Daniel Dae Kim (second from left) in the Lost season three finale. Photograph: ABC
Lost has left its fans dangling after the devastating season three finale, but it's never been a show that struggles to make headlines during a hiatus. Daniel Dae Kim, who plays Jin-Soo Kwon in the show, has been charged with driving under the influence after police spotted him motoring erratically through Honolulu. He's in good company. His Lost co-star Michelle Rodriguez (the show's spectacularly annoying Ana Lucia) spent five days in jail for drunk driving in 2006. She told the press: "I'm a Gypsy, man. I stays in one place too long, I get in trouble," which I think is some kind of ethnic slur against Gypsies but was probably the booze talking. Arrested with Rodriguez was Cynthia Watros who played Libby. Then there was British alliterative man mountain Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (walking religious allegory Mr Eko), charged with disobeying a police officer and driving without a licence. Have these people lost their minds? This is Lost, not Mötley Crüe's Girls, Girls, Girls tour - what's going on?
It's becoming increasingly clear that Lost is television's Apocalypse Now. Both are flawed masterpieces filmed on island paradises, slowly sending many of their participants insane. Francis Ford Coppola threatening to commit suicide, Brando's improvised madness and Martin Sheen's alcohol-induced heart attack were all just part of the money-guzzling monster that was the Vietnam movie. Something about playing conflicted characters in long-term foreign location shoots seems to bring out the devil in the actor. Maybe it's the foreign environment, the cheap booze or just being in character for long periods that sends them yampy. With a large ensemble cast to choose from on Lost, you wonder who's going to be next to snap? Please tell me Hurley is safe from Lost's boozy curse?
The Craphole Island crew will be forgiven their misdemeanours while they keep on producing television as memorable as this summer's stunning denouement, however, and Daniel Dae Kim at least had the decency to be "deeply ashamed and embarrassed" instead of blathering on about Gypsies. The show's history suggests he'd better watch his back though - all three of the previous Lost lags have had their characters killed off. I smell conspiracy - the Hanso Foundation is surely involved. Whatever the cause, one truth echoes from Hawaii to the Philippines - this island life will send you crazy.
