Lost ratings down because of Idol

Good posts and very nice observations. Truth is, last season there were very few episodes (if any at all) you felt like you could afford to miss. This season it's just the opposite.

The disconnect the castaways exhibit week after week is nothing new. Not sharing info or not following up is source of much speculation. These guys never seem to ask the right question. Bad writing? or Plot device? The whole show seems to be trying to appeal to the 14 year old bubble gum chewing, cheerleader wannabe, school girls that AI so firmly holds. The whole Kate and Jack in a net was just so stuuuupid.

I guess I had always hoped the show would find away to answer the mysteries it poses while at the same time offering more. It doesn't work that way. It just offers the Knock Knock but never delivers the punchline.

Remember how last season and the early part of this season how important the Numbers were? I mean in every episode there was some connection to the numbers, ie copy machine models, flight numbers, birthdays, etc, etc. No matter what number was mentioned and in no matter what context those damn numbers were used. Now, it seems they go out of their way to use every number except The Numbers. It's like the writers are purposely trying to distance themselves from the trap they set for us. In other words, having no meaning from the get go they have no plausible explanation now, so the writers just seem to abandon the whole notion.

I think that's whats been happening from the start. I understand the creators need to keep the islands mysteries a secret. Last season, everybody had a theory on what the heck was going on. The creators naturally declared everything, "not it". Honestly, how many explanations or variations of those explanations could exist given what we now know? Yet, instead of a no comment, the creators would say emphatically, "NO, THAT'S NOT IT". Given the success of the show early one, sooner or later somebody would have to hit on their original idea. By denying constantly, I think the writers were constantly changing the story line to protect their ability to out think everybody else.

The result is a show thats strayed far from what I believe was the original intent--despite the claim by the creators they have a road map of the first 6-7 seasons. It makes no sense. Week after week, the show gets new characters-- not just a few, but bunches. The first seasons biggest distraction was the number of survivors who did nothing but stand in the background. It always confused me to have them survive yet I understood that an hour show with a large cast to begin with couldn't focus on everybody. I figured they must be there to fill voids when the main actors got to big to be on network TV, ala ER.

Not the case at all--this season we have had all the tailies, Alex, the two Henry's, Goodwin, Desmond,Hanso Foundation, Zeke, and Ms Klugh. So much for a deserted island. Keep in mind with the exception of Alex, no mention or hint of any of these characters existed last season.

This show would be slipping if it was on all by itself every day of the week. It's been bad all season. I don't see it getting any better.

I got the "Lost" season one on DVD for Christmas and my family and I could not stop watching it--we loved it. These season is not as good, though--it's getting way too complicated. We don't like the second group of people from the other part of the plane that have been introduced this year--they're boring. Also, there's way too many flashbacks. I don't like the flashbacks, I just like what's happening on the island. My favorite storyline is between Jack and the brunette (can't think of her name, except for "Freckles") and the story between the Japanese couple. Oh, I also like the bald guy who was crippled (I can't remember names, getting too old).
To watch the American Idol results, I switch channels at about 9:20 and just watch the last 10 min. of Idol to see who got voted off. Who needs to watch the entire results show--it's corny, repetitive, and I hate it when they make the person who got voted off sing--who wants to hear them sing, that's why they got voted off!

I like Lost too, losties, but the points that have been made about the show are very valid, and I don't have an answer to them. Do you? This show does seem to just start a whole bunch of things in one episode, and start a whole bunch of things in the next episode, then start a whole bunch... you get the idea. There is barely any continuity, and the entire season feels strained. I hope they can get their act together.

I second the call for them to start the series in January, reruns suck!!!

I know I can only speak for myself here, but watching lost feels like watching Alias all over again. Only without the hot chicks and action.

It's like you can see how they're writing themselves in a corner again without any broader concept or inter-season story arch. And I know the 24 writers are guilty of that as well but that is an action show first and foremost, and the action sequences redeem the show. That's why I don't really care that much about their sloppy writing.

Lost, on the other hand, is a mistery show. Take away the story and you have a bunch of bums on an island.

That's also why I stopped watching a few episodes into this season. Sure, I tivo new episodes and fast forward through them when I feel like it. But I never feel like I am missing out. Actually, whenever I actually watch an episode, I end up being frustrated by the plot holes and rather pointless storylines (hey, let's see if we can find the ONLY treefrog on a tropical island, I mean the VERY ONE we didn't even mention ever before and while we're at it, let's drag this out for 20 minutes).

Please.

I haven't watched Lost since the end of season one. It was tedious then.

LOST is essentially a serial. ABC should take a cue from Fox's 24 and start LOST's season in January. Remember the first couple of seasons of 24? It was very frustrating to follow a continued story in "real time" with three, four, sometimes five week breaks! Note that ever since 24 started its season in January, the show's ratings have soared. I'd gladly wait until January for LOST to start its new season if that meant weekly episodes through May.

LOST, in many ways, is like the X-Files... apparently it's still "before it's time" - sure people get all excited with it, but if the "answers" they want are not thrown in their face, they get pissed. These episodes are written extremely well; layer upon layer.. subtle clues in EVERY episode and sometimes we're given a giant in your face clue too. You know, I think every show has this problem... "Oh why doesn't X and Y get together already! They're so in love!" Then X and Y hookup and SPLAT, ratings take a dive. At least with LOST, we're given such an intricate storyline (a growing one, even) so interwoven... sigh. Each episode is written for a reason and gives us several clues to add to our theories - there are no "filler" episodes.

I love LOST. It's one of the most well written, creative television programs out there right now and really makes watching television exciting. It really makes you appreciate this storytelling medium.

ok, off my soapbox now. ;)

Well, doc it's wonderful that you have American Idol to tide you over then. If you dislike Lost so much STOP WATCHING! You seem to be paying a lot of attention to a show you seem to not be able to stand.

I couldnt agree more with doc. This is what happened to Alias and now it is happening to Lost. JJ Abrams creates these great shows and then leaves. Reportedly he wants to come back and they need him BADLY. Also, ever since Javier Grillo-Marxuach left the show its gone downhill. Another thing, the lost creators have posed so many questions that they could spend the time answering them and it would take three or four seasons. But instead, they just keep posing more questions to the point that even they dont know what the hell they are doing. Ever since the two groups collided its been awful. I hope Abrams coming back will fix this show. ABC has too much riding on it to let it go the way of Alias so here's hoping.

Honestly, I'm bored with Lost. I haven't found it intersting in weeks, and have always forgotten to record it since I just don't care anymore. The story line has become such total crap that it's not worth my time.