that's what they say.

I hadn't known this (probably because I wasn't paying attention to the upfronts, etc.)...but "Lost" next year will have 6-7 eps, go on a longass hiatus, then show 17 eps from January through sweeps.

I think it might be 6-7 eps, break, 6-7 eps, break, 6-7 eps, finale. That's what I heard, anyway. They are suffering in the ratings due to the amount of repeats (as a factor).

The way I understand the Lost writing room, they come up with something (eg Hatch), and then wrap a backstory around it to explain it.

The problem -- in my opinion, at least -- is they can't explain too much without spoiling the long term prospect of the franchise. So they've ended up with a situation where they have layers and layers of mysteries -- which makes it harder for people to pick up without being hard core fans. So, the less hard core audience is dropping off - that's very evident by the viewing figures.

It certainly won't get cancelled, as it's doing about 14 million viewers easily enough, but it's a very expensive show so they will need to have make cutbacks or get that audience back. And soon.

With JJ and Lost's show runner disappearing for Paramount's Star Trek next year, they might end up with a difficult situation. Every so often, there are parallels made between Lost and The X-Files -- which is funny, as it's going to end up in exactly the same situation, where the show runners and creators disappear to do a motion picture during the 3rd/4th season, which mirrors X, which is where X went off the rails as it happens.

That said, I enjoyed the finale a fair amount, and would love to see more Desmond. There's not enough pretty for the men, also.

Kevin, now you may be right, but that's not what they said during the podcast this week. They literally said there would be a "taste" and then the rest of the season uninterrupted.

Well, that's a better plan than mine anyway :) January to May uninterrupted is a good thing, in my opinion anyway. But then, I'm British, so it's what we are used to here.

Waitaminute. There's going to be another Star Trek series? And JJ is involved?!

I don't know whether to be thrilled or frightened.

I thought JJ was on tap to do the next Trek movie, not another series.

Movie, not series.

They claim that they do not introduce any element unless they know the resolution

Like the numbers?

Every so often, there are parallels made between Lost and The X-Files -- which is funny, as it's going to end up in exactly the same situation, where the show runners and creators disappear to do a motion picture during the 3rd/4th season, which mirrors X, which is where X went off the rails as it happens.

The X-Files movie was shot between the 4th and 5th seasons. I think the point where the show "went off the rails" was when they caved to criticism of the long arc being too complicated and killed off the syndicate. This was mid season 6.

I could never figure out why I lost interest in The X-Files. I was quite obsessive about it, until season 4 time.