In 1992, Seinfeld aired an episode called "The Pitch" in which Jerry and George attempt to come up with an idea for a television show. They end up agreeing on a "show about nothing" that will star Jerry, center around his life, feature characters based on George, Elaine, and Kramer, and will air on NBC. In short, the show that Jerry and George create is almost identical to the real-life Seinfeld. This plot arc continued throughout Seinfeld's seminal fourth season, turning the beloved "show about nothing" into a show that was, essentially, about itself. Twelve years later, JJ Abrams et al took that concept to absurd extremes by creating an entire six-season show not just about itself, but about the entire experience of watching it. Lost is the greatest television show ever made about the act of watching itself. I'll explain why after the jump.
