The Lost Diary

Q: Do you watch "Kyle XY" and if so, what do you think of it? On that same topic, do you think Matt Dallas is gay? I think so but I also think it doesn't matter because he, and his character, are pretty cool and very cute (and this is coming from a 40 year old). -- Ruth

A: Never seen a single episode and in the blogosphere, I would say Matt is "under suspicion," but it's not the kind of thing I pay attention to.

Q: So, I've noticed that "Alias" employs the same J.J. Abrams cliffhanger that I got used (and addicted) to in "Lost." Here's my question-- what is your favorite cliffhanger ending in "Lost"?  Bonus question-- what is your favorite in "Alias"?  Disclaimer:  I am only on Season 3 right now, so warn me if you are going to spoil something. Thanks for the recommendation, by the way.  I absolutely LOVE "Alias"! -- Andrea

A: First off Andrea, stop watching "Alias" now. The wheels completely off after season 2 and the show never rebounded. The best "Alias" cliffhanger was the end of season 2 -- I think I had a minor coronary episode after that one.

My favorite "Lost" cliffhanger, off the top of my head, was the one in season 2 when Henry Gale lures a few of the Losties out in the middle of nowhere and the episode ends with the quote, "Of course, if I was one of them, these people that you just assume are your enemies, what would I do? There would be no balloon so I would draw them out to a really secluded place, like a cave or some underbrush, a good place for a trap...an ambush. And when your friends got there a bunch of my people would be waiting for them. Then they would use them to trade for me. I guess it's a good thing I'm not one of them, huh? You guys got any milk?"

This may not have been the biggest shocker of an ending, but I love an episode that ends in a way that lets you know things are about to go in a completely different direction. This episode did that and how. Plus, Henry Gale BECAME Henry Gale at that exact moment.

Q: Is Matt Fox the cast member on the outs with everyone else, and if so, why?  Kristen at E! alluded to this last spring and the boards went crazy with speculation.  You know, no one wants to work with this person, it's changing their role on the show, etc.  This will break my heart if it's true. -- Polly

A: Can't say I have any idea what you are talking about. Sorry.

Q: When "Lost" comes back in February, are you going to post the "Lost" Diary on TMZ again?  We hope Harvey appreciates you. -- James and Melissa

A: I imagine so, but I don't know. That's why I made this site in the first place -- as a back-up in case the whole TMZ thing doesn't keep working.

Q: Since you say you would be Boone if you were on "Lost," and since you love Locke so much (well--who doesn't?), I was wondering if you would have climbed into the plane for him.

A: Well if I knew I was going to die, I don't think I would have. Plus, no way I could have even climbed up there. I grew up in Queens, I didn't do a lot of climbing.

Q: Why does everybody (or do you) believe the french chick? -- xalzone

A: I think the whole "they stole my daughter" thing helps make her believable, but there are a ton of stupid things about her too. I guess in the end I really don't give her that much thought.

Q: How did you get a job at TMZ??? I'm so jealous. Oh another question: Did you get into the whole Hanso Foundation thing last summer? I thought it was really strange how the experience of "Lost" was beginning to be multimedia. The websites really creeped me out. Do you think that will play a major role later on these seasons, or just a another way of promoting "Lost"? -- Bhadra

A: I worked for Telepictures doing the website for "Extra" and when the TMZ project came up (it didn't have that name or any employees at the point), I said I wanted to be a part of it. So one day I just picked up and moved offices -- no application, no interview, no nothing. Who knew?

I never followed any of the Lost Experience stuff, just never found it to be that interesting. It's a TV show, I have to draw the line somewhere sometimes.

Q: I know that you feel that Sawyer is now the most dispensable male character, (I disagree, but that is for another time and place), who do you think is the most dispensable female character and why? (Personal opinion, Kate—but only because she has gotten on my nerves all of last season). -- Colleen

A: I might have said Kate, if we didn't know that she makes it off the island. Otherwise, I'll say Claire -- she had Aaron. That was her main purpose. She's useless now.

Q: What new shows have you started watching? Do you have a favorite new one yet? -- Liz

A: "Pushing Daisies" is the best, and then I'd say "Gossip Girl," "Reaper," "Dirty Sexy Money," "Big Shots," "Chuck" and "Bionic Woman" are the only other ones I am watching.

Q: Yes, I am a "Lost" freak but my question is on "Pushing Daisies," which I thought was awesome and I can't wait to see it next week. I am defiantly adding it to my TV watching line up each week, thank God for Tivo. My question is... Who is the female star in the show?  I know I have seen her before but I can't put my finger on it...can you tell me what she has been in before it's making me nuts? -- Kathleen

A: Thank you, IMDB.

Q: How about a variation on the old "dinner party with famous historical figures" question. Which TV characters, past or present, would you invite to your dream dinner party of six? Let's say you can have only a single character from each show--that means just one Lostie. -- Lisa

Jack Bristow, Al Swearengen, Veronica Mars, Jed Bartlet and Dexter Morgan. Charlie would be the waiter.

Q: Marry/ F/ Kill?  Who do you marry, who do you F and who do you kill? And give reason for each. Here are the choices: Kate, Juliet and Sun. -- Chris.

A: I'd marry Sun, she is absolutely wife material (very loyal). I'd F Juliet, just a hunch but I bet she's great in bed. And I'd kill Kate; she's more trouble than she's worth.

Q: I have watched a few episodes of TMZ TV.  I have two questions... Is the whole newsroom scene how it really is, or is it set up for the cameras.  And also, how do we know which person is you? -- Shannon

A: That newsroom scene is our morning meeting, which takes place every single morning. It's obviously a little set up, but that's really what the meeting is like (though I think some people are behaving differently now that there are cameras filming us every morning). I'm the one who sits closest to Harvey in the meeting.

Q: My wife and I are late to the "24" bandwagon.  We have enjoyed the first 2 seasons on DVD and will be starting season 3 this weekend.  Despite the obvious plot holes, time compression problems, and the annoying Kim subplots, we feel it to be one of the better shows on TV.  What is your opinion on the quality of the various seasons?  Which was the best?  When did the show start to go downhill, as you implied in your comments on Deus ex Machina?  We have enjoyed being able to watch several episodes in an evening, but have not yet experienced the weekly format so can't make a comparison. -- Doug

A: The fifth season is considered by most to be the best, and I can't argue too much with that. The sixth season, however, was probably the worst and was downright unwatchable at times. Just skip it altogether.

Q: What do you do for TMZ besides the lost stuff? What do you think will happen with Libby this upcoming season? If you could pick any two celebs to guest star on lost who would they be and in what roles? -- Alyssa

I write for the website, so I'd say maybe 10-15% of the posts you read could be mine (hard to say on a given day). I imagine Libby will pop up in someone's flashback (you would think either Hurley or Desmond's, but you never know). I think everyone just wants to know why she was in the insane asylum. As for guest stars, I really liked the rumors of Kristen Bell coming on board, but she went to "Heroes" instead. I'd like to see Campbell Scott on the show somehow. He was on that ABC show "Six Degrees" last season, so I know he's willing to do TV.

Q: 1. If you had to pick one member of NWA to be on the island with the current Losties, who would it be and why.
2. What scene of "Lost" has made you the angriest ever?
3. Rose and Bernard v. Jin and Sun.  Go.
4. Do you find that  you fear plane crashes less since you've started watching?  I do. -- Jaki

A: 1. Dr. Dre
2. The one with Charlie.
3. Jin and Sun because only one of those pairs includes an attractive Korean woman
4. I want it to crash! We made a mistake! We weren't supposed to leave! We have to go back!

Q: What are your thoughts on doing some kind of "live chat" format for the Lost Diary? I think when the next season starts, it would be cool to have a discussion with your readers after you have done your recap. Just a thought.
 
P.S. My husband is the one who emailed you about your man-crush on Boone. I happen to know for a fact that he has a man-crush on a fictional character - Tony Alameda from 24. Feel free to mock him if you wish.:) -- Colleen

A: Someone mentioned the idea of a chat once before, but I think technology would hold me back. Plus, unless it was one of those ones where people sent me questions and I answered them live, I think the whole thing would turn chaotic.

Ain't nothin' wrong with a good man crush and one could certainly do worse than Tony Almeda.

Q: Daniel, you opened the floodgates to questions, so here goes: "Lost" has the same grip on me that the "X-Files" did in its heyday - I'm obsessed. But I am more than a little
terrified that it too will go the way of the XF... that is to say, completely into Suckysville. (Ninth season was an exercise in pain for me) Please reassure me in a nice, soothing voice. -- Beth

A: Hey Beth, this is Barry White here. I have never seen an episode of "X-Files" before, but don't worry baby -- everything is going to be alright. I trust that J.J., Damon and Carlton won't let us down. Have a little faith, sugar. Now come over here and let's sit by this fire and keep each other warm.

Q:  This has very little to do with anything, and nothing to do with Locke, but my friend and I are obsessed with "Lost", as is natural, and we found your lovely little diary sometime mid-season last year and we admire your work. Very quoteable. Anyway, the question is this: Is there any possible way that I could get an autograph? I think it would make a surprising Christmas gift for her. I'd really appreciate it too. -- Jessica

A: Ummmmm, sure. As soon as I figure what in the world I should sign, it'll be on the way.