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« Roush Dispatch
Lost in ABC's Serial Bowl
So far, I’m on board with everything ABC is doing with and saying about Lost these days. As I’ve said before, I think the network is right to move the show to 10 pm/ET when it returns from hiatus on February 7—gets it out of the way of American Idol, provides a solid lead-in to the late local news, which the affiliates care about (although history tells us that many of the fans will ditch the TV to go straight to their message boards and fan sites), and keeps the network from worrying about what poor loser show will next have to follow Lost and fail to live up to expectations.
But what really jazzes me was ABC entertainment chief Steve McPherson’s suggestion at ABC’s TCA day over the weekend that next season, Lost will air in 24 style. Start to finish without a break, so we won’t again be frustrated by something like this fall’s six-season episode pod that, especially where our captive characters were concerned, felt like it was treading water more than usual. (Still, if only for introducing us to the lovely and mysterious Juliet, who will be the focus of the first episode back, I forgive the shows its flaws, as usual.) If this means keeping Lost out of the fall lineup, delaying its premiere until the midpoint of the season to ensure an uninterrupted stream of episodes, so be it. It works for 24. Why not for the other most creatively thrilling show on TV?
I also applaud the idea of Lost’s creators giving us a solid answer about the series’ endgame: perhaps in 100 episodes, as the show’s creators suggested at press tour (which means a five-season run); or, as some analysts have suggested, possibly a season or two longer, fulfilling the stars’ original contracts. Whatever the case, Damon Lindelof is absolutely right that the reputation of The X-Files (a huge influence on Lost) suffered by staying on the air at least two seasons too long. And unlike, say, The Sopranos, once these guys let us know when it’s going to be over, I hope they stick to their guns.
As for McPherson’s statements about ABC backing away from serial dramas next season, who can blame him after the debacles of Day Break, Six Degrees and the should-have-been-better The Nine (which I still believe was the best drama pilot last fall, but not as it turned out the best drama series, an honor that now falls to NBC’s struggling Friday Night Lights). Still, it’s not like ABC is bereft of serialized programming (think Grey’s Anatomy, Ugly Betty, the steadily improving Brothers & Sisters and Men in Trees, and of course Desperate Housewives). It’s just that replicating the gripping experience of Lost is harder than it looks.
Another thought about ABC’s serialized shows, which came to me as I watched Housewives and Brothers this Sunday night. Just like last season, when Grey’s Anatomy became the show I looked most forward to on Sundays, with Housewives something of a chore if not a speed bump, I’m now enjoying Brothers & Sisters much more than the more popular show it follows. Not only is it better acted and more adept at juggling multiple and sometimes even believable storylines, it’s actually funnier than Housewives these days, and I would never have predicted that from the morose opening episodes that dealt with the death of the family patriarch and the financial mess he left behind.
Brothers & Sisters is also a sexier show, allowing its multigenerational cast to shine—and to glow—whether they’re single, married, straight, gay or (in the case of the wonderful Sally Field) of a certain age.
As for Housewives, after the terrific hostage episode during November sweeps, the show has settled back down in a hit-or-miss groove with uneven, mostly uninspired storylines that waste the potential of this great cast. And where, I ask you, is the sex appeal that should be bursting from this saucy series? This soap needs some serious lather, and I’m afraid that Dougray Scott (as Susan’s jealous flame), Kyle MacLachlan (as Bree’s creepy spouse) and even young stud Josh Henderson (as Julie’s cheating boy toy) haven’t raised the temperature much on Wisteria Lane.
The show can still get off some good lines. Examples from this Sunday’s episode: From neighbor Mrs. McCluskey (the invaluable Kathryn Joosten) to Lynette, once again meddling in her husband’s affairs: “It’s bad enough you cut off his cojones. Now you want to juggle ‘em?” Gaby to her young stalker Zack (who despite his fortune doesn’t appear to be able to afford a flattering haircut): “Don’t hijack the Ferrari if you don’t know how to drive.” (That one was given away in the promos.) Bree in despair: “I don’t know how I’m going to bake my way out of this one.” Orson to Alma (in perhaps the dreariest current storyline): “The novelty of not being a corpse can’t last forever.”
Neither, I think, can the novelty of Desperate Housewives’s brilliant premise ensure lasting or enduring success, if it continues to allow itself to be upstaged in the quality sweepstakes by its companion show (first Grey’s, now Brothers).
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Jan 15, 2007 10:43 AM
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Matt. I couldn't agree more with your assesment of Lost. Whether it means moving the premiere to January (preferable) or ending it in March, ABC needs to run the show 24-style. Frankly, I loved the first six episodes, and they were necessary to get us invested in The Others, but I think the extended break is causing a semi-backlash towards those episodes. But, to each his own.
As to Brothers & Sisters, I have such mixed feelings on that one, I still can't figure out if I like the show, or just some of the characters. The real downfall of that show for me, and I hate to say it, is Sally Field. I just can't stand her over-the-top melo-dramatic stories. Everyone else is ok for me (especially Kevin and Justin), but I just can't stand Nora. It's just excrutiating every time she is on for me. (But, again, to each his own.)
I have one question for you. One of your blogs from last year I best remember is your post-Golden Globes, where you said as long as Lost and Brokeback Mountain won, everything was fine by you. I was wondering what you were rooting for most this year. (Not what you think should win, but you want to win.) For me, it would still have to be Lost for tv, and Little Miss Sunshine for movie. Thanks.
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Jan 15, 2007 12:03 PM
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I completely agree that Brothers & Sisters is so much more entertaining than D.H...I think B&S, along with Greys Anatomy is one of the best written shows for ABC. I hope that more and more people realize its potential. it will probably never enjoy the success of greys (starting off as a companion show of DH) but i hope its viewership grows. Its my must see on Sunday.
Also, i think its great that Lost has put an end date to the show. I think the longer they keep on prolonging the series with only a few questions answered in each episode the more the audience will get frustrated. (as evidenced also by criminal minds gaining a popularity earlier this season and Lost losing some of the initial hype). I love the series and it should just go out with the acclaim that it deserves.
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Jan 15, 2007 12:33 PM
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TV viewers are a lot like the first Homo Sapiens who roamed Africa, discovering fire and fashioning crude cutting devices, then stopping all developement for a thousand years because of reluctance to change. Everyone complained about repeats in Lost so they changed to this format, and a whole lot of people are still complaining. I personally think those people will complain no matter what Lost or ABC execs do - so they should do what works for them and the real fans. I watch 24 and it is sooooo hard to wait for it to start - but I do. I think it would work for Lost. Thank God they are sticking to their original plan to end the show on a high note - it's never been anywhere else for me. I'll be there watching to the bitter end, enjoying my time on a island which sure looks like paradise to me.
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Jan 15, 2007 5:03 PM
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I couldn't agree more, Matt. I'm not a fan/viewer of Lost but I commend the showrunners for doing the smart thing and having the show leave on top. Too many great shows had less than stellar endings because they were past their prime (X-Files, That 70s Show, even Buffy).
As for Brothers & Sisters, it is hands down my favorite new drama of the season and boy can that Sally Field act. She just about carries the show (not to say that Rachael Griffiths, Matthew Rhys, Ron Rifkin, et al arean't all spectacular). I hope much like Grey's people wake up and start tuning in. Hopefully ABC will get the Superbowl for '08 and they can do a supersized Brothers & Sisters.
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Jan 16, 2007 6:01 PM
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