Ever wonder what became of Oz six decades after Dorothy and the Wizard departed?  Some of the startling answers are contained in a “lost” TV pilot that nearly found a home on WBNX in 2002.  Lost in Oz was one of The WB’s high-concept dramas, dropping Melissa George (Alias) and Colin Egglesfield (All My Children) into the land over the rainbow, where new witches have taken control, including the sultry Mia Sara.  While the series was not picked up, the pilot has—at long last—made its way to YouTube in eight segments, starting here.  This was one of five test-shows I can remember pulling hard for, because it’s something I’d definitely watch.  As the Wicked novels and stage plays have shown, people are very interested in backstories and flash-forwards involving familiar places and people.  There’s a particularly poignant moment in Lost in Oz when Melissa unearths what was once the yellow-brick road…in an area where horrible tragedy has obviously taken place.  Mythology shows like this are always a risk, due to special-effects and other restraints, but the payoff can be especially sweet when it connects with a pop-cult audience like Smallville, Buffy and Charmed did.  The other four pilots I referred to earlier also had a built-in fanbase: Dark Shadows, The Robinsons: Lost in Space (directed by John Woo), Aquaman, and the unique comedy Nobody’s Watching, which has generated millions of hits online.  Chances are, you recognize most of the titles and may have family members who grew up with the originals.  But TV is cyclical, so while these remakes didn’t make the cut, their legends are strong enough that someone will tackle the projects again.  Some day.

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