Tonight is the season finale of Lost, so I can't think of a better time to bring up my growing disappointment with Lost's promotional spin-offs!
Basically, the show is drowning in crap.
First, there was The Lost Experience, an "alternate-reality online game" about the show. Surprisingly, this alternate reality also has Sprite and Jeep, and instructs you to buy these products in this reality.
Then, it was announced that there's going to be a Lost video game.
Fine. Whatever.
And yesterday, one of the Lost producers said that the show was teaming up with Verizon to create mobile phone episodes–"mobisodes," or, "commercials,"–for you to watch on your cell phone. Why anyone would want to do this is the first mystery that the show's creators are going to build a mythology around.
Then today I get this press release for the new line of Lost action figures.
Each 6-inch Lost action figure will come complete with a detailed base and photographic backdrop, capturing an episode-specific moment in the character's story.
In addition, each package will include a detailed prop reproduction, central to the character's story, enabling fans to "own" a piece of the show's mythology.
First off, the figures aren't very action-y.
Charlie sitting on a piece of the plane? Exciting.
Secondly, as if owning a piece of the show's mythology was any kind of challenge at this point. I can't wait to go to the grocery store and follow the clues that lead me to the dry goods aisle, and to box after box of Life Cereal, freshly stamped with the Hanso Foundation seal.
Doesn't this flood of promo stuff cheapen the show, just a little? I mean, it's a good show, but, come on. Do the mysteries of
Lost have to be used to sell me every product on Earth?