What does a 'lost' tv episode mean?

In what context?

Maybe it was aired but the show failed to produce results, so they took it off to never be seen again….. Well that is my guess.

For ex:

Season 5: Episode 10 Title here (lost episode)

If it’s an older show, it usually means that it was produced and aired, but that something happened to the real it was on and we no longer have a copy. Or we no longer have an official copy, but technically there is a copy out there because some fan recorded it to their VCR, although it’s horrible quality.

When television first started, it was live, and sometimes the show was not recorded for posterity. Those episodes can never be seen again. Hence, they are lost.

Some shows were recorded, but the tapes were destroyed by time or fire or neglect.

There was also a television show called Lost. I presume all of their episodes are refered to that way.

No I’m not referring to the actual show, Lost.

As said above, but also it can refer to an episode that failed to meet the network’s Standards & Practices. In other words, the producers and the censors failed to reach a compromise that would allow the show to air.

These episodes may show up in a DVD compilation or in syndication on a network with less stringent standards with the designation “lost” to indicate that it didn’t have a first-run airing.

@Blueroses Wouldn’t it then be “unaired” instead of “lost”?

@Aethelflaed Technically, yes, but “lost” can be used also. Particularly when the producers are angry with the censorship and feel that their show lost continuity by not being allowed to run a particular episode.

Lost, like on the cutting room floor? Maybe a sub-standard episode, or one that was already done when the show was cancelled. Or possibly one that dealt with a certain subject that was deemed “in poor taste” because of unforeseen events.??