lost

Last night's 'Lost' series finale was one of the most talked about, buzzed about and hyped television episodes in years. What it wasn't, however, was one of the most watched.

As noted by The Hollywood Reporter, the 'Lost' series finale's figures of 13 million viewers and a 5.6 rating in the coveted 16-49 demographic were solid for the show but hardly anything to write home about. It does mark the highest ratings for the show in two years, but is still down from the average ratings the series drew at its peak of popularity, meaning that while some 'Lost' fans returned to find out the ending, the show couldn't even bring all of its own fans back in, much less appeal to the broader television world.

How do you say goodbye to your favorite show? A show that actually inspired you to do your own show, just so you could talk about that show? Well, you throw a party, you have tissues on hand and you get as many fellow fans and friends to watch with you.

That show for me is 'Lost,' and the series and our weekly Instant Dharma debates were given a fond farewell party Sunday night, complete with 'Lost'-themed food (Desmond Hume-mus, Mr. Clucks Fried Chicken Bites with Dharma Ranch Dressing, Charles Widmore submarine sandwiches, Jacob and Man in Black & White Cookies and, yes, some Dharma Beer).

Even more special: almost all of the guests you've seen throughout the season returned to share their finale reactions with us.

In many ways, the characters of 'Lost' have been on one long, harrowing season of 'Survivor' -- except enduring on the island is a matter of life and death, not popularity votes. Jimmy Kimmel makes this all too real with a couple of hilarious alternate endings on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' (weeknights, 12:05AM on ABC).

"I'm sorry, Sayid, the tribe has spoken," says 'Survivor' host Jeff Probst, as he follows the reality-TV show's protocol and snuffs out Sayid's torch.

In his exit interview, Sayid lashes out: "I did not spend five years in the Republican Guard ... get drowned in a pond, take a bomb to the stomach on a submarine to get eliminated by Jeff [beep] Probst."

Then 'Lost' creators Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse are shown brainstorming some more series endings and come up with a parody of a parody. It's like the finale of 'Newhart' -- which itself was a spin on 'The Bob Newhart Show' -- except his wife Emily isn't in bed beside him. There's this young brunette going on about polar bears...?

(S06E17/18) I was right! I was right! Well, I was probably more wrong than right, but I was right about one key thing, which makes me very happy. Happy not just because I'm right, but because what I'm right about is just so appropriate; so perfect for this series finale.

As finales go, 'The End' will definitely go down as one of the more satisfying ones; even though it didn't come close to answering all of our questions about the Island and its special properties. But creators Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse promised that we would be satisfied with the conclusions of the character arcs, and in that regard I think they're right.

At two-and-a-half hours, I'm still digesting everything they threw at me. I struggle at times to sort out a typical one hour episode, much less a feature film length one. But I'm glad the finale will linger with me in the weeks to come, because it is bittersweet saying goodbye to 'Lost.' There has been nothing like it on television, and there may never be again. That it succeeded at all is a miracle.

24 - Monday May 24, 8 pm ET/PT, Global/Fox

Not only is it the season finale, but also the series finale. Even avid fans of the show are ready for it to pass into the great white light of the television afterlife, as it's become increasingly ridiculous over the years. There are so many fine moments I'll never forget (and others I wish I could - bear trap, ahem) but for some reason it's the video of Kiefer Sutherland trying to jump over a Christmas tree that really stays with me. And it wasn't even part of the show.

In an emotional series ending on 'Lost' (Sun., 9PM ET on ABC), a familiar face returns to explain the two diverging realities and how all the characters' lives have become so intertwined.

[Spoiler alert.]

Don't go into the light, Des! During the series finale of 'Lost' (Sun., 9PM ET on ABC), Desmond (Henry Ian Cusick) finally fulfills his destiny on the island at the direction of two sworn enemies.

[Spoiler alert.]

Spoilers ahead for the 'Lost' finale ..

AOL Television's NYC team said goodbye to 'Lost' in the best way possible, with fellow losties at 'Professor Thom's' in Manhattan. And, as expected, the night was filled with cheers, beers and a whole lot of tears.

Check out photos from the viewing party and fan reactions to the finale below. Also, make sure to watch the last episode of our 'Lost' recap show, Instant Dharma.

So say you're an actor and fan of 'Lost' and you happen to get cast on the show. Utopia, right? Not only do you get to be part of the biggest television event of the year but you can find out what happens in the end months ahead of everyone else.

Hardly.

Frederick Koehler ('Pepper Dennis,' 'Dexter') came on the island this season as Seamus, a scientist working for Charles Widmore (Alan Dale) who is killed by The Man In Black (Titus Welliver) while guarding the Candidates. For Koehler, a fan of the show long before his appearance on it, the cliched "dream role" aptly applied.

When TV Squad caught up with Koehler on the set of 'Death Race: Frankenstein Lives' earlier this year, we asked him about 'Lost' and immediately got the "I can't talk about it" reply. But the actor did open up a little about being on the most secretive show on television.

Oh, 'Lost.' You've done so much for us. How can we repay you for the impact you've made on our lovely world of pop culture? Through tribute videos posted on the Internet? OK, if you say so.

With the finale right around the corner 'Lost' nostalgia has come to a head. YouTube is filled with thousands of 'Lost' tribute videos and parodies, you can't possibly watch them all. But, we did (well, we watched a lot). Check out some of the best videos we found paying tribute to 'Lost' across the Web. They range from original songs to compilations of scenes from the series. Enjoy!

Drinks and tomfoolery are always appropriate when showing a proper sendoff. Why not show the same respect for our favorite television shows? Honestly, we probably see these characters more often than some of our closest relatives.

Sure we lose shows all the time, except this weekend the operable word is also the namesake one of America's favorite shows. As we bid adieu to 'Lost' we want to help you drown your sorrows with fellow fans and pay our last respects to the survivors of Oceanic 815.

Of course this list is not exhaustive and if you know of a great 'Lost' party, feel free to let us know! Also, if you're staying in that evening but want to chat with fellow fans, join TV Squad's live chat!

Most 'Lost' fans have experienced the addictive, brain-tickling glee that marathon viewing sessions of the show on DVD can produce.

When contrasted to watching the series live and dealing with commercials, week-long breaks between episodes, and 'V' promotional bumpers, rapid-fire 'Lost' DVD consumption has become a time-honored tradition among fans.

In advance of Sunday's series finale, one dude is taking this tradition to the extreme, and has embarked on the Iditarod of 'Lost'-watching marathons.

All good things must come to an end, as the proverb says. And as the end of 'Lost' draws painfully near, we here at TV Squad took a look back -- all the way to the very beginning -- to choose our favorite episodes from the show we collectively obsessed over..

We also asked the show's executive producers, Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof, to name their favorite episodes before their TimesTalk panel discussion in New York City last night. To see which ones they chose, plus our staff picks, read on ...