Entertainment
‘Lost’ Found The Path To An Equation That Changed The Future Of TV
ABC was struggling to find hits in 2004 when it introduced two of them: “Desperate Housewives,” a new take on a primetime soap opera, and “Lost,” a sci-fi-tinged mystery that quickly became a fan sensation, from its cryptic numbers to what happened to that crashed plane and its passengers.
Of the two, however, it was “Lost” that fundamentally changed television and the relationship between the creative talent behind TV shows and the networks that carried them, fueling what could be called the novelization of television – not in the way the series began, but in how it concluded in 2010.
The roots of this may be traced back several years, when the show’s chief producers, Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, realized that the twisting, mysterious series’ ratings were beginning to suffer due to viewers’ open-ended commitment. Fans wanted to know when they would get some answers.
Lost | LA Times Image
‘Lost’ Found The Path To An Equation That Changed The Future Of TV
At their request, in what Variety dubbed a “paradigm-shifting play,” ABC enabled them to establish a definitive end date for the series, ordering 48 episodes over three seasons to finish the story.
The declaration showed that the series was building toward something, that a payoff awaited those who had invested so much time – and graduate-school-level thought and analysis – in the show and its meaning.
Until then, the dominant wisdom in television was if it isn’t broken, don’t repair it. The series aired until the public stopped watching them, not when the creators said so, as if they were authors nearing the end of their story.
“I think for story-based shows like ‘Lost,’ as opposed to franchise-based shows like ‘ER’ or ‘CSI,’ the audience wants to know when the story is going to be over,” Cuse stated at the time, spelling out the novel comparison by adding, “When J.K. Rowling announced there would be seven ‘Harry Potter’ books, it gave the readers a clear sense of exactly what their investment would be. We encourage our readers to do the same.”
Producer J.J. Abrams, who co-created the series with Lindelof and Jeffrey Lieber, described the move as “the right choice,” praising ABC for having “real foresight and guts to make a call like this.”
Since then, a new type of television has arisen and taken root, providing creative talent more freedom to determine the shelf life of their stories. This has included the rise of limited series that promise closure and finality, resulting in distinct beginning and finish arcs.
Others followed suit, including “Game of Thrones,” with its two-season finale, “Stranger Things,” and, most recently, “The Boys,” which revealed that the superhero satire’s fifth season will conclude the plot.
That equation has made television richer, more ambitious, and capable of dealing with various types of serialized storytelling.
In the immediate aftermath, the children of “Lost” profited from that thirst, as networks ordered additional programs with mysteries baked in, even if few of them lived up to their promise.
Tellingly, even “Lost” didn’t nail the landing, producing a finale that answered many of its issues yet felt unsatisfying in its conclusion. Knowing when to stop is different from knowing how.
Lost | CNN Image
‘Lost’ Found The Path To An Equation That Changed The Future Of TV
However, the show’s legacy was already assured by that point. Bringing things full circle, all 121 episodes of the show are now available on Netflix, where they may be rediscovered – and binged in a more concentrated manner – by people who don’t have to wait years to find out how it all ends. Welcome to the 2020s.
The “Lost” finale may not have delivered an ending worthy of all the anticipation. By then, however, it had served to steer television toward a new style of storytelling, which, regardless of the numbers (for the record, 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, and 42), maybe the formula that is most important.
SOURCE – (CNN)
Entertainment
Vanessa Hudgens ‘Disappointed’ Her Privacy Was Invaded With Paparazzi Pictures Of Her New Baby
Vanessa Hudgens is thrilled to be a new mother but wishes she had more say over how the news was announced.
Vanessa Hudgens | People Image
Vanessa Hudgens ‘Disappointed’ Her Privacy Was Invaded With Paparazzi Pictures Of Her New Baby
The “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” star wrote in an Instagram post Thursday, “We’re disappointed that our family’s privacy was violated and exploited during this very special time due to the greed of a long-lens camera feeding the media.” Despite this, Mom, Dad, and Baby are happy and healthy.
Vanessa was alluding to reports published earlier this week that showed her leaving a hospital with her infant.
While the circumstances surrounding the announcement were not ideal, the singer and actor’s Instagram message served as her first confirmation that she had given birth to her kid, her first child with husband Cole Tucker.
CNN has contacted Hudgens’ agents to see if she has more comments.
On Oscar night in March, Vanessa disclosed that she and the Major League Baseball outfielder were expecting their first child.
Vanessa Hudgens | CNN Image
Vanessa Hudgens ‘Disappointed’ Her Privacy Was Invaded With Paparazzi Pictures Of Her New Baby
Vanessa and Tucker reportedly married in December in Tulum, Mexico, after announcing their engagement early last year.
Vanessa and Tucker were initially linked in 2020 when she tweeted a selfie of herself titled “date night” and was caught holding hands later that evening.
SOURCE – CNN
Entertainment
For ‘Love Island USA’ Superfan Ariana Madix, Hosting The Show ‘Does Not Feel Like Work’
Before the real-life infidelity scandal known as Sandoval, there was a scene in Season 10 of Bravo’s “Vanderpump Rules” in which Ariana Madix and her then-boyfriend Tom Sandoval admitted to not spending enough quality time together. Sandoval wanted to party like a rock star, but Madix preferred that he stay at home with her and watch her favorite TV show, “Love Island USA,” with pals.
“I do not have time to watch 50 (expletive) episodes of ‘Love Island.'” “No, I don’t.” he replied.
Ariana Madix | AP News Image
For ‘Love Island USA’ Superfan Ariana Madix, Hosting The Show ‘Does Not Feel Like Work’
After roughly a year and a half, Madix and Sandoval split. Sandoval had been cheating on Madix for almost six months with a “Vanderpump” co-star. Madix is presently the host of “Love Island USA” on Peacock, succeeding Sarah Hyland.
It’s a fitting development for Madix, whose nearly decade-long romance ended publicly. Since then, she has appeared on “Dancing with the Stars” and on Broadway as Roxie Hart in “Chicago.” Her original tenure was extended due to high ticket demand, and she will return to the position next month. Madix, a former bartender, published a best-selling cocktail recipe book and launched a sandwich business called “Something About Her” in Los Angeles with “Vanderpump” co-star Katie Maloney.
Madix has spent the past month in Fiji filming “Love Island USA.” She describes the work as a dream come true for a superfan like herself.
“I love watching how this show is made,” Madix stated in a recent Zoom interview. “There’s a crew of about 400 people who work on the show to make it happen and turn these episodes around virtually in real time. It is really stunning.”
Ariana Madix | AP news image
For ‘Love Island USA’ Superfan Ariana Madix, Hosting The Show ‘Does Not Feel Like Work’
On “Love Island USA,” a group of single men and women move to an isolated villa in the hopes of finding love. The candidates form couples based on their first impressions. These relationships are put to the test. Do they have lasting chemistry? They can also make connections with others, including a constant influx of fresh singles. At various points, viewers are allowed to vote for their favorite couples. Contestants are eliminated at various points, and the public ultimately votes for the winning couple, who receives a financial award.
SOURCE – (AP)
Entertainment
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Accused Of Sex Trafficking And Sexual Assault In Lawsuit By Former Adult Film Actress
Adria English, a former adult video actor who claims to have worked for Sean “Diddy” Combs from 2004 to 2009, accused the music mogul of sex trafficking and sexual assault in a lawsuit filed Wednesday.
The 114-page complaint claims that Combs and other defendants in the case exploited English as “a sexual pawn for the pleasure and financial benefit of others” during “White Parties” at Combs’ mansions in the Hamptons, New York, and Miami, Florida. The case, filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, also claims Combs compelled English to “engage in prostitution and sex work” from 2006 to 2009.
P diddy Combs | CNN Image
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Accused Of Sex Trafficking And Sexual Assault In Lawsuit By Former Adult Film Actress
The lawsuit is the ninth against Combs since November and the eighth expressly accusing him of sexual assault. One of the eight lawsuits filed by former girlfriend Cassie Ventura has been resolved. Another lawsuit accuses his son Christian Combs of sexual assault, while Sean Combs is accused of aiding and abetting.
“No matter how many lawsuits are filed, it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone,” stated Jonathan Davis, an attorney for Combs, in response to English’s claim.
“We live in a society where anyone can bring a lawsuit for any reason and without providing proof. Fortunately, a fair and impartial judicial process exists to determine the truth, and Mr. Combs is confident in his ability to succeed in court against these and other unfounded charges,” the attorney continued.
English’s claim wants a jury trial and undisclosed punitive damages.
Combs has aggressively refuted charges in many of the civil complaints but has not responded to them. In December 2023, after four lawsuits were filed against him, Combs issued a vehement denial on social media, claiming that “sickening allegations” were made by accusers “looking for a quick payday.”
He said, “Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged.”
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Accused Of Sex Trafficking And Sexual Assault In Lawsuit By Former Adult Film Actress
Federal investigators are also prepared to put Combs’ accusers before a federal grand jury, two individuals familiar with the investigation previously told CNN, indicating that the US Justice Department is considering an indictment of Combs.
Bringing those who have filed civil complaints against Combs before a grand jury would represent a significant step forward in the government’s continuing investigation into the producer and Bad Boy Records founder.
SOURCE – (CNN)
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