Mischief, mayhem and mystery characterize some of British television's most enduring series. Unlike modern American suspense stories, where forensics takes center stage, these mysteries teem with traditional whodunit ingredients: character, location and (usually) logical plots. Many have made their way across the pond, such as these DVD releases, all issued through Acorn Media of Silver Spring....
   ..."Hetty Wainthropp Investigates: Season 2" (three-disc DVD, $41.99, available Aug. 9) Patricia Routledge portrays Hetty, the sensible sleuth whose adventures originally aired on PBS in the late 1990s. Her cases include going under cover in a shelter for battered women, looking into a musical competition whose contestants lose their voices and investigating a medium who separates bereaved believers from their money. Helping Hetty crack the cases are husband Robert (Derek Benfield) and her youthful sidekick, Geoffrey Shawcross, played by Dominic Monaghan (ABC's "Lost"). Two episodes not broadcast on PBS are included, along with cast biographies.
   The series's original pilot, "Missing Persons," which never aired in the United States, also is now available (DVD, $22.49, not rated). It features a surprisingly blond, funny Hetty, complete with outlandish hats, and a different actor as her husband. "Hetty Wainthropp Investigates: Season One" is also available on DVD. Read the full story here. (1:19 AM)

   Time for one last party at television's summer press tour, where I find myself standing practically nose-to-nose with a hobbit -- which tells you all you need to know about the surreal nature of this event and exactly where I fall on the cringe-inducing height chart.
   The hobbit is actually Dominic Monaghan, aka Merry from the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, who is now playing Charlie, the washed-up, drug-addicted rock star on the ABC drama "Lost." The reason we are nearly executing an Eskimo kiss is because he is responding to a question I've asked: "What is the essential difference between hard-core 'Lord of the Rings' devotees and the rabid fans who follow 'Lost?'"
   "'Lord of the Rings' groupies do this," he says, inching forward and invading practically every inch of my space.... Read the full story here. (1:16 AM)

   We might not know what is beneath the hatch on "Lost," but a few new wrinkles about the hit ABC show - and others - emerged yesterday during the network's second-day presentation of its fall lineup to TV critics.
   British actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje ("Oz") is heading to the island to portray Emeka, a mystery man.
   Julie Bowen, who plays Jack's (Matthew Fox) wife in flashbacks on the series, also revealed that she's going to shoot more scenes this weekend, but couldn't divulge details.
   "They're very mysterious there, as you may imagine. I haven't seen a page of the script," she said.... Read the full story here. (11:28 PM)

   ABC on Wednesday announced a casting addition to its hit show "Lost."
   Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje ("Oz") is joining the series playing Emeka, a mysterious man dwelling on the island whose intentions are revealed in early episodes of the second season.
   Akinnuoye-Agbaje also has enjoyed a busy film career with roles in "The Mummy Returns" and "The Bourne Identity." He will next be seen in the 50 Cent movie "Get Rich or Die Tryin'," which recently wrapped production. Read the full story here. (11:23 PM)

   With the derivative entertainment that pollutes much of network television, very few TV writers deserve to be described as creative geniuses. "Lost" co-creator and executive producer, Damon Lindelof, is the exception to that rule. A man of seemingly unlimited creative capacities, Lindelof's perfectly penned scripts and savvy production skills make "Lost" the most enthralling television drama in years.
   A series about a group of plane crash survivors stranded on a strange and mysterious island full of secrets and mysteries, "Lost" explores themes of redemption, fear, love, vulnerability, and companionship. Part of the reason behind its astronomical success is how deeply it has infiltrated American culture. In fact, Wikipedia, one of the world's largest online encyclopedias, has numerous pages of information dedicated to "Lost."
   One of the show's most talked about elements is a mysterious hatch on the island that cannot be opened from the outside. Season One ended with the characters using explosives to blow open the hatch, only to reveal a long tunnel that descends deep underground. "They are definitely going into the hatch in Season Two's premiere, and I think what's in there is very cool," Lindelof tells me. "Hopefully viewers will be surprised and intrigued. There will be an answer to one question, which is, 'What's inside the hatch?' Hopefully that will present some new, intriguing questions as well, which we will spend the better part of the first three episodes answering.... Read the full story here. (11:19 PM)

   When the creators of ABC's "Lost" kick off production on the show's sophomore season this morning, they'll do so secure in the knowledge that Archie Ahuna is on hand to blow up, blow down, ignite, extinguish, suspend or drop anything and everything they put in his path.
   The 54-year-old special-effects supervisor played a major role in establishing "Lost" as last season's breakthrough drama.
   Drawing on some 35 years of experience in the local film industry, Ahuna helped the show deliver a high-impact visual punch to balance its finely-drawn character studies and intricate, interwoven storylines.
   Ahuna's contributions were recognized this month when he and eight of his "Lost" collaborators received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a Series.... Read the full story here. (11:15 PM)

   Something old: Expect more flashback sequences this season.
   Someone new: Michelle Rodriguez ("Blue Crush"), who appeared in last season's finale, joins the regular cast starting with this season's third episode. She'll play Ana-Lucia Cortez, a survivor from the other side of the island.
   Something inherited: "Lost" has taken over the Diamond Head Studio soundstage formerly occupied by Fox's ill-fated "North Shore." Producers are keeping a tight lip on how they'll use the soundstage, but said it will allow more flexibility in filming. The show maintains its "cave" location in the old Xerox building on Nimitz Highway.... Read the full story here. (11:10 PM)

   (Webmaster's Note: I'm only including this article to confirm and clear up once and for all that Maggie Grace, who plays Shannon on the show, will not be playign Shadowcat/Kitty Pryde in X3.)
   IGN FilmForce has learned that the role of Kitty Pryde in X-Men 3 will be played by eighteen-year-old actress Ellen Page (a.k.a. Ellen Philpotts-Page). Her credits include Hard Candy and the TV series Trailer Park Boys.... Read the full story here. (11:04 PM)

   Now that ABC's turn is here, I have stopped contemplating how I'm going to make it through the rest of my seasonal sentence in the Hollywood gulag.
   So I'll just share a few details about "Lost," "Alias" and "Desperate Housewives," as revealed to us this morning by ABC's president of entertainment Stephen McPherson, as well as other ABC sources....
   ..."Lost" and "Desperate" will each have 23 episode seasons. "Lost's" kicks off Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 9 p.m.
   Also, "Lost" fans will be happy to know that a key mystery is finally going to pay off. "Literally, in the very opening show, you will find out what's in the hatch," McPherson said.... Read the full story here. WARNING! POSSIBLE SPOILERS INSIDE! (8:19 AM)

   Viewer alert: Major revelations are coming soon. Television's two most-talked-about series, ABC's Lost and Desperate Housewives, quickly plan to answer questions raised by their cliffhangers last season.
   On Desperate Housewives, the first episode will open by showing what happens when plumber Mike (James Denton) goes into the house where agitated teen Zach (Cody Kasch) is holding Susan (Teri Hatcher) hostage, series creator Marc Cherry says.
   Lost will plunge into the mysterious hatch in its first episode, series co-creator Damon Lindelof says.
   "You will see everything that's in there. What is in there will change everything about how they live on the island," Lindelof says. "We are erring on the side of giving away too much as opposed to being too vague.... Read full story here. WARNING! POSSIBLE SPOILERS INSIDE! (8:15 AM)

   A lot of you have been asking and wondering about when Season Two of Lost will debut. ABC has released their official fall premiere dates, and Lost will start its second season on September 21 on its new timeslot at 9E/8C, to be followed by the series premiere of Invasion. (On a side note, Desperate Housewives begins its second season 4 days later on the 25th of September.) Mark your calendars! (10:52 PM)

   The nation's television critics have bestowed their highest honors on "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost," two surprise hit shows that led a ratings turnaround at ABC.
   "Desperate Housewives," the steamy, darkly comic prime-time soap about suburban intrigue, was named program of the year on Saturday night by the Television Critics Association at its annual summer gathering.
   The castaway thriller "Lost" claimed two TCA trophies, outstanding new program and outstanding achievement in drama.... Read the full story here. (11:28 AM)

   Cause & F(x) Pictures, a Honolulu-based digital visual effects company, has landed what state officials are calling a significant deal for a Hawaii special-effects business.
   The company will act as co-digital visual supervisor on ABC/Touchstone's Emmy-nominated series "Lost."
   "It's always good news for Hawaii's film and television industry when a production sees the value in hiring more local talent," said Donne Dawson, Hawaii film commissioner.... Read the full story here. (11:25 AM)

   It was only a matter of time until this happened. Official Lost paperback books will be available starting in September. Lost: Endangered Species is the first original novel based on the character of the series. Written by Cathy Hapka, the book will be released November 1. Meanwhile, The Lost Chronicles : The Official Companion Book will be released on September 28. Written by Mark Cotta Vaz, this is the official guide to the first season of the series. "Filled with a detailed episode guide and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the show, the fully illustrated book offers plot twists and backstories that will help fans uncover the mysteries of Lost. Also included are reflections and anecdotes from cast members, writers, and executive producer/creator J. J. Abram that readers won't find anywhere else. In addition, the book comes with an exclusive hour-long DVD containing unaired scenes from the show." (9:17 AM)

   I've added five new affiliates: Evangeline Lilly Online, Lost Forums.net, Exquisite Yunjin Kim, Lost-Spain, andThe Lost Fan Blog. (9:10 AM)

   Today is Josh Holloway's 36th birthday! Perhaps he'll celebrate his special day by watching tonight's episode, a rerun of his character Sawyer's first flashback episode, "Confidence Man." Once again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSH HOLLOWAY! (11:29 AM)

   I've added three new affiliates: Perdidos TV, LostUK.net, and Dominic France. (2:42 AM)

   This past Saturday, Sony's Columbia Pictures and Screen Gems gave Comic-Con International audiences their first look at a number of their upcoming movies. We've already reported on the Ghost Rider segment of the presentation, but there were also full presentations for next year's action sequel Underworld: Evolution and the upcoming remake of John Carpenter's The Fog....
   ...The director of the upcoming remake of Carpenter's The Fog, Rupert Wainwright came out along with the movie's star Maggie Grace, who is best known for playing Shannon on the ABC drama Lost. Wainwright started out by giving the audience a sneak peek at the new trailer for The Fog, which will debut next weekend. Basically, it set up the premise for the movie, which is about a fog that sweeps over an island, killing people in its wake, and it showed a few scenes of Grace with her co-star Tom "Smallville" Welling, and a scene of the movie's co-star Selma Blair in peril. The audience applauded madly after seeing it.
   Wainwright, who made his name directing videos for the likes of Michael Jackson and M.C. Hammer before taking on horror with the 1999 thriller Stigmata, thought that producer John Carpenter was more nervous about this remake even then he was. "I was kind of surprised when I went for the interview at the studio that John wasn't there," he said, adding that co-producer David Foster said that John didn't want to impose his own vision on the movie despite having written, directed and scored the original. "John's a genius at making horror movies, but he's also very respectful of other people's space." Grace said that having a shower scene with Tom Welling was something she considered when choosing to do the movie. Wainwright said that the best reason to do this remake was to answer some of the questions that arose from the original movie, and he said that the movie would delve into the past in order to do so.... Read the full story here. (2:37 AM)

   We all had our reasons for attending Comic-Con, the pop-culture extravaganza that wrapped up yesterday at the San Diego Convention Center.
   Some of us wanted to brush up on our Pokémon battling skills. A few of us needed to get our pictures taken with Chewbacca. Others of us will use any excuse to get our Riddler suit out of mothballs.
   And some of us just had to know how the polar bear got on the island.
   "Are you bringing up the polar bear again?" Chicagoan Tara Walker asked her friend Saul Del Toro of Oceanside, who accompanied her to Saturday's panel featuring members of ABC's "Lost" cast and creative crew.... Read the full story here. (2:22 AM)

   Among the films highlighted Saturday during Sony's Comic-Con presentation was the forthcoming remake of The Fog, based on the 1980 cult classic helmed by John Carpenter. Director Rupert Wainwright and co-star Maggie Grace (Lost) were the only guests in attendance, as leading man Tom Welling was on location filming another project.
   The panel began with the debut of the creepy new trailer for The Fog wherein the citizens of Antonio Bay are terrorized by the eerie, deadly fog that comes out at night. The protagonists are the young couple of Welling and Grace. The fog, as it turns out, harbors something else, something sentient that is killing off the townsfolk for some reason.... Read the full story here. (2:18 AM)

   ComingSoon.net talked to director Rupert Wainwright and star Maggie Grace about the upcoming horror-thriller The Fog, a remake of the John Carpenter's 1980 film. Columbia Pictures will release the movie, also starring Tom Welling and Selma Blair, on October 14th.
   In the The Fog, there really is something out there in the dark. One hundred years ago, in a thick, eerie fog off the rocky coast of Northern California, a horrible shipwreck occured under mysterious circumstances. Now, shrouded in darkness, the ghosts of the long-dead sailors have returned from their watery graves to exact their bloody, merciless revenge.
   Below you'll find the link to listen to the 29MB MP3 audio file. The interview starts shortly after the 1-minute mark and runs about 20 minutes.... Read the full story here. (2:11 AM)

   Lost-TV spent a few minutes with Damon Lindelof at San Diego's Comic-Con last Saturday, July 16. You can find our interview here! Pictures and more reports from Comic-Con are on the message board under General Discussion. Read the full story here. (1:37 AM)

   If Emmy history is any guide, the ABC series "Lost" would stray as far off the radar of the industry's pre-eminent television awards as its marooned cast of air-crash survivors.
   But somehow a genre-bending program that incorporates elements of science fiction is leading the pack this year in the drama categories -- traditionally the bailiwick of episodic-friendly detectives, doctors or dysfunctional families.
   Perhaps "Lost" is an appropriate front-runner in what has been a surreal year for ABC, which has seen its haul of nominations surge along with its ratings, as has Fox and CBS. Given the concomitant decreases registered by HBO and NBC, this year's Emmy nominations could very well reflect the shifting fortunes roiling the television industry.... Read the full story here. (11:54 PM)

   At first glance you look at the nominees for the 2005 Emmy Awards and you think, huh, they finally get it.
   Desperate Housewives gets 15 nominations, Lost 12 - that's a big deal for new shows; usually Emmy is about as eager to embrace change as a classic-rock radio station (that is, not very). Arrested Development, last year's surprise (and richly deserving) winner for best comedy, got 11 nominations, establishing it as a perennial contender (if it can stay on the air). And Scrubs finally got a best-comedy nomination, along with a best-actor nod for star Zach Braff....
   ...Lost is an ensemble, so no sense scratching your head over only Naveen Andrews and Terry O'Quinn getting supporting acting nominations, though I'd have guessed Josh Holloway, so maddening as Sawyer, might have made the cut. There wouldn't be any complaints if Matthew Fox or Evangeline Lilly had gotten nominations, but it's hard to get too worked up about them not, either.... Read the full story here. (11:50 PM)

   Actor Naveen Andrews has found redemption with the hit television series Lost, not least because it has fetched him an Emmy nomination.
   For many of his admirers disappointed with his work in Bride & Prejudice, the success of ABC's Lost and the quality of Andrews' performance in it is something to rejoice about.
   Andrews, whose movie and television assignments have taken him across the world in the past 15 years, was in Morocco shooting The Ten Commandments when he heard he had been nominated for his first major award, an Emmy.... Read the full story here. (11:46 PM)

   In its early stages, the concept of the breakout television hit series Lost must have been like an uncut diamond — potentially priceless, depending on how it is cut and shaped. As its facets took form in the hands of the show's creator J.J. Abrams, the hit show's brilliance gradually shone through. With the help of able stars who carry the series from episode to episode, and from strength to strength, the multiple facets of this gem of a show are showing and reflecting the dazzling talents that have gone into making it such a ratings success.
   Beside lead actors Matthew Fox (Jack Shephard) and Evangeline Lilly (Kate Austin) as well as the lovable Jorge Garcia (Hugo 'Hurley' Reyes) — the personality who stands out most and has everyone eagerly watching her week after week has to be Korean-American actress Kim Yun Jin who plays the enigmatic Sun Kwon.
   Meeting her in person in Taiwan recently, the 31-year-old actress is every bit as achingly beautiful and ethereal in the flesh as she is on TV. She is also disarmingly honest, frank and open in discussing her life and work.... Read the full story here. (11:40 PM)

   At ABC's special Lost panel this morning at Comic-Con, producer Shawn Cassidy revealed some new details about the seven disc boxed set that is scheduled to be released September 6th. Over eight hours of bonus features are promised, including deleted scenes, featurettes, cast auditions, and audio commentary.
   We got an opportunity to see a couple of the features during the panel, and they should please fans of the show. "Genesis of Lost" talks about how the series came together. Damon Lindelof and J.J. Abrams spend the lion's share of the time on camera revealing the near-magical way everything came together. Fast-tracked by ABC, the show was picked up on an outline alone, and the pilot was written in five days. This feature discusses the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the show's genesis.
   The second feature, "Welcome to Oahu," showcases and explains the special effects used in the pilot's dramatic crash sequence. Unlike many other FX making-of sequences, this one talks as much to the actors involved as it does to those responsible for the effects. The result is a funny, intriguing look at one of the most amazing sequences of the first season.... Read the full story here. (7:04 AM)

   Viewers of ABC's hit show Lost will learn what's inside the infamous hatch in the first episode of the second season, "and it's not just another hatch," promised executive producer Damon Lindelof.
   But that's about the only tidbit about the serial mystery show that he and other executive producers gave out during a panel discussion of the show with fans at Comic-Con on Saturday, other than the second season will answer many of the first season's unresolved questions about the island and what's going on -- but that those answers will raise new questions of their own.
   "Basically, we mean to put you in a Mobius loop of confusion," writer Javier Grillo-Marxauch said.... Read the full story here. (7:00 AM)

   The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences didn't repeat last year's most egregious error in the Emmy nominations announced yesterday.
   That's because, this year, Ian McShane's peerless performance as Al Swearengen in HBO's "Deadwood" was not overlooked.
   But while the Emmy nominators corrected some mistakes and made some good moves this year, there also were some startling omissions and stubbornly habitual inclusions....
   ...And among the supporting players, glaring no-shows were everywhere. John C. McGinley, relentlessly brilliant on "Scrubs," should be competing. So should Brad Dourif, Molly Parker, William Sanderson and several other players from "Deadwood," and Dominic Monaghan and Yunjin Kim from "Lost".... Read the full story here. (5:57 AM)

   His gift may have arrived a day early, but today is his actual birthday. Let's all greet the Emmy-nominated Terry O'Quinn (Locke) a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (3:50 AM)

   Naveen Andrews was half a world away, shooting "The Ten Commandments" in Morocco, when he learned about his Emmy nomination for supporting actor in a drama series for his role on ABC's "Lost." It's Andrews' first nomination and essentially the first TV show he's been involved with. "It's very nice to get some kind of acknowledgment for your work. It's bloody good for the show," Andrews said. "We're all pretty proud of it. It's a great thing to be involved in."
   He's particularly happy that "Lost" was recognized twice in the category; Terry O'Quinn received a nomination for supporting actor in a drama series. "I really admire him as an actor," Andrews said. "To be in the same category as him is a true honor."
   He hopes to make it to the Emmy Awards in September, though that will depend on the shooting schedule of "Lost," which films in Hawaii. At any rate, he can get tips from his girlfriend, Barbara Hershey, who earned a nomination for her role in 1990's "A Killing in a Small Town." "Maybe I'll get some tips from her on how to behave," said Andrews, who will leave Morocco at the end of the month to fly to Hawaii to begin shooting "Lost's" second season. "I see the next season as getting really trippy," he said. "I think we can push the envelope very far on this one." Read the full story here. (1:34 AM)

   ...The drama category pits another freshman ABC hit, "Lost," against the sophomore Western drama "Deadwood," "Six Feet Under," "24" and "The West Wing."
   Last year's winner, "The Sopranos," isn't in the fight because it sat out last season. That appears to leave an opening for the spooky "Lost," about air crash survivors stranded on a mysterious island, but the show's thriller elements might give Emmy voters pause.
   A prestige drama such as "The West Wing," which rebounded in quality last season and has claimed four consecutive best drama trophies, or a gritty groundbreaker like "Deadwood" might stand a better chance.
   Proving that it can be tough for a big-cast show to lay claim to a lead actor nomination, "Lost" was blanked in the category. Naveen Andrews, who plays tough and sexy Sayid, and Terry O'Quinn, the inscrutable Locke, received best supporting actor bids.
   The Emmy recognition of "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost" was a bonus for ABC, which was pulled out of a ratings slump by the two new series. "Desperate Housewives" finished the season as the fourth-most-watched program, averaging nearly 24 million weekly viewers, while "Lost" was No. 14 with an average 16 million viewers.... Read the full story here. (1:29 AM)

   Lost has been nominated for 12 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series. The show also earned major nominations in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Terry O'Quinn (Locke) and Naveen Andrews (Sayid), Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series for "Pilot (Part 1 and 2)" (JJ Abrams), and Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series for "Pilot (Part 1 and 2)" (JJ Abrams, Damon Lindelof, and Jeffrey Lieber) and "Walkabout" (David Fury). The rest of the nominations are for Outstanding Casting For A Drama Series, Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Drama Series ("Pilot Part 1 and 2"), Outstanding Music Composition For A Series (Dramatic Underscore) for Michael Giacchino, Outstanding Sound Editing For A Series ("Pilot Part 1"), Outstanding Single-Camera Sound Mixing For A Series ("Outlaws"), and Outstanding Special Visual Effects For A Series ("Pilot Part 1 and 2"). Congratulations! (9:00 AM)

   It's Foxy's birthday today! Matthew Fox (Jack) celebrates his 39th birthday today! Let's hope he wakes up today with a great birthday present: An Emmy nomination in the Best Lead Actor in a Series, Drama category. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATTHEW FOX! (4:19 AM)

   Once again, I've added five new affiliates: Fans-de-Lost, Lost Online, NaveenAndrews.org, Emilie France, and The Lost Directory. That brings the current total number of affiliates to 100! (4:14 AM)

   The technical crew of "Lost" is busy building at the Hawaii Film studio soundstage what the island's survivors will find at the bottom of the mysterious hatch. Season two's opening episode is tentatively titled "Post Explosion." Filming is slated to begin July 28. The series picks up where the season finale "Exodus" ended, with the survivors attempting to blow open the hatch.
   An event promoting the release of the DVD box set of season one is scheduled for Aug. 16 at the Turtle Bay Resort and will include cast and crew.
   The DVD of the two-part pilot episode of "Lost" goes on sale Sept. 6, with bonus material including an extensive making-of featurette, original casting tapes, and a documentary on actor Matthew Fox. An ABC/Touchstone-sanctioned book is also well under way.... Read the full story here. (2:35 AM)

   It's that time of the year again: The Emmy Awards nominations will be announced tomorrow! Will Lost be nominated for Best Dramatic Series? Will any of the actors - particularly Matthew Fox, Evangeline Lilly, and Terry O'Quinn - get acting nominations? Will Foxy receive the birthday gift of a nomination? Find out tomorrow! Nominations will be announced at 8:30am ET/5:30am PT, and will be televised on several stations (including E!). Cross your fingers! (7:23 PM)

   I'm finally getting back to my backlog of affiliate requests, and as a result, I've added five awesome new affiliates: Lost&Found, Svenska Lost, LostFan, Michelle Rodriguez Underground, and Sledgeweb's LOST... Stuff. Check them out, as well as our other wonderful affiliates! (4:42 AM)

   In the first of three Lost birthdays this week, Michelle Rodriguez (Ana-Lucia) turns 27 today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ! (4:03 AM)

   "God, these women are attractive but why are they so desperate?" That in essence has been the average Joe's response at first sampling to ABC's network reviving hit Desperate Housewives.
   The best marketing endeavours are often disguised as content. The challenge behind television marketing is finding out what the essence of a show is. At the same time never spoon feed your audience.
   These were the words of advice that US broadcaster ABC Entertainment senior VP marketing Mike Benson had this morning for the strong turnout at the second Indian edition of Promax&BDA in Mumbai. The event is dedicated to brainstorming ideas in the branding and marketing of television content and channels.
   Benson, who has been with ABC for seven years, dwelt on how unique marketing innovations were used to create hype around Desperate Housewives and Lost.... Read the full story here. (3:49 AM)

   Buena Vista Home Entertainment has become the second studio to release TV content on the Universal Media Disc, the proprietary software for Sony's new PlayStation Portable hand-held game player. The two-part pilot episode of "Lost" will be part of the studio's latest wave of UMD titles, streeting in September. The "Lost" UMD will arrive in stores Sept. 6, the same day as the complete first season of the popular Touchstone TV series -- about the survivors of a plane wreck who are stranded on an island -- comes out on DVD. Patrick Fitzgerald, executive vp sales, distribution and new technologies at BVHE, said TV is a natural for UMD because statistics show that more and more American consumers want to take their home entertainment with them when they travel. Read the full story here. (5:27 AM)

   After sparking buzz for the series at last year's Comic-Con, some cast and crew of the hit ABC series Lost will be returning to San Diego for Comic-Con 2005! In attendance for the show are Josh Holloway, Maggie Grace, Harold Perrineau, Damon Lindelof, Bryan Burk, Carlton Cuse, and Javier Grillo-Marxuach. They will be there to answer your questions from 10am until 12nn on Saturday, July 16.
   Here are excerpts from the official blurb at their website: ABC Television presents an exciting not-to-be-missed two-hour panel highlighting the #1 hit series Lost and the much-anticipated new shows Nightstalker and Invasion!...
   ...Then Buena Vista Home Entertainment will reveal the secrets of the upcoming Lost: Season One DVD release with exclusive sneak peeks into the DVD bonus features, plus a special Q&A panel featuring actors Josh Holloway (Sawyer), Maggie Grace (Shannon), and Harold Perrineau (Michael), along with co-creator/executive producer Damon Lindelof, executive producers Bryan Burk and Carlton Cruse, and writer Javier Grillo-Marxauch....
   And don't miss the autograph session for all three shows—Lost, Nightstalker, and Invasion—at the Inkworks booth #2629. (12:35 AM)

   WHAT IT IS: Oceanic-air.com is a Web site put together by the good folks at Touchstone Television. It's meant to look like a booking site for the fictitious Oceanic Airlines featured in the hit ABC series "Lost."
   WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT: At a glance, this site looks like merely a clever placeholder for those folks curious enough to try out the URL. There's a message from the company president explaining how the airline has shut down in the wake of the tragedy of Flight 815 (the ill-fated flight carrying our favorite castaways). There are nonfunctional flight-booking links. And there are several pages that appear to be broken or removed.... Read the full story here. (12:32 AM)

   Although she makes her home in Hawaii while filming "Lost," blond beauty Maggie Grace can't seem to get out of Canada this summer, with two new movies under way. "I just wrapped a movie called 'The Fog,' says Grace, referring to the horror flick she shot alongside Selma Blair and "Smallville's" Tom Welling. "I worked every day I was there, but I got to hang out with some 'Lost' castmates who were around. Josh Holloway and his wife are also shooting a movie there." Soon she'll be returning to Canada to star in the role of Shadowcat with Halle Berry and the rest of the "X-Men 3" team.
   Now that Grace has had time away from the ABC drama, she admits that she's pining to be back. "I miss it already!" she claims. With the second season just around the corner, she's ready for the chance to explore her character. "I do know we delve into Shannon's past a little more and understand her a little better, so I'm looking forward to that." As for the show as a whole, Grace says to get ready. "I've heard some big plot points, and I'm pretty excited about them." Read the full story here. (12:27 AM)