Lost coming to an end?

elevenseventysix · 15 Jan 2007 at 12:06

Lost writers in talks over ending

Producers of the cult television series Lost say they are discussing the end of the series with US network ABC.

Although the castaway drama is not set to finish in the near future, producers say they want an end date to help plan future episodes.

"Once we figure out when that will be, a lot of the questions will go away," said executive producer Carlton Cuse.

The third series of Lost, being shown on Sky in the UK, has seen viewing figures drop by more than a million.

In the US viewing figures have also fallen by around 14%, but the show's creators say the drop-off is deceptive because the programme was a "sensation" in its first two series.

However, they admit that they to finish on top, citing The X-Files as a comparable series which outstayed its welcome.

"That was a great show that probably ran two seasons too long," Cuse said. "That is a cautionary tale for us."

Lost has been a critical and commercial success on both sides of the Atlantic.

Set on a remote desert island, the show looks at how the survivors of a plane crash deal with their hostile and mysterious new surroundings.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6262245.stm

This sounds like a good way to sort out Lost's declining audience figures... but doesn't this sound like they are accepting defeat?

Jack

Supercow · 15 Jan 2007 at 12:11

I'm glad they are thinking of an ending, coz they really cannot keep stringing us along like this.
I'm a massive fan, BUT it's about time they answer some questions, without raising two more

Fubsy · 15 Jan 2007 at 12:16

Fantastic

Does this mean there will finally be a point behind the many hours I have wasted on this programme?

SgtTupac · 15 Jan 2007 at 12:18

Better to end on a high than to end down in the gutter. I hope then end it on Season 4 to be honest. Weve had the front half story (1st season) tailes story (2nd season) and now the others story (3rd season) so the 4th season should be the ending

Scam · 15 Jan 2007 at 12:46

sup3rc0w said:
I'm glad they are thinking of an ending, coz they really cannot keep stringing us along like this.
I'm a massive fan, BUT it's about time they answer some questions, without raising two more

Just to point out they do already know how it's going to an end. They constantly say in interviews that they know how it ends, they just dont know how long until we get there.

If you read that again, it's the producers wanting to know when it will end, not how. I'm personally not bothered either way. I hate to see shows outstay their welcome, but then again a lot can go for longer than ~4 seasons very successfully (The West Wing being my favourite example).

TripleT · 15 Jan 2007 at 12:50

Agree with all of the above really.

But surely some of the drop in viewing figures is because its gone from Channel4 to Sky? :confused:

House · 15 Jan 2007 at 12:55

Personally i think the drop in figures is more to do with S2 sucking....

S1 was great built up and really made you want to see the next ep...

S2 felt like you'd been mugged and left you asking why.... not only that but they took there time over beating you to a pulp as well.... seriously what happend in S2 that couldn't have been done in 3-4 eps..

S3 hasn't excatly set the world alight so far. and then they stick a huge break in the middle of it.

I'm having trouble thinking of a show thats nose dived so badly..

elevenseventysix · 15 Jan 2007 at 13:06

TripleT said:
Agree with all of the above really.

But surely some of the drop in viewing figures is because its gone from Channel4 to Sky?

Totally agree - but what about in America where the ratings have slumped and it's still on the same channel?

Jack

Goatboy · 15 Jan 2007 at 13:12

The padding out has been really annoying, so many filler episodes that weren't worth the bother.

If they wrap it up in four that would be excellent news, if there's going to be six or something I'll switch off.

Raymond Lin · 15 Jan 2007 at 13:26

Good to know the audience isn't as stupid as I thought, enough is enough !!! Too many questions and not enough answers, people get bored of the carrot getting dangle without a bite will soon and have switched off.

Tru · 15 Jan 2007 at 13:35

The story arc went all to hell in S2, the fact that they killed off all the tallies was weird too. I've not been particularly turned on by S3 so far but I'll still watch it for the occasional monocle-popping moments.

The thing is with this show it hinges on mystery and unanswered questions, if you want answers, forget it, because as soon as you get them the show loses it's appeal.

Raymond Lin · 15 Jan 2007 at 13:37

Tru said:
The story arc went all to hell in S2, the fact that they killed off all the tallies was weird too. I've not been particularly turned on by S3 so far but I'll still watch it for the occasional monocle-popping moments.

The thing is with this show it hinges on mystery and unanswered questions, if you want answers, forget it, because as soon as you get them the show loses it's appeal.

Kinda of catch 22, I've lost interest because i am never going to get answers, and if i get answers i will stop watching it too.

Tru · 15 Jan 2007 at 13:38

Raymond Lin said:
Kinda of catch 22, I've lost interest because i am never going to get answers, and if i get answers i will stop watching it too.

Well you are clearly not within their target demographic.

Scam · 15 Jan 2007 at 13:39

Tru said:
The thing is with this show it hinges on mystery and unanswered questions, if you want answers, forget it, because as soon as you get them the show loses it's appeal.

Exactly. I love being dangled a carrot

I still enjoy the slow episodes, but still nothing beats those Lost ''omgwtf!'' moments like at the end of s1.

Tru · 15 Jan 2007 at 13:46

Scam said:
Exactly. I love being dangled a carrot

I still enjoy the slow episodes, but still nothing beats those Lost ''omgwtf!'' moments like at the end of s1.

Yeah, I think Lost is the only show where my jaw literally hangs open for prolonged periods. Like this ->

Spunj99 · 15 Jan 2007 at 14:07

Tru said:
Yeah, I think Lost is the only show where my jaw literally hangs open for prolonged periods. Like this ->

Yeah. At the end of a few episodes i think i've literally sat there with that face for around 15 minutes.

elevenseventysix · 15 Jan 2007 at 14:18

Spunj99 said:
Yeah. At the end of a few episodes i think i've literally sat there with that face for around 15 minutes.

Just out of interest, have you ever watched 24? That show has given me a lot more :eek:

moments than Lost, but I definitely think Lost does have it's excellent bits when it's on form!

Raymond Lin · 15 Jan 2007 at 14:24

jackgnic said:
Just out of interest, have you ever watched 24? That show has given me a lot more moments than Lost, but I definitely think Lost does have it's excellent bits when it's on form!

24 has me in more :eek:

and more more more moments than LOST ever had, I watched season 1 in the space of 2 days last summer and I felt cheated when i finished.

sam83uk · 15 Jan 2007 at 14:26

lol i gave up on this at the end of season 1, someone let me know if it was aliens that planted them k thx bye

Pigeon_Killer · 15 Jan 2007 at 14:37

Raymond Lin said:
I watched season 1 in the space of 2 days last summer and I felt cheated when i finished.

Agree. A lot of my mates like and watch it but whenever I ask them to summarise series one or two they can only think of a few things that actually happened. I've always felt they spread the content far too thinly and 12 episodes would've been a more appropriate length for a series.

I personally doubt they'll ever get to finish the story because I expect it to get axed sooner or later due to poor viewing figures.

Lost coming to an end?

Man of Honour