FOX made waves last week by saying 24 might continue without Kiefer Sutherland. Thousands of people have voted in our poll with 70% saying of you saying that Kiefer is essential to the franchise. For those worried that Sutherland would be sidelined this time around, fear not – that seems more like a backup plan. FOX boss Gary Newman explains in a new interview:
Newman says he’s not concerned about backlash after announcing that the next installment of 24 might not include Kiefer Sutherland’s Jack Bauer. “If [Sutherland] wants to, he’ll be in it and it will be built around him,” he says. “That would by far be our preference.”
But Newman says the star has given his blessing to continue without him. “I think the idea of real time is a powerful franchise. Rebooting 24 in another way, with a different character, is actually an exciting reimagining,” Newman says.
So basically, the project is moving forward with or without Kiefer Sutherland. FOX has now made it clear their preference is to have Kiefer return, but if for whatever reason they can’t make it happen, they’ve left themselves the option of a new lead.
Somewhat interesting is the news that 24 producers Evan Katz and Manny Coto are attached as showrunners of FOX’s potential live-action X-Men series (the duo was also attached to a ghost-hunting drama in September). Depending on how all that shakes out, it’s possible there might be a new writing crew for this upcoming 24 revival.
295 Comments
Comments Closed24marathonman
January 26, 2015 at 9:57 pmDavidD
January 27, 2015 at 1:22 pmBMAN
January 26, 2015 at 10:33 pmshafagh
January 27, 2015 at 1:27 amOwino Paul
February 19, 2015 at 1:42 amshafagh
January 27, 2015 at 1:34 amKris
January 27, 2015 at 4:55 am#NoJackNo24 #JackBauerISTheShowDAMMIT
TJ
January 29, 2015 at 1:13 amHopefully, Kiefer acknowledges that another ’24’ season is better for him than signing on for flops like ‘Touch’, ‘Pompei’ and all the other forgettable work he did between S8 and LAD.
Kris
February 18, 2015 at 7:03 pmSo it boils down to negotiation of contracts and $$$$ moolah (again), which FOX is notorious for being a cheapskate at. Hell, when they got rid of Mulder back then, X-Files went straight to hell. Now they’re reviving that show with the two original leads. Some pricks up there in the boardroom take a LONG time to learn. They should just WATCH the shows and see that the audience have already established their loyalty for years and years with the main character, instead of just busy counting money, looking at profits and changing their minds all the time.
Owino Paul
February 19, 2015 at 1:44 amJohn
January 27, 2015 at 8:27 amjohnny
January 27, 2015 at 9:59 amI would like the idea of some new writers and crew. But you gotta leave some of the original team in. They know the bauer character as if its their child. Don’t create 24 without kiefer. He need to get saved from those damn russians! And tony needs to break out!
johnny
January 27, 2015 at 10:00 amTran
January 27, 2015 at 10:21 amshafagh
January 27, 2015 at 10:30 amTrevor
January 27, 2015 at 12:12 pmSherry Palmer
January 27, 2015 at 11:22 pmDavidD
January 27, 2015 at 1:25 pmYes I agree it’s all about the money. But what would spoil it I think would be if Kiefer reluctantly agrees to it but with his heart not in it. I think this would destroy the great reputation the series has.
If such were the case, then much as it galls me to say it, someone fresh would be better.
Bruce
January 28, 2015 at 12:53 pmCatherine
January 27, 2015 at 1:38 pmIn the end of this interview Kiefer says he’s working on a new show called “the bond”
http://news.instyle.com/2015/01/20/win-a-night-out-with-kiefer-sutherland-bobbys-breakfast/
John
January 27, 2015 at 2:32 pmGerry Mander
January 28, 2015 at 10:15 amI think Kiefer is just playing the industry standard hard-to-get game in advance of actual contract negotiations getting down to brass tacks, both sides do a little dance, and eventually it’s all worked out and the greenlight is given… I fully believe (although I could be proved wrong) this is what we’re seeing here, Kiefer lives and breathes Jack and would be content to play him for the rest of his career whilst able (he said so for LAD-related interviews), whilst FOX know full well a Bauer-less ’24’ season would not be a viable commercial prospect, the character of Jack Bauer is just too synonomous with the franchise at this late stage.
Have patience everyone and let the players involved do their ‘thing’. Kiefer played hardall in signing on for LAD and he’s doing it again now, he’ll be back… and if he isn’t, well it was nice while it lasted…
Gerry Mander
January 28, 2015 at 10:21 amAs you were…
connie
January 27, 2015 at 2:38 pmTrevor
January 27, 2015 at 3:42 pmjohnny
January 27, 2015 at 5:28 pmTJ
January 29, 2015 at 1:18 amXAM
January 29, 2015 at 4:14 amNew West Virginian
January 27, 2015 at 5:41 pmjohnny
January 28, 2015 at 6:34 amor the story picks up from where it left off.. the helicopter leaving with jack in it. but he escapes midway, one way or another taking out the people in the helicopter.
Anywho.. It should definatly pick up from the point the russians got him, and not where he’s already free, Personally i think it be a great season jack VS the russians.
BTW there could be more then one timeline..
Cloe & Belcheck trying to locate jack
Jack & The russians.
Tony breaks out of prison.
And who knows.. Maybe logan can finally return? he always had a good relationship with the russians ;)
johnny
January 28, 2015 at 6:35 amAdam
February 2, 2015 at 3:12 amRonnieTheC
January 27, 2015 at 4:27 pmTrevor
January 27, 2015 at 5:06 pmGuess I’ll just have to wait for official news.
RonnieTheC
January 27, 2015 at 5:18 pmTrevor
January 27, 2015 at 5:52 pmTrevor
January 27, 2015 at 6:04 pmTJ
January 29, 2015 at 1:20 amJohn
January 27, 2015 at 6:20 pmTrevor
January 27, 2015 at 6:23 pmRonnie, I need you to do me a favor. I need you to call your friend so I can get clearance on the identification of the source.
I still have to email 24 Spoilers and tell him I did everything I could. I would like to cover my own ass.
XAM
January 29, 2015 at 4:17 amNow I think you’re full of shit, and urge you in the strongest possible terms to put a fucking sock in it!
RonnieTheC
January 29, 2015 at 5:39 pmPhee
January 28, 2015 at 1:14 amRonnieTheC
January 28, 2015 at 1:45 pmTrevor
January 28, 2015 at 3:16 pm–
–
–
–
–
–
–
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Your head
XAM
January 29, 2015 at 4:18 amTrevor
January 29, 2015 at 12:08 pmGeorge
January 29, 2015 at 12:49 pmTrevor
January 29, 2015 at 3:20 pmGeorge
January 29, 2015 at 3:26 pmTrevor
January 29, 2015 at 3:31 pmGeorge
January 29, 2015 at 3:34 pmGeorge
January 29, 2015 at 3:35 pmXAM
January 29, 2015 at 5:29 pmGeorge
January 29, 2015 at 6:58 pmTrevor
January 29, 2015 at 11:11 pmYou can look the other way once, and it’s no big deal, except it makes it easier for you to compromise the next time, and pretty soon that’s all you’re doing. Compromising. Because that’s the way you think things are done. You know those guys I reported on this site for not following the comment policy? You think they were bad guys? Because they weren’t, they weren’t bad guys. They were just like you and me. Except they compromised… once.
George
January 30, 2015 at 3:09 amPenny
January 28, 2015 at 5:01 pmTJ
January 29, 2015 at 1:24 amHuh? Not sure why you’d wonder that when a) Heller didn’t know anything about the gunfight with Cheng at the end other than Jack capturing Cheng and Audrey being killed; and b) even if Heller knew of the Russians capturing Chloe, he would have forgotten it. Remember, he was succumbing to Alzheimers.
shafagh
January 29, 2015 at 5:16 amSherry Palmer
January 29, 2015 at 8:26 pmshafagh
January 30, 2015 at 5:04 amTrevor
January 30, 2015 at 7:47 pmSounds like something a baby would say.
shafagh
February 1, 2015 at 8:40 amJohn
February 2, 2015 at 1:33 pmTrevor
February 2, 2015 at 5:51 pmJohn
February 3, 2015 at 1:35 amshafagh
February 3, 2015 at 3:10 amJohn
February 3, 2015 at 7:47 amshafagh
February 3, 2015 at 3:00 pmChlojack
January 29, 2015 at 11:05 amPhee
January 29, 2015 at 11:22 pmFor someone as active and independent as Jack, it’d drive him nuts having to sit on the sidelines giving directions, instead of being out there in control of taking out the bad guys with his own hands. Have him move in with Kim and Co because he can’t deny that he physically needs the help day to day. It would make Jack have to redefine his purpose, and would give Kiefer plenty to work with even without the gruelling physical aspect of the role.
Something like that probably wouldn’t work until a Day 11 though, still gotta spend Day 10 getting him out of Russia. Have him blown up in the final moments of Day 10 and start Day 11 with a shot of him in a wheelchair. A Day 11 like that could work if they wanted to transition someone else (like Kate) into being the full on lead for a Day 12 (and beyond).
Tom
January 29, 2015 at 11:20 amJohn
January 29, 2015 at 11:39 amXAM
January 29, 2015 at 9:54 pmshafagh
January 30, 2015 at 5:06 amTiny
January 29, 2015 at 1:06 pmSnooze
January 30, 2015 at 7:08 pmCrocodile
January 30, 2015 at 11:43 pmBrad
January 31, 2015 at 3:20 amLaray
January 31, 2015 at 10:40 pmAdam
February 2, 2015 at 3:21 amMarlon
February 2, 2015 at 5:01 amjohnny
February 2, 2015 at 1:02 pmjohnny
February 2, 2015 at 1:03 pmTJ
February 3, 2015 at 8:26 amBut, again, expecting viewers to believe Logan isn’t incapacitated from the gunshot injury would be stretching reality – and I’m not sure bringing him back from the dead, so-to-speak, wouldn’t feel like a tired plot being recycled again. Logan had his run over 3 seasons – that was good enough.
johnny
February 3, 2015 at 9:45 amjohnny
February 3, 2015 at 9:46 amTJ
February 2, 2015 at 8:31 amTrevor
February 2, 2015 at 9:25 pmTJ
February 3, 2015 at 8:20 amjohnny
February 4, 2015 at 6:32 pmAdam
February 2, 2015 at 7:29 pmTJ
February 3, 2015 at 8:28 amjohnny
February 3, 2015 at 9:49 amjohnny
February 3, 2015 at 9:50 amTJ
February 10, 2015 at 8:25 amtodd
February 3, 2015 at 11:39 amjohnny
February 3, 2015 at 3:35 pmJohn
February 4, 2015 at 12:52 pmJohn
February 5, 2015 at 1:05 pmJohn
February 8, 2015 at 10:17 am*Note: If you are outside of the UK you will need to get Hola (http://hola.org/).
Adam
February 8, 2015 at 12:44 pmOwino Paul
February 19, 2015 at 1:58 amJohn
February 20, 2015 at 1:46 pmskip
February 25, 2015 at 11:40 pmXAM
March 5, 2015 at 8:47 amadam
February 27, 2015 at 2:53 amBruce
February 27, 2015 at 6:18 amdj042t
February 27, 2015 at 12:28 pmJohn
February 27, 2015 at 2:21 pmdj042t
February 27, 2015 at 12:29 pmChojack
February 27, 2015 at 12:57 pmBMAN
February 28, 2015 at 6:40 pmMore24
March 5, 2015 at 9:22 pmhttp://deadline.com/2015/03/expendables-tv-series-fox-sylvester-stallone-1201386545/
Marlon
March 6, 2015 at 5:22 pmI just hated the Expendables and don’t really want Jack Bauer associated with their brand
Rbjjb
March 7, 2015 at 10:36 amChlojack
March 10, 2015 at 3:07 pmChlojack
March 10, 2015 at 3:24 pmDennisk
March 13, 2015 at 1:53 pmjohnny
March 14, 2015 at 10:05 amJohn
March 14, 2015 at 5:35 pmTrevor
March 17, 2015 at 9:56 pmChlojack
March 18, 2015 at 10:06 amTom
March 18, 2015 at 3:28 pmChlojack
March 19, 2015 at 10:37 amJohn
March 18, 2015 at 5:38 pmdj042t
March 19, 2015 at 7:32 amChlojack
March 19, 2015 at 10:38 amXAM
March 19, 2015 at 11:07 amTrevor
March 19, 2015 at 12:09 pmjohnny
March 23, 2015 at 12:19 pmJack
March 19, 2015 at 12:49 pmJack
March 19, 2015 at 12:49 pmTrevor
March 19, 2015 at 1:10 pmChlojack
March 19, 2015 at 1:27 pmPhee
March 20, 2015 at 9:25 amChlojack
March 20, 2015 at 12:35 pmJohn
March 19, 2015 at 2:22 pmTrevor
March 21, 2015 at 1:32 pmTrevor
March 22, 2015 at 11:31 pmJohn
April 5, 2015 at 6:02 pmTrevor
April 21, 2015 at 4:31 pmHe also said that it’s 50/50 on announcing it in May or some time this summer.
FOX’s Upfront presentation is on May 11… I think we’ll be getting our official 24 announcement on that date.
Here’s Brian Grazer’s complete Q&A. http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/33d3pt/i_am_producer_and_author_brian_grazer_ive_been_a/
John
April 22, 2015 at 6:27 pmMarlon
April 23, 2015 at 12:42 amSeems like the 12-episode format is the popular option though for most series these days. How the attention span of the viewer has changed over the years !
RonnieTheC
April 23, 2015 at 11:49 amXAM
April 26, 2015 at 8:40 pmJohn
April 24, 2015 at 11:11 amTrevor
April 25, 2015 at 12:20 amJohn
April 25, 2015 at 3:57 amTrevor
April 26, 2015 at 11:04 pmThat’s enough to get every update.
Of course, just follow 24 Spoilers and everything we need is usually retweeted.
John
April 27, 2015 at 1:31 amJohn
April 27, 2015 at 2:51 amTrevor
April 27, 2015 at 1:43 pmHope everything is alright
John
April 27, 2015 at 3:42 pmTrevor
April 27, 2015 at 5:15 pmThis is the guy I met in London:
John
April 28, 2015 at 1:40 amMarlon
April 27, 2015 at 6:09 amJustin
May 1, 2015 at 11:12 pmJohn
May 2, 2015 at 4:02 amJohn
May 2, 2015 at 5:51 amThe Beacon Theatre,
2124 Broadway,
Followed by Post-Party,
Wollman Rink,
Central Park &59th Street
Hopefully there will be some sort of announcement for the future of 24.
Chlojack
May 2, 2015 at 11:21 am@bauermulder24 Apr 1
@BrianGrazer that’s awesome but we wish we had some 24 info to hold us over…..#grazeriscurious
@BrianGrazer Apr 7
@bauermulder24 stay tuned, I can tell you we are working on it.
@bauermulder24 Apr 7
@BrianGrazer I’m totally buying your book. Anyway you can let us know if Kiefer might possibly return? #GrazerIsCurious
Brian Grazer @BrianGrazer
@bauermulder24 we really don’t know yet! Thanks for loving 24!
If 24 season 10 is announced at the Upfronts, I think the premiere date will be in the first quarter of 2016. Kiefer’s schedule is still wide wide open and he hasn’t worked on anything major since he got back from London. Hopefully he’s resting for a fall 2015 start to filming for season 10. :D
Chlojack
May 2, 2015 at 11:41 amKiefer: nothing announced
Mary Lynn: supporting role in pilot. Not sure if it will be picked up.
Carlos: nothing announced
Yvonne: nothing announced. Recently completed Astronaut Wives Club for ABC, but I think this is a one-time limited series.
Branko Tomovic (Belcheck): has two films in preproduction and is filming something.
Gbenga Akinnagbe: had a recurring role on The Following, which may be cancelled. Not sure he would return for season 10 though.
I don’t think anyone else from last year’s cast would return.
John
May 2, 2015 at 2:47 pmTrevor
May 2, 2015 at 10:49 pmJohn
May 3, 2015 at 4:10 amJohn
May 5, 2015 at 2:07 pmJohn
May 9, 2015 at 7:18 amGuest
May 9, 2015 at 8:08 amJohn
May 9, 2015 at 1:25 pmJustin
May 9, 2015 at 8:24 amJohn
May 9, 2015 at 1:33 pmJohn
May 9, 2015 at 1:33 pmJustin
May 9, 2015 at 2:12 pmJohn
May 9, 2015 at 2:21 pmJustin
May 9, 2015 at 2:25 pmJohn
May 9, 2015 at 3:23 pmRonnieTheC
May 9, 2015 at 5:53 pmJohn
May 10, 2015 at 3:11 amRonnieTheC
May 11, 2015 at 4:52 pmJohn
May 11, 2015 at 5:19 pmRonnieTheC
May 11, 2015 at 5:36 pmJohn
May 11, 2015 at 5:43 pmBruce
May 11, 2015 at 9:00 pmJustin
May 9, 2015 at 10:04 pmJohn
May 10, 2015 at 10:08 am24marathonman
May 10, 2015 at 6:16 pmJustin
May 10, 2015 at 2:36 pmJohn
May 10, 2015 at 3:14 pmJustin
May 10, 2015 at 3:18 pmJohn
May 10, 2015 at 3:58 pmJustin
May 10, 2015 at 4:53 pmTrevor
May 11, 2015 at 9:36 amGerry Mander
May 11, 2015 at 10:27 amIf Kiefer had decided not to come back, it’s likely that a new ’24’ season without Jack – likely with Tony as lead – would have been announced by now, the fact nothing has been announced yet means either FOX weren’t serious when they mooted a ’24’ without Jack (as I never believed they were anyway), or Kiefer is still on the fence; he hasn’t said yes but he hasn’t said no either.
It would be interesting to know what the pitch that HoGo, Manny Coto, and Evan Katz gave to the studio for a new season, and whether it could be adapted into a ’24’ feature film…. I guarantee THAT would get Kiefer back, and with notorious cheapskate Tom Rothman gone from 20th Century FOX, it might actually get a decent budget (around $40m) this time if they were genuinely serious about making one.
Brew up some coffee guys and gals, we still have a wait ahead of us for more Jack…
Chlojack
May 11, 2015 at 10:40 amBut they will definitely not be doing 24 without Kiefer Sutherland. That was never going to happen. They wouldn’t even do it with an A-list movie star in his place.
Gerry Mander
May 11, 2015 at 10:55 amAnd you’re right, FOX were never serious about a ’24’ season without Jack, but that’s no surprise to anyone…
Chlojack
May 11, 2015 at 11:21 amBut I still think there is time for a 2016 airdate. They didn’t start filming LAD until late January in 2014. If they intend to air this in the same time period, they still have 8 months left until they’d start filming. Or they could always air it in late summer or even the fall instead of May-July.
johnny
May 11, 2015 at 10:44 amhttp://www.zap2it.com/blogs/fox_developing_another_season_24-2015-05
”We have been developing another version of ’24,’ but it’s still fairly early in the development process,” says Newman, “so there just would be nothing we can tell you at this time other than we are working on something.”
Pat
May 11, 2015 at 10:48 amGerry Mander
May 11, 2015 at 11:00 amIf there’s an award for an executive saying something without really saying anything, this quote would be a contender…
John
May 11, 2015 at 11:32 amChlojack
May 11, 2015 at 10:52 amI know nothing about the possibility of another season of 24 – the only people that know are executives at FOX – see my next tweet for more
@joncassar
“We have been developing another version of ’24,’ but it is still fairly early in the development process” – from FOX execs
John
May 11, 2015 at 11:08 amChlojack
May 11, 2015 at 11:35 amJohn
May 11, 2015 at 11:41 amjohnny
May 11, 2015 at 11:22 amChlojack
May 11, 2015 at 11:37 amJohn
May 11, 2015 at 11:54 amAnonymous Source
May 11, 2015 at 12:28 pmIf Kiefer wants to do it, Jack will be back, if he doesn’t then let 24 end gracefully, it may not be the ending we would have wanted, but it will be a graceful one nonetheless, I’m still hopeful Kiefer will be back however.
Justin
May 11, 2015 at 11:39 amIts better they take their time with development and announce out of the blue when we least expect something that way it creates more excitement
John
May 11, 2015 at 11:48 amChlojack
May 11, 2015 at 12:00 pmJohn
May 11, 2015 at 12:05 pmPat
May 11, 2015 at 7:07 pmJohn
May 12, 2015 at 8:21 amGerry Mander
May 12, 2015 at 5:27 pmBut the strike gave the writers an unexpected full three months of needed holiday, time to recuperate and regenerate their creative batteries. When the strike ended in early February 2008, the writers got together and mapped out in advance the remaining sixteen episodes of the season, something they never had time to do before, and filming started up again in late April, finishing in December that same year, with ‘Redemption’ part of that shooting schedule.
So as you can see, Season 7 did indeed have considerably more time than normal, which is why it was such a strong season overall…
John
May 13, 2015 at 1:59 amGerry Mander
May 13, 2015 at 7:40 amJohn
May 13, 2015 at 8:28 amChlojack
May 11, 2015 at 11:50 amJustin
May 11, 2015 at 11:56 amThey are developing it and working on something. As the months go by they will move along in the development process and closer to a greenlight
Justin
May 11, 2015 at 11:57 amJohn
May 11, 2015 at 12:04 pmJustin
May 11, 2015 at 12:04 pmJohn
May 11, 2015 at 12:12 pmChlojack
May 11, 2015 at 12:19 pmJohn
May 11, 2015 at 12:23 pmTrevor
May 11, 2015 at 3:49 pmJustin
May 11, 2015 at 12:08 pmJohn
May 11, 2015 at 12:13 pmJohn
May 11, 2015 at 12:20 pmGerry Mander
May 11, 2015 at 12:49 pmJohn
May 11, 2015 at 12:53 pmGerry Mander
May 13, 2015 at 7:42 amJohn
May 13, 2015 at 8:25 amJustin
May 11, 2015 at 2:17 pmJustin
May 11, 2015 at 2:19 pmJustin
May 14, 2015 at 5:54 pmJohn
May 14, 2015 at 6:06 pmJohn
May 14, 2015 at 6:09 pmJustin
May 14, 2015 at 6:14 pmJohn
May 14, 2015 at 6:24 pmjohnny
May 15, 2015 at 8:44 amwhat if the plot can surround tony escaping prison and following him for the season, political issues could be applied to because he be out of prison.
Chlojack
May 15, 2015 at 10:44 amThat being said, I don’t think I want to see Yvonne leading this show. Not because she isn’t capable, because she is. This is Kiefer’s show, and nobody else should lead it. It would be the same thing if Kiefer replaced Adam Baldwin in a new season of Chuck. That wouldn’t work either. But I think Yvonne shines much more in roles with a comedic side to them than purely serious roles like 24.
John
May 15, 2015 at 11:09 amChlojack
May 15, 2015 at 11:45 amJohn
May 15, 2015 at 2:37 pmChlojack
May 15, 2015 at 3:16 pmJohn
May 15, 2015 at 4:08 pmjb24
May 15, 2015 at 12:03 amJohn
May 15, 2015 at 2:26 am24marathonman
May 15, 2015 at 7:05 am24Lulu
May 15, 2015 at 8:02 amPersonally I think a Jack-less season is not a problem if they get some returning characters. Otherwise they would have to sacrifice plot time in favor of introducing new characters. Unfortunately there aren’t many left.
Chlojack
May 15, 2015 at 10:57 amThis is not a knock against any of the supporting actors in the show. It’s just that this show has always been about Jack as the protagonist. It’s hard to change that after 9 seasons. Even if they put some A-list movie star in his place it still wouldn’t feel right.
And as a fan of Yvonne I don’t think it would be a great career move for her to take over the 24 franchise. She already did the CIA agent role in Chuck and was amazing on that show. Honestly, I’d much rather see her do something original, instead of taking over someone else’s job. Plus she should be Captain Marvel. :D
RonnieTheC
May 15, 2015 at 12:19 pmBruce
May 15, 2015 at 1:00 pmRonnieTheC
May 15, 2015 at 1:48 pmRonnieTheC
May 15, 2015 at 1:53 pmMarlon
May 15, 2015 at 6:25 pm24 is what it’s known as
24marathonman
May 15, 2015 at 7:02 pm24marathonman
May 15, 2015 at 7:04 pmAnonymous Source
May 16, 2015 at 12:22 pmGerry Mander
May 16, 2015 at 10:40 amIf Kiefer wants to give his signature role a break, then give it another couple years and then make another one, why the need to rush out a new season out if it’s lead star isn’t ready? If HoGo or the bigwigs at FOX seriously think that ’24’ is a strong enough brand to continue without Kiefer, they’re either delusional or desparate, they tried that with ‘The X Files’ after David Duchovny left in 2001, and the ratings cratered from the first episode and only got worse. Clearly they still haven’t learned the lesson over at Century City so I’ll repeat one more time for emphasis what I believe to be the overwhelming majority opinion among ’24’ fans…
No Jack = no ’24’.
Enough said.
RonnieTheC
May 16, 2015 at 1:25 pmJohn
May 16, 2015 at 1:39 pmRonnieTheC
May 16, 2015 at 1:38 pmI would title the petition “No Jack…Don’t Come Back” with a paragraph explaining why the world needs Jack Bauer. (I wrote an article called “24 Returns. Why is This Show So compelling Why We Need Jack Bauer”. The artickle was published on the FOX Television web site prior to the airing of LAD. My article would be attached to the petition) I would suggest to the powers-that-be that it would be announced prior to airing that season 10 would be the final season, and also suggest that the writers come up with a satisfactory ending. If anyone knows how to start and circulate an online petition, I would appreciate the input.
John
May 16, 2015 at 1:45 pmJohn
May 16, 2015 at 1:51 pmRonnieTheC
May 16, 2015 at 1:44 pm24 Returns!
Why Is This This Show So Compelling?
Why We Need Jack Bauer?
On May 5, after a four year absence, the television thriller 24 returns to FOX. Originally airing in November of 2001, 24, starring Kiefer Sutherland as federal agent Jack Bauer, ran for 8 seasons ending in May of 2010. (Because of the writers’ strike, there was not a season in 2008.) Each season consisted of twenty four one-hour episodes that took place in real time, meaning that each season took place during one twenty four hour day. This approach was considered groundbreaking, for it was a television first. The central theme of each season was based around terrorism. Jack Bauer was a field agent for the Counter Terrorist Unit (C.T.U.) Los Angeles.
Coincidentally, the first season of 24 aired two months after the attacks on 9/11. The country and much of the world had not come close to healing, and here comes a series showcasing terrorism, political corruption, assassinations, torture and violence. How would a wounded public react to 24? Was the timing so not right that it would garner media criticism and be one and done? Not a chance! As it turned out, the show was so popular that it became the longest running show of its kind in history. During it’s run 24 received 68 Emmy nominations. Furthermore, it is unheard of for a series to return after four years replete with much of the same cast and characters. 24 has a worldwide audience that is so passionate about the show that FOX decided to break precedence and bring 24 back. The questions is…why? What makes this series so different in so many ways?
The three basics necessary for any series to be successful are a really good story, great characterization, and fine acting. 24 easily won the triple crown! The stories dealt with presidential assassination, kidnapping, blackmail, murder, torture, political corruption, and terrorism by the use of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. Watching 24 reminded me of watching the old time movie serials when I was a kid. Each episode left me on the edge of my seat, with great anticipation as to what was to come the following week, not knowing who was really a “good guy” or a “bad guy” and who would live or die. Furthermore, and just as important, each season had subplots within the main theme that often involved the personal lives of the characters. The writing was so extraordinary and the casting so perfect that the viewer had no choice but to become emotionally attached to most of the characters, either positively or negatively. This was helped in part by the superb talent of the cast. In the early seasons, African -American President David Palmer was so loved and admired that it has been said that he had a small role in the election of President Obama. On the other hand, President Charles Logan was so despised that he was compared in many ways to Richard Nixon. The acting was that good! Characters such as Chloe O’Brian, Tony Almeida, Michelle Dessler, Kim Bauer, George Mason, Ryan Chappelle, Audrey Raines, James Heller, Nina Myers, Sherry Palmer, Wayne Palmer, Noah Daniels, Mike Novick, Aaron Pierce, Martha Logan, Bill Buchannan, Edgar Styles, Tom Lennox, Allison Taylor and so many others were, to the viewer, more real than the actors that portrayed them.
The task that sat before the writers of 24 was immense. This is because over the first eight seasons, there was about one hundred-thirty hours of script. Think about it. In the last fifty one years, there have been twenty four James Bond films that equated to about fifty some odd hours of Bond on the screen. The writers of 24 had to develop sixteen hours of drama per season for eight seasons! Their accomplishment was so extraordinary that, for the 24 fan, the
characters became a weekly part of life.
By far and away the main component of 24 was Jack Bauer. Jack was an extraordinarily complex character…a hero but a very flawed and damaged hero. He lived by the premise that the right thing must be done, and the wellbeing of the folks and the country was paramount, and whatever it took to get the job done he was willing to do, and that included torture.
During the eight year run, the subject of torture in 24 was brought up many times in the press. Generally speaking, most of us don’t really condone torture, but we did not mind seeing Jack use it. And why was this? My guess is that if we were put into certain situations, we would do exactly what Jack did. When, in the beginning of season seven when he was in front of a senate sub-committee investigating the use of torture, Jack explained that if he was interrogating a hostile who was involved in the immediate future bombing of a bus full of people including children, he would do whatever it took to prevent the tragedy. In reality, if I had a child on that bus, I would want a Jack Bauer. And, most likely, so would you.
Unlike most fictional heroes, Jack’s life was tragic and flawed. And that made him more real than most. He was haunted by the decisions and choices that he had to make involving both his work and his family, for he was an extremely moral man. He both loved and lost deeply. And, unlike most fictional endings where the good guy always wins, Jack did not. He always “got the bad guy” but did not win. His life seemed very real. We saw the suffering and the tears. We can relate to Jack Bauer, and because of that, we wish that there was a Jack Bauer to protect us from the bad guys. The fans of 24 all look up to Jack, because he is the alternative to most of the real folks who headline the news today.
In reality, Jack Bauer is a fictional character created by Joel Surnow and portrayed by Keifer Sutherland. But quite often in life it is both necessary and beneficial to escape from reality and go to another place…a place that feeds the mind and soul with something, although not real, welcomes us in with open arms. For so many, 24 is that place. And for all of us, Kiefer Sutherland IS Jack Bauer. After more than one hundred-ninety two episodes of 24, most fans realize that no one other than Keifer could have ever been Jack.
It has been just about one year since Fox announced that 24 would return, and on Monday, May 5, Jack is back! The anticipation is over the top witnessed by the world-wide chatter on the internet and in the press. It’s called “24 Live Another Day.” Here is hoping there are many more days to come.
Acer4666
May 16, 2015 at 3:33 pmAs for examples of the X-Files etc. not working, I could point you to stuff like McNulty from The Wire to show that sidelining the main character can be done well as long as the writers are able to come up with interesting other characters.
This kind of fan reaction of “we don’t want anything different, we want the same as the stuff we already like” is what completely drains all the creativity out of film and TV these days. It’s the reason Jack Bauer has been hauled back year after year to retread the same storyline and lose any sense of groundedness and humanity that he once had in the first season. Jack should have played less of a part much earlier than this, and I fully welcome 24 without him. Unfortunately due to the above kind of reactions, it may mean the series doesn’t get picked up so we get no more 24 whatsoever. Fans shooting themselves in the feet.
Gerry Mander
May 18, 2015 at 8:51 amI’m not saying I absolutely would not watch a ’24’ season without Jack Bauer, but it would be an altogether less compelling prospect from the outset; Jack Bauer isn’t just a character in ’24’, he’s THE character, and without him, it’s just another show no matter how well-written it is, Kiefer’s portrayal of that character is so iconic, that no matter how good the Jack-less season was, his presence would loom over everything like a silent spectre, and the new lead – whoever he or she would be – simply wouldn’t have a chance, less so if everyone knew Kiefer would be back the following season. George Lazenby was able to take over from Sean Connery as James Bond for ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ (arguably the best 007 film to date) because everyone thought Connery was gone for good, but if everyone knew the latter would be back for the next film, it would have been an altogether different reaction for Lazenby once the aforementioned film was released.
As said here, by others, if Kiefer feels it’s too soon for a new season, then tell FOX and they can wait for him, if he doesn’t want to do it again, then let FOX know that upfront and let them act accordingly… either way, this will-he-won’t-he parlour game is just plain boring and more than a little frustrating for fans.
C’mon Kief, do right by the show and fans and get off the fence, one way or the other…
Acer4666
May 18, 2015 at 8:33 pmThe fact that the show has become reliant on one central character is a bad thing. They need the ability to give life to a broader range of characters and being completely Jack-focussed is what is jamming 24 repeatedly into the rut it has fallen into. Unfortunately, it’s the fault of fan opinion such as yours that is doing this – they’re scared of doing anything different and original and interesting because the majority of fans want the same thing year after year, rehashed again and again.
johnny
May 18, 2015 at 6:47 pmjb24
May 18, 2015 at 10:48 pmBut I became invested in 24 because of the character of Jack Bauer. It has been his journey that has brought me back season after season. Not the real time concept, which to me was and is just a gimmick. And sometimes even seemed to hamper the storytelling. Many times I felt the writers wasted opportunities to explore a scene or character development or relationships more in depth because they were tied to the real time format and had to move on. It’s not CTU that brought me back year after year. Not who the season’s mole was. Though I have enjoyed many of the supporting characters, they were never the reason I returned week after week, season after season. I also enjoyed when the writers were capable of surprising me or catching me off guard. But it was always Jack’s story arc and his heart and soul and his struggle within that brought me back every season.
Where I disagree with you is that by having a new lead it will make 24 a whole new creative and different show. Whoever there new lead is, they are still going to have the same real time conceit. They are probably still going to have a mole or moles. Will they do something different from a 3 arc threat, which starts as one thing and then progresses to a bigger threat, and then ends on the ultimate threat? Are they still going to have the lead character making tough moral decisions that will start to compromise their own principals and values and maybe even having to go rogue?. Which is why I never saw the Kate character as anything more than a female Jack Bauer from season one. She was someone who is highly skilled, incredibly intelligent, and adept at reading people, quick to read and adapt to situations. Her personal life was messy. Able to withstand torture. Started out the day with a strong belief in right and wrong and then started down the road of making compromises to save the innocent and stop the ever escalating threat because they were running out of time.
Is that the kind of new creativity you’re talking about? Sorry. I’d rather watch Jack.
TV is notorious for breeding spin-offs and cannibalizing the original successful show, which is what this sounds like to me. CSI bred CSI NY. Miami, Cyber. NCIS bred NCIS LA, New Orleans. Law and Order had several offsprings. Personally I considered them all very duplicative spawns of their parent show and lacking in any kind of new creativity or innovation, as you are so hopeful this new iteration of 24 will be.
So I do not feel I am shooting myself in the foot by not wanting a spin-off version of 24 by whatever way they want to sell it.
Acer4666
May 19, 2015 at 7:40 amJohn
May 19, 2015 at 11:08 amjohnny
May 21, 2015 at 6:26 pmJohn
May 22, 2015 at 1:43 amJohn
May 19, 2015 at 1:42 amjohnny
May 19, 2015 at 11:51 amJohn
May 19, 2015 at 11:56 amRonnieTheC
May 19, 2015 at 11:59 amWhat makes the most sense, if Kiefer is willing to do one last 12 hour mini series like LAD, is to announce prior to filming that season 10 is the final season of 24, and write an ending that is satisfactory to all of us. Then Kiefer and Jack can sail off into the sunset (along with Chloe and Tony) and FOX can start a new spin off with Kate. I think FOX screwed up bigtime thinking that, during filming of the 12th hour of LAD, that it was a slam dunk that Kiefer would be back for season 10. Because of this lack of insite, the end of LAD, if it is indeed the end of Kiefer and Jack, could be the worst ending of any series in memory.
John
May 19, 2015 at 12:21 pmRonnieTheC
May 19, 2015 at 1:05 pmJohn
May 19, 2015 at 2:21 pmChlojack
May 19, 2015 at 3:51 pmChlojack
May 20, 2015 at 1:50 pmThat would be nice to know if anyone is signed on yet, and if so, who.
Chlojack
June 1, 2015 at 1:52 pmhttp://tvline.com/2015/06/01/24-spinoff-fox-new-character-2016-kiefer-sutherland/
John
June 1, 2015 at 2:27 pmChlojack
June 1, 2015 at 3:42 pmJohn
June 1, 2015 at 4:22 pmJustin
June 1, 2015 at 6:14 pmJustin
June 2, 2015 at 10:51 amhttp://www.contactmusic.com/brian-grazer/news/imagine-entertainment-in-talks-for-24-movie_4349640
http://tvline.com/2014/09/01/24-movie-kiefer-sutherland-release-date-feature-film/
Justin
June 2, 2015 at 11:01 ampaul
June 8, 2017 at 2:57 am