I completely agree. They need to get a life... and a DVR!

if you watch lost
then YOU WATCH LOST
I dont know anyone that watchs sometimes
your in or your out
and your a lot cooler if your in

Well said guys... Well said

I work with Nielsen data and it is very flawed. Don't get me started on Arbitron (radio) because they are even worse. The overnight data is taken from real-time boxes which are in a select few markets in the US. These boxes sit on your TV and record what is being watched. If you leave the room, or turn off the TV but leave the cable or the box on, it still records you as a viewer.

The full-nation sweeps happen four times a year and I think it might be diary based. They also do monthly ratings books for other select mid-sized markets.

The whole ratings system is a mess and a lot of people are trying to correct it but Nielsen is a huge monopoly and they can squash any competition.

Basically the ratings numbers don't mean much unless it is for comparing various shows in similar time frames.

Thats unfortunate since a lot of critics like to fault Lost if it slips in the Nielsen ratings. Like "oh, it's not as good as the 1st season cuz Nielsen says so!" Lotta bull-crap if you ask me.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Although.. I was a little confused on last nights episode with the polar bear in the desert, and for what reason are the new characters trying to capture Benjamin Linus? Is there going to be a flashback with Ben explaining why and how he got to know these people and the reason he is wanted?

The dumb thing about the ratings: they don't consider viewings done on ABC.com or those with DVR or vcr's.