Man Claims He Got 'Lost' First

There may be one human being on Earth who understands the TV show "Lost" -- a guy who claims he created the show 32 years ago.

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Anthony Spinner -- a producer on "Baretta" and "Babes in Toyland" -- says back in 1977 he was paid $30,000 to write a TV pilot, which eventually became a 121-page script called "Lost."

Spinner is now suing ABC and Touchstone Television, claiming the network passed on the show in '77, '91 and '94 ... then suddenly created an exact replica with Touchstone in 2004.

Spinner lists a ton of similarities in his suit -- which was filed on July 10 -- notably an "airplane headed to Los Angeles [that] crashes into a tropical jungle-like environment."

Spinner also alleges the new "Lost" characters -- including Jack, Locke, Sayid, Kate and Sawyer -- are all rip-offs ... down to their occupations and dark pasts.

The comparisons go on and on. Spinner is suing for damages and a cut of royalties, profits and a bunch of other stuff. Spinner tried to sue a few years ago, but it was dismissed for procedural reasons.

Tags: abc, anthony spinner, AnthonySpinner, lawsuit, lost

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46. why am I not surprised at this just proves that money is the root of all evils and when there is someone who has pile or somethng that earns a pile there is always someone with there hand out. He likely is telling the truth and like all companys that are that big the norm is to ignore them and hope they go away. As for abc they are the greediest of greedy.

Posted at 8:34PM on Jul 13th 2009 by Miss Bu

47. This kind of "theft of ideas" happens all the time in Hollyweird, and has happened to personal friends of mine. Spinner is a great industry veteran, so if he says he was ripped off, that's good enough for me.

Posted at 9:07PM on Jul 13th 2009 by filmguy

48. Yes, why now. Btw, LOST is one of the Best and Original shows on TV. Yes, its takes some effort on the viewer to follow along with its crazy plots and twists, but it's well worth it. I am going to miss it when it ends next year.

Posted at 9:09PM on Jul 13th 2009 by remy

49. I suggest hiring a lawyer called Sue thet drives a Isuzu.

Posted at 9:16PM on Jul 13th 2009 by hamilTonyan

50.
33. I HATE THIS SHOW WITH EVERY CELL AND FIBER OF MY SOUL. I WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS LAWSUIT BECAUSE EVERY "NETWORK" PEROSN INVOLVED IIN THIS SHOW IS THEEEEEEEEEE - MOST - HEINOUS - DOUCHEBAG - ON - THE - PLANET. THE REAL PROBLEM IS THE ADVERTISERS. I HAVE BOYCOTTED ALL ADVERTISERS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SHOW, BECAUSE THEY DO NOT DESERVE A CENT OF MY MONEY.

HEAR THAT YOU "LOST" PEOPLE?????????????? YOU ARE NOT "SMART". YOU CAN KISS MY HUGE GAPING AYNUS. I HATE THIS SHOW MORE THAN GEORGE W. BUSH, WHO INVENTED TERRORISM SO HIS FAMILY COULD GET MORE OF YOUR MONEY FROM OIL.

Posted at 7:55PM on Jul 13th 2009 by UIWEHFGJUIEWHRGJFK

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DO US A FAVOR AND DON'T WATCH IT. I LOVE THE SHOW AND THEIR IS A LOT OF FANS. WATCH "FACTS OF LIFE" YOU NEED TO GO ON MEDICATION YOU SEEM OFF BALANCE. NOW BACK TO THE POINT OF THE ARTICLE THE TWO SCRIPTS ARE VERY HE COULD EVEN USE A BAD LAWYER LIKE HARVEY LEVIN COULD MAKE HIM MONEY IN COURT AND HE MOST LIKELY IS A BAD LAWYER.

Posted at 9:17PM on Jul 13th 2009 by My 3 Cents

51. The question isn't why did the writer wait so long to sue -- he didn't. He filed his lawsuit back in 2005. The question is why TMZ mentioned it today. Is the case getting close to trial, did something new happen in the case to put it on TMZ's radar?

Posted at 9:18PM on Jul 13th 2009 by lostinfandom

52. If Spinner really wants to stick it to ABC and JJ Abrams, he would make public his entire concept to include how his version of the show ends, Then all of us who watch Lost would have the answer, and there would be no reason to waste time watching the final season. The upcoming final season of Lost is going to be excruciating...just end it already and have it make sense!

Posted at 9:20PM on Jul 13th 2009 by Hey now

53. Sorry naysayers,

I ABSOLUTELY remember seeing the show. It was a CLASSIC ABC TV Movie called "Lost Flight" just like the suit infers.

My favorite memory? The bad guy chasing a young lady through the junhgle intent on raping her and then stumbling into his own pungee-stick booby trap(!). Yuk. It had a every feel of a TV series pilot and I would have LOVED to have seen it as a series!. Is it on video? I'd love to see it again!

Posted at 9:24PM on Jul 13th 2009 by Blast from the past!!!

54. Whoever paid him 30K to write the original pilot would be the one who would have an actual claim.

Posted at 10:22PM on Jul 13th 2009 by Soundly Reasoned

55. old news tmz....old news... This is 3 years old

Posted at 9:31PM on Jul 13th 2009 by byronic

56. if i put on a plad dress and ruby slippers i gues i just wrote the wizard of oz . yes toto there is no place like home .
its like every gay guy sueing judy garland because she sings there song . some where over the rainbow .
this guys need to tap his heels together 3 times and see what happens . get a life .

Posted at 9:43PM on Jul 13th 2009 by iintrigued

57. Who cares?.I hate the show.Is one of the most boring things I hav ever tune to.I saw the first when they crash and it was like BORING,BORING...I so glad is going out.Maybe something a little more interesting will take its place but I have no great hopes for that.

Posted at 10:32PM on Jul 13th 2009 by Oscar in Miami Beach

58. why did it take so long- I guess he was lost

Posted at 9:51PM on Jul 13th 2009 by Mullins

59. number 46 the movie lost flight , was a 1969 movie starring lloyde bridges , about a guy and his passangers on a island but that move was made way before most of the tv show lost was born . so maby the guy that is sueing ripped off that move . theres no end to it . relax and enjoy the show . who care s its a great show

Posted at 10:30PM on Jul 13th 2009 by iintrigued

60. I would wait wait until it becomes huge!!!! Hello people that's where the money is. BIG money is on the way if he's telling the truth :)

Posted at 10:52PM on Jul 13th 2009 by NOT FIRST

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