TVSquad

An earlier podcast recap revealed that Tufts University offers a class based on Lost. This week, The Boston Globe posted an article covering this unusual one-credit course. The course's title, "The Future is Lost: Economic, Social, and Technological Impact of a Cult (and Cultural) Phenomenon," makes it sound far more advanced than simple TV watching. Rather than discussing the Kate-Sawyer hookup, the students analyze Lost as they would a novel.

Lost fans also make it into the course's discussion topics. Students examine what effect, if any, that fan blogs and comments have on the overall outcome of the show. They also discuss the decline in viewers that the show has experienced this season. Producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse have been aware of the course for several months, and even held a conference call with the class recently.

To say that Lost has fallen out of favor with the media would be generous. It seems like every new episode brings with it another article discussing the show's decline in popularity. This week, MSNBC published an AP article which implied that Lost was in the same boat as failing shows like Studio 60. Are these comparisons fair?

As far as I know, there has not been a single rumor concerning the possible cancellation of Lost. So why is there so much doomsday language surrounding the show? The article added that the producers of Lost would have to make some drastic changes in order to save the show, citing Heather Locklear's presence in Melrose Place as an example.

If the ratings are any indication, Lost's move to the 10pm time slot may have done more harm than good. For the last two weeks Lost's ratings have hit record lows, with 14.5 million viewers for its winter premiere and 12.8 million viewers for its most recent episode. The show may be out of danger from threats like American Idol and Criminal Minds, but has it left its early-to-bed viewers behind in the process?

Optimists have pointed out that Lost is doing relatively better in its new time slot, bringing ABC more viewers than the time slot's previous occupant, Invasion. The show is also #1 with the 18-49 age group when compared with its 10pm competition.

While this significant decrease in ratings is a major blow, there are many factors that could have contributed to the decline. 'Not in Portland' aired after a brutally long hiatus, and 'Flashes Before Your Eyes' aired on Valentine's Day, which is not a typically good night for television ratings. Fans can hope that the quality of recent episodes and the subsequent positive buzz will bring Lost back to its former glory.