LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- ABC has dodged two scheduling bullets as President Obama's State of the Union won't conflict with the return of "Lost" while "FlashForward" is being pulled away from FOX's "American Idol."

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters on Friday the president's speech definitely won't be on February 2. "I don't foresee a scenario in which millions people who hope to finally get some conclusion with 'Lost' are preempted by the president," he said. "You can quote a senior administration official."

Meanwhile, "FlashForward's" return has been pushed two weeks to Thursday, March 18 at 8:00/7:00c. The delay allows the freshman drama to avoid FOX's two planned Thursday airings of its "Idol" juggernaut.

The bump however will likewise push its two-hour season finale to Thursday, May 27, the first day after the May sweeps period.