The producers of 24 on Wednesday began securing cast members for a two-hour
movie that will air in the fall and bridge the prolonged, strike-induced gap
between Seasons 6 and 7. The "prequel," as the Reporter is terming it, will
effectively set the stage for the show's January 2009 return.
What's the title going to be, "2"?
Production on the Washington, D.C.-based Season 7, which had eight episodes in
the can before the work stoppage hit, will resume in April.
Roush on 24
Question: I'm interested to know if you have any thoughts regarding 24 now that
Fox has officially declared it won't be back on the air until 2009. I think it's
interesting that Fox states that "a January 2009 start seemed the best way to
comply with viewers' wishes," when all the fans I know (myself included) seem to
be wishing for it to start sooner rather than later. Consecutive weekly airings
is not worth the wait if the show could be technically aired in the fall, or
even late summer. I believe the show has a loyal enough viewer base to minimize
the lower ratings Fox seems to think would result from an earlier showing.
Furthermore, the longer they keep completed episodes under wraps in this day and
age, the greater the chances of them being leaked onto the Internet, which
certainly wouldn't go over well with the suits.— Todd S.
Matt Roush: I agree with you in one regard: It would be tragic if too many
details of the next season got out in advance, and in this spoiler society, I
fear you may be right. But that's not reason enough for me to second-guess Fox's
decision to postpone the show until next January. To me, it's like when I heard
that Paramount has decided to hold the next Star Trek movie from Christmas to
next summer. Whatever's best for the franchise. There's no question Fox could
have this season ready to go earlier, and it's almost unheard of for a network
to sit on completed episodes for so long. But much as the networks are choosing
to hold some freshman series back until fall in order to give them a big
relaunch, so 24 deserves the greatest promotional push possible when it returns.
Holding it until the new year, and having the season run consecutively as it has
successfully done the last few years, still seems to me the best option. Fans
are notoriously impatient, and I get why it's frustrating to have the show held
back for so long. But I've also lived through seasons when fans griped endlessly
about the breaks between episodes in shows like 24 and Lost, and that's what Fox
is trying to avoid. Can't please everyone. Or in the case of shows like these,
almost anyone.
24 - Season 1: Special Edition will be coming out May 20
Time Is Up for 24 Creator Joel Surnow
24 co-creator/executive producer Joel Surnow is leaving the Emmy-winning drama
effective immediately, says the Reporter. Surnow served as an executive producer
on the first eight episodes of the strike-struck seventh season, but will not be
creatively involved in the series going forward.
Though Surnow's deal with 20th Century Fox TV wasn't up until April 30, this
week he asked for and was granted an early release.
"Joel created one of the landmark series of this decade in 24 and his
contribution to its creative excellence over the years has been immeasurable,"
Fox says in a statement. "While he leaves the show in the incredibly capable
hands of the talented Howard Gordon, his input will always be welcome."
The 24 You'll Never See: Fox Addresses "Jack-lash"
Last spring, when ratings for 24 began to nose-dive along with President Bush's
approval ratings, producers decided to address the backlash against their
protagonist, whose tendency to torture terrorism suspects hit too close to home.
"The fear and wish fulfillment the show represented after 9/11 ended up
boomeranging against us," head writer Howard Gordon tells the Wall Street
Journal. "We were suddenly facing a blowback from current events."
Gordon says the original Season 7 "fix" would have found Jack building houses
for orphans in Africa, doing "penance… for things he's done in his life." This
scenario also would have marked the first time 24 deviated from its real-time
structure, since returning Jack to the U.S. would have demanded a
transcontinental flight. Ultimately, Fox rejected the Africa concept, claiming
it was too far afield from the show's identity.
Although producers ultimately settled on a different Season 7 storyline, it's
still not clear if/when we'll be seeing those episodes, eight of which were
produced before the WGA strike hit.
What do you think of the Africa/"redemption" storyline? Did Jack have much to
atone for? — Mickey O'Connor
From 24headquarters.com
Spoiler TV is reporting that the start time of episode 7.01 will be 8am.
From FOX.Com:
EMMY-WINNING DRAMA “24” MAKES LANDMARK COMMITMENT TO FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE
Show Will Take Significant Steps to Reduce its Carbon Footprint
For Season Seven with the Goal of Accruing Enough Emissions Savings
To Render Entire Season Finale Carbon Neutral;
“24” Hopes to Inspire Other Series and Millions of Viewers
To Join Fight to Curb Climate Change
July 22, 2007, Hollywood, CA – “24,” the Emmy Award-winning series from Imagine and Twentieth Century Fox Television, will strive to become the first television production ever to save enough energy and reduce enough carbon emissions over the course of a season to render its entire season finale “carbon neutral,” it was announced today. In addition to making significant changes to its own production practices, the series aims to educate and inspire its millions of viewers to take climate change and the fight against global warming seriously and personally, before it’s too late, said executive producer/show-runner Howard Gordon and Twentieth Century Fox Television Chairmen Dana Walden and Gary Newman.
“We care deeply about this issue at ‘24,’ and we wanted to do our own small part to be part of the solution,” commented Howard Gordon. “We looked at how we produce the show, and realized that there were some substantive changes we could implement which would make a real difference. But even more importantly, we hope to inspire our audience to look at what they can do in their own lives to help stem global warming. We think this will be the beginning of a conversation with our millions of viewers that will hopefully inspire them to take action around the world.”
“Fighting the dangers of climate change is an initiative that this whole company takes very seriously, and what better show than ‘24’ to lead the way?” commented TCFTV Presidents Newman and Walden. “This series has a proud tradition of innovation and futuristic thinking and we couldn’t be more excited that Howard and his team have embraced this bold challenge. Not only can we encourage other television series to follow their example, but we intend to use our powerful platform as content providers to communicate directly with the people of the world about how we can reverse this serious environmental threat.”
Beginning with production on Season 7, “24” intends to implement the following carbon emission reduction techniques and important initiatives:
Introducing the use of biodiesel fuels to power generators and production vehicles;
Previously, the show powered its electric generators and large transportation vehicles with diesel fuel. This season, the show intends to use a combination of petroleum diesel and biodiesel (a clean-burning alternative fuel produced from renewable resources), which should result in emission reductions ranging from 5% on the vehicles to as much as 100% on the generators.
Running all on-stage production activities on “green power”;
Through the L.A. Department of Water and Power, the show will purchase all of its energy from renewable power sources (such as wind, water and solar). As a result, this “green energy” will be brought into the Los Angeles power grid from outlying areas, thereby reducing overall emissions and pollution in greater Los Angeles.
Rewiring an entire stage to use electric, rather than diesel-generated, power;
Previously, one of the two stages housing “24”’ had insufficient power capacity necessary to light the sets and run the equipment, necessitating the use of supplemental diesel-gas-fueled generators. Twentieth Century Fox Television is investing in rewiring this building, which it leases, so that no diesel generators will be needed this season.
Integrating fuel-saving and low-emission hybrid vehicles into the production fleet;
This season, the show intends to incorporate as many lower-emission vehicles as possible into departments that require considerable road trave,l such as Locations, Transportation and Production Assistance.
Creating a series of PSAs about the issue starring Kiefer Sutherland and key cast members;
Kiefer Sutherland has already shot a public service announcement describing “24”’s commitment to this issue. This season, the series intends to participate in a series of PSAs educating viewers about climate change and offering information about how they can be part of the solution.
When appropriate, incorporating the issue of global warming and the importance of carbon emission reduction into storylines;
Posting information, resources and do-it-yourself techniques for viewers to reduce their own carbon footprints on the “24” page at Fox.com;
Accruing enough carbon reduction savings through these and other innovations to render production of the entire final episode officially “carbon neutral.”
Carbon neutrality refers to a product having a balance of zero between the amount of carbon absorbed and the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere during the production of the product. Carbon neutrality is achieved through energy reduction, green power use, and purchasing “offsets” which represent investment in alternative energy and carbon reduction.
“While the changes we are making are ambitious and groundbreaking, they are really just the beginning of our industry getting behind this issue,” commented Walden and Newman. “There are still considerable obstacles to overcome, whether it’s encouraging investment in greener television production technologies, or simply forcing ourselves and our partners to think and do things differently. That said, we believe that we should not let what we cannot achieve get in the way of the things we can. And the next season of ‘24’ is the perfect place to start.”
Here’s some of the things you can do to make a difference right now.
SUPER-SIMPLE TIPS:
Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient ones.
Unplug chargers (cell phones, blackberries, iPods, etc.) when not in use.
Turn off lights/TVs when not in use.
Shut it down your computer completely when you are done for the day, and physically turn off your monitor -- “power-saving” mode still uses power!!
Take public transportation.
Ride a bike.
Drive a hybrid.
Buy locally grown produce.
Use refillable cups/glasses/water bottles.
Print on both sides of the page, review files on the screen and send documents over email whenever possible.
SIMPLE TIPS:
Unplug chargers (cell phones, blackberries, iPods, etc.) when not in use. Only 5% of the power drawn by a cell phone charger is used to charge the phone -- the other 95% is wasted when it is left plugged into the wall.
Since plugged-in but turned-off appliances still sap energy, use power strips for TVs, stereos, DVD players, computers, etc. to be able to easily turn them TRULY OFF.
Visit http://www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailing/ or
http://www.directmail.com/directory/mail_preference/ to have your name removed from catalogue mailing lists -- U.S. catalogue companies send more than 17 BILLION catalogues PER YEAR!!
Turn on your AC in the car (instead of rolling down the window) if you're going over 45 MPH, it actually saves energy.
Use recycled aluminum foil instead of plastic wrap, wax paper and regular aluminum foil.
Switch to NiMH rechargeable batteries for alarm clocks, remotes and small appliances -- alkaline batteries are next to impossible to recycle.
Use ceiling fans in the summer AND winter. By reversing the direction of the blades in the winter, warm air is pushed down, and heat is distributed throughout the house.
Question: Who will be back on 24 next season?— Kevin
Ausiello: As of now, it looks like Kiefer Sutherland, Mary Lynn Rajskub and
possibly James Morrison.
May 2007
"24" CLOCK SET FOR TWO MORE "DAYS"
Emmy Award-Winning Series Renewed for Two Additional Seasons
As the clock ticks toward the climactic final two hours of 24's Season
Six on Monday, May 21 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), FOX has extended the Emmy
Award-winning series for two additional seasons through 2008-2009.
24 was last year's most Emmy Award-winning television series with five
Emmys, including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Kiefer
Sutherland) and Outstanding Drama Series. The show promises to combine
its unique and trend-setting format with compelling new elements. Each
episode will cover one hour of real time, and the season's entire story
will take place in one terrifying day. Viewers again will follow Jack
Bauer through a day that none of them will ever forget.
24 has been nominated for a total of 51 Emmys, including five each for
Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
for Sutherland. 24 also has received 11 Golden Globe nominations,
including five for Best Television Series - Drama (winning for Season
Three) and five for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Drama
(with Sutherland winning for Season One).
24, created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran, is a production of Real
Time Productions and Imagine Television in association with 20th Century
Fox Television. Joel Surnow, Robert Cochran, Howard Gordon, Evan Katz,
Jon Cassar, Kiefer Sutherland and Brian Grazer are the executive
producers.
Feb. 2007
From 24weblog.com
01.23 | Kiefer Sutherland to appear as Jack Bauer on The Simpsons
Kiefer Sutherland is to appear as Jack Bauer on The Simpsons.
The animated Jack Bauer will be an agent for the Springfield Counter Truancy
Unit. The episode will air May 20th, 2007.
Sutherland also recently did a voice-over cameo as an army generalon an episode
of The Simpsons earlier this season.
Jan. 2007
This week's Entertainment Weekly has a special pull-out section all about 24,
which summaries from each past season and detailed info about each cast member
from this season.
This interview is the first three pages of the booklet.
This review by
Stephen King is the last two pages.
Keifer Sutherland was on Conan O'Brien this week, and he told a funny story
about the upcoming Jack Bauer action figure. He was sent an action figure a few
seasons ago, so he and a friend went out to a bar and took it with them. They
had fun with it and ended up setting it on fire, which melted it into a little
puddle. When they phoned him up to ask him how he liked it, they asked him
to send it back because it was their only prototype! So he tried to cover, but
weeks later finally admitted what he had done. So that's why it has taken a few
years for them to come up with another one....
Here is a
commercial for the NFL narrated by Kiefer Sutherland that draws comparisons
to 24.
Season 6 Episode 1 Leaked
The last week before the season 6 premiere airs isn't starting off too well for
Fox.
The first episode of season 6 has apparently been leaked to the internet world.
Most likely, the dvd was leaked by someone from a reviewing company or a disc
was stolen while in transport.
So far, it looks like only episode 1 has been leaked, remember that the whole
premiere is 4 hours (composed of 4 episodes). The other 3 episodes will most
likely be leaked too within this week as all 4 episodes were on the same dvd.
6/20 A 24 video game featuring favorite 24 characters will be out fall 2006.
Kiefer Sutherland (Jack) and Reiko Aylesworth (Michelle) have been dating.
24: Behind The Scenes
On October 24th, Insight Editions will release a 24 Photography book which will feature over 150 candid behind the scenes photos taken from the past five seasons of 24. These photos have never been published before and were taken from the private collections of Jon Cassar (Director), Rodney Charters (Director of Photography) and other crew members. Kiefer
Sutherland will be writing the forward. Click here for more info and to view preview pics. Pre-order it now at Amazon for only $18.87
Kiefer Signs Three Year Deal with Fox-
Kiefer Sutherland has signed a multifaceted deal with 20th Century Fox Television and will appear in three additional seasons of "24". Kiefer will also be promoted from Co-Executive Producer to Executive Producer of 24 and get a two-year production development contract to develop projects for 20th Century Fox Television.
11/8 Trio Punches Clock for "24"
from YAHOO
By Gina Serpe Fri Nov 18, 4:25 PM ET
Jack is back. And he's bringing some friends with him.
The Fox hit 24 is dusting off the welcome mat for three more veteran
actors
this season, with
Peter Weller, JoBeth Williams and Julian Sands joining the ever-revolving
cast,
the network announced Friday.
When viewers last saw
Kiefer Sutherland's rogue agent Jack Bauer, he was dropped off south of
the
border, handed a new identity and warned not to return to the U.S.
The new season, Day 5 in Bauer-land, kicks off 18 months later, with
national
security once again "brutally breached."
The presumed-dead Bauer has taken up a new life with his girlfriend and
her
son, played by previously announced newcomers
Connie Britton and Brady Corbett, respectively. Which is where the
series'
latest additions come in.
While Fox is remaining mum on any plot details, it has confirmed that
Robocop
thesp Weller has signed on as federal agent Christopher Henderson, the
man
responsible for recruiting Bauer to the CTU more than a decade ago.
Three-time
Emmy nominee, and recent Fever Pitch actress, Williams plays his wife.
As for veteran British actor Sands, of Time Code and A Room with a View
fame,
producers have simply tagged him "billionaire bad guy" Vladimir Bierko.
But the cozy threesome aren't the only new faces popping up on the
prime-time
hit this season.
Earlier this year, Fox announced several high-profile new additions to
the
time-sensitive drama.
In addition to Britton and Corbet, erstwhile Hobbit
Sean Astin joins the clock-ticker as a regular this season, playing a
fellow
Counter Terrorist Unit agent.
Former Designing Woman
Jean Smart rounds out the new ensemble as the first lady.
24's fifth day kicks off with a four-hour, two-night premiere Jan. 15 and
16 on
Fox, which will mark the series' 100th episode.
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