Mind the Gap - The Sequel

Tomorrow night, Lost finally returns with new episodes. This after it aired six epis, then took a three-month hiatus leaving us viewers high and dry. To say I was annoyed when TPTB began Lost's long break with some supremely intense moments is an understatement. Back in November, I wasn't sure how I could stand to wait until February to get my resolution.

Funny thing is, though, I'd almost forgotten all about it until I caught a couple of teasers on ABC that reminded me that Lost had been gone for a long while. Which leads me to ask, how long of a gap can be sustained and still keep viewers/readers/fans interested?

Quite possibly the worst wait I've ever had to endure - although by far not the longest - was the gap between the season 1 cliff hanger of Queer As Folk and the season 2 premier. The six months or so between June 24, 2001 and January 6, 2002 were pure torture because the fate of two of my favorite characters was held in the balance. I scrambled for every scrap of spoiler I could find, trying to feed my addiction to this show.

I've held my breath over other season breaks; several The West Wing seasons, one Smallville season, at least two other Queer As Folks. But these waits are cake walks compared to what I endure between releases of highly anticipated movies and books, where we are talking years rather than months between installments.

Oddly enough, it's the internet that has caused me more angst than I experienced in the past as far as waiting is concerned. Before I could research, I never knew when something was coming up. By the time an event was announced, the space of time I had to endure was usually fairly small. But now I know things year(s) in advance and have to tick off every bloody second.

For example, I had no idea that there would be a gap of almost three years between Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I read Book 4 and then patiently waited for Book 5, never thinking to haunt the internet to find out when it might arrive. Now I'm tempted to download the countdown widget so I know to the second how long I have to wait for Book 6.

Same thing with books by favorite writers. I know to the day when J.R. Ward's next BDB book will hit the shelves, and the one after that for that matter. I know the next title in Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooters series will be around by end of the summer. And I'm anxiously awaiting May 1st when I can get my hands on Lynn Viehl's Night Lost. I've already mentioned that little event coming this July which I've already put on the calendar...

Plus, movies. My anticipation starts in January, when I check out all the must-see movies coming for the summer. This year I don't know which has me most excited: Spider-Man 3, Pirates of the Caribbean 3, or Harry Potter 5. I'm already lining up babysitters and I still have three months left!

In researching the last three links, I see Harry Potter 6 is slated for release some time in 2008, which I'm going to guess means around Thanksgiving or so based on previous releases. And, yes, I'm already excited!

I feel like I spend too much of my life waiting in expectation. Nothing beats the thrill of having something I've anticipated for so long finally in my grasp. And nothing - nothing! - is more of a let down than when I've finished it and realize I now have to start the waiting clock ticking all over again.

I guess this answers my question. If you do it right, no wait is too long to keep true fans interested.