Usually official comments on the new season are very generic at this stage in pre-production, but in an unusual move exec Howard Gordon has given quite a candid interview about the new season. Answering questions about the aborted Africa setting and storyline, and why the decision was taken. He also talks about his feelings about season 6. Of course there are spoilers, but it is a very interesting interview so unless your completely blocking out all spoilers, then it’s a recommended read.
Some Series 7 news, which is strictly speaking spoilers, but really is too big to ignore. Still, don’t read if you don’t want too.
According to reports on TV Guide, the writers grand plans for next year included filming many episodes on location in Africa, yes, Africa. A Plan which Fox executives quickly deemed too costly, and after trying to find shooting locations near L.A. which could double for Africa and coming up short, the decision has been made to dump the entire Africa storyline, and start all over again. Reportedly this has pushed the start of production back three weeks.
As i’ve posted previously, the 400th episode of The Simpsons (or was it 399th?) will be a 24 parody called “24 Minutes” starring Kiefer and Mary Lynn
Anyway, a brief clip from it has surfaced on the web. The episode airs this sunday on Fox in the U.S. and i’m sure a U.K. airing on Sky One can’t be far behind.
Jack’s back – and on board to save the world at least two more times.Fox has ordered two more seasons of “24,” keeping the Emmy-winning drama on the net through the 2008-2009 TV season. Announcement comes on the eve of Fox’s Thursday upfront presentation. Show remains a powerful player for Fox, despite ratings dips and critical knocks this season. Exec producers for “24” have already told several publications that they plan to make some changes on the show next season – but the twist will remain the same: Each episode covering one hour of real time as special agent Jack Bauer races against the clock to stop something bad from happening.
It seems clear to me that either Fox really doesn’t care about the ratings dip and the negative reviews for this year, or that they have faith in whatever “changes” have been decided for next season.
Aside from Sutherland, “24” will return with a new cast (some old favorites might return in different roles) and a new, non-Los Angeles location, with the producers even contemplating telling the story from two locations.
Now these are two tried and tested headline making statements there, that we are used to hearing everything six months since the end of series one. Take them with a pinch of salt, and expect with anything does come of them that they will be heavily qualified.
“24 Minutes”, … done in 24 style complete with multi frames and nerve-wracking ticking. Guest stars Kiefer Sutherland and Mary Lynn Rajskub will play their Monday night alter egos, Jack Bauer and Chloe O’Brian. Seems like Springfield Elementary has set up a CTU of its own. Yes the educational mecca of Springfield for lo these last 18 seasons now runs a Counter Truancy Unit, manned by CTU agents Bart and Lisa Simpson. Set up by Principal Skinner, the CTU faces uncertain times as rumors of a stink bomb to be detonated during a school bake sale has everyone on edge. Or, as “on-edge” as a cartoon character could be.
It airs this sunday in the States, not a clue about a U.K. airing, though i’m sure it can’t be too far behind.
“I don’t dispute it’s been a challenging season to write for us,” says Gordon. “But it’s reinvigorated our determination to reinvent the show. This year could be seen to be the last iteration of it in its current state.” … “I’ve got a couple of ideas, none of which I could even begin to share responsibly.”
While I aim not to spoil anything which maybe coming up in the shows future I felt this was to big to ignore. This is the story that Exec Producer and current Show Runner Howard Gordon has said publicly that given the shows recent slight dip in ratings and probably more importantly critical maulings the show maybe in for a retooling next year. While such a change would most certainly have to make it past the other top execs and Fox, Gordon’s word certainly means a lot and I’d have to say that a well thought out course correction in the show is something which I would welcome.
“Well, the good people at the Fox Network are doing their best to get loyal 24 fans into a tizzy. I hope they don’t think we’d forget all about the show because we have to wade through those pesky new fall programs that are NOT graced with all things Bauer? Jeez Louise, Fox – you’ve got to know that we all have those calendars, patiently marking down the days until January 14, 2007 8:00 PM ET. Instead of big red Xs, we’re using thumbnail photos of President Logan, a circle with a line through it superimposed over his scowling visage.So, though fans need absolutely no reminding, … Part of the fun of waiting for anything is to kibitz, commiserate and speculate on possible plot lines. Well, today, October 24, Fox is launching a sneaky peeky 24 trailer to tease us with glimpses of Season Six. They are also broadcasting it on the News Corporation’s Panasonic Astrovision screen in New York City’s Times Square. News Corporation is the Fox network’s parent company.
Wow, six years already? Could 24 be headed toward the category of long running shows such as The Simpsons, Seventh Heaven, Cheers, and ER? We’d love to see our crew be around for a long time, yet they only seem to thrive on disaster. That can’t be too good for their collective blood pressure or morale in general. And you know the general mood and characters are a bit too somber for real life.”
“At the end of 24’s fifth season, Bauer was taken hostage by Chinese agents and spirited away into the hold of a cargo ship bound for China. The trailer promises to give a glimpse into what will become of the tough guy at the hands of his captors.
In August, 24 won three Emmys–Best Drama, Best Actor, and Best Directing. 24 returns Sunday, January 14, with a two-night, four-hour season premiere.”
