‘Lost’ could be a loser if writers stay out on strike

If the Writers Guild of America strike isn't resolved quickly, it will likely halt production of the ABC show "Lost" in the coming weeks.

Though people working on the show would not speak on the record, a source indicated that two episodes are currently in production on Oahu, and because the scripts are polished, shooting will continue.

What happens next, however, remains to be seen. Writing or rewriting constitutes crossing the picket line.

"Lost" will fare better than the immediate casualties of the strike, such as talk shows. The series is not set to begin airing its fourth season until February -- an effort to fulfill fans' desire to watch all 16 episodes sequentially, without the infusion of reruns. Half are essentially completed.

About 10,000 writers in the guild are negotiating for a larger portion of the profits from DVD sales and releases through digital media. The strike began Monday after negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers faltered.

Carlton Cuse, executive producer of "Lost," told the Los Angeles Times that the strike was a "critical point in the evolution of the business," and essential for "future generations of writers." Like many producers, Cuse also writes many episodes and is part of the guild's negotiating committee, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Variety reported that the guild has encouraged writer-producers to stop work, because the more episodes each network has ready to go, the longer the strike will last.