Those wacky “Lost” publicists are back at it again, sending out press releases for phony companies associated with the ABC series.

On Friday, they sent out a press release saying today Oceanic Airlines is back in business. If only the TV networks were back in business and the Writers strike was over. But that’s just my own personal New Year’s wish.

Instead we get funky press releases like this one:

December 28, 2007

OCEANIC AIRLINES ANNOUNCES ITS RETURN TO THE AIRWAYS
“TAKING YOU PLACES YOU NEVER IMAGINED”

Flights Begin December 31 To Nine Markets

Oceanic Airlines announced today their return to the airways. Beginning December 31, operations and flights to nine markets will resume, “Taking You Places You Never Imagined.” Destinations include:

Los Angeles, CA
Tustin, CA
Ames, IA
Miami, FL
New York, NY
Portland, OR
Knoxville, TN
Seoul, South Korea
Sydney, Australia

“We are very eager to resume flying and apologize for any inconvenience our temporary closure may have caused our loyal customers,” said Michael Orteig, President, Oceanic Airlines. “Oceanic Airlines is proud to be a top tier flight provider and looks forward to providing travelers with many more years of unparalleled service.”

About Oceanic Airlines
In business for over 25 years, Oceanic Airlines is a major airline carrier and offers the highest caliber of service for international and domestic flights. Destinations include Los Angeles, London, Sydney and South Korea.

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Oceanic Airlines Contact:
Georgia Cavanagh (818) 460-5520

If you call, Georgia tells you to leave a message. Let me know if they get back to you. Also, you get an address to go to the Oceanic Airlines site There’s not much there, but then that would also be the same for the series.

Viewers were promised 16 episodes this season, with no interruption. Only eight were completed with a quasi-cliff hanger at the end that insiders say will make viewers more angry than enticed. Because of the strike, there simply aren’t any more episodes shot.

Ben, don’t make Danielle mad. You know you don’t like it when Danielle gets angry…(ABC/MARIO PEREZ) MICHAEL EMERSON, MIRA FURLAN in the Jan. 31 season premiere of “Lost”.

But you can spend the better part of the day getting caught up with previews, recaps, webisodes and even full episodes on the official “Lost” Web site. The hilarious video recap is worth the trip to the site.

The show swaps to Thursday nights beginning Jan. 31 with an episode titled “Beginning of the End.”

On the season premiere of “Lost” at 9 p.m. Jan. 31 on ABC, everyone looks happy except Claire (Emilie de Ravin). (ABC/MARIO PEREZ)