24 was created by author/producers Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran. The pair met within the early Eighties after they labored on the 1981 prime-time cleaning soap opera Falcon Crest. The 2 struck up a friendship and started working collectively on different reveals; one of the crucial memorable ones was The Commish. In 1997, the duo created the cult basic action-drama collection La Femme Nikita, which lasted 5 seasons.
After the collection’s cancellation, Surnow and Cochran tried to develop a brand new present they may pitch to Fox. Surnow had the concept of a TV collection with 24 episodes in a season that may happen in real-time. Joel referred to as Robert Cochran and informed him his thought, to which Cochran replied, “That’s the stupidest Idea I have ever heard; it will never work.” However Joel insisted, they usually met the subsequent day at an IHOP to flesh out the idea. After a couple of hours of debate and plenty of pancakes, they lastly agreed that this might work.
They determined that the present could be referred to as 24 and would revolve round an agent named Jack Bauer. Jack labored for the fictional authorities company Counter Terrorism Unit, or CTU for brief. Every episode could be an hour of that day, ultimately resulting in an epic conclusion.
Joel and Robert pitched it to Fox, who instantly picked it up. The community stated that it was a revolutionary idea that may advance tv.
However Surnow and Cochran realized that making a present in real-time could be difficult. In contrast to different TV collection on the time, you didn’t have the identical shortcuts. The principle character couldn’t journey throughout the nation from one episode to the subsequent. In the event that they did, the character could be consuming peanuts for 5 episodes. So, to get across the logistics, you wanted a number of storylines; this fashion, you possibly can work round these limitations. Giving Jack a household supplied this chance. This is the reason season one was cut up between Jack making an attempt to cease a political assassination and likewise making an attempt to save lots of his household.
The present targeted on a beating-the-clock situation to maintain the viewers invested and drove the purpose house. Joel insisted on incorporating the ticking clock within the episode. This fashion, the viewers may preserve monitor of the story’s development, ramping up the strain alongside the best way. The enduring four-box cut up display screen happened as a consequence of necessity. Initially, the plan was to make use of a cut up display screen as a result of all of the scenes concerned cellphone calls. Surnow and Cochran thought it might be extra partaking for the viewers to see each characters speaking on display screen reasonably than the usual voice-over. It was editor David Thompson who prompt they use small packing containers as a substitute. Thompson felt that the packing containers would permit them to make use of completely different photographs in the identical scene to permit for extra flexibility in how the present was seen. The crew then realized that the packing containers might be used for different issues; essentially the most memorable was for the act breaks. I bear in mind watching episodes with mates and voting on what field could be chosen when the story resumed.
One other factor that Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran realized was that the central storylines couldn’t maintain for your complete 24-episode season. The viewers would notice that the episodes had been solely stretching out the arc of that season. So twists and surprising moments needed to be integrated into the present, which meant some plots had been resolved sooner than deliberate. For instance, Jack was presupposed to rescue his household on the finish of the season, however as a substitute, he was in a position to save them by episode 13. The assassination was additionally foiled earlier within the season, and that is what led to what I wish to name the “Russian doll tactic.” In 24, there would all the time be a menace that may result in a much bigger menace. Season one’s plot to kill presidential candidate David Palmer is the right instance. Firstly of the season, Jack is making an attempt to cease the homicide plot concentrating on David Palmer and rescue his household, who’ve been kidnapped. By the center of the season, the assassination try was stopped, and Jack rescued his household.
The second half of season 1 would give attention to discovering a mole in CTU and David Palmer coping with scandals that threatened his marketing campaign. The villain behind the conspiracy could be revealed, and the mole’s identification would shock viewers. Baur would as soon as once more save Palmer from one other try on his life, however the final episode left followers reeling. However earlier than we dive into that selection, let’s see how the present was solid. We are going to begin with our hero, Jack Bauer, the CTU agent with a troubled marriage and the daddy of a rebellious teenage woman.
Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran auditioned many actors for the function, and one of the crucial notable ones was Jeff Goldblum. Nonetheless, not one of the actors had the depth they sought. The pilot’s director, Stephen Hopkins, was mates with Kiefer Sutherland and advisable him to Surnow and Cochran. Robert Cochran was notably immune to casting him as he thought Kiefer was too younger to play Bauer for the reason that character was the daddy of a teenage daughter. He modified his thoughts when he discovered Kiefer Sutherland had a 13-year-old daughter.
Sutherland was impressed by the script and thought it was intelligent and in contrast to any present he had seen earlier than. However he felt that the community wouldn’t choose it up, so he determined to do it anyway, plus he wanted the cash. Sutherland was good for the function as he showcased Jack’s depth and the trauma he felt from the failures he had made prior to now. It’s not stunning, contemplating Kiefer Sutherland’s lengthy and illustrious profession in movie.
As for who would play Jack’s rebellious teenage daughter, Kim Bauer, Elisha Cuthbert would land the coveted function. Elisha did a superb job portraying the good and resourceful woman all through the collection. Enjoyable truth: Katie Sackoff was virtually solid within the function however misplaced it to Cuthbert, though she would get a job in season 8 as senior information analyst Dana Walsh. The function would turn into Elisha Cuthbert’s breakout efficiency as she exploded in reputation throughout her time on the collection. Nonetheless, though Elisha’s reputation started to soar because the present continued, the character began to annoy many viewers.
Many followers level to sure episodes involving Kim which have brought on many to query their dedication to the collection. After season one, the writers started to wrestle with how they might preserve Kim concerned within the collection. The problem was that there was no motive for Kim and Jack to work together with one another. So, the writers started to assume exterior the field, and season 2 completely illustrated how insane 24 may turn into.
Don’t imagine me? Listed below are a few of Kim’s adventures in season 2 of 24.
- Kim discovers {that a} younger woman she babysits is being abused by her father. She escapes with the kid and is hunted by him.
- She is framed as a kidnapper by the daddy
- She is framed for homicide
- She will get tricked into believing {that a} nuclear bomb has gone off by a lonely farmer who needs her to stick with him.
- She wanders right into a comfort retailer and results in a hostage state of affairs
And eventually, in essentially the most memorable “what the f*ck?” second, a cougar stalks Kim Bauer. Sure, you learn that proper: a wild animal hunts the daughter of a authorities agent. The story behind that legendary second is hilarious.
In a 2013 Vulture Article, Robert Cochran talked in regards to the episode; he stated, “The Angeles Crest Forest is just outside of L.A. Most of us on the writing staff, the producers, had been in it or through it once. They have mountain lions up there and cougars up there. So we said, ‘Okay, well, what if she sees a cougar?’ We were just looking for something to toss in that would jeopardize her as she was roaming around up there.” Later within the article, he stated, “We used a little phrase to rebound back and forth in the writers’ room. When an idea would come up, someone would say, ‘I’m watching, I’m watching.’ That’s what we were looking for: Would we keep watching? If we would, we didn’t worry if an idea was good or bad in some abstract way.”
In season 3, they ultimately made her an Intelligence agent/technician at CTU to raised match her involvement on the present. However Elisha left on the finish of that season to pursue film roles. Nonetheless, Cuthbert virtually missed out on the largest function of her profession. When season one ended, Fox almost made a big mistake that may have value them tens of millions. There was plenty of debate behind the scenes on whether or not or to not renew the present. Regardless that 24 was critically praised and had spectacular rankings, not everybody was on board to convey it again. They felt that the price of the present might have outweighed its rankings success. Nonetheless, the executives at Fox had been satisfied after they noticed the income international gross sales had been offering to the community. So the second season was given the go-ahead, and the remainder, as they are saying, was historical past. God, are you able to think about the alternate universe the place 24 was canceled? We’d have missed the 2004 cinematic masterpiece The Lady Subsequent Door.
One other stunning truth was that the unique plans for the second season would have drastically modified the present’s idea. In an interview with 24spoilers.com, Cochran stated that after they had been renewed for season 2, they thought-about making each episode final 24 hours. They even wrote a prototype script, however realized it wouldn’t be the present that they had got down to do.
Different characters are launched all through the collection and turn into a part of the primary solid. Tony Almeida was one other CTU agent who went from Jack’s rival to one in all his closest mates. Tony was performed by Carlos Bernard, who initially auditioned to play Jack. Almeida was a fan-favorite character who didn’t want to speak to get his level throughout. Carlos had this implausible skill to speak his emotions with only one look.
One other fan-favorite character was Michelle Dessler, performed by Reiko Aylesworth. Reiko is an unimaginable actor who portrayed a multi-layered character. Michelle was good and brave, throwing herself in peril to assist others. However she was additionally a part of the present’s most beloved couple. Tony and Michelle had an epic love story. They’d date, get married, break up, after which reconcile. Reiko and Carlos had superb chemistry, immediately making followers fall in love with them.
The opposite character who grew to become massively well-liked was Chloe O’Brian, performed by Mary Lynn Rajskub. Chloe was the senior intelligence analyst; in different phrases, she was the badass pc hacker. She was grumpy, snappy, simply irritated, and socially awkward, however she was a detailed buddy to Jack. It was superior to see their relationship evolve from co-workers to greatest mates. Mary Lynn stated that her agent compelled her to go to the audition for the present. She had just lately had a nasty expertise making an attempt to get a job on CSI. So Mary was in a nasty temper when she acquired there. Then, Joel Surnow got here out to the hallway and informed her he had written a job for her on the present. Joel had seen her function within the Adam Sandler film Punch Drunk Love and was impressed together with her efficiency as Sandler’s sister.
Different memorable actors got here and went whereas the collection went on. Some had been unknowns on the time, corresponding to Zachary Quinto. Others had memorable careers, like Sean Astin and Dennis Hopper.
Nonetheless, 24 attracted such unimaginable actors due to the action-packed storylines and the surprising selections the collection would make. The present didn’t pull any punches; the right instance was the season one finale. Within the final episode, Jack is betrayed by his co-worker and former lover, Nina Myers, performed by Sarah Clarke. Towards the tip of the season, it was revealed that Nina was a mole in CTU working towards the company. Jack’s spouse, Terry, by chance discovers that Nina is the mole, which forces her to kill Terry Bauer. So the season ended with Jack cradling his useless spouse in his arms, devastated.
Nonetheless, this was not the unique ending. Initially, Terry survived and was reunited together with her household. However Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran realized this destroyed the present’s realism. They stated the unique ending would have made the present a fairytale. Surnow and Cochran knew that as a result of Jack saved the longer term president, there needed to be a worth. When Kiefer Sutherland was informed, he begged them to not do it. He stated they might be betraying the viewers. However they caught to their weapons, creating one of the crucial surprising moments in your complete collection. This created stakes.
Each season, you didn’t know who was protected. The most effective examples was in season 3 when there was a subplot that revolved round terrorists in possession of a chemical weapon. It was a lethal virus referred to as the Cordilla virus. They found a tool containing the virus had been planted in a lodge. An agent named Gael Ortega and Dessler searched the lodge for the gadget. Ortega finds it, and simply as he’s going to defuse it, it goes off in his face. Once I first noticed this episode, I used to be shocked. “Wait, they didn’t stop the weapon? But, they’re the heroes! That’s not supposed to happen to the good guys.” Not solely that, however we see characters die from the virus all through the next episodes. One of many signs of the virus is a bloody nostril, so she is continually checking for one. I can’t let you know how exhausting I gripped my seat at any time when she touched her nostril.
However despite the fact that 24 was a success with critics and viewers, it additionally had its fair proportion of detractors. Many accused the present of selling racist stereotypes towards Arab People and sexist depictions of ladies. One of the talked about controversial selections was its informal use of torture on the present. Many individuals throughout the political spectrum accused the collection of selling torture as an efficient means of interrogation.
Because the seasons progressed, the rankings grew; season 5 is taken into account the perfect of your complete collection. The primary episode was surprising as a result of it killed off former president Palmer and Michelle Dessler. It’s humorous; Dennis Haysbert, who performed David Palmer, was so upset about being killed off that he didn’t wish to do his loss of life scene. He ultimately relented however informed the showrunner that killing Palmer was a mistake. However don’t fear, guys, President Palmer went on to have an awesome profession in gross sales.
One other consider Season 5’s reputation was one of many primary antagonists, RoboCop himself, Peter Weller. Weller performed Jack’s former mentor, Christopher Henderson, who was liable for killing his mates and dealing in a conspiracy to extend America’s army posture in Central Asia. This season was a masterclass at interweaving a number of storylines, full of motion and character moments.
However after season 5, rankings started to slide, and followers had been uninterested in Jack Bauer’s adventures. Plenty of the tales began to really feel repetitive. In my view, the brand new characters launched weren’t as attention-grabbing or multi-dimensional because the earlier solid. Aside from one, Renee Walker, who the late Annie Wersching performed. Renee was the right match for Bauer; she was clever, strong-willed, and a badass. She was much like Jack, who would do no matter it took to guard the nation. Wesching and Kiefer had unimaginable chemistry, and also you needed Renee and Jack to get collectively due to that intense attraction towards one another. So, as you possibly can think about, it was rage-inducing after they lastly did get collectively, for her to be fridged. The selection felt like an affordable stunt to seize viewers’ consideration. That was my jump-the-shark second.
Issues had been additionally nerve-racking behind the scenes. By season 4, Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran had stepped down as showrunners, and author/producer Howard Gordon stepped as much as take the reins. Rumors of tensions behind the scenes began to come back out. Years later, Freddy Prince Jr. confirmed this. He accused Kiefer of exhibiting up late to set, being drunk, and getting individuals fired for not placing up along with his tantrums. He stated it was so dangerous he thought-about quitting appearing.
Ultimately, rankings started to plummet, and everybody concerned within the present felt it was time to place the gun again within the holster. Lastly, the inevitable got here: Season 8 was introduced as Jack Bauer’s final journey. So, on Could 24, 2010, on Day 8 from 3 PM to 4 PM, Jack stated goodbye to the followers and headed to components unknown.
4 years later, Jack returned for a 13-episode miniseries referred to as 24: Reside One other Day, or what many followers take into account season 9. The miniseries revolved round Jack making an attempt to cease a terrorist’s plan to make use of American drones to drive the president to give up himself to them to be executed for what they take into account his battle crimes. Then, later within the season, the drones had been used to begin a battle between the US and China. The season ended with Jack surrendering to the Russians to free Chloe from their clutches, and the final we noticed of Jack was flying away in a helicopter to greater than doubtless be tortured.
BUT. That was not the tip of the 24 universe. In 2015, a spin-off referred to as 24: Legacy premiered and featured a wholly new solid. However Carlos Bernard did guest-star as Tony Almeida for a couple of episodes. The present solely lasted one season as a consequence of low rankings. Different international locations additionally made variations of 24. In 2013, Colours TV, an Indian common leisure pay tv channel, produced and aired 24: India, which acquired rave opinions. One other adaptation of 24 was made in Japan, referred to as 24: Japan. The brand new collection was produced by Complete Media Communication for TV Asahi and was written by Shūkei Nagasaka. It lasted 2 seasons.
However may the unique 24 collection come again? Properly, individuals have tried. A number of initiatives have been thrown round for the 24 franchise. A film and a prequel collection had been being developed, however nothing has panned out. Kiefer Sutherland says he’s , however contemplating his age, he says the clock is ticking. Um… pun not meant.
I feel 24 ought to come again, however it needs to be with an authentic story. 24 fell into the entice of repetitive plots and low cost stunts to shock the viewers. A return to the collection deserves one thing to match or exceed the collection’ affect on tv. Many reveals have taken the real-time idea and run with it. The latest instance is the hit TV collection The Pit, which revolves round an emergency room evening shift as medical doctors and employees attempt to take care of their duties. Identical to 24, each episode is an hour. Some nice parodies paid homage to the present. My favourite was the Mad TV sketches starring Bobby Lee.
If you wish to watch the collection, Season 1 via 8, and 24: Legacy is on Hulu to stream. Nonetheless, the TV film 24: Redemption is just not on Hulu, so if you wish to stream it, you must purchase it on Amazon. For essentially the most half, the present does maintain up, though many moments are dated and foolish. Sadly, I do need to admit that a few of the elements of some seasons are simply… properly… problematic. Nonetheless, regardless of its dangerous seasons and moments, the present was entertaining. I wouldn’t thoughts taking place that rabbit gap once more.
