24 (television program)
"24" is a groundbreaking action drama television series that premiered on November 6, 2001, and is known for its innovative real-time storytelling format. The show stars Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer, a special agent for the U.S. Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU), who faces various terrorist threats over the course of eight seasons. Each season unfolds in real time, with a visible ticking clock heightening the suspense as Bauer works to prevent catastrophic events, such as bombings and assassination attempts. The series received critical acclaim and numerous awards, including twenty Emmy Awards, but it also sparked controversy for its portrayal of torture and its depiction of Muslim characters as terrorists. Despite this criticism, "24" remained culturally relevant, particularly following the events of September 11, 2001, reflecting societal themes of patriotism and sacrifice. The original run concluded in 2010, but the franchise expanded with "24: Live Another Day" in 2014 and a spinoff titled "24: Legacy," which aired in 2017. The show's unique narrative style and complex character dynamics have left a lasting impact on the action genre in television.
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24 (television program)
Identification: Television thriller starring Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer, an agent of the fictional US antiterrorism agency the Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU)
Executive Producers: Joel Surnow (b. 1955), Robert Cochran
Date:24: November 6, 2001–May 24, 2010; 24: Live Another Day: May 5, 2014–July 14, 2014; 24: Legacy: February 5, 2017–April 17, 2017
The serial action drama series 24 was groundbreaking for its use of real-time storytelling. Although the series was popular and won many awards, it also received negative criticism for its portrayal of federal agents using torture as an interrogation tool and for its allegedly negative portrayal of Muslims.
Created by executive producers Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran, 24 premiered on November 6, 2001, to great critical acclaim. Surnow wanted to develop a show that took place in one day, in real time. He and Cochran came up with the idea of making it an action thriller series that would use a visible ticking clock to heighten the suspense. Veteran film and television actor Kiefer Sutherland was cast as the show’s lead, Jack Bauer, a special agent for the US Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU), based in Los Angeles, California. Throughout the show’s eight seasons, Bauer saved the United States from various terrorist acts such as bombings, presidential assassinations, and computer infrastructure breaches. At the time of its release (prior to the election of President Barack Obama), the show was celebrated for its casting of an African American man (Dennis Haysbert) as the US president.
Each season of 24 presented a new terrorist threat to the United States that Bauer is called upon to prevent. For example, the first season revolved around a Serbian terrorist plot to assassinate President David Palmer (Haysbert), and the second season concerned the threat of a nuclear weapon being set off in Los Angeles. Bauer faced threats not just from terrorists, but also from corrupt politicians and double agents within his own organization. Each season featured subplots, oftentimes featuring Bauer’s family members and other agents within CTU.
The series was applauded for its unique approach to storytelling and its production; the show, its actors, and creators won numerous awards, including twenty Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards. Sutherland won several awards for his role. However, the show did receive criticism in the media and even from military officials for Bauer’s frequent use of torture as an interrogation tool. This aspect of the show made it a reference point in political discussions, and high-profile commentators such as former US president Bill Clinton and Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia remarked upon it. Also of concern to many critics was the show’s depiction of Muslim terrorists. In response to this feedback, the show’s creators were seen to tone down certain aspects in later seasons.
24 ran for eight seasons, and the series finale aired on May 24, 2010. In addition to the eight seasons of the original series, a television film, 24: Redemption (2008), aired between the sixth and the seventh seasons. A ninth season, titled 24: Live Another Day, aired from May 5 to July 14, 2014, and featured Sutherland reprising his role as Jack Bauer. A spinoff series, called 24: Legacy and created by producers Manny Coto and Evan Katz, premiered on February 5, 2017. 24: Legacy was set three years after the events of 24: Live Another Day and featured new characters and actors, including Corey Hawkins and Miranda Otto in the starring roles. 24: Legacy aired until April 17, 2017. In June of that year, the Fox network announced the cancellation of 24: Legacy but indicated it continued to develop the franchise.
Impact
Premiering just two months after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, 24 depicted an aggressive approach to fighting terrorism. This helped make the series politically and socially relevant while also addressing the challenging themes of patriotism and self-sacrifice. Its use of real-time storytelling and compression of time was unique at the time for a television drama.
Bibliography
Cassar, John. 24: Behind the Scenes. San Rafael: Insight Editions, 2006. Print.
Goldberg, Lesley. “‘24: Legacy’ Canceled as Fox Eyes Anthology for Franchise’s Future.” The Hollywood Reporter, 7 June 2017, www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/24-legacy-canceled-as-fox-eyes-anthology-franchises-future-1011389. Accessed 24 Oct. 2017.
Goldman, Michael. 24: The Ultimate Guide. DK: New York, 2007. Print.
Wardrop, Murray. “Kiefer Sutherland Character Jack Bauer in 24 Accused of ‘Glamorising Torture.’” Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 28 Nov. 2008. Web. 6 Aug. 2012.