Lost Virtual Tour

Our good friend Jon Lachonis of the UGO TV blog (and formerly of Thetailsection.com) confirmed to us that according to his inside sources at ABC, the Sunset on the Beach event is now to be held on Saturday, January 26, 2008.



In case you missed the past few blog entries, this event is the world premiere sneak peak at the Season premiere of Season 4 of Lost on an outdoor screen set up on the beaches of Waikiki Beach in Hawai'i. Previously, Jon's sources had indicated that the event was to be held on the first Saturday in February, but since that time, ABC had announced the TV broadcast premiere of 4x01 was to be on Thursday January 31, making a February beach date unlikely!



Because of the writer's strike, production is on hold, and the cast members have largely scattered off-island for now, but word is that at least some, and perhaps most, of the cast members will indeed be at this Jan 26 event. However, due to the ongoing writer's strike, don't be surprised if some of the executive producers (who are also WGA members) pass on attending this year.



So if you will be in Hawaii, mark your calendar for January. Nothing is for certain, but with the clock ticking down to a confirmed Lost launch in early 2008, the event is almost certainly going to be held on this date (likely reflecting some last second rescheduling with Honolulu C&C). So on that Saturday well before sunset to beat the crowds, just go to Waikiki Beach on the Diamondhead (eastern) end near the intersection with Kapahulu Ave., and you won't be able to miss the giant screen, stage, red carpet, and yes the crowds that came even earlier than you did.



If we hear more, we'll post it here.

ABC's PR arm just released a January schedule that lists Lost Season 4 as premiering on January 31, 2008. You can read about it at their midseason schedule press release here.



This is a week earlier than previously thought, and puts into doubt the "6" theory for February 6 as the premiere date.



It also puts a question mark on the Sunset on the Beach world premiere event on an outdoor screen in Waikiki, since that had been previously pegged for the first Saturday in February, which is February 2, which is now two days after the scheduled premiere on January 31.



Although the wording of the press release specifically mentioned Season 4 premiering, the possibility remains that it might be some sort of a clip recap show, with the true premiere of 4x01 a week later. If a recap show, the Sunset on the Beach date of Feb 2 makes sense (although any attending cast would have to fly back in). Otherwise, it does not, for it would not be a premiere.



Stay tuned as we'll post more information as soon as we know more.

We posted in late October that the Sunset on the Beach event, which is the world premiere of the season opening episode of Lost on an outdoor screen at Waikiki Beach, was confirmed for February 2, 2008. About a week after this post, the WGA (writer's guild) strike commenced, and as of today is still ongoing, making the cancellation of the filming of Season 4 very likely.



ABC has indicated it will air the eight episodes of Season 4 that have already been filmed. However if filming ends, this means the film crew and cast will be laid off, and are free to depart Hawaii. The question was: will there still be a Sunset on the Beach event as scheduled?



The short answer is yes.



Our original source for the February 2 date was Jon Lachonis (aka DocArzt formerly of the blog at thetailsection.com), and his source was said to be very reliable and maybe even close to "The Powers that Be" at Lost. This week we received word that he has been authorized to state that the event is indeed still on despite the strike. You can read his exacts words at his new blog at UGO TV.



His latest blog entry mentions February 6 as a possible S4 broadcast premiere and an explanation for the number "6" that has mysteriously been featured on Lost promos in recent days. This date also supports February 2 as the likely Saturday for Sunset on the Beach.



Many people attend the premiere to see the cast, who have attended past premieres at Waikiki. However the WGA strike means the cast will likely have to fly back to Hawaii if they intend on attending. Will they be there? Lachonis wrote in his blog: "It is hard to say what this years event will look like with the increasing likelihood that Lost’s production will close down for the season, which would give the cast the option of traveling abroad." Reading between the lines, an educated guess would be that the cast are being encouraged to attend, and would probably be happy to come (who doesn't love Hawai'i), but would not be required to, especially if obligated by other work or travel during that time.