LOST for Another 3 Years

According to ABC, the lostaways are going to remain lost for a little bit longer. ABC and the creators of LOST just inked a deal to produce 48 additional episodes of the show, but here’s the catch: the 48 episode will be divided into three, 16-episode seasons. So yeah, we are technically getting three more seasons, but in essence it’s really more like two full seasons. The show is set to end in the 2009-2010 season.

Also on board for the duration are Executive Producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse. It was Lindelof and Cuse who actually asked the network for an end date for the series during the Winter TCAs earlier this year. Looks like they got what they wanted, but with a little compromise with the guys paying the bills over at ABC. Lindelof and Cuse know how to play the game…let the network make the announcement and let them think this was their idea all along. Well played.

ABC Entertainment President, Steve McPherson, think this is a smart move for both the show and the network: “In considering the powerful storytelling of ‘Lost,’ we felt this was the only way to give it a proper creative conclusion’.

“I always said that we would allow the series to grow and give viewers the most compelling hour possible,” he added. “And, due to the unique nature of the series, we knew it would require an end date to keep the integrity and strength of the show consistent throughout, and to give the audience the payoff they deserve. ” McPherson added.

Regarding the contracts of Lindelof and Cuse, ABC Television Studio President Mark Pedowitz said: “We wanted to make sure we had the team responsible for its success in place for not only the run of the show, but so that each of their future series creations have a home at the studio after ‘Lost,’ ” Pedowitz said.

Source: Variety