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Axed: 24

Dammit. After eight season the TV clock is finally about to stop on Jack Bauer.

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The axe sure is swinging today.

After eight seasons, 24 will stop the clock.

The groundbreaking action drama will air its final real-time episode in May, the victim of a confluence of circumstances: a swelling budget, declining ratings and creative fatigue. The show’s ratings dropped 16% this season and while a 3.8 adults 18-49 rating is still healthy numbers for a scripted drama, it was not enough to overcome the increasing costs, and pay increases for contract renewals for Kiefer Sutherland and producer Howard Gordon.

Producers did pursue  other networks, namely NBC, with 20th TV offering to lower its $5m per episode license fee to $3.5 million to keep the show going. NBC ran the numbers and passed, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Gordon says the show’s writers felt they had exhausted the real-time possibilities for Bauer and never came up with a truly compelling idea to proceed with Day 9.

“If one of the writers came up with a good idea, I’d happily pitch it to Kiefer and then happily pitch to a network, whether FOX or someone else,” Gordon said. “We just don’t have that idea, and that’s where everything has to start.”

But life may not be over for Jack “Dammit” Bauer. Studio 20th TV is developing a theatrical film that takes Bauer to Europe, and showrunner and executive producer Howard Gordon says other possibilities are being explored as well.

“There are other possible iterations of Jack Bauer and his world,” Gordon said.

24 effectively TV drama’s response to the wave of world terrorism that unfolded from September 11. When it hit screens in November 2001 we were mesmerised by its real-time storytelling together with its action, stunts, conspiracies, CTU moles and a gritty Kiefer Sutherland. 24 thrived under the Bush years, and introduced both African-American and female presidents to viewers.

Rumours about the show’s demise have lingered all year. Season 8 currently airing on 7TWO has been but a pale shadow of its former self, with lacklustre numbers evident of its disappointing shift from LA to NYC. Its last creative high was season 5.

As the weeks tick down to the show’s final hour, Gordon promises a strong finish coupled with the current New York-based storyline taking a dark and creatively risky turn for the final episodes.

And then time for a cuppa coffee and a lie down, eh Jack?

Source: Hollywood Reporter

  • Tagged with 24

40 Responses

  1. I only ever watched one season (Muslim family terrorist sleeper cell) and never understood it’s appeal. Every time I’ve heard it mentioned lately I’ve prayed for the terrorists to strike the knockout blow. Looks like I should’ve been praying for the axeman to swing the axe.

  2. Im a 24 fan, but i have to say it, axing is all the show deserved after about season 4. I’m surprised it lasted this long.

    It was great, innovative TV until it became not innovative, i.e they dropped split screens, real time, and a plot you could believe.

  3. While later seasons riffed off the “world terrorism post 9/11” thing, the series itself was not created in response to it. It was created well before any of it happened.

    Indeed, the pilot episode had to be re-edited to remove scenes of a plane exploding, for political correctness reasons.

  7. Typical of this stupid Country, they don’t advertise it on TV to say that it’s on, but yet they know when to tell you all the bad news about 24. Although this season hasn’t been that spectacular it’s still way more exciting then any other rubbish american dramas on TV. It’s a shame this will be the last season, but in a way good because if it does turn out good in the end, which I think it will then they can boast they went out on a High note. Plus with a feature movie to come, the brand will have a long standing legacy of being remembered as a very original, innovative creative action thriller for many years to come. Too bad this stupid country didn’t give it much of a chance.

  9. I’m a huge 24/keifer fan so i am saddened by this, but i think most fans are okay with it :):) I think to go on more years would be a horrid idea because they’ve done all the storylines they can. I mean, I already suspect everyone of being a mole or a double agent when I watch. Not that the performances aren’t stellar, but its basically the same storyline. I look forward to seeing the movies and I think they will do extremely well. Those writers deserve a break! As someone who is studying the field, I know how tough it is and with a show like 24 that is held in such a high regard for its groundbreaking structure its amazing they went through 8 years 🙂

  10. As a 24 fan I think this is great news. Every good show must come to an end, and the last couple of seasons, while being action packed, really just stretched the patience of many 24 fans. The stories became increasingly repetitive and unrealistic.

  11. I found it draining that every few months the US would face another terrorist threat that could destroy it. Unless Jack Bauer foils it with a few seconds to spare.

    If major nuclear/biological attacks are really happening that frequently, then eventually the terrorists will succeed.

  12. Michael: “When you cast Freddy Prince Jr as a tough guy (hell when you Cast Freddy Prince Jr) things are going badly”

    Yeah I wasn’t too enthuastic about seeing him either.

  13. I haven’t seen it since hour 25 all those years ago – a truly unique show and concept – so long Jack! Get some sleep. 🙂

    @Tony H. – if only!! I’d hold a party in the honour.

  16. i agree – what a shame, but more to do with the fact it’s leaving with less of a bang, and more of a whimper.

    I just hope they leave it a bit before jack hits the big screen.

    Personally, i hope jack dies at the end, so he can join the honoured elder warriors in the halls of Valhalla.

  22. A long time favourite of mine, but the news is not unexpected and a good thing really. This season is decent, but the show is definitely a shadow of it’s former self. I agree that season five was it’s last creative high, David. That was a brilliant season and sadly they just haven’t been able to match the quality of it since. There were oh so many situations Jack could find himself in without things being repetitive.

    With no Season 9, I am hopeful that they can really go all out on the season eight finale. none of that “Jack staring thoughtfully out over the ocean crap”, thanks.

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