The End of Lost

With ABC's annual upfront presentation coming up in just about a week or so, be prepared for a major announcement from the alphabet network: the end of Lost.

Now, before you fellow Losties start to freak out because you're assuming that ABC is about to cancel the show, please allow me to explain: ABC has been meeting recently with the producers of Lost to map out an official exit strategy for the hit Wednesday-night series. The most likely scenario being discussed at ABC calls for bringing Lost to a conclusion at the end of the fifth season (Lost is currently wrapping up season three). Such a scenario would allow the producers the luxury of being able to plot out the rest of the series, without having to stretch out stories and plots beyond their natural conclusions.

Even if five does become the magic number of seasons, still unknown is the exact number of episodes that would comprise the final season. One scenario has the final season turning up as a "short season," with only a limited number of episodes (rumored to be 13). Nothing, though, is yet set in stone.

Also likely to be announced at the ABC upfront presentation will be more news about Lost: the move to a January debut date (a la Fox's 24), and the move to an earlier timeslot (goodbye 10:00!). Also rumored to be under consideration by the alphabet: the airing of weekly back-to-back new episodes of Lost (yes, two new Lost episodes on the same night!) to coincide with the move to a January debut.

While we're on the subject... following up on my earlier post about the last few episodes of this season of Lost... allow me to once again emphasize: do not miss these episodes. And if you miss the season finale, well... you'll be very sorry. Trust me on this one.