24's Ten Greatest Moments (IGN TV)

Jack's days are numbered. So is this countdown of the most memorable events in the shows history.

by Hilary Goldstein 

 

March 31, 2010 -
SPOILER ALERT: We're counting down the best moments in the show's history. It is top-to-bottom all spoilers.

After eight long days/seasons, Jack Bauer is calling it quits, as 24 comes to an end this season. 24 launched in November 2001, at a time when Americans were eager for someone to kick the crap out of any terrorists who would dare threaten our nation. We couldn't find a better fictional protector than Jack Bauer. He'd sacrifice anything for our safety and cross the line that, in the real world, most would be against crossing.

24 was a revolutionary idea -- a fictional story told in real time over two-dozen episodes. It brought us picture-in-picture scenes, the famed countdown clock and a bloodlust for beloved characters.

When we think of the "best" moments, they are almost always the worst moments for Jack. These are the moments that made us gasp, made us cry and even made us cheer. Here are our 10 favorite moments (plus one honorable mention) from 24.

It's well-established that Chloe O'Brian is not a field agent. She's a computer geek and confidant for Jack Bauer. But on Day 4, there was no one else available to retrieve a hard drive with some crucial data and secure a witness, Nabilla Al-Jamil. It was supposed to be an easy job; it was not.

Robert Morrison, a hit man, was sent to kill Nabilla. In one of the craziest scenes in 24 history, mousey Chloe O'Brian pulled out an assault rifle and took down a professional killer. It's rare for 24 to have moments that get you on your feet, but cheers from 24 fans could be heard around the world when Chloe finally took action. It also lead to the best lines Chloe's ever uttered on the show:

"Edgar, I appreciate your concern. I really do. Just when I shot that guy, I thought I'd go all fetal position. But the truth is I didn't feel anything. At all. I hope I'm not some kind of a psychopath."


Jack Bauer has two well-known phrases. The first was shouted at Nina Myers when he demanded, "Who are you working for?" The other came in the first hour of Day 2, when we discovered that Jack hadn't gotten over the whole wife-getting-murdered thing.

Marshall Goren had something Jack needed. So Jack had him brought in to CTU. We were expecting the usual interrogation techniques from Jack. A lot of threats, maybe a touch of torture. Jack didn't ask any questions when Goren was seated. Instead, he pulled out his gun and shot him point blank in the chest. He then uttered the single greatest line of the series: "I'm going to need a hacksaw."


He only lasted one Day, but Chase Edmunds managed to exit 24 without losing his life -- just his hand.

To prevent psychopath Arthur Rabens from running off with the deadly Cordilla Virus, Chase latched the case containing the biohazard to his arm. Before Rabens was killed, he managed to arm the device. Jack Bauer is great at many things, but disarming devices isn't one of them. Unable to disable the device, there was only one option. Jack grabbed an ax and lopped off Chase's hand, then tossed the device into a fridge, saving the day.


The most shocking ending since the jarring Day 1 finale, Jack's abduction at the end of Day 5 closed out an amazing season. A little history: In Day 4, Jack raided the Chinese consulate and a Chinese national was killed. Even in the real world, that's cause for war. Bloodshed on Chinese soil didn't sit well with Cheng Zhi.

After the hardest day in 24 history, where the majority of CTU stalwart's were murdered, it seemed Jack might have a chance at happiness. He'd won Audrey Raines' heart. Those two crazy kids might even live happily ever after. Before the two could ride off into the sunset, Jack was told he had a call from his daughter. Ah, but it wasn't really a call from Kim. It was a ruse to get Jack's guard down. A bag thrown over his head, Jack was dragged off. When next we saw Jack, he'd spent months being tortured. And he had a bad-ass beard. Epic.


Sherry Palmer epitomizes the majority of characters on 24. She's power-hungry. That describes every terrorist, most of the politicians and a number of members of CTU. In eight seasons, many have gone to great (and often immoral) lengths to secure power, but Sherry takes the cake.

On Day 1, Sherry wanted the presidency more than her husband, Senator David Palmer. And she'd do anything to see her man in office (so long as she was by his side). This included pimping out campaign staffer Patty Brooks to sleep with the Senator so Sherry could keep better tabs on him. Palmer became a fan favorite when he delivered this killer line to Sherry at the end of Day 1: "After today, I never want to see you again... I don't care what this may do to my candidacy. And it's not because I don't want to be President. I do. I just don't think you're fit to be the first lady."


George Mason ranks among the worst bosses in 24's history. The Day 2 Director of CTU looked out for #1 first and foremost, even to the detriment of our nation. Among the "good guys" on 24, there may be no other who was more despised. But on Day 2, Mason redeemed himself with a final heroic act.

Mason was exposed to deadly levels of radiation earlier in the Day and had only weeks to live. We watched as Mason slowly deteriorated physically. It was going to be an end to a fairly worthless life. But then some crazy terrorist put a timer on a nuclear bomb that would lay waste to Los Angeles. CTU couldn't disarm the bomb, so Jack grabbed a small plane and piloted it towards the desert. Mason stowed away on the plane and halfway to its destination told Jack to get out. Mason's one decent act saved Jack's life. He went out a hero, a nice bit of redemption in a series more often focused on the ruination of its characters' morality.




Day 5 brought a high death count to CTU. We knew right away no one was safe when former President David Palmer was assassinated and Michelle Dessler was blown up. Palmer, perhaps the best fictional President TV has ever had, was a devastating strike. And Michelle's death would lead to one of 24's darkest moments -- the surprising (and unwanted) return from the dead of Tony Almeida on Day 7.

These two deaths marked the start of the most brutal season of 24. Both were shocking, but there were far bigger surprises in store.


24 rarely has quiet moments, but one stands out. Nina Myers was in custody, sitting in a plane across from Jack Bauer, the man whose wife she killed several years ago. A few minutes earlier, she'd slashed a man's throat open with a broken credit card and secured a deal to be released from Federal custody. Jack didn't scream or scowl or threaten Nina. Instead, he said in as calm a voice as he has ever used:

"The Sunday before you killed my wife, Teri and I went to the boardwalk in Venice just watching all the rollerbladers and musicians, laughing at the crazy people, spending time together. And Teri sees this snow-cone stand. She giggles like a kid. She takes off running. She wants to get in line. She wants one. I remember I was watching her, I was just… I couldn't help myself. When I look up at her she's talking to this old lady in line behind her and the two of them are laughing, and I'm thinking to myself, How the hell does she do that? How does she strike up a conversation with an absolute stranger? And they just start laughing. Like they'd been friends forever. That's a gift. I remember thinking, God, I wish I could do that. But I can't. That was Teri. My wife. That's what you took from this world, Nina. That's what you took from me and my daughter. I just wanted you to know that."


Edgar Stiles was a bit of a dunderhead and often seemed a step behind uber-geek Chloe O'Brian. He was as sweet and innocent as a little bunny rabbit. Killing Edgar would be like killing a child -- and you rarely ever see a child die on network TV. No one saw it coming and that's what made it hurt the most.

When Sentox nerve gas was released into CTU, the surviving members realized they had one chance: seal off the ventilation in one room and hide there until the gas could be dissipated. But as Chloe surveyed the lucky few who made it to the conference room, she realized Edgar wasn't among them. The poor guy stumbled to the glass window moments before he died. Was there anyone watching who didn't shout, "Not Edgar!"? The clock did not tick at the commercial break.


Ryan Chappelle was always a pain in the ass. Director of CTU, Chappelle refused to bend the rules and rarely had Jack's back. Certainly some wanted to see bad things happen to Chappelle so Jack could get his job done. But Chappelle's final fate was surprisingly powerful and even now gives us goose bumps.

It wasn't the first time a terrorist had ordered Jack to do something terrible. But this time, Jack had no out. Day 3 baddie Stephen Saunders, twisting President Palmer's arm with the threat of unleashing a deadly virus, ordered the execution of Ryan Chappelle. When Jack failed to find Saunders in time, he had no choice but to comply with the demand. Chappelle was offered a chance to call someone for his final words, but he had no family and no loved ones. He tried to do the honorable thing and kill himself to spare Jack the guilt, but couldn't pull the trigger. "I'm sorry we let you down, Ryan," Jack said as he put the muzzle to the back of Chappelle's head. "God forgive me."


If anyone had doubts about 24 as a viable series, they were removed in the final moments of Day 1. Teri Bauer, who sacrificed her own body to preserve her daughter's innocence, ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Nina Myers had the honor of being CTU's first mole. Jack's former lover became the ultimate betrayer, helping take part in the attempted assassination of presidential candidate David Palmer. Teri stumbled onto Nina as the traitor was preparing her escape. After gagging and tying Teri to a chair, Nina was told by her contact to erase all evidence of her involvement. That meant Teri had to go. It wasn't until Nina had been caught and lead away in handcuffs that Jack found Teri with a bullet in her chest. He fell to the ground, cradling her as the final second on the clock ticked down. Teri's death served as a powerful ending to one very long day and the signature moment for the series.



Source: tv.ign.com

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'24' Memories: Season 1

Thanks Lisa! (@K2293 on Twitter)

24 Set Photos - March 30, 2010

Thirteen More Pics Are Located Here:

(Warning Some Are Spoilery)

SpoilerTV.com

Scenemaker: Season 8 - "Gun Fight"

Source: YouTube and FOX Broadcasting

'24' Recap: Ethan's Heart Just Wasn't In It

Mar 30 2010 01:02 AM  

by Lynette Rice

 

Before I address tonight’s exhilarating episode, attention must be paid to Friday’s news about the show’s series finale on May 24. The announcement wasn’t necessarily a surprise, but it was bittersweet nonetheless; it’s always sad when an old friend leaves our living room for good, and it could be a long time before we see another terrific anti-hero like Jack (or The Shield’s Vic Mackey!) on our small screen.

I had the opportunity to chat with Kiefer Sutherland about the news, and while he seemed bummed about saying goodbye to the cast and crew that he’s spent the last eight years with, he also tacitly acknowledged that the show was starting to show its age. “The writers are writing the equivalent of 12 films a year, which is unheard of, and we agreed very strongly that doing a ninth would be potentially damaging,” he said. “To use the metaphor of a building, (head writer) 

Howard Gordon is our basement, our foundation. So you have to kind of go with that” (for more of the interview, click here). Anyway, this will give Sutherland and Gordon a chance to focus on the feature film, so at least we have that to anticipate (and to cast!). Until then, let’s go to the tape…  

After recovering from the initial shock that it seemed way too easy for Samir and Tarin to transport those heavy nuclear rods in an inflatable boat, I found myself doubting whether we were actually looking at the same indispensable and indestructible Chloe that we were treated to last week. So our little computer whiz can save a whole computer system by intercepting the trunk line, but she can’t figure out (nor does she stop to pontificate) why a satellite feed suddenly goes black for 30 seconds while CTU is tracking the whereabouts of terrorists? This, of course, was the work of Dana the mole, all whispery now because she’s having to communicate with Samir while keeping her cover at CTU. I would think that Arlo, of all people, would be the one to notice how Dana was talking into her hair, but then he and the team were too preoccupied, I guess, with the missing rods and how Hastings was about to admit to President Taylor that he can “no longer guarantee the safety of Manhattan.” Yikes!

Jack and Cole were the ones who found the outage a tad suspicious; unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time to investigate, especially since the President wanted Jack to personally escort Hassan and his family out of harm’s way. Seemed like a bit of lightweight duty for Jack when the city was about to go to hell in a handbasket, but his proximity to Fantastic Sam turned out to be a fortuitous move (but more on that later). Besides, Samir wasn’t ready to detonate the bomb just yet; he rang up President Taylor to report that he’d gladly set aside the nukes if she would just hand over Hassan, instead. I’ve complained before about the lack of meaty dialogue and screen time for the Emmy-winning Cherry Jones, so it’s about time that she got a “We will rise up!” monologue like the one she delivered tonight. When Rob Weiss and General Brucker (the superb Michael Gaston, last seen getting up in Olivia’s grill on Fringe) suggested that maybe she submit to Samir’s demands, Taylor got downright apoplectic. “We have 60 minutes to find these bastards,” she snapped. “And the worst will happen, and we’ll deal with it. Because that’s what we do. Americans don’t stay down, we rise up together in times of crisis, we carry on, is that clear???”

Not to Brucker it wasn’t. Uttering something about the Fourth Nuremberg Principle (which I didn’t believe until I looked it up on Wikipedia, because nothing is real if it isn’t on Wikipedia), Brucker persuaded a wussy Weiss that it was their moral obligation to ignore Taylor, save Manhattan from a nuclear holocaust, and turn over Hassan themselves. But in order to pull off such a dastardly act of sedition, they would need to sneak into Ethan’s office and upload Hassan’s evacuation route onto a flash drive. Naturally, Ethan was in the office in minutes and certainly wasn’t buying Rob’s excuses for being there when there was a flash drive sticking out of his laptop. But alas, when it comes to confrontations, Ethan’s heart wasn’t in it; that’s because it was about to give out! That bought Brucker enough time to dispatch a team of commandos to kidnap Hassan, now winding his way through a maze of underground tunnels with Jack and his fresher/prettier Renee.  It was all pretty exciting stuff, culminating with another superior shoot-out that gave bit actor Christina Cox, as Secret Service agent Molly O’Connor, a chance to shine (maybe the writers read Ken Tucker’s exasperated post about 24’s treatment of women, and they’re trying to create more heroic moments for the sisterhood?)

Brucker’s henchmen didn’t succeed, though; Jack and Renee picked them off one by one until the last one standing admitted that his mission was to hand over Hassan. My guess is that Fantastic Sam — in an altruistic gesture to Taylor and New York — will voluntarily surrender to Samir next week while Jack attempts to follow him. What do you think? Do you think Hassan will submit to Samir? How long do you think it will take before someone starts to smell Bill Prady’s rotting corpse? And a free, year-long subscription to the first reader who emails me the correct translation of Tarin and Samir’s departing words to one another on the phone! You can reach me at Lynette_Rice@ew.com. Come on, you can’t win if you don’t play!

Source: popwatch.ew.com

24's Kiefer Sutherland on FOX 5 - NY

24 Segment on Fox 5 NY News discussing Fox's recent cancellation of hit TV show 24.



Source: YouTube and FOX 5 NY


Thanks, Lisa!

Variety Q&A with '24's' Kiefer Sutherland - Actor talks about his time as Jack Bauer

With the cancellation of "24" at the end of its eighth season, Kiefer Sutherland agreed to answer questions about his experiences playing federal agent Jack Bauer in a show that helped usher in Fox's surge in ratings.

DAILY VARIETY: Tell me how you, the producers, the studio and the network came to this decision.

SUTHERLAND: I'm going to use a terrible metaphor, but if our show is a building, then Howard Gordon and the writers are the foundation. From a creative point, I think Howard was feeling that as confident and as strong as he felt about season 8, he was feeling that it was going to be very hard to do (a season 9). He and I both felt that the opportunity of making a movie, and doing a two-hour representation of a 24-hour day -- which would not be restricted by time -- was something that was appealing to he and I both.

In addition for us, at least creatively, it seemed like the right time to do it. It's very bittersweet. We had the most unbelievably loyal fan base that you don't want to ever disappoint. And you certainly hope to make up for it with a really great film.

But it's also, we have 90% of our original crew from day one. I think there have been 16 weddings, 30 some odd children born... it gets very sad.

DV: I remember back in 2001, it was such a unique idea. People wondered how you were going to keep this up.

SUTHERLAND: They wondered? Joel Surnow and Howard Gordon looked at me after we had done the first 13 episodes and "24" been picked up, and both of them said, "I don't know how to finish it, do you?" And the other one said, "No, I didn't think we'd get this far."

I don't think the reality of it set in until we got picked up, because they worked furiously on it for a while. And I've always said this, "24" has been the great learning experience of my career so far. And I think it was for them as well.

DV: What do you think the show's legacy will be in both TV history and pop culture?

SUTHERLAND: I don't think it's really for me to say. It's for other people to say. It's a interesting question, but it's up to an audience member who watched it. My concern as an actor and a producer was that the story was interesting, that the drama was going to put you on the edge of your seat, and that we would maintain the quality that we feel that we accomplished in season one. I believe very strongly that we did.

 

DV: Did you feel the weight of the show when you read about politicians citing "24"? Did it feel like there were moments when "24" took on a life beyond being a TV show?

SUTHERLAND: I can't help someone politicizing something. It was done by the right and the left. We had elected the first African American president on television. We brought down a right-wing president that was very naughty. It was politicized on both ends.

The only thing that I can really say about that is it's a television show, and as much as it's a complement that people blur the line between reality and non reality, "24" certainly did that. But I think we were generally used for someone else's advantage for a given moment, and it was not something that we could afford to pay a great deal of attention to. 

DV: The timing of the show was uncanny, given the events of 9/11. Back immediately after those attacks, was there ever a thought in your mind that maybe this show wouldn't get on the air?

SUTHERLAND: I felt for the first two weeks after 9/11 that I couldn't believe I had wasted my life as an actor. Those were the moments when I think, rightfully so, we truly valued the police officers, the firemen, the doctors, the nurses, the people who can actually physically contribute at that exact moment.

I was walking down the street in a daze like that, and a guy was walking down the street and said to me, 'Hey man, I can't wait to see your show." And I remember looking up and, I don't think I said anything, but I remember thinking, "How can you say something like that at a time like this?" And then I walked a couple blocks more and then I thought, "Well, how can you not?"

 

DV: What has this character and this series meant to you and your career?

SUTHERLAND: I wouldn't be able to fully articulate that. It's been the greatest learning experience I've ever had as an actor, and singularly the greatest opportunity I've every had. On a personal level I've been able to work with a cast and crew and writers and directors that will be friends of mine for the rest of my life. There's a sense of family that I will lose when this is over. Because we won't have the kind of proximity we've had over last nine years. That's going to be immediately the most difficult thing.

I've been able to work five days a week for eight years. I can't begin to describe what that does for your confidence and your ability to break down a script, break down a scene, find intention. That's something I know I will take with me, and I'm very grateful for.

DV: What's the status of the movie?

SUTHERLAND: Billy Ray is in the process of writing it right now. I'm very excited about the idea. He's a fantastic writer. I know he's been working with Howard recently. I'm very excited about the opportunity, and singularly because it's a two-hour representation of a 24-hour day. So for the first time, it will be very feasible in this 24 hours to go from England to Russia, or from China to Japan, depending on where they choose to set it. Before on the TV show, the crisis had to come to us, because the best we could do was get across town. And the two times we ever put Jack Bauer in a plane, it just didn't work.

DV: Would you ever do TV again?

SUTHERLAND: Oh my gosh, yeah. Absolutely. My experience was phenomenal. It's really the home of the drama. I grew up and the films I wanted to do as an actor were films like "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "Urban Cowboy" and "Terms of Endearment" and "Ordinary People." They don't make those movies anymore.

Studios, when I started working, were making 50 movies a year, now they're making 13. And the drama got picked up by television. And that's why you're seeing a huge influx of very successful actors looking at television for work. When you look at everything from "ER" to "The West Wing" to "The Sopranos" to "The Wire" to "Californication," there's amazing television out there.

DV: What's the mood on the set as realization sets in that this is coming to an end?

SUTHERLAND: It's going to get sadder and sadder. But I think it's going to be tempered by a sense of accomplishment.

DV: Are you happy with how the show ends?

SUTHERLAND: I absolutely believe that creatively we finish in a really strong place, a much more definitive place. It's going to be pretty clear what Jack Bauer's plight is.

Source: Variety.com

'24' Movie In The Works - Jack jumping from TV to big screen

Jack Bauer may never die -- though the network says that "24" will end this May.

The tireless government agent played by Kiefer Sutherland is headed for the movies, says the show's producer, Howard Gordon.

And you can't have a movie if Jack Bauer gets killed in the hot series' final hour.

The film -- to be written by the same screenwriter who did "State of Play" and "Shattered Glass" -- could be out as soon "as early as next year, depending on how things come together," producer
Howard Gordon told The Hollywood Reporter.

Most importantly, he says, a movie will free "24" from its restrictive, real-time format -- the thing that made the show so unique.

SPINS NEW WEB: Now that "24," staring Kiefer Sutherland, is canceled, movie talks heat up.

After several years, the 24-episodes-in-24-hours gimmick lost its novelty and made the series predictable.

"We've done everything we feel we can do with that character in this format," Gordon said.

"The opportunity [of a movie] is not to use the real-time aspect and also to do it on a scale the TV show never allowed."

Gordon says the movie won't be a prequel -- which is just about a guarantee that Bauer will have to survive the series' finale in May.

Movies made from TV series have, as a rule, waited a few years before being released.

The "Sex & the City" movie didn't come out until four years after the series' finale in February 2004.

The first "Star Trek" movie was 10 years after the series ended in 1969.

But Gordon says he hopes the "24" movie "would happen sooner rather than later. And I think that's Kiefer's feeling, too."

The show's stars and crew have been working all year on the assumption that this would be its last season, it now appears.

Gordon said over the weekend that he had not even suggested to Fox a possible plot for year nine during the network's traditional pitch season.

"We couldn't come up with something that really satisfied us," he said.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/tv/monster_com_p9JK1O4G8TcExsru4wPW1M?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#ixzz0jZafMfTF

Kiefer Sutherland and '24' Draw a Bead On a Feature Film

•  Netvibes
•  myAOL

By Gary Levin, USA TODAY

 

The clock is winding down on 24, but fans can look forward to a possible feature film that would plant action hero Jack Bauer in Prague for a new two-hour chapter — and another very bad day.

Fox has announced plans to end the groundbreaking series when its eighth season concludes with a two-hour finale May 24; production wraps on April 9. 

The news leaves star Kiefer Sutherland "really nostalgic and really sad" at the end of what has been the highlight of his career. "Before this show, I wasn't working a whole lot."

As with many long-in-the-tooth series, high costs and declining ratings are to blame. But the real-time conceit of the series, which consists of 24 episodes that add up to a single very bad day for Sutherland's action hero, Jack Bauer, took an exceptional toll on writers.

"I know they get incredibly burnt and bent," Sutherland says. "Ultimately, we felt we had a much better opportunity of doing something special by doing a film ... than going back to another season and doing 24 more episodes. The more you do it, the more you paint yourself into a corner, and I think, 'How many times have I played the same moment over and over?' "

Viewers may have felt that way last week, when Counter Terrorist Unit analyst Dana Walsh (Katee Sackhoff) was revealed as the latest in a long line of "moles" subverting CTU's mission to save the world. Executive producer Howard Gordon urges viewers to "hold on before you throw your shoes at the TV set" and see how that story line concludes.

The decision to end the show was made earlier this month. "We all felt it was right to end it," Gordon says. "We've really had what feels like our last day. The real-time aspect was one of the propulsive devices, but it was very restrictive, even with the absurdities, the license we allowed ourselves."

The series, which premiered in 2001, played an important role in the rebuilding of the Fox network, and was a pioneering drama in its early seasons, even though initially low ratings left its future uncertain. But critics have seemed to tire of repetitive plots in recent seasons, ratings have faded, and the network wants to build new shows in the key Monday time slot behind hit medical drama House.

Although Gordon's contract to oversee 24 expires this year, studio 20th Century Fox tried to pitch the show to NBC when Fox bailed. Gordon calls that plan "a challenge," and NBC wasn't interested.

So this season's final hours (10 remain after tonight) provide a more "definitive" ending than others. "The show goes to a place that's far more complex and represents a bigger risk than we've ever taken," Gordon says. Events demonstrate "this is not something (Bauer) can easily recover from. The idea of a happy ending is just too dishonest for this character in his eighth terrible day."

Though the ending was not "retrofitted" to pave the way for a feature film, "they would be able to move together seamlessly," Sutherland says. A first draft of the script has been written by Billy Ray (State of Play) and would take place in a single day, though it hasn't yet been OK'd. Avoiding the real-time format will allow Bauer to travel across Europe.

The show's legacy includes not only that format but also its role in politics as justification — or rebuke — for the use of torture in apprehending and interrogating its many, many bad guys, especially after the incidents at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

Sutherland dismisses the notion that 24 ever took sides.

"Do Howard and I believe that torturing suspected criminals is right? Absolutely not," he says. "Does it make for great drama? Of course. That's what I do. I wasn't running for office."

Source: USA Today.com

End of the day for '24'

By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

Jack Bauer lives.

"24's" clock has officially been stopped, but the franchise is far from over.
Not only is a movie in the works, with Kiefer Sutherland reprising his role as the federal agent who's had a few rough days. But 20th Century Fox TV also hasn't quite shut the door on finding a way to keep the "24" world active, perhaps through a spinoff of sorts at another net.

For now, though, it's all over. The cast and crew of "24" were given the official word on Friday: This season will be the show's last.
News, finally confirmed by Fox, had been expected -- Variety reported earlier this month that the network was ready to call it a day (Daily Variety, March 9). Sutherland, exec producer Howard Gordon and the studio were also leaning toward ending the show's run as well.

"For us, creatively, it seemed like the right time to do it," Sutherland told Variety. "It's very bittersweet. '24' was the greatest learning experience of my career so far. And on a personal level, working with this cast and crew and writers, these will be friends of mine for the rest of my life."

Fox had planned to inform the show's cast and crew earlier this month that it wouldn't pick up a ninth season. But first, sister studio 20th Century Fox TV asked Sutherland, Gordon and the rest of the show's producers to think long and hard about whether they had a strong desire to pursue a season nine.

At the same time, 20th took calls from parties toying with the idea of acquiring the show -- including NBC and DirecTV, which was rumored to be considering a production model in the vein of "Friday Night Lights."

"They're still talking," said Gordon, whose deal with 20th technically would keep him on "24" for another year. (Sutherland's pact is up.) "But they're certainly in the end stages of those conversations."

Ultimately, Sutherland, Gordon and company felt that they had accomplished what they wanted to with the show, and were ready to wrap things up.

"Kiefer and me and the writers had (a decision to make)," Gordon said. "What's the creative? What do we do? Is there any more story left to be told in this 24-hour format? We turned over every stone, and really determined that the story has come to an end in this 24-hour format."

Now that the decision has been made, "24" is on course to end its run with a two-hour finale on Monday, May 24 (the night after ABC ends its run of another long-running 2000s drama, "Lost.") Fox has 11 more hours left of the show to go.

Both Sutherland and Gordon said they're bullish now on moving Jack Bauer to the big screen, and compressing a 24-hour day -- yes, the entire movie's action will still take place in just one day -- over the course of just two hours.

"The opportunity to make a movie and do a two-hour representation was something appealing to he and I both," Sutherland said.

As Variety reported in February, scribe Billy Ray ("State of Play") is busy writing a screenplay; Gordon will produce.

"For the first time, we'll be able to go from England to Russia, or China to Japan, depending on where they choose to set it," Sutherland said. "Before on the TV show, the crisis had to come to us. The best we could do it was get across town... It alleviates a huge hurdle that real-time writing presented."

As for the final episodes of "24," Fox's marketing team will now be able to start touting the show's finale -- and will likely get a nice Monday night ratings bump as the show comes to a close.

Gordon finished up the final episode a few weeks ago -- calling it a "very emotional moment" when he hit "send" -- and that series ender is now in the process of being shot.

"There are risks starting around episode 17, and some real challenging things Kiefer was willing to go for," Gordon said.

The exec producer said the series will end on a tremendous, and suitable note that signifies that this isn't just another season ender. But here's a hint: Jack neither walks off whistling into the sunset, nor winds up in a body bag.

"We tried everything on for size, from Jack's demise to a happy ending," he said. "Both of those were unsatisfying for their own reasons."

Fox planned to make the official announcement on Monday, but longtime "24" director Jon Cassar informed his Twitter followers that the crew was given the firm word of "24's" wrap.

"News from the '24' set," Cassar wrote (cleaned up from his original text). "The crew has been told that '24' has come to an end. There will be no season 9. It's been a great run, thanks all for watching."

As Variety wrote on March 9, "24" helped usher in Fox's ratings surge in the 2000s, as the franchise -- along with "American Idol" and "House," among other series -- led the network's adults 18-49 ratings crown.

But the cost of producing "24" has continued to increase (show's license fee hovers in the mid-seven figure range, as the network is now covering the aging show's entire cost), while ratings have dipped.

"24" was created by Robert Cochran and Joel Surnow, while exec producer Gordon runs the show through his Teakwood Lane Prods. banner. Brian Grazer's Imagine Entertainment produces the show along with 20th Century Fox TV.

Sutherland has starred throughout all eight seasons as Jack Bauer, a federal agent and member of the Los Angeles Counter Terrorist Unit (and who has saved the world several times over). "24" made noise for its real time format, in which all 24 episodes take place as consecutive hours in the same day.

"Bob and Joel created a revolutionary format," Gordon said. "They executed it for the first half of the series as my partners and friends, and those were some of the most remarkable years I had creatively."

Although it was developed before the terrorist attacks of 9/11, "24" debuted several months afterward -- and in many ways began to mirror the changed world, given the real-life fears over terrorism and debates over torture methods. The show's depiction of an African-American president was also seen as a ground-breaking precursor to the 2008 election of Barack Obama.

"('24') came at a time when our world changed and our perception of our safety and vulnerability changed," Gordon said. Gordon noted that the show had its supporters and detractors on both sides of the political aisles. Sutherland, meanwhile, said he was less concerned about the show's place in popular culture and more than it just be remembered as a strong piece of work.

"My concern as an actor and as a producer was that the stories were interesting, the drama was going to put you on the edge of your seat and that we would maintain the quality," he said. "I can't help someone politicizing something. It was done by the right and the left... the only thing I can say is, it's a TV show."

"24" won both the Emmy and the Golden Globe awards for outstanding drama, while Sutherland has scored both an Emmy and a Globe for drama actor. "24" has also received Emmy Awards for writing and directing; last year, Cherry Jones won an Emmy for supporting actress in a drama.

This season's edition of "24," which takes place in New York, stars Sutherland, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Cherry Jones, Anil Kapoor, Annie Wersching, Katee Sackhoff, Mykelti Williamson, Freddie Prinze Jr., Chris Diamantopoulos and John Boyd.
Howard Gordon, Evan Katz, David Fury, Manny Coto, Brannon Braga, Brad Turner, Alex Gansa, Kiefer Sutherland and Brian Grazer are executive producers.
Next up for Gordon, he's partnering with Alex Gansa and Gideon Raff to adapt Raff's Israeli drama "Prisoners of War" for U.S. audiences, through 20th.
Sutherland, meanwhile, said he'd be willing to try another TV series.

"There's amazing TV out there," he said. "And drama and kind of human interaction I was interested in as an actor is being done there."

Source: Variety.com

“24: DAY EIGHT” WILL BE THE AWARD-WINNING SERIES’ FINAL SEASON

Two-Hour Series Finale Airs Monday, May 24, on FOX

In a joint decision made by 24’s star and executive producer Kiefer Sutherland, executive producer and showrunner Howard Gordon, Twentieth Century Fox Television, Imagine Entertainment and Fox Broadcasting Company, it was determined that the acclaimed series will end its remarkable eight-season run. Jack Bauer’s last day on FOX will conclude when the final two hours of “Day Eight” air Monday, May 24 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). As the countdown to the series’ climactic conclusion races on, the final 11 hours will air uninterrupted Mondays (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Multiple award-winning series star Kiefer Sutherland reflected on the show’s run: “This has been the role of a lifetime, and I will never be able to fully express my appreciation to everyone who made it possible. While the end of the series is bittersweet, we always wanted 24 to finish on a high note, so the decision to make the eighth season our last was one we all agreed upon. This feels like the culmination of all our efforts from the writers to the actors to our fantastic crew and everyone at Fox. Looking ahead to the future, Howard Gordon and I are excited about the opportunity to create the feature film version of 24. But when all is said and done, it is the loyal worldwide fan base that made it possible for me to have the experience of playing the role of Jack Bauer, and for that I am eternally grateful.”

Executive producer and showrunner Howard Gordon said, “Kiefer and I have loved every minute of making 24, but we all believe that now is the right time to call it a day. I echo his sentiments of gratitude toward the show’s amazing creative team, as well as the studio and network who have always believed in us and shown us unbelievable support.”

“24 is so much more than just a TV show – it has redefined the drama genre and created one of the most admired action icons in television history,” said Peter Rice, Chairman, Entertainment, Fox Networks Group. Kevin Reilly, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company added, “We are extremely proud of this groundbreaking series and will be forever thankful to Kiefer, the producers, the cast and crew for everything they’ve put into 24 over the years. It’s truly been an amazing and unforgettable eight days.”

“We are so grateful to Kiefer and Howard who have really poured their hearts and souls into making this show over the past eight seasons,” commented Gary Newman and Dana Walden, Chairmen, Twentieth Century Fox Television. “To everyone who contributed to this iconic series over its amazing run, we want to extend our heartfelt appreciation for your incredible work.”

Added Imagine Entertainment’s Brian Grazer, “I’m so proud to have been a part of 24, which has become such a cultural phenomenon. And to Kiefer and Howard and everyone who has worked on the show, many thanks.”

Now in its eighth season with Kiefer Sutherland starring as the heroic Jack Bauer, the inventive and suspenseful 24 has been nominated for a total of 68 Emmy Awards, winning for Outstanding Drama Series in 2006. Over the course of seven seasons, Sutherland garnered seven Emmy nominations and one win for Outstanding Lead Actor – Drama Series. While the series gained global recognition, Sutherland’s portrayal of the legendary character penetrated the American psyche like no other dramatic television character to become part of the English lexicon.

Premiering November 6, 2001, 24 employed a pioneering split-screen, fast-paced format with complex interweaving storylines as viewers followed anti-terrorism agent Jack Bauer through 24 pulse-pounding episodes, each covering one hour and presented in real time. Subsequent seasons combined the show’s unique and trend-setting format while delivering compelling new elements and attracting talented actors and guest stars, including the Emmy Award-winning Cherry Jones (President Allison Taylor). The series also currently stars Mary Lynn Rajskub (Chloe O’Brian), Anil Kapoor (Omar Hassan), Annie Wersching (Renee Walker), Katee Sackhoff (Dana Walsh), Mykelti Williamson (Brian Hastings), Freddie Prinze Jr. (Cole Ortiz), Chris Diamantopoulos (Rob Weiss) and John Boyd (Arlo Glass).

The first six seasons were set in Los Angeles, and following the strike-induced delay of Season Seven, “24: Redemption,” a two-hour film bridging Seasons Six and Seven, was set in Africa. Washington, D.C. was the setting for Season Seven, and the final season of 24 finds Jack Bauer thwarting a terrorist attack in New York.

At the conclusion of Season Eight, 24 will have a produced a total of 194 episodes (including “24: Redemption”), making it one of the longest-running action television shows in history.

Tune in Monday, March 29 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) for the next all-new installment of 24 and Monday, April 5 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) for a special two-hour episode.

Created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran, 24 is a production of 20th Century Fox Television and Imagine Television in association with Teakwood Lane Productions. Howard Gordon, Evan Katz, David Fury, Manny Coto, Brannon Braga, Brad Turner, Alex Gansa, Kiefer Sutherland and Brian Grazer are executive producers, while Chip Johannessen and Patrick Harbinson serve as co-executive producers. Brad Turner will direct the series finale.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: For photos and more information on 24, please visit http://foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z2z2z255.]

Source: FoxFlash.com

Show Tracker What you're watching « Previous Post | Show Tracker Home The following takes place between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.: Fox shuts down '24'

Jack Bauer has cheated death a few dozen times, but he couldn't avoid cancellation.

Tonight, the news becomes official: The clock will stop ticking on "24."

After putting the tireless Counter Terrorist Unit agent to work for eight extra-long days, snapping necks between his thighs and protecting presidents (except when they're evil), Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly has ordered that Jack stand down at this season's end. 

Although everyone on set reacted to the news emotionally, no one is perhaps sadder than the man who brought Jack Bauer to life.

"We've done eight years we're very proud of, and we're very excited about going into the film world with this," said Kiefer Sutherland in an interview with The Times. "It's very sad, the only thing tempering this from being all-out heartbreak is the fact that we have this sense of accomplishment. That's the only thing holding people up. Because, for me, and all these people who've been with us since the beginning, it's a very special thing and it's very sad to see it end."

Termination comes in the middle of Day 8, which has been, well, a mixed bag so far, and network executives at Fox seem to think that the Kiefer Sutherland-starring action drama doesn't pack the punch it once used to.

"Everyone concurs that we want the show to end as close to peak form as possible," executive producer Howard Gordon said."If they said tomorrow that you have a ninth season, it's not something we'd be up for because we realize 

Jack's story in the real-time format has been told. Jack is a wonderful character who can live past the '24' real-time franchise. As far as doing this high wire act...this is far as we can take it."

The ratings have reflected that. The most recent episode of the show drew 8.7 million viewers on Monday -- down 34% from Season 7's average of 13.3 million. 

While the ratings have cooled, the cost of producing "24" has continued to increase. And critics panned the first several episodes this season. Cancellation was hinted at earlier this month. 

The timing of getting the axe could be brutal for loyal viewers. While it's still too early to tell -- "24" turns in a game-changing episode a couple of times over the course of a season -- the show may be headed out the door on a less-than-explosive note: This season began with Jack -- or, as Kim's daughter has dubbed him, "Grandpa Jack" -- attempting to get out of the torture biz but being unable to resist the call to duty when CTU finds itself needing the Power of Bauer one last time.

But it's been slow going: The main stories have revolved not around Jack kicking butt but on his loose-cannon love interest Rene, and a not-so-urgent plot involving missing nuclear rods. Jack has also been overwhelmed with what well may be the lamest of the series' C-story lines (among them, a truly terrible waste of actress Katee Sackhoff.)

But Sutherland and Gordon said writers are working on a finale that he thinks will give the franchise a talked-about send-off.

"We began the season knowing it really could be the end," Gordon said. "We swung for the fences. We're taking some risks and it's going to a place that I gotta say is pretty challenging. My feeling is that when the seconds tick down, I hope people are sitting forward saying they want more. How it ends is far grayer and more complex and more '24' like than anything else."

"What I do like about the ending and what I can say about it is that it's very definitive about where Jack is going to end up," Sutherland said. "It can be perceived as a cliffhanger on some level, but there's not questioning his options. That's something we've never been able to do in the context of this series."

Also comforting for the fans: Jack may not be retiring just yet. Sutherland is eager to get started on a "24" movie. The film side of 20th Century Fox has already hired a writer, Billy Ray, behind the film adaptations "State of Play" and "Shattered Glass," who pitched his own version of a bad day for Bauer. (The movie would send Jack to Europe.) Sutherland personally brought in Ray's idea to the studio.

At its peak, "24" helped transform Fox into a ratings powerhouse in the early 2000s. Alongside shows like "American Idol" and "House," it vaulted the network into to the No. 1 spot among the coveted adults 18-49 demographic. "24" changed television in more ways than one.

"What I've enjoyed is that it's been part of a monumental shift in what television is compared to what it was...it became the home of drama, a phenomenal outlet for actors and writers," Sutherland said.

Over the years, Jack's methods extracting crucial knowledge from terrorists have included tractor-flipping his enemies and, one more than one occasion, snapping their necks with his thighs. According to the official "24" Wiki, he's killed at least 237 people on-screen. A debate about the show's depiction of torture has raged over the years.

The show's creative merits earned it both Emmy and Golden Globe awards for drama and actor Kiefer Sutherland. "24" has also received Emmy Awards for writing and directing, and last year Cherry Jones won an Emmy for supporting actress in a drama.

Known as one of the most grateful actors in the TV business, Sutherland said he is "doing everything in my power not to think about" the fact that there are only two weeks left of production.

"We’re still working, and I’m desperately trying to keep my head in that and I think everyone else is as well," he said. "I know the end will be a very difficult day, and I would love to have avoided it. It’s hard. I broke it down the other day: I've worked on '24' more than half of my professional career. We've made 196 hours of TV...close to 100 movies. That's a very successful career in itself. I think Gene Hackman and my father are the only two people who've made more stuff than that. So it would be silly for me to pretend the end of this would not have a huge impact on my life."

The series finale of "24" airs on May 24.

-- Denise Martin and Maria Elena Fernandez

Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com

'24' To End This Season; Film Version In The Works

by Lynette Rice

Fox confirmed today that after eight seasons, 24 will air its series finale on May 24. Star Kiefer Sutherland told EW.com that producing a ninth season for another network like NBC was not an option because he and executive producer Howard Gordon were ready to call it quits.

“The writers are producing the equivalent of 12 films a year, which is unheard of, and Howard felt to do a ninth would be potentially damaging,” said Sutherland. 

“We both felt strongly that there has been a demand and an interest in a 24 film, which would be a two-hour representation of a 24-hour day, so we felt it was time to move in that direction.”

Sutherland promised the series finale would tee up the 24 movie that’s in the works at 20th Century Fox. Billy Ray (State of Play) is writing the screenplay. “We wanted to create a definitive end for Jack Bauer,” explains Sutherland. “Since we do have the intention to make the feature film, it would lead into that and certainly set that up.

“Something we’ve dealt with in the series is how the crisis always has to come to us because we don’t have time to move anywhere in a real time world,” he continued. “In a two-hour (movie) representation of the 24 world, planes, trains, and automobiles all of a sudden become a factor because you are not required to go scene by scene in real time. That’s something I can say I am very excited about.”

As for the actual series finale, Gordon told EW.com that he and Sutherland considered everything from a happy to a tragic ending for Jack Bauer and ended up with episodes that take some risks: “We go to a very definitive, very complex place.”

Source: EW.com