Not everyone's quick to credit ABC's "Lost" for this fall's explosion of sci-fi -- sorry, "genre" -- shows, but if your pilot's on ABC, credit's allowed to be given where credit is due.

Shaun Cassidy (yes, that Shaun Cassidy) is the creator of "Invasion," a series in which very weird things start happening in the aftermath of a Florida hurricane, and he knows how he got here.

"You can answer that question in three words: 'Lost,' 'Lost' and 'Lost.'

"'Lost' changed the climate for shows that don't answer all your questions at the end of the episode."

One question he won't be answering is exactly what's up with the residents of his remote and troubled little community, some of whom no longer seem to be quite themselves.

"I know none of you is going to believe me, but I've never seen 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers," Cassidy said.

I, on the other hand, saw the 1956 version for the first time on TV the night I watched the "Invasion" pilot -- talk about your eerie coincidences -- and think there's credit yet to be given.