24 Officially Canceled

by Peter Sciretta

from http://www.slashfilm.com/

Earlier this month it was reported that this season of 24 would likely be the last for the series as the ratings have dropped and Fox seems disinterested in continuing production. At the time it was mentioned that the studio is considering shopping the series to other networks, but everyone believed that interest would probably be limited due to the high costs involved. It was later reported that Fox has been approached by NBC to pick up the series. But that last ditch effort did not come through. Series director/producer Jon Cassar announced minutes ago on Twitter that the show has been officially canceled:

News from the 24 set,the crew has been told that 24 has come to an end. There will b no season 9. Its been a great run, thanx all 4 watching

Previously:

Last month it was announced that Billy Ray had been hired to pen the screenplay for a big screen 24 movie. All we know about the planned story for the feature film is that it will be set in Europe. Kiefer Sutherland and producers have said that the big screen movie would be “a two-hour representation of a day.” Ray’s filmography includes State of Play, Flightplan, Suspect Zero, Hart’s War, Volcano and Moon director Duncan Jones’ upcoming much-buzzed about project Source Code. He both wrote and directed Breach and Shattered Glass.

At the time, studio insiders cautioned that a 24 movie “is still very much in the preliminary stages,” and that there are “a number of factors influencing how quickly it moves ahead, including the fate of the TV show.” Fox had not yet decided if they want to order a ninth season of the series, although it has been expected that this will be the final season. 24 has lost over 10% of the show’s total viewership from last year, down over 15% in adults 18-49.

It is hard to imagine that Fox would spend the millions and millions required for a big screen feature if they weren’t impressed with the ratings enough to renew the television series for a tenth season. Stranger things have happened (Arrested Development was canceled and will eventually become a big screen feature). Sutherland is said to be eager in getting the series to the big screen. It would be nice to see a big screen 24, with a big blockbuster budget. But without the real-time structure, won’t it just another action film, but with the characters we’ve gotten to know from television? I wonder how it could/would be different.

A big screen movie would probably guarantee that Bauer will survive his eighth crazy day. Since first discovering the series in 2001, I had hoped that Bauer would someday die on screen, in the possible biggest twist the series could possibly pull. I know a lot of fans would hate for that to happen, but I think it would be the ultimate way to conclude the series — with CTU and Jack’s friends having to save the day without him, in his honor. Sutherland and 24 producers have always said that Bauer’s death was an extreme possibility

Kiefer Sutherland Loses Pats Bet, Wears Dress on Letterman

By Will Brinson

From: http://backporch.fanhouse.com/

Apparently, Kiefer Sutherland is a betting man. I know this because he appeared on the David Letterman show last night wearing a dress. And when Letterman asked him what the hell he was doing/thinking/wearing, Sutherland pointed out that he was so confident that the Patriots would defeat the Ravens that he told one of his friends he'd wear a dress on Letterman if they lost.

Well, obviously, they lost. Which means that instead of talking about the upcoming season of 24, the entire interview was Dave making fun of Kiefer while Kiefer apologized to friends and family. Hysterical stuff, really, especially when he takes a potshot at Jay Leno with an "out of the closet" joke. Enjoy.

Early look: '24' Day 8

The first four hours of Fox's "24" are a welcome return to form. The veteran drama, which shifts to New York City this season, has just enough tweaks on the show's familiar "conspiracy-complication-minor resolution-deeper conspiracy-bigger complication..." format to feel fresh despite its well-worn mechanics.
I mocked Freddie Prinze Jr. when THR first reported he was cast this season, thinking he might be a distracting drag on the ticket like Janeane Garofalo last year. But the actor is likable here and fits the "24" universe better than you'd expect. "Battlestar" vet Katee Sackhoff seems frustrated -- she's great when she's playing moments of total strength or total vulnerability (and best at playing both at the same time). Reacting to computers and phone calls at CTU doesn't really suit her, she thrives in more active roles. Given that this is "24," she'll probably get her turn at bat.

The best addition is Anil Kapoor, best known stateside for his role as the "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" host in "Slumdog Millionaire." He plays an idealized version a Middle East leader with an Elvis-quality pompadour on the verge of signing a historic peace agreement. It's a painfully standard "24" part, yet he owns each scene he's in. I hope producers pair him with Bauer at some point, the two scenery chewing actors going head to head, Kapoor barking his line from "Slumdog": "It's my f--king show." 
What might get the most comments from fans is the new CTU, which has been given an extreme makeover for the New York edition. Glass walls, projected images, sliding doors, employees wearing earpieces, and an underground valet entrance. It's like some hipster nightclub in a boutique Soho hotel, complete with Sackhoff in a black cocktail dress. When introduced to a white-on-white interrogation room, you expect the suspect to receive overpriced bottle service instead of harsh questions. It's all very watchable and totally ludicrous, but you can tell the producers are proud of the set design the way the camera lovingly introduces each room at Club CTU. 
As always, the biggest trick with "24" is presenting the familiar plotting and twists for an audience that's been here many times before. Though this season's assassination storyline is familiar, the execution is strong and grounded in realism juuuust enough -- at least, so far.
Remember: The widely bashed sixth season had one of the best opening four hours in the show's history (with a traumatized Bauer returning from Chinese prison and a nuclear weapon blowing up Santa Clarita), then squandered a potentially game-changing head start by reverting to recycled ideas and lazy writing. Producers say the first four hours are the most crucial of each season. Let's hope they gave equal attention to the rest of Bauer's day.

'24' (in 24 words!)

24: Day 1

Andre Drazen: Pops, it's David Palmer.

Victor Drazen: Kill him.

Jack Bauer: I don't think so.

Teri Bauer: Jack, I love y–[BANG!]

Jack: Nooooooooo!

Credit:FOX

24: Day 2

To Do:

8am: Reconcile with Kim
10am: Blow up CTU
12pm: Long lunch
6pm: Fly nuke out of LA
12am: Kill oil executives
8am: Spa day

Credit:FOX

24: Day 3

From: Bauer.Kim@CTU.gov
To: Bauer.Jack@CTU.gov

Hey Daddy, thx for the new job! BTW I'm dating your partner. FYI, ur Mexican drug buddies accidentally mailed something 're: totally deadly virus.'

Credit:FOX

24: Day 4

Coroner's Log, Thursday

Secret Service agents, COD – Gunshot Wounds
20 Train Passengers, COD – Explosion
Thousands of Civilians, COD – Radiation Poisoning
257 terrorists, COD – Pissed off Jack Bauer

Credit:FOX

24: Day 5

Memorandum
From: Attorney General

. Sale of nerve gas to terrorists is now legal.
. Conspiracy to kill Russian president is OK.
. Jack Bauer on top 10 most wanted list.

Credit:FOX

24: Day 6

Director's Notes

• Needs big explosion every hour
• Needs more Bauers
• Kill off everyone but Jack
• Kill Jack too
• (Kidding!)
• Everyone take 12 months off
• Tick, Tock

'24' to return to four-hour premiere

Two-night season opener

By James Hibberd

Fox has set a premiere day for the return of "24," planning a two-night, four-hour event in January.

The seventh season debut will air on Sunday, Jan. 11 and Monday, Jan 12 at 8 p.m.

The network used a similar rollout plan for 2007's sixth season premiere. Delayed due to the writers strike, the premiere is the first new regular episode of "24" in nearly two years.

"Day Seven" opens with CTU dismantled and Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) on trial. Bauer's day takes an unexpected turn when former colleague Tony Almeida (Carlos Bernard) returns after being presumed dead.

Two-hour prequel movie "24: Redemption" will give viewers a head start on the season when it airs Sunday, Nov. 23.