 @ 4:59 am
16 + 16 + 16 = Bad
24 + 24 = Good
Comment by bcre8ve — May 7, 2007 @ 5:16 am
There is only one reason for shorter seasons:
more seasons = more dvd sales
Comment by Dave — May 7, 2007 @ 5:23 am
3 shortened seasons is a brilliant idea, i mean think about where do the worst episodes of lost occur? the middle of the season (IMO), if we have three shortened season with clearly defined arcs theres less filler.
Comment by Dominic — May 7, 2007 @ 5:37 am
There is better writing on shows that have shorter seasons. It gives the writers more freedom when they no longer have to fill a season but can tell a story.
It is a win all the way around. ABC gets higher DVD sales. The writers can map out the story without fear of cancellation. The actors can commit to production without the insaness of a regular tv series schedule. And the viewers get a better quality show.
I am personally glad to see that ABC is not going to do to Lost what Fox did to X-Files. Count me in favor of this announcement.
Comment by TabulaRasa — May 7, 2007 @ 5:41 am
Some of you seem to be missing the point… The good news is that Darlton has won the creative battle. I’m speculating here, but just knowing the way television networks operate, there was no way ABC was going to settle for just two more seasons of (one of)their moneymaker(s). I think it’s a great compromise. The writers/producers can tell the same story they would have told over the course of two regular seasons - they just have to divide it up slighlty differently to please to brass at ABC. This is a lot better than what could have happened, had ABC demanded three FULL seasons. THEN, they would have to truly drag the story out a lot farther than they intended. Yes, it sucks that we have to wait three years for the ending, but I think the decision to limit the number of episodes to 16 each season will result in undeniable QUALITY, as far as the storytelling. So… in short, I’m not stoked about three more seasons, but I’m pleased that it will bring only 48 more episodes, which is about the same number two more full seasons would have brought anyway. It’s all the same, we just have to wait a little longer to see how it plays out.
Comment by Live Kate, LIVE!!!! — May 7, 2007 @ 5:41 am
Its funny how he moans about people having a go at them for making it up as they go along when its known that actors such as ben “micheal emmerson” were just written in to a full time part in the show because the audience happened to like him, its funny how he can say that!
Comment by nickk — May 7, 2007 @ 5:42 am
24 epsidoes each series is a lot but i don’t understand why they are reducing it to 16 when they could just do it in another 2 seasons with the same amont of eps,this is probably just another money making scheme, have things planned inbetween, and to the guy from England who watched Dr who, thats lame who the hell watches that,still at least they’ve announced an end date, i would have been a more happy if they did atleast another 2 eps per series and still called it three
Comment by nickk — May 7, 2007 @ 5:46 am
NO NO NO, JMS didn’t have it all worked out, he had the general idea. For instance the original commander of B5 wasn’t supposed to leave after 1 season and yet the show survived and thrived if it was really as thought out as you think then that wouldn’t be the case.
Comment by Dominic — May 7, 2007 @ 5:50 am
….exactly
Comment by marc vibbert — May 7, 2007 @ 5:52 am
Thats true but they combined the planned character of the “captured other” with leader of the others.
Comment by Dominic — May 7, 2007 @ 5:52 am
Ya know, I like this idea…it gives us more time to watch the show, and we also now have an end-time so that we don’t get “Hurley Van” episodes, ya know?
What was funny to me is that the show will end when my freshman year in college ends..lol
Comment by Herb — May 7, 2007 @ 5:55 am
It’s quite possible for them to say that they are not making it up as they go along and tell us (for instance) that Michael Emerson was originally going to appear in just four episodes (or whatever it was). There’s no necessary contradiction there.
I remember J. Michael Straczynski responding to criticism of an unplanned cast change on Bablyon 5 by comparing the overarching story to that of the Second World War: you can move the pieces around all you want, but the Germans still have to lose in the end. I imagine that it’s pretty much the same in the case of Lost.
Comment by Clovis Sangrail — May 7, 2007 @ 5:58 am
yeah but that proves they had a different story line, what was supposed to happen to ben and then why was he really there, the tuma stuff goes out the window and a new story line all togther wold have unfolded
Comment by nickk — May 7, 2007 @ 6:06 am
Yes exactly. Nothing can be totally planned.
Comment by Dominic — May 7, 2007 @ 6:08 am
Though this prediction will mean nothing in three year, I believe Lost should end much sooner while they still have the cast that means so much to the story. They could have the whole three years planned in detail and when (not if) a key cast member decided they want to leave, the story will suffer more than if they were “making it up as they go along”. Lost has definitely moved into the “wait for reviews and decide if you want the DVD and watch it in a long (12.5 hours) weekend” arena.
Comment by John R — May 7, 2007 @ 6:10 am
if i’d the chance to set expiring to lost: 4 seasons and 1 movie showing happenings on island before ‘first incident’ …just similar to david lynch’s twin peaks saga. lost is great, but three more years on the island? no thanks!
Comment by monojack — May 7, 2007 @ 6:10 am
Oops, 16 episodes = 11.2 hours, not 12.5.
Comment by John R — May 7, 2007 @ 6:13 am
It really saddens me for Lost’s creators that they have to put up with such a whiney fan base. They’re doing the best they can, people, and this is honestly unprecedented. Those who are saying 2010 is stringing it out too long, if it went the length of the x-files, we’d be going until 2013! THAT was a series killed by corporate greed. LOST has just risen above that and all we can do is complain that we want a little less or a little more. Aaaah! It’s sickening!
Personally, I think two full more seasons sounds ideal, but let’s give them the benefit of the doubt. What’s been said in this forum is true:
- Middles of seasons lag.
- Shorter seasons mean tighter plotting.
- Having 3 of them allows for thre more chapter/topics (a la survivors/hatch/others).
And, yes, TV used to be on 9/12 months, but how is the ridiculously great production quality of LOST not worth the wait? They’re giving this their all, and for ONCE creativity is getting a victory over corporate motivations. People seemed pretty happy at the prospect of 2 more full seasons, allowing ABC 3 shorter seasons hardly seems like too huge a concession in comparison. This is compromise people… LOST is set, let’s enjoy it!
Comment by Will — May 7, 2007 @ 6:16 am
‘The best laid schemes o
Comment by Clovis Sangrail — May 7, 2007 @ 6:19 am
Today’s headlines:
DOC ARZT’ JOB SAFE FOR 3 MORE YEARS!
In related news:
BITCHING AND MOANING ABOUT LOST INCREASE 10% TO LAST YEAR NUMBERS.
Comment by El Prez — May 7, 2007 @ 6:28 am
I love the show, I could watch it over and over. I cant take the wait, if lost is going to take 3 more years to end with more time waiting then watching you might loose me in the process. Sure shows on dvd are great but 3 years from now i might not even have any interest in watching 3 more seasons of lost. Thanks for picking and end point but Boo to the fact that abc is milking this for all its worth. Like Disney need more money!
Comment by Matt S — May 7, 2007 @ 6:29 am
you fans should have learned something this weekend watching spiderman 3 these companies never know when to quit. In my opinion they should have quit at 2!
Comment by Matt S — May 7, 2007 @ 6:32 am
I don’t like it.
It seems from my perspective, after the past few episodes, that they’re not going to have enough story to fill out three more seasons, period. I hope they do, but I don’t see it happening. Which lends me to believe that we WILL see more filler episodes like the “Hurley Van” episode, or the (who can forget? I can!) “Rose and Bernard SOS” episode right in the middle of building up a season finale. I don’t think that will stop just because they only have 16 episodes.
I love this show to death (almost literally…), and I don’t want to see a reduction in quality, especially after such an awesome season 3.
And I hate the extra long hiatus too.
Comment by lostlover — May 7, 2007 @ 6:34 am
Right. What I am referring to in my post is an expectation that every last detail is planned. I have no doubt that they have their mythos planned out in terms of points that lead to an end, but the path between the points is to some degree made up as you go along. I think you misunderstand me, to say “a quantum plane” was to refer to the most finite level. No writer fully realizes every last movement, line of dialog, and plot twist, before it is committed to paper. So saying “making it up as you go along” is actually a broad statement. If I’m going to write a story about a farm boy who hooks up with an old wizard and a pirate to go rescue a princess, I’m still “making it up as I go along” in the process of crafting the events that connect those points. So if some tangential piece of story telling pops up in the process, like how about adding an evil wizard who has tamed a dragon, I might find myself moved to alter the plot even more. And so on. The whole point was how ridiculous it is to ask the question “Are you making this up as you go along?” because all stories are made up as they go along, so if that were a crime at any point in the cycle of a story all artists would be in trouble. There is no set of ‘acceptable social standards’ for how stories are told, the whole issue is so anti-art its not funny.
Comment by DocArzt — May 7, 2007 @ 6:36 am
Ooops that wasn’t for you Dominic! That was for Frankino.
Comment by DocArzt — May 7, 2007 @ 6:38 am
I was hoping it would end by Season 4 or 5…. because thats how they wanted to do it… Season 5 seemed perfect, C&D must have sold out for more money…. now this only gives them more time to F*** up our fav. characters….
Comment by jimyy — May 7, 2007 @ 6:45 am
But it’s based on the same money grubbing principles as the X-Files…. It was supposed to End by seasons four or five (even Steven King agreed to end while ur hot) this is a mistake… Just when people feel like their getting somewhere with the story, we find out we’re 3 steps into the labyrinth… this could get messssyyyy…
Comment by Jimyy — May 7, 2007 @ 6:51 am
There needs to be a “I’ll be patient and see how it turns out” option on that vote for us wafflers. I just can’t decide if I like the idea or not…
and here’s why.
SIDE A: At least once a week I see something incredibly screwed up by over thinking. Choices at work, in relationships, on the baseball field, and in nearly every facet of life get botched when the person or people involved fight their instinct or try to fix something that just isn’t broken. We see lots of changes with LOST, a show most of us would agree isn’t broken. We’ve done a time change and we’ll probably do another. We’ve done a viewing change (with weeks off Vs. consecutive) and we’re def going to do another. We may change days. We WILL change season length. I worry that LOST can’t keep dodging all these bullets. Further more, I worry that the writers will take this new schedule and muck it up. You think there was too much filler? Maybe all the while they’ve been writing they were thinking it would end in 44 episodes (2 seasons times 22 episodes), and now they know it will go 48 (3 times 16). Could be, we don’t know. Worse, what if things get cut out because they were planning on going another 66 episodes (3 times 22)?
But the absolute worst case scenario in my eyes is that, in one of the HUGE breaks between seasons, one of the writers overthinks the ending. Being human, what’s to keep one of the writers from taking the ending and saying to themselves “Yeah, that’s pretty good, but the viewers will NEVER see THIS coming” and changing it to something surprising but not nearly as creative or productive? As I said, side A.
SIDE B: Prepare your slings and arrows. I love filler. I do, I said it. “Useless. Boring. Stalling.” I have Klenex enough for all those complaints. Here’s why. I love “filler” and back-story and flashbacks, because I love and appreciate characters. Not to say those griping about filler don’t, but I’m saying I LOVE characters. As a viewer, I find it infinitely more satisfying to really get deeper into the real lives of our characters. Lets remember that the flashbacks show their REAL lives (99% of who they are is off the island after all) and the “filler” on island shows some contrast and depth. We GET to (not have to) explore who these characters are AND who they could be and want to be. This is a blessing, not a curse. Seeing Jack, )who we know has daddy issues and exwife issues and trust issue etc etc) do something is just flat out BETTER than seeing Character X do something. Knowing who these people really are shows motive and beliefs (let alone incredible writing) and gives meaning to their actions that, sans “filler”, would probably never be explored or explained.
Disagree with me all you want, but I make every reader a promise that I will lay money on: We have 4 seasons left to come out on DVD, and not one of those boxed sets will have “too much filler” written in the reviewers comments on the dust-jacket.
Comment by evangelical poet — May 7, 2007 @ 6:53 am
Three seasons of sixteen is the same number of episodes as two seasons of twenty-four!
‘Sold out for more money’?! You make it sound as though the decision were up to Damon and Carlton, and that the network bribed them into doing more. The truth is that the decision is up to the network, and frankly I think that Damon and Carlton should be applauded for reaching such a reasonable compromise.
Comment by Clovis Sangrail — May 7, 2007 @ 6:55 am
Some of you all are absolutely insane.
Comment by Rell — May 7, 2007 @ 6:57 am
Ok for all you “stretching it out” whiners:
16 + 16 + 16 = 48
23 + 23 = 46
Comment by Dominic — May 7, 2007 @ 6:57 am
Agreed. I think!
Comment by Dominic — May 7, 2007 @ 6:58 am
Exactly.
Comment by Clovis Sangrail — May 7, 2007 @ 6:59 am
i like the idea we now have an endpoint and should start getting alot more answers and 48 episodes seem about right to rap it up. But to me it seems like they have spilt it up into a third rather than half. Thats the part that making me unhappy the fact its spilt into a third.
Comment by steve — May 7, 2007 @ 7:05 am
I’m a hardcore fan too, and I think this idea is GREAT. Like DocArtz said, some people waited years for the Star Wars movies for only a few hours information. We only have to wait 8 months for 16 episodes. I can totally handle that, I don’t see why anyone should be complaining. Besides, now Damon and Carlton have lots of time to perfect these episodes and astound us even more!
Comment by Wolfie — May 7, 2007 @ 7:06 am
Yeah I agree, the DVDs will now be a rip-off.
Comment by Muscle_Bob_Buff_Pants — May 7, 2007 @ 7:07 am
D&C : “We’re looking to end it by season 4 or 5″
ABC : “Yeah, well thats just not going to happen”
D&C : “It’s best for the show”
ABC : “We’re going to extend it three more seasons, we can either do it WITH you guys, or without you guys”
D&C : “WITH! WITH!”
lmaooooo ; ) im still gonna watch, im not bitching, im just saying that they are going against their plan. The long it goes on the more i worry… I mean, how many of you we’re worried for Locke? Ben ? Jack? Sayid , dying this season? It may get to the point where its Good Bye Old Faces, Helllooo New oneS! …
Warning to ABC and D&C: IF LOCKE DIES, THE SHOW DIES. the end.
Comment by jimyy — May 7, 2007 @ 7:08 am
First of all… 16 episodes of Lost is not 16 hours. With commercials it is under 12 hours, but that is not the point…
I think it is good that they have set an endpoint, and I actually think they went a bit too far. D&C had said that 100 episodes would have been a good length, I might have gone to 108 for the number, but 120 is 20 episodes, or about 15 hours, more than what they thought the story should be. I guess that ABC wanted an extra season and got it by shortening the seasons like that.
I think this is pretty good news, though.
Comment by Eric — May 7, 2007 @ 7:10 am
This is my first post on here but long-time lurker…
And I have to say this, cause I can’t stand it anymore! People are constantly referring to certain episodes as filler. To some extent, I can agree, IF you’re looking strictly at the story of the others/Dharma/getting rescued etc., but come on, the Hurley van episode wasn’t so bad, and the last scene with the “positive thinking” was a huge moment for that character…it was a moment that I personally loved. It was also a moment that connected directly to the whole faith vs. science theme that’s so prominent on the show.
The Rose/Bernard episode? I agree, a little less exciting, but I’ve always loved Rose’s character and enjoyed seeing her flashback. Finding out that she had cancer made it all the more worth it.
(The rest isn’t in reply to lostlover but just things in general.) And Sun/Jin??? I read more complaints about their flashbacks than any (and seriously whoever keeps referring to them as the “Korean flashbacks” needs to stop)…and in my opinion the show would be far less valuable without these characters. I think everyone has forgotten that Darlton indicated, before the start of this season, that there would be more of a focus on LOVE and relationships. Clearly this is an important theme for the show. Nevermind that Sun is by far the strongest female character(IMHO).
Personally, I love seeing the characters develop (Charlie’s the only one I’ve completely lost interest in), but it seems a lot of people who post on here wouldn’t mind seeing less of characters like Sun, Jin, and Sayid. Personally, I think the show would suck without these characters. Love seeing characters on TV who aren’t White! and Lost has always received a lot of attention for its diverse cast.
Anyway, enough of my ranting…had to get it out. In regards to the 3 short seasons, I have mixed feelings about it…I love getting answers but agree with an earlier post, if the story moved TOO fast, the feel of the show and the mystery of the story might be compromised.
Comment by dave11:11 — May 7, 2007 @ 7:11 am
You say that like a fact: how the *bleep* do you know?
Comment by Dominic — May 7, 2007 @ 7:17 am
Have they said that it is going to be 16 one hour episodes? I would really like it if they made the final four episodes of each season two hour shows and then it would be 20 hours per season. This would make some of the multitude of whiners a little happier that it would be pretty close to three full seasons. A lot of sports survive long offseasons and do ok for themselves. No matter what they do people will complain.
Comment by bdub — May 7, 2007 @ 7:26 am
there is because like i said before the rest of the story including ben having cancer and the reason why he wanted the doc totally changes, if he was just mean’t for 4 eps he would have died in season 2 like he was supposed to meaning they never needed the doc for his op
Comment by nickk — May 7, 2007 @ 7:39 am
The Star Wars analogy was great. Calmed me down.
Worries: What about a drop in ratings, what would the chance of cancellation be?
3 Jack centric episodes per season leave only 13 episodes for everyone else to share.
Comment by freckles — May 7, 2007 @ 7:39 am
Maybe they had planned to need Jack for the op on the leader of the others who became combined with ben.
Comment by Dominic — May 7, 2007 @ 7:45 am
true, unless it wasn’t predetermined, that wasn’t my accusation,my accusation was if they are
Comment by nickk — May 7, 2007 @ 7:46 am
yep thats the way i see it too and i hope that was their original plan
Comment by nickk — May 7, 2007 @ 7:48 am
I hear ya Dave, there really isn’t a wasted episode in the whole bunch. Guess I should bite my tongue for that one. I guess a more liberal approach to it would be to say that they obviously wanted to tell a big mythological story and relied on the character dynamics to protract that as much as possible. As a result, we know these characters very well, and there is really no substitute for the kind of character development those respite episodes brought.
On the other hand, this was a source of frustration for both the fans becoming increasingly engaged in the mythos, and the writers who were excited to tell their story but looked at every reveal as a gamble of either too much, or too vague.
Comment by DocArzt — May 7, 2007 @ 7:55 am
i like lost but i’m not a fanatic if the writers are making or were making the story lines as they went along at least to some extent then so what so long as it ends with a good story line, i just think its annoying to have a go at people for suggesting so when they at least deviate from their initial plans, for instance i don’t think they originally i the first series new why the others were taking the losties, they’ve just written that into season three, seriously what was the excuse for hanging charley from a tree just because he wanted clair, the’re isn’t one, i believe they had a beggining some idea of a middle and we’ll figure the rest out later, either way lost a great show
Comment by nickk — May 7, 2007 @ 8:00 am
I totally understand the problem…some fans want only mythology episodes, others don’t care and just enjoy the characters. Personally I love both aspects of Lost…and seeing the everyday meanderings of the characters keeps the show real to me. It can’t all be serious 100% of the time. I think we should be thankful that the show is setup in such a way that allows us to access both the personal lives of the survivors as well as the mythology in the same episode. Think of the X-Files: Their episodes were all either stand-alone or mythology, and I always found myself wanting more mythology episodes with that show…so yeah I see the conflict, but I think Lost handles it well.
Comment by dave11:11 — May 7, 2007 @ 8:04 am
I agree that this structure will do wonders for the story telling. I’m a big fan of The Shield and one thing I noticed with that show was that because each season is only about 13 or so episodes, the story telling and the writing is so tight and focused. It’s really amazing, and if Lost is going to be that way too, then I can’t wait!
Comment by John Salerno — May 7, 2007 @ 8:08 am
i’m in total agreement with you Doc. I’ve been over at the fuselage arguing in favor of this puppy. i think it’s great.
Comment by wedestroymyths — May 7, 2007 @ 8:12 am
Yes, but what you’re saying is that if they deviate even slightly from their plan they are automatically vindicating any accusation that they have no plan at all! That’s absurd.
If deviating from the plan is what it takes to keep actors like Emerson on board, which of us is going to criticse them for doing so?
Furthermore, they don’t ‘have a go’ at people for suggesting that they’re making it up as they go along. Damon himself described that as a ‘legitimate question’.
Comment by Clovis Sangrail — May 7, 2007 @ 8:14 am
No need to get hostile, dude.
My evidence:
1 - The first two volumes of Family guy were full of episodes. Volume 1 was season 1 and 2 jammed together while volume 2 was season 3 alone. Now they’re selling half the seasons in each volume. It went from 20+ episodes to 13 episodes each volume….and they’re still selling it at the same price.
2 - Friends, the first 9 seasons were 20+ and sold around $50. Season 10 was a full disc shorter (6 episodes) and yet it still was sold for around $50.
3 - Alias, same example as Friends. The first 4 seasons were 20+ while season 5 was a full disc shorter…same price.
How many more examples do you need before you take your head out of the sand?
Comment by Muscle_Bob_Buff_Pants — May 7, 2007 @ 8:14 am
First, I like setting an end-date and giving fans the confidence that their investment in the show is going to pay off in the end. I think it has to potential to bring some fans back who may have given up on the show because now they know that in the end their questions will be answered.
Yes, it’ll be frustrating having to wait until February every year, but as I wrote in a blog entry on Lost’s end date, it works out pretty well for 24. Sure, fans of 24 were upset when it was announced that show would start off each winter, instead of the fall, but fans got over it when they learned they could watch the show repeat free.
The Lost producers have been EXTRA sensitive to the fans feelings. While the six episode mini-season didn’t work out this year, the only reason why they tried it in the first place was to try to cater to the fans who complained about too many repeats and who DIDN’T want to wait until January for new episodes. But I think we all can agree that didn’t work. So, this is the next best option, and one I think works fine. Television as a whole is moving away from September-May seasons for shows with repeats to fill time. Four, five years from now, all shows will be on “half-season” schedules like Lost and 24.
Comment by Scott Warheit — May 7, 2007 @ 8:16 am
Ok I think this is a mistake….
#1 - Fans are starting to wain off.
#2 - Star Wars were movies worth BILLIONS of dollars in big picture, Toys, luncbboxes, costumes, etc…. Gee I haven’t seen a Sawyer lunch box or a Locke halloween outfit nor a Jack Doll….there is NO comparision and I am not even a big star wars fan! The demographics and Fan base are utterly and completely on different planes of existance….LOST is a TV show
#3 - The longer this goes on the more likely Fox, Halloway, Quinn are going to go to…..mmmmm MOVIES!!!
And like most TV shows, you bring in new talent and the fan base wonders off. Look at ER….It is not even remotely the same show as it was when it started and it SUCKS now.
#4 - What happens when ABC pulls the plug? I can not tell you how many series I have gotten ‘hooked’ and with a notice…poof gone! Lost would be hard to yank but TV execs have no issues or feelings in doing it…
Steven Kings “the Golden Years”, “Six Degrees”, “Drive” just off the top of my head.
#5 - This means we are NOT past the Halfway point and filler is going to happen
#6 - “Gene Simmons Family Jewels” is far funnier
#7 - IMO, however humble it is, think it should end in season 4. I think at the most ABC will kill it before the end of Season 5.
#8 - TV is changing, regardless of content, technology, computers , internet, You tube, etc are ALL viaing for viewers which means the more channels, sources, avenues for entertainment there are the less viewers you have. LOST is not gaining any more viewers in the US. The hook has already pierced the head and drawn you to the screen or you have swam away. This series is WAY to in depth for a newcomer now. Yes there are exceptions and a few new people but the further this story/rambling goes on the less likely people are going to dive in to seek the bait. the growth of this show is going to be outside of the states who have not aired it yet.
I am NOT a parade rainer I am a realist.
I think season 4 is great time to tie up the loose ends and solve the big one.
Comment by thirdflr — May 7, 2007 @ 8:16 am
Doc, you said “Seriously folks, give it a chance. If anything this elevates LOST to the status that it deserves to be;”
I don’t have a single problem with them setting an end date. On the contrary, I think it’s a great idea, but after rewatching Seasons 1 and 2 it is very clear to me that they knew where they wanted the story to go in a mostly broad, but sometime specific sense.
What I find completely lame is ABC stretching the 48 “hours” (really 45 minutes each after commercials) of story left from two 24 episode seasons to three 16 episode seasons in an attempt to keep ratings going. This is a show with no possible hope of a spinoff that would be viable, so I understand ABC wanting to make the most of it by keeping their advertising cash cow. But will the casual fans of this show stick around to keep those ratings up? Furthermore, consider that if this were the case for Season 3, we’d have run from A Tale of Two Cities to One of Us. That seems just a little underwhelming. Of course, you could argue that there’s filler in there, and I’d agree, but having a short season may not be long enough to tell an adequate story between episode 1 of Season 4 and the finale.
I’ll keep an open mind, but I sure hope I live long enough to see the end of the series. Dying without knowing would be a real drag.
Comment by GodBlessTexas — May 7, 2007 @ 8:20 am
I’d prefer 2 seasons of 24 episodes instead of 3 seasons of 16…
Comment by zebedeus — May 7, 2007 @ 8:21 am
thats not what i’m saying i said i don’t even have a problem with it did you read my other comments,and no i think its good they deviate to keep good cast in, but they’ve been trying to write michael back in, thats making it up at least to some extent its prrof they are whats the big deal i don’t get it, and i wasn’t havin a go at the them yes they do say thats a good question and welcome it, its the fanatics who have a go at them i don’t like, evangelicals!
Comment by nickk — May 7, 2007 @ 8:22 am
I don’t agree with those who compare Lost to Star Wars or Harry Potter books. For God’s sake, this is just telling to the viewers that “we will tell you a story ,that could’ve told in two years at most, in 3 years.” It’s like having Star Wars in 10 movies of 60 minutes. Comparing a TV show to a movie is just not right. Comparing Lost to X-Files also is not logical. X-Files was a show that worked very well with stand-alone episodes. More than half of the episodes were stand-alone.
Lost is crap, practically a soap opera (a bad one), without mythology. And dragging, stretching, lengthening, watering the mythology aspect of the show, in my opinion, will not do well. The mysteries of Lost are kept going on by silliness, zero-curiosity of the characters. 3 more years is practically a torture.
Comment by Dan — May 7, 2007 @ 8:25 am
if they weren’t making it up, it wouldn’t bother so many people for suggesting so, personally i don’t care because i like lost either way
Comment by nickk — May 7, 2007 @ 8:26 am
Does this mean that we miss Season 7: The Zombie Season? I was really looking forward to that.
I like the idea of 3 short seasons.. I just don’t know how I feel about waiting until Next February for more LOST.
Comment by Marc — May 7, 2007 @ 8:27 am
That’s exactly what I was going to say. You almost have to think of LOST in terms of chapters, not seasons. Chapter 1 was The Beach/The Caves, Chapter 2 was The Tailies/The Hatch, Chapter 3 is The Others. Chapter 4 might be The Ruins; Chapter 5 could be Dharma and Chapter 6 the climax and conclusion. If ABC gives them only two more seasons to wrap it up, they either have to cut one chapter and lengthen the other two, or shorten all three chapters while stretching Chapter 5 over two seasons. From a writing standpoint, if they’re already thinking in 6 parts, that would be really hard. This will be a better way to do it. It’ll make the conclusion more satisfying.
I’m cool with it. I think it’s going to be great and continue to change the way television shows are concepted and written, not to mention how the audience watches them.
Comment by Laura — May 7, 2007 @ 8:30 am
I just wanted to say that I disagree with the sentiments on this development and I think everyone who is upset doesn’t realize how things work in the real world:
To get something, you have to give something.
The producers (Damon, Carlton, etc.) wanted ABC to commit to a firm end date for Lost. They wanted to be able to tell their story the way they wanted to and not stretch it out.
Lost is a cash cow for ABC — while ratings are down, DVD sales, iTunes sales and ad rates are still high and it is still generating huge revenues for the company.
Why from ABC’s standpoint should they want to end it? They could simply say “Fine — when you leave we will find new producers to keep the show going.”
In order to get ABC to agree to their demand, they had to give something to ABC — shortened seasons to accomodate an extra year of Lost on-air as well as additional iTunes and DVD sales.
Comment by Michael — May 7, 2007 @ 8:30 am
bleh. it makes no sense to make three shortened seasons with EIGHT MONTHS in between each of them. why not just do one more season that is slightly extended? or two more regular seasons? i mean, 2010? come on, people! wake up! they’re doing exactly what they said they would never do: stretch things out as long as possible like the X Files.
I love LOST, it’s by far my favorite show and the only good thing on TV right now, but please, for the love of god, let it die a natural death!
Comment by verinon — May 7, 2007 @ 8:49 am
verinon, ABC’s decision has nothing to do with story content but rather money. They make more money having three more season regardless of how many eps per season. They only made it 16 eps per season to give D&C something out of the deal. I hate money.
Comment by Muscle_Bob_Buff_Pants — May 7, 2007 @ 9:03 am
Sure, there is no format that would make everyone happy. But, I am sure you would have a lot less unhappy people if ABC actuallY REPEATED the mistake they did this year with the hiatus (breaking the 23 episode season into two blocks of 7eps + 16eps) instead of this new 16ep over 3 season format. At least with the hiatus we would get four (albeit, truncated) seasons over the course of two years. Heck, I will even take season 2’s format and have the episodes mixed in with repeats of Season 1 just to achieve closure in THIS DECADE!!! But to bleed viewers out like this over the course of three years while spoon feeding tiny morsels of story is simply unfair and highly unrealistic. The sooner you realize and accept that this was done for marketing purposes and NOT for the sake of the story or the viewer the better off you’ll be.
Comment by CGB III — May 7, 2007 @ 9:05 am
I love money…And D&C love money too…I’m sure it was a nice increase in their bottom lines to have it go 3 seasons as well….Plus they have the freedom and a guarentee to finish on their terms…They made out better than ABC, IMO….
Comment by El Prez — May 7, 2007 @ 9:10 am
they should have at least 20 episodes in each of the last 3 seasons. 16 and there starting after january each year is gonna drag it out almost as bad as the sopranos
Comment by joe — May 7, 2007 @ 9:17 am
Bigger than television? Please. It’s clever and fun, with an interesting mystery, but the writing is nothing special.
Comment by F. Pants McFadden — May 7, 2007 @ 9:19 am
This news brings a rush of mixed feelings. It is obviously the result of long, hard negotiations between the producers and the network. My fear is that negotiated
Comment by gusteaux — May 7, 2007 @ 9:38 am
Dave11:11 -
I love the characters too. In fact, Jin/Sun are near the top of my list, especially after their last flashback. But, I have to think that some of the flashbacks are far less important, and less meaningful than others. Take for instance, the last Jack flashback. ABC promo’d “3 of the island’s biggest mysteries will be revealed.” That didn’t happen at all. (Seriously - I could care less what Jack’s tatoos say without some deeper meaning.) That flashback, IMHO, was the worst LOST has ever had. Now, that being said, I HOPE that that flashback gets redeemed with some meaning in the finale. I always hope the show rocks my face off with “awesomeness”.
I still think 46/48 episodes, 3 seasons or 2, will be struggling for good content, unless they totally change directions, which they probably will. Otherwise, I expect more of the same “filler.” “Filler” may not be the right word - maybe “less meaningful content” would be more appropriate.
Comment by lostlover — May 7, 2007 @ 9:41 am
hm…i agree that abc is planning on milking this for loads of cash from dvd sales…but i also see the point in making 16 episodes of tightly plotted arcs that will satisfy and de-fillerize what can become a bloated year. 3×16 rather than 2×24 means more whiz-bang season finales, more flashbacks of characters i care about (read: jin/sun!!) and no more nikki/paulo crap. pretty good deal all around.
Comment by michael — May 7, 2007 @ 10:10 am
I see it as a bad thing. Think about how many people lost faith in the show after that last long hiatus. I mean, I was starting to question the decency of Lost at the beginning of the second part of Season 3 (though it has since redeemed itself).
16 episode seasons might work, but making fans wait from MAY to FEBRUARY to get new ones? I just do not see that going over well.
Comment by Zero — May 7, 2007 @ 10:16 am
On E!’s Watch with Kristin, she says that when you see the “game-changer” in the finale, you will understand why it can’t go longer than 48 more episodes. Hmmmmmm…thoughts?????
Comment by socalj — May 7, 2007 @ 10:19 am
Kristin is stoned.
Comment by DocArzt — May 7, 2007 @ 10:26 am
Has it occurred to anyone that making it 3 sixteen-epi seasons instead of 2 twenty-somethings eases the production schedule so that the stars can do other projects without having to be killed off?
Many have made hay that because Matt Fox has a growing movie career he’ll want to jump ship (or island, so to speak) to focus on that. A smaller set of epis means a shorter shooting schedule, or one of the same length, with shorter days. Either way, the 3×16 versus 2×24 should up the quality of each epi, each season, and the series overall, and perhaps helps our favorites stay with the show until it is logical for them to depart.
Comment by SeenMyLuggage? — May 7, 2007 @ 10:27 am
As long as the show does not get canceled prematurely and I don’t die before 2010, I have no problem with this.
As far as getting through the breaks (which is hard I know), I just pop in the DVDs from previous seasons, one episode every Wednesday night, just as if the show were airing reruns. This keeps everything that’s happened so far fresh, reminds me of things I might’ve forgotten, and helps me see things I missed before.
Comment by Lance — May 7, 2007 @ 10:29 am
Interesting quote:
“Shorter seasons will allow plots to be more tightly constructed and “will make it a real event,” Lindelof says. “We won’t have to do episodes where people are standing on the beach looking at the water and wondering what’s going to happen next.”"
Is this an admission from Lindelof that they indeed insert “filler” or “less meaningful content” to pass the time? Sounds like it to me. If they cut that stuff out successfully, I’ll be happier with the show.
Comment by lostlover — May 7, 2007 @ 10:34 am
wow some of y’all need to get a life. if you don’t like it, quit watching. stop trying to determine “what’s best for the show”…i’m pretty sure both abc and darlton have expended hours upon hours of brain-time on that question. there are reasons to exist beyond your weekly lost fix.
Comment by michael — May 7, 2007 @ 10:35 am
Spoilers: My thoughts on the “Game Changer” the surviors of flight 815 are members of DARHMA. They have been brainwashed.
Look at what Locke said to Kate.. “They aren’t very forgiving people…”
Kate and Sawyer forced to do hard work so they would know what it is like to be a “workman”.
DARHMA comes to the island in the last episode on an Airship Goodyear bimp style.
Comment by thedanceman — May 7, 2007 @ 10:43 am
What is wrong with you people? Nothing would satisfy some of you. ABC is picking up the bill for the show, so they should be able to do what they want with it. I am extremely grateful they saw the critical need to set an endpoint and acted accordingly. Why do they want to stretch it out.
DUH.
TV IS A BUSINESS.
THEY’RE IN IT FOR MONEY!
I know this may be shocking to some of you. I work at an ABC station, so let me fill you in on some of the business stuff. The reason they want to stretch it out is because there’s this thing called network sweeps that happens in February and May where networks (and local stations) pull out all the stops to rope in as many viewers as possible so they can set the prices for advertising. Notice the remaining lost seasons will run from February to May. This is no coincidence. If you were a network executive, and your paycheck basically depended on network sweeps, wouldn’t you want to get one more good year out of one of your biggest powerhouse shows?
Do we all understand now?
Storytelling and art is very important, but television is a business where storytelling and art collide with cold hard business. You all should have known “Darlton” wouldn’t get exactly what they wanted. This was going to have to a compromise, and, as it appears, a reasonable compromise was reached. Are any of you honestly suprised, given your personal experiences with television, that the network wouldn’t give you exactly what you want? Just be glad we got what we did instead of ABC trying to expand the show beyond its capability like Fox did with the X-Files.
As DocArzt says, this is historic. There’s no precedence for this in television, and we should all be in awe of what this television show has been able to accomplish.
Bottom line.
Stop complaining. Nobody’s making you pay for Lost (beyond cable/satellite subscriptions for whatever). I’m sure most of you doing the complaining are probably the same kind of people that read a novel just to get to the end. Enjoy the ride people. They’ll make the wait worthwhile.
Comment by Jared — May 7, 2007 @ 10:51 am
Look, everyone really wanted 5 regular seasons. I certainly did. But the writers for this show are great and they’ve proven that time and time again. I’m sure they had their reasons for deciding what they did (let’s hope it’s not just for financial gain) and it was for the benefit of the plot. I have faith with these guys, they haven’t let me down yet.
Comment by Kate&Claire Sandwich — May 7, 2007 @ 10:53 am
Look, everyone really wanted 5 regular seasons. I certainly did. But the writers for this show are great and they’ve proven that time and time again. I’m sure they had their reasons for deciding what they did (let’s hope it’s not just for financial gain) and it was for the benefit of the plot. I have faith with these guys, they haven’t let me down yet.
Comment by Kate&Claire Sandwich — May 7, 2007 @ 10:53 am
Eonline has just posted a “2:00 PM Update” saying there is more to the story than was reported earlier this morning and that the number of episodes remaining and the number of seasons is still muddy. Expect clarifications in “a few days.” Arrrrrrrrrrg!
Comment by gusteaux — May 7, 2007 @ 11:02 am
that was from their story posted last week… not this one…
Comment by DocArzt — May 7, 2007 @ 11:15 am
Gusteaux…the “2:00pm Update” was FRIDAY at 2:00pm, re: the “2 more seasons of Lost” story. The 3 seasons of 16 eps. each is the definitive story.
Comment by socalj — May 7, 2007 @ 11:16 am
Exactly right.
We cannot behave as though the artistic and the economic spheres of the show exist in separate, mutually antagonistic spheres, because they don’t.
This is not Wayne’s World. Lost is not being hijacked by a cynical, avaricious industry which has no regard for its artistic integrity (or whatever). Lost is the creature of that industry, and exists to make money.
We shouldn’t treat the network executives as bogeymen. Of course they want to make as much money from Lost as they can. They wouldn’t be doing their jobs if they felt any differently. I know it’s not what some of you want to hear, because many of you are stroppy adolescents who need to believe that there are hidebound authority figures out there whom you can rail against, but it’s true.
Given that all that is the case, Damon deserves to be congratulated for negotiating such a reasonable compromise.
Comment by Clovis Sangrail — May 7, 2007 @ 11:21 am
Sorry.
Comment by gusteaux — May 7, 2007 @ 11:25 am
Considering only the number of episodes, it’s almost the same thing:
16 + 16 + 16 = 48
23 + 23 = 46
The only problem is going to be the very long breaks between seasons!!! (8 months)…and the seasons will be shorter…Therefore, we will have less Lost and more breaks.
In my opinion, 2 full seasons would work best…
http://dharmascientist.blogspot.com/
Comment by Pedro — May 7, 2007 @ 11:43 am
It’s strange changing season lengths halfway through, but I reckon they should have set the length at 16 episodes from the beginning. You could easily condense a few episodes from seasons 1-3. Episodes like Fire And Water, S.O.S. etc. could have been cut right down easily.
Comment by Tom Murphy — May 7, 2007 @ 12:16 pm
Why not break the 16 episode seasons up further? Do 8×2 each year, like a British show. Both sweeps seasons have become as important, as of late, so they could capitalize on both.
Comment by Brian. — May 7, 2007 @ 12:20 pm
No…that would only work if Lost was on HBO. Yes I bring up the HBO argument again because they have shorter seasons but the shows are usually a full hour.
Comment by Muscle_Bob_Buff_Pants — May 7, 2007 @ 12:26 pm
Who will continue giving a damn abt the show which is going to end in 2010 with story currently going nowhere. LOST started sucking whole third season.
Comment by moka boka — May 7, 2007 @ 12:37 pm
The show is so lame now no one will be watching in 08 let alone 10. F LOST
Comment by Billy Bob — May 7, 2007 @ 12:38 pm
Haha, I love the way people who say they hate the show and won’t watch anymore actually take the time and effort not only to come to a fan site like this but post a comment as well.
Comment by bdub — May 7, 2007 @ 12:42 pm
I don’t think I’ll be tuning in after this season, just wait for the dvd release in 2010 and watch all the seasons together. By 2010 I’ll have forgot what happened back in 2006.
Comment by plush — May 7, 2007 @ 12:54 pm
Okay, sure, it’s historical, the quality will go up, blah de blah blah… But seriously, 8 months!!!!!!! Talk about painful withdrawal symptoms here people… I’m going to end up depressed and on drugs!
Comment by Brown — May 7, 2007 @ 1:07 pm
I think what you’re going to find with 8 month delays between seasons is going to be a drop off in the less rabid fans. Look at how poorly received the break between the mini-seasons was? I can understand the need to have adequate time to do the show right, but they need to give us something to tide us over with, and that video game they keep talking about isn’t going to do it. More interactive content like The Lost Experience in the off time would have been good, and would keep the mystery fresh in their minds. Now I’m waiting until January for more Battlestar and February for more Lost.
Comment by GodBlessTexas — May 7, 2007 @ 1:20 pm
someone is giving us a great headache with expanding into 3(!) more seasons…
Comment by Alexas — May 7, 2007 @ 1:27 pm
Agree with you 100%, Jon: this can only be good for the quality of the show.
What’s more, it’s not just historic results from fan pressure, but historic openness with the public on the part of the producers. I don’t think we’ve ever been quite so privy to so many details of a show’s negotiations with its host network. Usually it’s a question of rumors and shadow, maybe a hastily mounted petition, and then a sad cancellation or other seemingly arbitrary decision. The transparency of this was striking, and it’s due in great part to you and your colleagues who have helped create a relationship between the creators and the fans.
Now if only someone could manage something similar with our government…
Comment by Tim J. — May 7, 2007 @ 1:32 pm
I completely agree with Tabula this is a win win for everybody. I completely agree with Doc that the writers will have more freedom to concentrate on the stories that they really want to get into. I completely disagree with everyone who is so negative about this.
Each season has told a different story within the story. Apparently season 4 will be set mostly in the ruins with a more war-like “Lord of the Flies” feel. Season 5 will connect a new story, and season 6 will be the final chapter. Personally, I love what they’ve done here. More groundbreakers for the most groundbreaking series of my lifetime. Give it a chance people. In the end you will look back and be very satisfied to know that you were a part of something special…
Comment by cap10tripps — May 7, 2007 @ 1:33 pm
For all the haters saying they’re stringing the show out too long, don’t be silly. Look at how long the Simpsons has been around, and for how many of those seasons fans have been complaining that it’s no good any more. Or look at what happened to Twin Peaks, which didn’t have a clear end point and got canceled. The course ABC and the producers have agreed to is the best of both worlds: ABC gets eyes on sets for one more year, and the creators get to write and film this amazing story exactly how they want to. The fans win. Without an agreement like this, we’d be stuck watching seasons of declining quality until 2015 or 2020, when the network decided they’d milked everything from it that they could.
Comment by Tim J. — May 7, 2007 @ 1:37 pm
On a side note, coming to thetailsection has been an enjoyable experience for me. I started coming here at the beginning of season 3, and I look forward to being a part of this for at least three more years. Doc, El Prez, Tabula, Jimmy Zero, Jimmyy, Muscle_Bob, Bdub, thirdflr, and those who are along for the ride, it looks like we’re stuck with each other for awhile. Cheers…
Comment by cap10tripps — May 7, 2007 @ 1:38 pm
I think it is a great idea for them to do so.
Not only does it improve the quality like many people have mentioned, but it allows people to better predict and theorize about it.
Knowing that each word potentially counts, and not lingering on something that might not even pertain to the story
i.e. Locke’s comment about how ‘nothing stays buried on this island’
I listened to Locke, as I know is good to do, and had thought perhaps he meant this as a metaphor for Paulo and Nikki comnig up from the ground because of becoming un-paralyzed. But alas, being beneath a mound of sand for at least two days, we can know they are not alive.
So that concludes that episode as a time-waster (for now.)
And with the three short seasons we will no longer be given these types of episodes.
Which is a great relief.
Comment by JackisWhack — May 7, 2007 @ 1:45 pm
Don’t want to leave out Gusteaux and themachine. We’ve had some good conversations along the way. Brilliant site Doc. I’ll be voting for you…
Comment by cap10tripps — May 7, 2007 @ 1:46 pm
Lost may be a cash cow for now but what happens if season 5 starts off with low ratings and never picks up beyond a small core/cult following? Does ABC keep up with their end of the deal? Let’s be realistic: if I know the whole thing won’t be answered until 2010, then why should I bother watching the next 2 seasons? I may as well just skip those 2 years and catch up when it counts.
Comment by sjbtx — May 7, 2007 @ 1:59 pm
Cap10, ditto and back at you! I will read over the posts but pay particular attention to you and everyone you mentioned. You are the people that make this site so great, and it is the reason I pretty well visit this site exclusively.
Plus, where else are you going to get a thesis on the heroic cycle as it applies to Lost? Brilliant!
Comment by TabulaRasa — May 7, 2007 @ 2:04 pm
I think this is a great idea. I didnt want Lost to end at five seasons and now theres going to be seven. It gives the producers an easier time as well as the actors. Also with only 16 episodes in a season the Lost stars will be able to fit in their movie schedules more easily.
Comment by DMS — May 7, 2007 @ 2:20 pm
Blimey you are a sad bunch of whiners… What the hell is wrong with you all? This is a great idea. Focused storytelling, probably a bigger effects budget (really needed), and “event” television. This isn’t a soap that can just run and run.
As for people like U R LOST moaning about a whole 8 month gap and shows running for 9 months, remember that a lot of quality shows don’t run for 9 months. And think of people in the UK - there they have a series of 6 weeks in length once per year (if lucky). Result? Well in the case of The Office and Extras bloody damn good writing.
Quit moaning.
Comment by Ian — May 7, 2007 @ 2:35 pm
Props to you too, Cap10! You and the contributors you cited (among others) are the reason I spend enormous amounts of time on this site. As I said in my post in the Hugo Award string, this site has the most intelligent LOST discussions on the web. Keep it coming everyone…we’re going to figure this out together…or end up in the asylum with Hurley!
Comment by gusteaux — May 7, 2007 @ 2:36 pm
I thought I heard them say that if we set an end date we’re only inviting the insurgents to wait us out… Hang on, that’s for a different blog…
I agree, it’s unforgivable to give us only 4 months of episodes a year. I would much prefer 2 more 23-24 episode seasons to this. I’ll watch, but I won’t be happy about it!
Comment by diggityDawg — May 7, 2007 @ 3:26 pm
I would rather see 2 24 episode seasons. If they insist on 3 16 mini seasons, ABC should add a spin-off program, perhaps centered on the Hanso Foundation, to fill in some blanks. That way we get a 23-24 episode Hanso program, and a 16 episode Lost for a 39-40 week continuity. The spin-off could cover Witmore and Paik industries as well as Oceanic Airlines. They could have some Lost mini characters, like Cindy or Richard Alpert, or even Ethan do a guest appearance. Penny and her Dad as well as Sun’s dad could get some screen time. We might even find out that Kate’s “non-biological father” (the Master Seargent) is Jin’s real father. All kinds of possibilities here. Does anyone have a way to send these ideas to ABC?
Comment by VBDon — May 7, 2007 @ 3:54 pm
I just wanted to quickly Bring up the statement that just off shore of BALI is the crash site for the Plane. Has anyone looked at Bali on a map and what the heck a plane was doing flying in what looks like a somewhat oppisite direction from LA. I thought about it today and it doesn’t make a lot of since to fly that way. I am by no means an aviation expert, but thought you all might want to check it out as well
Comment by Kyle Maschhoff — May 7, 2007 @ 4:04 pm
Also I can’t believe the Nerve these guys have going to 3 16 episode seasons. THis totally ruins everything. Blah Blah Blah. I am not watching anymore unless they film all the seasons in advance and then give me a copy of each by next week. I am sure if some Lost exec is reading this he will get the picture and not want to loose a viewer of my caliber!
The Only reason Lost is even on the air is becasue I watch it!
Ha Ha Ha I love Lost and 16 per is gonna be Just Fine. Ala Sopranos Baby!
Comment by Kyle Maschhoff — May 7, 2007 @ 4:16 pm
Kyle, this is a bit of cross-posting, but the pilot did say in that they headed back to Fiji. So, this is not too implausible based on the pilot’s report. However, I believe the pilot was lying and this was communication that meant for the outside world. Bali was the staged crash. The plane that crashed on the island could have been anywhere from the indian ocean to south pacific.
Comment by TabulaRasa — May 7, 2007 @ 4:22 pm
VBDon:
What makes you so sure that Penny, Alpert, Cindy, Charles Widmore/Widmore Industries, Mr. Piak/Piak Heavy Equipment, Alvar Hansco/Hansco Foundation are going to remain “mini characters?”
Comment by gusteaux — May 7, 2007 @ 4:29 pm
End Date=Great!
Three more seasons=Bad
Three shortened Seasons=Bad
Three shortened Seasons without repeats=Great!
I have to disagree with Dr. Arzt, when I saw Otherville I thought that they were doing a Prisoner rip off. With Ben as #2, and Jack as #6… If Smokie is really the security system, then it does borrow too much from the Prisoner.
I think some fans are a bit too fanatic and would love an episode with just a Dharma Test Pattern. The episodes have been up and down this season. One Great one, followed by a filler one. I guess the shortened seasons will remove the clutter. I can only wait and see.
Comment by Blackrockbob — May 7, 2007 @ 4:53 pm
Interesting quote:
“Shorter seasons will allow plots to be more tightly constructed and “will make it a real event,” Lindelof says. “We won’t have to do episodes where people are standing on the beach looking at the water and wondering what’s going to happen next.”"
Is this an admission from Lindelof that they indeed insert “filler” or “less meaningful content” to pass the time? Sounds like it to me. If they cut that stuff out successfully, I’ll be happier with the show.
To me it is. And add to that Doc’s own opinion:
This is totally non-scientific, but I bet if you removed the filler from s1, s2, and s3, you’d actually have less than 16 episodes worth of the big story.
The funny thing is, when people like me complained about the amount of filler in s2 and s3, people like DocArtz would go on and on about how there’s no filler in Lost, because Lost is perfect because TPTB are perfect, and stop saying that anything about Lost is not perfect or I’ll send Smokie after you.
Or, to put it a bit more seriously: everytime someone tries to offer constructive criticism about Lost, some fanatic will step up and tell you that if you don’t stand 100% by TPTB then you’re not a “true” fan, you’re an impatient hater that’s incapable of making a commitment and you should stop watching the show then.
Well, it’s funny how time passes and stuff plays out and you find out that even those “Lost zealots” felt that something was wrong with the show, but wouldn’t admit to it because.. hell, I have no idea why not. Maybe these people’s idea of “being a fan” is dramatically different from mine. I would never refer to a tv show using words like “larger than Television”, “historic”, etc.
But I digress. Back on topic, I think 3 more seasons is a bad idea. It makes the show even more demanding on its fan base than it already is, and puts an even bigger pressure on the writers, because from now on they’re going to have to come up with 48 AAA+ quality episodes to make up for the long hiatuses between seasons. One more “Stranger in a Strange Land” slip and the whole world will fall on their heads.
Comment by Robespierre, the French — May 7, 2007 @ 4:53 pm
agreed
Comment by Climen — May 7, 2007 @ 5:17 pm
I apologize in advance for the length of this post. El Prez, I’ll try to remember to include some spacing.
Having now had nearly ten hours to digest the 3 x 16 news of the day, I started thinking theamatically about the remaining three. Based on what I’ve come up with, I like the concept.
Season 1: was about the island and getting to know the 815ers.
Season 2: was about the hatch.
Season 3: has been about the Others and Desmond’s unique abilities.
Season 4: from “reliable sources” we are told that the primary set for S4 will be “the ruins.” I would speculate that the ruins will also serve as a metaphor for the state of the island and it’s various splintered mini-societies. For if the S3 finale ends as the spoilers indicate,with both the 815ers and the Others bloodied, having suffered casualties, and divided, both former groups will be in ruins and may have to join together to regroup to survive (”if we can’t learn to live together, we’re going to die alone.”) against either the long-rumored-underground dwelling-cerebrus controlling-pre-Dharma-bad ass-original island inhabitants OR against Dharma itself OR both. Either way, they’ll be rebuilding (phoenix rising) on the ruins of an even older (4-toed statue) island culture. So, Season 4: The Ruins.
Season 5: This is the one in which I’m most concerned about loosing casual viewers. But it is a large part of the story that must be told. Hopefully it can be done through on-island flashbacks, but I would think it will require at least some extended real-time, real world settings. Season 5 will be the Widmore/Piak/Hanso story. Past and present. My thought is that these guys are all in “it” together. Now the question is: Has Mittlos (through Alpert) been preserving the illustion/misconception to the Widmore/Piak/Hanso axis of evil that Dharma is still in existance and that they are still funding Dharma Initiative research, not knowing that Dharma was long ago deposed by the Others who have been posing as them ever since the Purge. (Obviously we’ll know if that part is valid in a couple of days). So, Season 5 will be the Corporate component of the story.
Season 6 will be back to the island. All remaining players involved will be present, on island. All story arcs will be resolved. We’ll learn what smokie is, who Adam and Eve were, Doc’s Locke Hero theory will be confirmed, and those who wish to leave will have the opportunity to do so.
OR maybe the world will end and the island will be tossed into an alternate timeline in a mirror universe where a different hero will emerge, everyone will die alone, Niki and Paulo will claw up from the sand and the rabid fans will demand, and receive, Zombie Season 7 (only 16 episodes, of course).
Comment by gusteaux — May 7, 2007 @ 5:33 pm
I think what upsets me most about this isn’t that Lost is ending, which I’ll admit does make me sad…but that instead of doing it in 2 years, with two seasons of 24 episodes, they have to drag it out over three years. They’re obviously doing that to make the most money they possibly can, which is not only upsetting, but also annoying. Why not invest in some news shows that can generate just as much as Lost has, instead of forcing fans like us to put up with a dragged on three more seasons? Personally, I’ll go back to watching 24 if Lost competes against 24 next year - at least I’ll get more than 16 weeks that way.
Comment by Raechel — May 7, 2007 @ 5:41 pm
The last several episodes have been SO GOOD, and SO INTENSE - I will be amazed if they can keep the show at this standard. If so - that’s awesome. They’re just going to need some “writer’s viagra” to keep it up that long…
Comment by lostlover — May 7, 2007 @ 5:41 pm
Here’s my throw-in vote for the game-changing last five minutes of the season finale:
Flight 815 crashes onto the island. But this time, they’ve done this before.
I’m still hung up on the timeline stuff. If they’re going three more seasons, they need to drastically change the story to have enough content.
Comment by scott — May 7, 2007 @ 5:45 pm
awful idea.
DVD sales at the expense of viewer interest over the next three years
i completely disagree with the whole star wars analogy arzt
Comment by roger — May 7, 2007 @ 7:12 pm
QUIT WHINING! they gave us an end date like we asked for! who cares if you have to wait a few months every year! WHO CARES?! I’m the biggest LOST addict I know and even I will be able to make it! JEEZ PEOPLE!
And as far as the “they should have done five seasons” argument….
doing six seasons with fewer episodes will just give the show some breathing room for the creators.. (i.e. more time to make the show awesome)…
STOP complaining please before i barf
Comment by berf — May 7, 2007 @ 7:28 pm
haha it’s funny how some people see watching “lost” as some kind of sacrifice that they simply *have* to make. news flash: everyone posting on these message boards gets to sit back every week and make the choice about whether or not to take in the hour of t.v. the people involved making the show are out there sweating and working and making the actual hour of t.v.–and yes, they’re getting paid handsomely, but that’s because they do good work. make your own t.v. show and you can schedule it any way you like.
Comment by michael — May 7, 2007 @ 7:54 pm
why drag it out over so long just give us the rest of the show and move on.
Comment by Car Parts Guy — May 7, 2007 @ 10:42 pm
has anyone considered that perhaps the three shortened seasons really is the best way to tell the story, i.e., the writers have actually envisioned three more discrete, condensed “chapters” of the “lost” saga?
also, the complaints posted here do not constitute “constructive criticism” of the show. instead of arguing about substantive issues of the show’s plot, characters, themes, etc., people are simply griping about when they get their weekly fix. of course i don’t agree that everything TPTB do is sanctified and untouchable (there have definitely been some poor choices made on “lost”, especially this season), but all this is little more empty, meaningless bellyaching.
Comment by michael — May 8, 2007 @ 12:13 am
I am sick and tired of all the supposed Lost fans who complain about everything. How is this bad. Damon and Carlton wanted to do 5 seasons. Now if each of those seasons had 23 episodes the total would be 46. The way they are doing it with 6 seasons with 16 episodes would make it 48. So not much of a difference. This is the best for everyone. ABC gets more money. The writers get more freedom. The fans get Three more seasons of a fantastic show. We might have to wait a while but if you don’t think it is worth it then you shouldn’t watch it.
Comment by lostfanboy16 — May 8, 2007 @ 12:17 am
With the amount of padding in the first 3 seasons, I’m personally amazed any of you are even interested in cotinuing to watch it for another 3. Hell, the first season was more than half “back story”, meaning that out of 24 episodes you got maybe 6 episode’s worth of progression, with the rest of the show spent explaining why everyone was there which, let’s be blunt, could easily have been left until a later season or even forgotten about completely!
Episodic television like this takes a good week’s worth of filming per show, meaning that for a 24-episode season the cast and crew are going to be working for 6 months on a single project with no chance of a break. For a show such as this where the set is a remote island, that translates into 6 months away from friends and family, and also away from talkshows and guest spots on SNL etc. Besides, only in america is a 6-month run considered necessary for a full season; 13 weeks or even just 6 or 7 is considered just fine in the UK, and we’ll still wait a year or even longer for the next installments; Red Dwarf anyone?
Comment by Inconceivable! — May 8, 2007 @ 1:19 am
Bullshit…give us two more regular seasons and stop dragging this shit out…typical american style…money money money…what a load of bollocks…
Comment by Damo — May 8, 2007 @ 1:42 am
I agree. I would rather two full seasons then three shortened ones. Boo……
Comment by Vestalia — May 8, 2007 @ 5:19 am
I don’t know about you guys, but using LOST as an example of typical American style makes me proud to live in a country which houses artists of such brilliant writing and ideas. It’s nice to hear after all the damage leaders who to quote Sean Penn, “Should be in f#@%ing jail,” have done to our rep. Thanks Damo…
Comment by cap10tripps — May 8, 2007 @ 5:53 am
By the way, it’s hilarious to read all the complaints after reading months worth of complaining how there should be an end date, and how there are too many “filler” episodes. It just goes to show that people love to bitch…
Comment by cap10tripps — May 8, 2007 @ 5:56 am
oh my god!…just enjoy the show when it’s on, think about the possibilities of the storyline for a while, ponder the coolness of the show around the water cooler and get on with things that matter in life.
If this show (or any show) takes up more than a very small portion of your life…it’s time to take at look at priorities.
It’s a great show, but it’s just TV…right?
Comment by hmmm — May 8, 2007 @ 7:23 pm
I’m still upset about that couple they buried alive but haven’t went back to.
Comment by Motorcycle Guy — May 13, 2007 @ 5:22 am
Okay I dont get it? We are now almost in the Season 3 Finale so how many more seasons are there going to be? Are we going up to season 5 ?? or more,… hopefully more! Please answer!! I need to know! I LOVE LOST!!
P.S. I hope Sawyer or Kate don’t die! They are my favourite characters anyways someone please tell me how many more seasons there will be, Until the series finale Thanks!
Comment by Chanelle — May 17, 2007 @ 3:37 pm
Okay I dont get it? We are now almost in the Season 3 Finale so how many more seasons are there going to be? Are we going up to season 5 ?? or more,… hopefully more! Please answer!! I need to know! I LOVE LOST!!
P.S. I hope Sawyer or Kate don’t die! They are my favourite characters anyways someone please tell me how many more seasons there will be, Until the series finale Thanks!
Comment by Chanelle — May 17, 2007 @ 3:39 pm
Okay I dont get it? We are now almost in the Season 3 Finale so how many more seasons are there going to be? Are we going up to season 5 ?? or more,… hopefully more! Please answer!! I need to know! I LOVE LOST!!
P.S. I hope Sawyer or Kate don’t die! They are my favourite characters anyways someone please tell me how many more seasons there will be, Until the series finale Thanks!
Comment by Chanelle — May 17, 2007 @ 3:39 pm
Okay I dont get it? We are now almost in the Season 3 Finale so how many more seasons are there going to be? Are we going up to season 5 ?? or more,… hopefully more! Please answer!! I need to know! I LOVE LOST!!
P.S. I hope Sawyer or Kate don’t die! They are my favourite characters anyways someone please tell me how many more seasons there will be, Until the series finale Thanks!
Comment by Chanelle — May 17, 2007 @ 3:39 pm
Okay I dont get it? We are now almost in the Season 3 Finale so how many more seasons are there going to be? Are we going up to season 5 ?? or more,… hopefully more! Please answer!! I need to know! I LOVE LOST!!
P.S. I hope Sawyer or Kate don’t die! They are my favourite characters anyways someone please tell me how many more seasons there will be, Until the series finale Thanks!
Comment by Chanelle — May 17, 2007 @ 3:39 pm
Okay I dont get it? We are now almost in the Season 3 Finale so how many more seasons are there going to be? Are we going up to season 5 ?? or more,… hopefully more! Please answer!! I need to know! I LOVE LOST!!
Comment by Chanelle — May 17, 2007 @ 3:41 pm
How will they stretch this out for 3 more seasons?
Comment by Brad — May 19, 2007 @ 5:44 am
three words to describe the deal: BAD, STUPID & Greed.
As usual the network execs are up to their old tricks.
there isn’t one creative reason for drawing out two regular seasons into three with 16 episodes in each.
ABC is just exploited devoted fans, like myself, by using the knowledge that we will keep watching lost no matter what. especially after another great, maybe best, season three.
now i’m an originalist, so i believe that a show should have 24 episodes a year.
But my free marker side knows that is ABC’s economical right to string us along.
but at leat we can gripe in vain on the web…
Comment by ciarran — May 21, 2007 @ 1:47 pm
lost is the awsomest show ever and it should be on the air forever . soyer is so hot I can’t beleive the him and kate had sex in the cage talk about romantic.
Comment by peaceful — May 23, 2007 @ 7:37 pm
lost is the awsomest show ever and it should be on the air forever . soyer is so hot I can’t beleive the him and kate had sex in the cage talk about romantic.
Comment by peaceful — May 23, 2007 @ 7:37 pm
2010 end date
come on man i just want it to end
Comment by lost in lost — May 24, 2007 @ 7:22 am
2010 end date
come on man i just want it to end
Comment by lost in lost — May 24, 2007 @ 7:22 am