[24] On a Scale of 1 to 24, How Excited Are You for 24: Live Another Day?

There's a reason why 24 ended four years ago. The show outlived its freshness and as much as I've loved Jack Bauer, I thought it was wise to let him stop saving the world for once. But heroes, I guess, don't fade away so easily. Years after 24 ended,  there were talks of movies and reunions...and finally, this limited series --- 24: Live Another Day.

I've been trying to contain my excitement for this 24 reboot because excitement = expectations,  and expectations lead to disappointment. I've been downplaying to temper my eagerness. But seeing the teaser gave me that familiar rush each time I'm about to watch the show's new season.

Damn, it!

Jack Bauer is really back!

Hell, yeah!

Airing on May 5th with a 2-hour premiere, this reboot is set four years after the last final hours.

24 was such a lauded, unconventional  and groundbreaking series because it played out following a real-time format, with only the commercials filling the gaps. However, Live Another Day will be cut down to 12 hours only, with the most important hours being highlighted in the story. According to Fox, the reboot will feature time jumps to stay true to the show's integrity.

The reboot is going to move away from California, where the CTU Headquarters is found. This time, Jack Bauer will apparently be saving the world in London, James Bond's turf, to keep things fresh.

Aside from Jack, Chloe (played Mary Lynn Rajskub) and Audrey (played Kim Raver) will also be back, while actress Yvonne Strahovski, who starred in Chuck and Dexter, will join them as the CIA Operative in London.

Yvonne Strahovski is Kate Morgan in 24: Live Another Day

Kate Morgan in action in London.

Audrey's father, James Heller (played by Wiliam Devane), the former Defense Secretary, is now the President of USA, while actors Benjamin Bratt, Tate Donovan and Stephen Fry are also in the cast.

24: Live Another Day will open with Jack and Chloe working against each other, says the show's Executive Producer.

"The response to 24 is unlike anything I have ever experienced as an actor before. To have the chance to reunite with the character, Jack Bauer, is like finding a lost friend. The story ideas from Howard Gordon are exciting and fresh, and will not disappoint. Great thanks to 20th Century Fox Television, Imagine Television and the FOX network for this opportunity. Make no mistake, my goal is to knock your socks off. See you soon."

There will be new villains and new other characters, as it is every season. But the original people behind the show are all back for this reboot.  It is their hope to bring the feel of 24's beginnings, back when everyone thought it was the best thing that happened to television.

The short teaser that had me excited on many levels! ---


Seriously now, I can't wait!

Who's with me?

First Thoughts: TOUCH with Keifer Sutherland

Six billion, nine-hundred and nineteen million, three-hundred and seventy-seven thousand of us live on this tiny planet, and only a few of us can see the connections. The patterns, like a magical design, are hidden in plain sight…you just have to know where to look. After my life of 10 years, 5 months, 17 days and 14 hours…in all that time…I’ve never said a single word.   

Having read the name Tim Kring attached to the project Kiefer Sutherland was doing for his big TV return after 24 left me unimpressed the first time I found out about it.

See, I haven't really forgiven the guy for botching up Heroes. That show's premise became too big, even for the one who created it. I think I read that one time when he was trying to say where he had gone wrong with it.

But watching Touch's pilot today, I think I'm ready to give Tim Kring a chance and reconsider putting him back to my list of best-loved TV writers and creators. Or would that be too quick?

The pilot starts off with different people who obviously aren't connected. But by the end of it, something fascinating and interesting happens. I was completely impressed by the unraveling and said this on Twitter:

The heart of this show is Kiefer Sutherland's character Martin and his 11-year old son Jake, who has a behavorial disorder and who is extremely fascinated by numbers.

I don't doubt Keifer's brilliance as an actor. I followed eight seasons of 24 with most of its storylines almost unbelievably tortuos, because as Jack Bauer, he convinced me he can truly save the world. He was the ultimate TV hero.

In Touch, he plays a more sensitive character, as the father of a child who has not spoken since birth and who has no social skills whatsover. And Keifer does this thing with his eyes...if you've noticed. He squints and blinks and uses this to convey what his character is feeling.

I also don't have any misgivings about the lead female actresss, Gugu Mbtha-Raw, who plays Jake's social worker. This is what I had to say about her:

Immediately, I connected with her Clea.

Danny Glover is also part of this series and although his scene in the pilot was short, his character is clearly vital to the secrets Jake holds.

It goes without saying that this show picked the right people for their parts. They are not the weak links, as far as I can tell.

And the story isn't weak either, because like I said, the pilot was impressive and delivered almost seamlessly. So, if Tim Kring will be able to sustain this kind of writing --- and it is pretty tight and orderly --- he may slide back into my list real soon.

Touch ran a special preview tonight on Fox but the show won't actually start running until March, for 13 episodes. The series is also going to be carried over on many cable.tv channels worldwide.

Here's the teaser:

Previously on 24...

It has been 10 years since 24 started its successful 8-season run. Do you remember these?










I don't know the status of the movie version of 24, though. The last I read, plans to do this is still active.

Incidentally, Keifer Sutherland is starting a new show by spring of 2012. Two years after 24 bowed out on Fox, and a decade after he gave life to one of the most iconic characters on television, (There is no one like Jack Bauer on TV, I dare say.) Keifer is returning to Fox for his new series, Touch:

Why You Should be Watching 24

Missed out on watching 24? If you've got about less than 30 minutes to spare, here's a short video essay of this groundbreaking series, as done by folks from The Slant Magazine, which will probably convince you why you need to see all eight seasons of it.

The video essay series "5 on 24" examines various aspects of the show, including its real-time structure, its depiction of torture, and the psychology of its hero, counterterrorist agent Jack Bauer.

Follow the rest of the videos here.

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BLOG PROMO: I'm Giving Away Cougar Town's Complete Season 1 Original DVD

Related stuff:
24: Season Seven [Blu-ray]
24: Seasons 1-7
24: Redemption

Shutting Down Jack Bauer

I'm still reeling from the fact that Jack Shepherd and the rest of the Losties have "gone and made peace" or something so after watching the final episode of 24 today, my chest is still tight with grief.

I've been watching this series since Day 1. Though I admit, Days 5, 6 & 7 were not this series' best stories, and Day 8 started off shaky and uneven, these final moments were excellently played out.

I know there might be a movie in the works, so it was a good thing Jack is not actually dead or is going to that special place to meet everyone who's died on the show.

But dead, alive,  limping, on the run or otherwise? Thank you very much, 24 writers, for the hero that is Jack Bauer! It will be awhile before someone as kick-ass as him comes to wow me on television again.

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BLOG PROMO: I'm Giving Away Cougar Town's Complete Season 1 Original DVD

Related stuff:
24: Seasons 1-7
24
24 Declassified: Death Angel

Chloe on 24 Had A Crumpler Bag!

And it's almost the same one as mine. Hers is bigger, but we've got the same color and line.

Am just saying.... Or bragging.

That's the closest thing to "being Chloe" I can get. :P

Frustrated covert/CTU agent, that's me.

24 Bromance, Showmance Back On!

There's nothing like a show like 24 to pump my adrenalin! Jack and Tony. Tony and Jack. They are back....and they're still good together.

This may seem like Jack was gonna kill Tony, because what does he know? He saw his friend died .....and now he's back working for the bad guys? I'd be pissed, too.


But the truth was revealed in 24 Season 7's third episode --- Tony was actually doing deep undercover! Jack is relieved and now their teaming up again. Reunited. Their bromance is alive! Watch out House and Wilson!


Jack is even back with that sling bag he carries around...where did that come from?

Throw in Bill Buchanan and Chloe in the mix....and my show is back on it's feet. In a big way! Old school 24, right there. And the story so far? It's developing really well. I am so happy, I cried. :D

Nothing like a good show to keep my mind off things for a while.

Eek! Did you catch that goof on 24: Redemption?

Before I show what that goof was, can I just say ---- 24, oh how I've missed you! The last it aired was in Jan-May of 2007, yeah? I did not even finish the series then. I quit sometime March of that season because President Wayne Palmer was not even half as good as his brother. I've been without 24 for 20 months! So imagine my eagerness for tonight's two-hour prequel.

And how was it?

Missing on: CTU. There was none of that familiar ringing. No Jack asking for schematics. No inappropriate office romances. No Chloe. Not just yet. Jack is in Africa and he is exiled by choice. He refuses to go back to the US where the government has been trying to subpoena him to answer allegations of torture.

Awesome: Jack kills the bad guys with his knees! And his kill count is off the charts!

Funny: Benton saying "dammit!" twice. Drunkards playing the 24 Drinking Game are probably wondering if that counted or not... and will still cheer and drink to it. If you're wondering who Benton is, there's no need to jog your memory. He's a new character and he's not staying long.

Freaky: Mrs. Lady President looks like my former boss from 12 years ago.

Hoping: This guy played Mrs. Lady President's son instead. Because he would've been hawwt-er! But he is doing True Blood, so my fantasizing about him on this show? Not gonna happen.

It was a reboot much needed, particularly from someone who hasn't seen Jack Bauer in a while. But like many of 24's plots, I can tell something was gonna go wrong a minute away (Willie, the African boy....he's is the new Kim! That kid! Argh!) And yet those little bumps, those inconsistencies, these things don't seem to matter (well, for now...check back with me again when when it's seven episodes down the line and I've started whining and complaining! Heh). But definitely, the minute Jack stepped up and become that hero again? I was right there, cheering like a monkey on the screen.

And now for the goof ----

This screen capture was of a scene with Jack and the African school kids running away from the rebel military. What do you see to the left, behind the trees? Yep, that's the camera crew caught in the frame!! Gotcha!

24: Redemption --- New Extended Trailer

Watching this new video of 24's trailer makes me wanna scream!!! It's so badass.

The series's 7th season won't premiere until January next year but as you should know, there will be a TV movie first and that is set to air this November 23rd. So, mark your calendars get ready for television's biggest thrill ride!

They're treating the TV movie like a block buster film. It's going to be awesome. Watch the new extended trailer:



Video from The Live Feed (THR)

24: Exile Season 7 Teaser

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee... eeeeeeeeeeeeeee... eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee... eeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

The following video was leaked on the internet. There are six versions to this teaser... If you can't view this video anymore, chances are, it has been ordered taken down. And you can read the account here.

But I don't really see the point of why it should be taken down, it's only a teaser. And fans of 24 have been waiting for this for a very long time. They've got to throw us a little something, don't they?



I not only had goosebumps watching this, my eyes welled up.

24 Season 7 returns January 2009, with a two hour preview this coming November.

24 Season 7 Two Hour Prequel set for Fall

Comingsoon reports that a two-hour prequel is set for 24. It will tie up where the show is, between Season 6 and 7. The planned prequel is expected to air before the January 2009 premiere of Season 7 (because...that's what prequel means, mwehehe):

The producers of Fox's "24" are developing a two-hour "prequel" to the upcoming seventh season, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The movie, designed to bridge the two-year gap between Seasons 6 and 7, is targeted to air in the fall, leading to the January return of the real-time drama. On Wednesday, "24" producers began securing the show's core cast members for the film.

The upcoming seventh season is set in Washington and features the first female U.S. president, played by Cherry Jones.

The "24" writing team is back at work, with filming on the remaining episodes of the seventh season slated to begin in April.

Just to refresh your memories, the following actors have signed on for Season 7 ---

• President Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones)
• First Gentleman Henry Taylor (Colm Feore)
• FBI agents including Agent Janis Gold (Janeane Garofalo)
• Agent Renee Walker, to work alongside Jack Bauer (Annie Wersching)

Tony Almeida is alive and will be playing one of the bad guys Jack is after. Producers of the show say he is "definitely not the Almeida we once know".

Ohhh...scary.

Kicking off Feb with a bunch of TV News links

Guess what? Haven't gotten any chance to watch TV in the last few days, except for American Idol. I've been mostly catching up on movies and playing with new toys. But that's gonna change after today because Lost Season 4 and Eli Stone are premiering, yay!

It hasn't even aired yet, but Eli Stone is becoming a bit controversial. Some people find the pilot story objectionable (it's about a child becoming autistic due to vaccines given to him as a baby). And I'd leave that to you to decide if it is, because I loved the pilot. The Philly is calling it the male Ally McBeal and I would have to echo that opinion.

If you're following Lost, please join me at WatchingLost. I could never claim to be an expert of the series, but it's a show I like to talk about now and then and I would love it if a few of you drop by and say hello.

Things actors get into because there's no work to do, on the account of the strike:

• Some good news in relation to the cast of 24: Keifer is out of jail and Mary Lynn (Chloe) is expecting her first child.
• Grey's Anatomy's Dr. Karev has spent three days in the psych ward. And don't worry it was his own decision, he hasn't gone looney like Brit-Brit and there was no intervention necessary. The man has been having sleep disorders. With five kids to take care of, I can imagine!

Speaking of the strike...I was counting on rumors that it will be over this week, but I guess they're taking it slow. Slowly but surely is the way to go! Nikki from DHD has posted that more deals have been signed. So, hang on, TV addicts....we're getting there.

I mentioned about movies earlier....and I just wanna say I enjoyed Cloverfield. He did, too :





Happy February! May this be a good month.

Strike Watch: When is 24 Season 7 Airing?

So, is Jack Bauer finally going to get a break from terrorists for at least one year? Ausiello reports this on his blog:

Well, although Fox hasn't confirmed it, I'll go out on a limb and say Jack Bauer isn't returning this season. Even if the strike ends tomorrow, the earliest the show could get back on the air is this summer — and there's no way in hell Fox is dumping 24 onto the summer season. That leaves the network with several options, none of them ideal.

One solution is to just kick off Season 7 next January (2009), but by then Jack will have been in hiding for nearly two years.

Another, and much more controversial, scenario being bandied about involves taking the eight episodes currently in the can and creating a 10- to 14-episode mini-season to air in the fall. That would be followed by another 10- to 14-episode mini-season — featuring a completely different plot — during the second half of the season. Opponents of that idea have argued, and rightly so, that by splitting the season, you're essentially compromising the show's unique, 24-hour conceit. Proponents, however, argue that these are desperate times. And sometimes desperate times require throwing out the rulebook. I can see that point as well.

Jack Bauer, terror-free in 2008.