In the U.S. the fourth series has had the best ratings of any series, many put this down to a much more populist pleasing storyline which neo-conservative critics have absolutely loved – although some wanted it to go further – thinking it pulled to many punches in the name of political correctness, although I quite frankly don’t see how it could have gone much further. Normally I don’t like linking to such one-sided articles but in the name of presenting both sides I will. Here’s a small clipit first.
“Phew — that was close. The creators of “24,” Fox Television’s thriller-diller starring Kiefer Sutherland as counter-terror super-agent Jack Bauer, almost put together a compelling television series rooted in the onerous reality of the war on jihad terrorism. But thanks, apparently, to a few helpful suggestions from the Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR), they managed to steer clear of all political and historical relevance.”
source : www.townhall.com
“Starting on 10 June, after Jonathan Ross, BBC One will be screening the hit series on Fridays, showiing two episodes back-to-back. See how Jack Bauer had his first worst day, in a plot involving an attempt to assassinate a Presidential candidate, comical amnesia, and Dennis Hopper escaping from prison.”
Good news for those who didn’t see the first series when it originally aired, almost four years ago now on BBC2, although it does come as a bit of a shock, since it was previously thought Sky One had all the UK rights shown up – it’s possible Sky are letting the Beeb repeat the first series to rope in more viewers for future showings on Sky.
source : www.bbc.co.uk
“…I was conscious of the menacing and stereotypical image of Arabs. Although I wonder how much you can actually counteract it even when you’re aware of it. Also, I wonder how many viewers were even aware of the extremely distorted image and how it affected them. I lost count of the number of terrorist characters who killed themselves rather than be taken alive and tortured by Bauer to get whatever information he was after…
…While a viewer might be able to filter out the ‘evil Arab’ image, the acceptance of torture as a necessary strategy was more difficult to resist. Carried along by the suspense and the looming disaster, it was easy to think Bauer was justified [in his use of torture]…
…I started wondering if the show was programming viewers to have a greater tolerance for torture. The season coincided with the continuing revelations about the torture of prisoners at Abu Graib, Guantanamo Bay and … the torture deaths of two prisoners at the Bagram detention center…
…The show’s depiction of torture also was unrealistic. After breaking a few fingers, or whatever method he used, Bauer always got the information he needed. Experts say torture rarely results in reliable information because the subject will say anything to stop the abuse.
Maybe I’m thinking too much about a show that you can’t stop to think about. On the other hand, the messages of a popular television program that demands viewers suspend their sense of what’s plausible could be having more of an effect than we realize.”
source : www.insidebayarea.com
Here’s a few articles from the vast amount online discussing the much awaited two-hour finale episode of ’24’ which aired last night in the U.S., there not recommended reading for anyone who is not up to date with U.S. airings of the show. Before…
“They’re promising a doozy for tonight’s fourth-season finale. And they’d better come through. This show needs a serious jolt…I still watch every week, but I’m starting to feel strung along by the plot’s ever-more contrived conniptions.”
source : www.newsday.com
more : www.foxnews.com
more : metromix.chicagotribune.com
After…
“This was a terrifically enjoyable season of “24.” Part of the fun was watching the writers wing it week after week, resulting in some plotlines dead-ending, but others paying off — none more memorably than the beautifully staged reentries of Tony and Chloe.”
source : www.suntimes.com
more : www.chicagotribune.com
“24 (FOX) – Co-creator/co-showrunner Bob Cochran has inked a two-year, seven-figure overall deal with the show’s producer 20th Century Fox Television. The pact, as you’d expect, covers his duties on “24” for the length of the deal as well as develop (along with fellow “24” co-creator/co-showrunner Joel Surnow) new projects for the studio.”
This report from futon critic points to atleast two more series of ’24’, this pretty much sets in stone other reports that there will be a fifth series, and probably kills off any hopes that NBC had of nicking the show from FOX.
source : www.thefutoncritic.com
UPDATE – Wednesday 18th May
“Stealing some of the thunder from networks with early upfront presentations, FOX reportedly has a deal in place to bring back “24” for two seasons,…, negotiations between FOX and the studio over ’24’ were complicated by the producers’ attempt to secure a higher license fee in order to handle the lofty production costs on the fourth year drama. There had been rumors that the lengthy discussions might allow another network — possibly NBC — to sneak in and steal the show…”
source : tv.zap2it.com
more : www.hollywoodreporter.com
“It’s a secret, last-second twist worthy of Jack Bauer: NBC is reportedly angling to poach the drama series “24” from rival FOX. FOX and 20th Century Fox TV, which produces “24,” are currently negotiating a license fee for renewal of the thriller, … The show’s current license agreement expires after this season.
… NBC has made it known that it would love to bring a fifth season of the series of the show to its airwaves. “I can tell you that NBC has not been shy about expressing their interest in ’24,’ …
… NBC’s reported interest comes despite the fact that the network and studio are both units of News Corp … which would seem to make the Peacock’s odds of wresting the series from FOX pretty slim. Even disregarding the corporate connection, it seems unlikely that FOX would let one of its better-performing series go …”
That’s from an intriuging article which claims that NBC could nick ’24’ from FOX. I don’t see it happening, but if it did I reckon it would be good for the show for so many reasons, firstly all of the fourth series has had the stench of network interference and second it might mean a return to UK terrestial screens instead of being monopolised by Sky (Pay Television Service).
source : tv.zap2it.com
“Personally? No. I wouldn’t like to be able to – I like what I get to do now. I’ve spent 20-odd years working as an actor and that’s what I want to do” That’s from a Q&A with Kiefer that the indepedent newspaper has just put up online.
source : news.indepedent.co.uk
International fansite dedicated to TV show '24'
