Ausiello's on LOST (11-07-07)

Ausiello on Lost 11-07-07

Question: What does the strike mean for Lost? Any idea how many episodes they finished pre-strike? Is it still scheduled to air some time in February?

Mike Ausiello: Why do I suddenly feel as if I'm talking to myself, Mike? Why do I also suddenly feel like I'm not going to like what I have to say? At least I know the answer to that second part — it's because I don't like what I have to say. If the strike extends into the new year and beyond, there is a chance ABC may opt to delay the new season until the fall. Or worse yet, February 2009. Another scenario has the network simply airing the eight episodes already in the can this February as originally planned — something Team Darlton would not be in favor of. Says Lost cocreator Carlton Cuse, "Damon [Lindelof] and my concern about running the [eight] episodes we will have made is that it will feel a little like reading half a Harry Potter novel, then having to put it down. There is a mini-cliff-hanger at the end of Episode 8, but it's like the end of an exciting book chapter; it's not the end of the novel. Damon and I didn't write [the ending of Episode 8] differently [with the looming strike in mind]. We wrote it to be the ending of Episode 8." In any case, he concedes that the decision to hold or air the episodes isn't ultimately theirs. "It's really [ABC honcho Steve MacPherson's] call," Cuse notes, adding, "No one was happy with the six-episode run last season."

Question: Now that the writers are on strike, whatever will I do to get Lost scoop? — Maribeth

Ausiello: You can ask, for starters. Have I ever let you down? Whenever the current eight episodes air, keep an eye out toward the end of the run for Zoe Bell, whom Carlton Cuse calls "the stuntwoman extraordinaire, from the Tarantino flicks [Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Grindhouse]. She definitely will make a splash."

Mourning TV

Mourning TV - New York Times

Damon Lindelof wrote about television's demise, in today's edition of The New York Times. This is an interesting read. Thanks for you thoughts, Damon.

ABC to Air Partial Season of Lost

STRIKE COVERAGE: ABC to Air Partial Season of Lost - 11/7/2007 11:46:00 PM - Broadcasting & Cable:

"ABC said that as of now, it is sticking with its plan to air the eight episodes it has of Lost -- this coming on the day that Fox announced that it will bench its own serialized midseason thriller, 24. Lost Lost executive producer Damon Lindelof said Wednesday that the final episode that has been written ends in a cliffhanger that will not be resolved for viewers until after the strike."

How will the strike affect Lost?

How will the strike affect Lost? | Strike, TV Biz | Hollywood Insider | EW.com:

"So far the news about what the strike will mean for Lost s return to ABC this winter isn t all that bad but it could get worse if the picketing persists. According to Lost executive producer Carlton Cuse — who was walking the picket line Monday in front of Burbank s Disney lot with fellow EP Damon Lindelof — ABC will soon have eight episodes in the can that it can begin airing after the first of the year ABC has yet to announce a start date though it seems likely the show will return in February . If the strike is prolonged and the scribes can t get back to work writing the rest of the episodes fans are going to be stuck with the kind of stunted season they were forced to endure last year. 'It will feel like buying a Harry Potter book reading half of it and then having to put it down for many months ' explains Cuse. 'There is a cliffhanger at the end of the eighth episode. It will only be frustrating for viewers to have to step away from the show and not see the second half of the season.

Writers Guild of America Daily Variety Ad

pencils down means pencils down

In this Daily Variety ad, 100 showrunners put their names on the list. LOST is included.

“You guys will still break stories, right?” “Your people can still write scripts. I mean, who would know?” We would. We would know that doing so undermines the very cause for which we’re fighting. We would know that it sends the wrong message to those who honor our picket lines

We would know that it only serves to prolong a strike. So, just to be absolutely clear: In the event of a strike, we, the following showrunners, will do no writing and no story breaking — nor will any be asked of our writing staffs — until we get a deal.

"Carlton Cuse Damon Lindelof (Lost)"

The Writers Strike Back

Watch with Kristin - Hold on to Your Couch Cushions: The Writers' Strike Is Here:

"From all appearances, Lost may have the best advantage of all series, given that it has been stockpiling new scripts since June and not a single episode has aired. At this point, 14 of 16 episodes have been written. And if the strike does last long enough to seriously impact other series, Lost could very well be the only quality scripted drama on television in February (along with perhaps 24, though it's far more behind in scripts due to an overhaul of location and storyline)."