ABC moves 'Lost' out of 'Idol's' way

[Mouseferatu]

This complaint about "Lost" really boils down to a complaint about serialized drama. If you want a done in a single episode show, that's the majority of television. We don't need any other shows turned into them.

It's not, though. One of my favorite series of all time is still Babylon 5, which--from mid-season 2 through early season 5--was essentially one long story, with a few standalone episodes thrown in.

But B5 never lost its sense of progress, and JMS and the other writers knew there was a limit to how long they could keep any single mystery going, and that they could only pull the "Here's the answer, WAIT, no it's not" trick so many times.

It's what X-Files failed to do, and why I stopped watching it after a few years.

Serial drama still has to have steady progress, and even the best long-term plotline can be drawn out for too long.

 

[xmanii]

With my new job, I'll be working through Lost on Wednesday nights even at 10pm. I'll have to buy them off iTunes the day after and watch them. My wife, however, will most likely watch them the night they air, and brag until my download finishes. I enjoy the character stories more than anything, with an occasional full-scale-plot cookie. I have to admit, though, I think the Kate back story dipped a little low ... didn't care for the Locke one that much, either ... but maybe they hired new (and mediocre) writers to help out on the most central characters. At any rate, I always look forward to the next episode. It's still working for me

You should be able to watch Lost on abc.com.

 

[jester47]

My theory on LOST is that it is designed to run in circles until ratings start to drop off because of the above stated frustrations and then they will start to explain what the numbers mean and what is going on, leading up to a big finale and making sure the ratings stay up in the last season. Thats my theory anyway.

 

[Crothian]

You didn't see these same complaints that you see now about Lost during it's first season either. Everyone liked it

That's not true at all. About half way through the first season is when some people did start to complain and there were quite a few around here that did not like it enough to stick with it till the end of the first season.

 

[Crothian]

After two and a half seasons, we know (or almost know) who the Others are and what they're about.

Which is what? I don't think we know, I think there are some what sounds like good guesses but I wouldn't say we even almost know.

 

[reanjr]

As long as they don't move the internet broadcasts back an hour, I couldn't care less.

The idea of forcing consumers to schedule their entertainment is an artifact of more primitive technologies that would not accomodate both business and consumer needs. With updated technology, there is no reason to stick to archaic way of doing things. Hopefully this is a sign that networks are starting to realize this. Let's face it 10PM is NOT a primo spot.

ABC is at the vanguard of friendly content distribution in the television market. A few others are trying, but ABC took the reins and is really bringing on demand entertainment to the masses, first by selling episodes of Lost on iTunes, now by providing them for free on their own website.

NBC started inching into this realm by providing shows online, but until recently (presumably at push of ABC's offerings) only offered the latest episode.

I'm interested to see how these new distribution methods affect DVD sales, though. If DVD sales are high enough they can somewhat make up for a moderately successfully show (Firefly, anyone...)

 

[Taelorn76]

My theory on LOST is that it is designed to run in circles until ratings start to drop off because of the above stated frustrations and then they will start to explain what the numbers mean and what is going on, leading up to a big finale and making sure the ratings stay up in the last season. Thats my theory anyway.

Hate to break it to you but they have already revealed what the numbers mean. It was explained as part the lost experience that was going on the web this past summer

 

[Crothian]

Hate to break it to you but they have already revealed what the numbers mean. It was explained as part the lost experience that was going on the web this past summer

And the meaning is?

 

[Ranger REG]

My theory on LOST is that it is designed to run in circles until ratings start to drop off because of the above stated frustrations and then they will start to explain what the numbers mean and what is going on, leading up to a big finale and making sure the ratings stay up in the last season. Thats my theory anyway.

My theory is that JJ Abrams can never make a TV series last longer than five seasons. Felicity lasted only four season; ALIAS, only five.

Of course, he could prove me wrong with LOST.

 

[dravot]

And the meaning is?

I just looked it up on the Lost Pedia (a wiki)

It has been revealed in the Lost Experience that these six numbers are the core values of the Valenzetti Equation, a mathematical formula designed to predict the end of humanity. The purpose of the DHARMA Initiative is to change the factors leading to humanity's demise, which will be indicated by an alteration in at least one of these numbers. However, the DHARMA Initiative still, supposedly to this day, do not know exactly what the numbers mean.

Go figure. :\