Planning the end of "Lost"

So you don't freak out when you read a headline like that in the morning... here's the important part of the AP story:

PASADENA, Calif. -- Makers of the tropical island drama Lost say they're
talking with ABC executives about setting an end date for the series.
There's no sense the finale is coming anytime soon. But knowing they have a deadline will help writers of the convoluted drama lay out how they want the story to end, producers said Sunday in a meeting with TV critics here.
"Once we figure out when that will be, a lot of the questions will go away,'' said Carlton Cuse, an executive producer.

Obviously, no matter what they say, the best serial on TV will probably stick around long enough to make us all sorry for watching the last two seasons.