In just a few short hours, the final season of LOST is going to hit the airwaves. What is to follow in the coming weeks and months is the culmination of one of the most successful TV shows of the 2000’s. It is not hyperbole to suggest that LOST has drastically changed the landscape of the small screen; it’s success prompted other networks to launch shows like Heros and Prison Break.

But business and ratings aside, it’s the essence of story telling and character building which sets LOST apart. No other show I can remember dives so deep into the back-story of a character; essentially showing the viewer why the character acts a certain way. It’s essential to pulling the viewer in and providing a truly memorable experience. While most shows develop characters within the current story, LOST told their stories from the past seamlessly integrating them into the present.

What other show insipires fans to dress up their food items?

Season 1 to most was the story of a group of survivors of a plane crash. Had that been all the show was, it would have seen modest success based on the production alone. Adding layers upon layers to the story drove the fans insane, but in a good way. The following LOST enjoys on-line is unprecedented and something we are not likely to see again anytime soon. It’s not that far fetched to believe the writers of the show derived inspiration from numerous fan sites, blogs, and chat rooms.

In 4 months, the answers to the questions we’ve been asking since 2004 will be answered in some way shape or form. Certainly not all of them, but I believe a good chunk will be. The menial, “what is the meaning of the book they are reading in Juliette’s book club” question will forever go unanswered. But if you’re upset about that, LOST isn’t for you. LOST is about larger questions, questions we seek the answers to every day.

“Do I put more of my trust into science, or faith?”
“Is there such thing as destiny?”
“Is there a higher power? And if so, does he have my best interests in mind?”

These have been constants in the story of LOST for the past 5 years, and I’m confident the characters in the story will be presented with the answers they are seeking. So while it may not be a suitable answer for you, just remember one thing while watching this season. This was the story of two awesome writers, not yours. It’s been one hell of a ride they’ve taken us on… and it’s just now entering the final turn.

It seems like only yesterday when middle aged white people were up in arms about a new show on MTV – Jackass. Featuring the now infamous Johnny Knoxville (not to be confused with Bears Rookie WR Johnny Knox), and his pals Steve-O, Wee Man, and Bam Margera.

After 3 seasons Jackass was canceled (not without a few movies being released however). Shortly thereafter Bam was given his own TV series on the network; Viva La Bam, which chronicled the presumably fictional life of his family and friends. Many felt his antics towards his overweight father, and befuddled mother were funny, which is why the show lasted from 2003-2005.

Tired of his act, and looking for new life interests, he become engaged to a young lass and married her in 2008. Then, in a typical move for most gentlemen who get married, starred in a in a pornographic movie produced by Gina Lynn. Yes, you read that right – Bam Margera was in a porno. I asked my pastor at the local church if it was acceptable for me to Google Gina Lynn for this story, but was told my young feeble mind would only be corrupted with sinful images. I’ll have to assume she has a physique men find desirable and want to fornicate with.

Of all the potential outcomes after Viva La Bam, porno was probably not high on the list. Passed out in a ditch from OD’ing? Probably the most likely. Suffering major head trauma which left him as a vegetable the rest of his life? Based on his reckless disregard for his body, I’d have said that’s a definite possibility. But porn – not exactly what most of us had in mind.

This officially marks the end of Bam’s career (not that it was much to begin with). He now can start the healing process, and make more television that appeals to 13 year old punks. God speed Bam.

It’s all but confirmed, Conan O’Brien is going to leave the tonight show with a $30 million dollar buyout from NBC (more on them later). With so many potential options for where Conan could end up, one that’s particularly interesting to me is hosting a midnight show on Comedy Central.

It sounds preposterous at first; leaving NBC and broadcast television to work for Viacom / Comedy Central and a cable network. With FOX being a step back, since they are really not known for late night comedy, and ABC/CBS are out of the picture it’s time for Conan to start thinking out of the box. After all, he’ll have millions of dollars if things don’t go well in his next gig.

Seriously... his hair is from another planet.

He is a younger late night comedian, which is why you see so many more “Team Conan” movements on Facebook than you do “Team Leno”. You know who is on Comedy Central from 11:30-12; just a guy named Stephen Colbert, a cult hero amongst the younger demographic. Conan would benefit from a HUGE lead in to the 12 o’clock hour if he were to go to Comedy Central.

It would also let him do a style of comedy he enjoys more. Colbert is a tremendous political satirist; Conan quite frankly struggles with it. With a solid 1 hour of politlcally centered shows before him, he would be under no pressure to feel the need to make jokes about politics. He’d also be able to revert to the days of the Masturbating Bear, and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. I’m not suggesting he dumbs his comedy down, but he would certainly be able to push the envelope on Comedy Central.

This move would benefit the network as well as Conan. They would boast a solid hour and a half of some of the most beloved talk show hosts out there. Landing a big name like Conan would give them a huge ratings boost initially, which if done right would parlay into loyal viewers night after night.

This guy is an idiot. NBC should hire Alec Baldwin for real.

The network is suffering from a lack of good original programming. South Park remains its only watchable show, and John Stewart and Colbert are the remaining two guys keeping the network afloat.

If Comedy Central is serious about drawing in new viewers, providing advertisers more opportunities, and keeping their network relevant, offering Conan a deal he can’t turn down is a no-brainer. Of course, NBC is run by a bunch of idiots (their only watchable programming is Thursday night comedy) so I wouldn’t put it past the suits at Comedy Central to completely overlook this opportunity.