Posted on 03/10/2010 10:29:59 AM PST by SnakeDoctor
"24's" time is almost up.
20th Century Fox TV and Fox appear ready to end the long-running hit after this season, the show's eighth.
Studio and network execs declined comment -- but it's believed that the final decision will be made in the next day or two. Move is not a huge surprise, but still reps the end of an era for Fox.
"24" helped usher in Fox's ratings surge in the 2000s, as the franchise -- along with "American Idol" and "House," among other series -- led the network to the No. 1 spot in the adults 18-49 demo.
But the cost of producing "24" has continued to increase, while ratings have dipped. A one-time critical darling, "24" has also received its share of knocks from critics this season.
The studio is said to be considering shopping "24" to other nets -- but given the thriller's age and pricetag, it's believed interest from other outlets will be limited.
Yet even as the bell tolls for "24" in primetime, the franchise is far from dead. Sutherland and the "24" team have been keen on adapting the show as a feature film, and have made major strides in recent months toward making that long-term goal a reality.
Twentieth Century Fox's film side recently hired scribe Billy Ray ("State of Play," "Flightplan") to pen the script for the feature version (Daily Variety, Feb. 8.)
Ray's pitch, which takes Jack Bauer to Europe, was a hit with Fox execs and producers of the high-concept television series.
Script is said to have come through "24" star Sutherland, who's also an exec producer on the series.
Such a move into the features world was considered impossible while production continued on the TV series -- given that "24" takes much of the year to produce, with its feature-like shooting schedule. But with the show expected to end its run, the ability to focus on a movie could now finally be in sight.
"24" was created by Robert Cochran and Joel Surnow, while exec producer Howard Gordon runs the show through his Real Time Prods. banner.
Brian Grazer's Imagine Entertainment produces the show along with 20th Century Fox TV.
Sutherland has starred throughout all eight seasons as Jack Bauer, a federal agent and member of the Los Angeles Counter Terrorist Unit (and who has saved the world several times over). "24" made noise for its real time format, in which all 24 episodes take place as consecutive hours in the same day.
Although it was developed before the attacks of 9/11, the show, which bowed Nov. 6, 2001, in many ways began to mirror the changed world, given real-life fears over terrorism and debates over torture methods. Skein's depiction of an African American president was seen as a ground-breaking precursor to the 2008 election of Barack Obama.
The show has won the Emmy and the Golden Globe awards for drama, while Sutherland has scored both an Emmy and a Globe for actor. "24" has also received Emmy Awards for writing and directing; last year, Cherry Jones won an Emmy for supporting actress in a drama.
This season's edition of "24," which takes place in New York, stars Sutherland, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Jones, Anil Kapoor, Annie Wersching, Katee Sackhoff, Mykelti Williamson, Freddie Prinze Jr., Chris Diamantopoulos and John Boyd.
Other exec producers include Evan Katz, David Fury, Manny Coto, Brannon Braga, Brad Turner, Alex Gansa and Grazer.
Cancellation is not yet official, and there are rumors that NBC is considering buying the series.
SnakeDoc
Crud......I think Jack’s last mission should be to take down the Usurper Illegal Kenyan in the White House......
“there are rumors that NBC is considering buying the series.”
Let me guess...
So that Jack can stop those evil, white, Republican bankers from dumping dangerous chemicals in our water supply, and killing off the spotted owl for evil profits, right??
IMHO, the past two season have been great. I hate to see it end. “24” is the ONLY network show I watch. Everything else is just crap. The good stuff is on the “learning” channels. Discovery, History, A&E, etc. JMO.
IMHO, the past two season have been great. I hate to see it end. “24” is the ONLY network show I watch. Everything else is just crap. The good stuff is on the “learning” channels. Discovery, History, A&E, etc. JMO.
Maybe Keith Olberman can take over for Keith Sutherland - now there'd be a rating powerhouse!
Yeah, voters thought they were getting David Palmer.
Now, they are realizing that they really got Charles Logan.
Frankly I’m tired of it. It was greate the first two or three seasons then it became repetitive and predictable. I actually fell asleep during the last episode.
As far as I’m concerned the show jumped the shark last year when the terrorists were evil conservatives and the good guys were muslims. Haven’t tuned in once this year.
The only show on TV more formulaic than 24 is Deal or No Deal.
And don’t forget Janeane Garbarfolo being on the show!
I hope NBC goes for it, I love this show. Monday’s episode was incredibly juicy. Wow.
How could I have forgotten that travesty??? Yuck.
I’d rather let it die a good death than let General Electric get it’s hands on it. There’s already been enough of the Lib stuff seeping into what should be solely about doing what’s right, not necessarily politically correct to save lives. If ole Jack kick’s your ass and you didn’t do anything - that’s as good as hitting the lottery. You’ll get your gubermint check and be on your way.
How many of us would let someone beat the crap out of us if we were to get 3 or 4 Million afterward - and the best health care money can buy (at least for now). If it was also in the name of National Security, even better.
But I digress. If Sutherland goes with it to NBC, I’ll stay on with it. That franchise is worthless without him - that’s why I doubt it stays alive because they would need at least a 2 year commitment from him and Chloe (or Morris - love that guy).
As a movie Franchise, they probably should have made the leap 2 seasons ago, but I could totally see Jack Bauer being the American 007. Americans love action - and they love when it matters! By mixing real world dangers with hollywood action, they’ve got an excellent draw.
You might be interested to note that the primary villains thus far this season have been a radical faction of an Iran-like country (whose leader is negotiating peace while being brutal back at home) that is seeking nuclear capability on the black market.
SnakeDoc
The network would have been deluged with calls if he hadn't.
Yeah, ol’ Jack has got to be worn out. So far this season he’s been beaten up, stabbed and blown up by a bomb. And he hasn’t even gone to the bathroom yet! Just like a Timex, takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’......
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