A Los Angeles writer has sued ABC and producer Touchstone Television for allegedly appropriating his 1977 television concept "Lost" for the network's current hit.
   Anthony Spinner filed the suit Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeking unspecified damages for claims including breach of contract and fraud.
   Spinner claims that he was hired by Sid and Marty Krofft Prods. in 1977 to write, produce and develop a script for a TV program to be produced by ABC that was titled "Lost." It was about a group of airplane crash survivors who struggle to survive in a jungle where they encounter strange creatures and dangerous characters.... Read the full story here. (10:18 PM)

   The sounds of angry monsters and flight attendants warning of turbulence filled the night sky at Turtle Bay Resort Tuesday night. It was all part of the fun for the launching of the ABC television series "Lost" first season on DVD.
   Cast members of the hit ABC show gathered for the red carpet event. People who attended the "Lost" DVD release party got lost in the magic.
   So what do the cast members like about working Hawaii?
   "It's beautiful; it's one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to. And we are really lucky to enjoy that," said Emilie de Ravin, who plays Claire.... Read the full story here. (6:58 PM)

   The stars of the hugely successful TV drama Lost gathered Tuesday night in a tropical jungle on Oahu's Turtle Bay Resort to herald the Sept. 6 release of the ABC series' first season on DVD.
   The setting of the party, thrown by Buena Vista Home Entertainment, was a re-creation of the plane crash that started the series. Having already "survived" that crash of the fictitious Oceanic Airlines Flight 815, the cast arrived to the tiki lamp-lit party in grand style.
   First to step out of his chauffeured car: Matthew Fox (who plays Jack), dressed in a pink shirt and black suit, smoking a cigarette and escorting his wife of 14 years, Margherita, a former model.... Read the full story here. (6:54 PM)

   Buena Vista Home Entertainment held the impressive DVD launch party for "Lost: Season One" on the North Shore of Oahu at the Turtle Bay Resort on Tuesday night. The anticipated DVD will hit stores on September 6th (stay tuned for more on the premiere and DVD soon).
   ComingSoon.net caught up with the stars of the popular ABC TV series on the red carpet (actually, a straw carpet) and asked each what their favorite theory is that they have either read or heard about the mystery of the island. It became obvious that the cast doesn't know where the story is going, but that didn't stop a few of them from giving their own theories as well.... Read the full story here. (9:35 PM)

   In a North Shore banyan forest familiar to viewers of the TV hit "Lost," the show's producers entertained about 250 guests last night to celebrate the release of the series' first-season DVD.
   Guests walked 400 feet along a dirt trail leading into the forest and lined with dozens of tiki torches to the red carpet where media waited for "Lost" cast members. The party's theme borrowed heavily from the show's plot line -- complete with monstrous sounds emanating from the forest.
   "I didn't like hearing the monster sounds when we did the pilot a year ago and tonight they still scared me," said Evangeline Lilly, who plays Kate. "Knowing our producers, they probably do have some caged creatures hidden out there."
   The first-season DVD, to be released Sept. 6, will include new flashbacks of the characters and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the show about jet crash survivors who find themselves on a mysterious island.... Read the full story here. (9:31 PM)

   LOST star NAVEEN ANDREWS is convinced his Iraqi character in the hit TV drama will become hugely influential in erasing negative Muslim stereotypes because he has already proved an audience favourite.
   The 36-year-old British actor, who plays former soldier SAYID JARRAH, has praised US network ABC for having the courage to promote his lead role in the current political climate.
   Andrew says, "In Hollywood, Middle Eastern characters are usually insubstantial.
   "The fact that he's a main character and that a network was prepared to do this in a time of war is astonishing.
   "Audiences really like and are about him. I think people are trying to connect with the 'enemy' in a way the US government won't allow them to.
   "It's just sheer gall to have this character in the show and, frankly, that bravery is why I did the series." Read the full story here. (9:28 PM)

   The network's recently released schedule for September indicates a "Lost Special" (working title) is slated to air on Wednesday, September 21 at 8:00/7:00c as a direct lead-in to the show's second season premiere. While no specifics were given, it's understood to be a one-hour recap of the events from last season. Read the full story here. (9:24 PM)

   For generations, science fiction and fantasy were confined to television's toy chest.
   There were a few classic shows that kept the buffs buzzing. Other sci-fi shows were rare and brief -- until now.
   This fall, the big networks will debut four sci-fi shows and two shows designed to scare. Add in the movies and the cable channels and you have a science fiction invasion.
   Why now? Hollywood offers lots of reasons, ranging from philosophy to technology to DVD sales. Still, Shaun Cassidy jumps straight to the big one:
   "I think you can answer that question in three words: 'Lost,' 'Lost' and 'Lost,' " he said.... Read the full story here. (6:21 AM)

   The instant that Lloyd Braun read the 25th and final page of the script outline, the ABC Television Group chairman turned to one of his assistants and bragged excitedly: "This, my friend, is ER."
   So enthralled was Braun by the draft script titled Lost, he was convinced that he had found a drama series with a difference that would reverse the channel's flagging fortunes, a programme that would rival the phenomenal success of NBC's ER, the medical drama that had become cult television viewing in America and around the world.
   Here was a show that boasted not just a glamorous cast and a dramatic storyline, but one that promised all the intrigue and surreal plots of Twin Peaks or The X Files. An aeroplane crash lands on a picture postcard desert island with 48 (mostly unfeasibly attractive) survivors, each of whom has a "secret" in his or her past, rescue looks unlikely... and lurking in the undergrowth is a malevolent presence. The result? Compulsive, addictive television.... Read the full story here. (6:15 AM)

   ABC has finally updated the premise for Season Two, revealing just a bit more tidbits and plot points about what to expect from the second season of Lost. You can check it out at this site's very own Premise section. (9:35 PM)

   Log on to www.channel4.com/lost to be the first to interact with the TV event of the summer - Lost.
   Channel4.com is breaking the mould with the launch of a new interactive experience for the US smash hit series, Lost. Featuring Channel 4 stars such as Krishnan Guru-Murthy, the Lost online experience will use multiple platforms such as the Internet, telephone and email to bring viewers deeper into the stories and characters of the show.
   Lost is Channel 4's new 24 part series that will air at 10.00pm on 10th August 2005. Based around the stories of the survivors of a plane crash on a desert island, the programme's mysterious events create the starting point for the online experience.
   Over the first six weeks of the show, you will be able to visit www.channel4.com/lost to discover new interactive 'episodes' of the experience and engage with the characters. Each episode will use a character's dreams and memories to build on their role in the show. To progress through the experience you will have to unlock a series of clues
that will lead you across the web and beyond.
   The experience immerses users into the mind of the characters through interactive narrative and by giving clues and hints via a range of different communication channels. Users can expect to have to call answering machines in order to progress or might find themselves receiving emails pointing them in the right direction.
   The Lost online experience has been created for Channel 4 by acclaimed UK design firm Hi-ReS! (www.hi-res.net), the creators of award winning sites such as www.donniedarko.com and www.requiemforadream.com.
   Tracy Blacher, Channel 4's Head of Marketing, New Media, said: "Lost online is a completely new concept in bringing together television and the web. Over the course of the six weeks the site will develop and viewers will be able to discover some of the key themes that underlie the series.
   "The world of Lost is a dark and mysterious place and the experience takes this into a interactive environment where users can really get into the minds of the key characters. For people who want to get more involved with the series but don't want it ruined by plot spoilers on the Internet, Lost online will be the ultimate way of engaging more deeply with the show." (10:10 AM)

   The castaway television thriller "Lost" debuted on Wednesday night as the most watched U.S. import on television since soap opera "Dallas" captivated fans more than 20 years ago.
   An average of 6.1 million viewers, or about 26.8 percent of everybody watching TV at the time, tuned in to Channel 4 to see the first episode of the Emmy-nominated drama about plane-crash survivors marooned on a tropical island.
   A second episode, which was shown later in the evening, lured an average of 5.9 million viewers while it was being shown, or a 29.6 percent share.
   "Lost has been extremely well-received across the world where it has been a ratings hit without exception, and our fastest-ever selling show," said Tom Toumazis, managing director in Europe for Buena Vista International, which distributes programmes globally for Disney.... Read the full story here. (10:07 AM)

   TV drama Lost has got off to a successful start in the UK with six million viewers for its first episode on Channel 4, unofficial figures show.
   About a group of plane crash survivors, it is the latest hit from the US.
   Overnight ratings showed the episode's first part averaged 6.1 million and the second half was seen by 5.9 million.
   That made it the channel's most successful debut for a US series. ER opened with five million and Desperate Housewives launched with 4.6 million.... Read the full story here. (10:02 AM)

   We are not permitted to review Lost: The Complete First Season, so I'm not going to tell you here how much I love this set (especially the Paley Fest excerpts and the deleted scenes, at least two of which are laugh-out-loud funny). But I can't imagine the good folks at Buena Vista Home Entertainment – who sent along a nice note explaining that this is not necessarily the final version of the set - will mind if we just reveal a few details of its contents. Here's some of what you apparently get when the DVD streets in about a month... Read the full story here. Pre-order Lost: The Complete First Season DVD. (11:20 PM)

   Will recently went to Disney, at the the MGM Studios, he discovered that there was a Lost display. Included in the display are Boone's Oceanic Airlines ticket, an autographed picture of the cast, a script (episode unkown), a doll (like the ones Jack found), Charlie's shoes, and Jack's shirt. You can see pictures of the display at the message board. (11:10 PM)