Time-related jokes are running rampant in the Hollywood media – time's up, the clock's winding down, tick tock, and so on. The jokes are obvious, but the subject is serious: Fox may be cancelling 24, Kiefer Sutherland's long-running, real-time serial about Jack Bauer and the many ways he's saved the world.
While studio and network executives are not publicly commenting, behind the scenes parties are saying the decision will be made soon ("Tick, Tock: The Clock's Stopped for '24,'" 9 March 2010). If true, the cancellation isn't terribly surprising; 24's ratings haven't been fantastic, the show is very expensive to produce, and the latest seasons have been knocked by critics and fans alike. Its cancellation – along with the final season of Lost – means that broadcast will lose two of its highest-profile serialized dramas.
Fox on 24
Of the decision to renew or not, Fox's Kevin Reilly recently said: "It's a very tough call. It's a huge part of our legacy, and there's not a lot of shows that could do a 9 share against the Olympics. Tremendous sales asset for us still; a show we're so very proud of creatively. So it's not an easy call" ("Fox's Reilly talks fall pilots, '24,' 'Target,' Cowell," 4 March 2010). In some ways 24 might end up a victim of Fox's success. With Bones and House still going strong, one of broadcast's only legitimate hits this season in Glee, and Fox's strong animated and reality shows, the network has few spots from which to launch new series. And new series are the lifeblood of any network. 24 also follows House, prime network real estate that they may want to use to launch its next generation of hits. That leaves 24 in a tenuous position.
New 24 Network? Unlikely
24's studio, 20th Century Fox TV, may consider taking the show to another network. That outcome is a long-shot, however, given the expense, the ratings woes, and the few networks that might want it. NBC is the most likely candidate, but when The Hollywood Reporter asked about the prospect of picking up 24, Angela Bromstad said "I think it would be expensive for us. It's been floated. It's all going to come down to how strong our development is" ("NBC's Bromstad on fall pilots, 'Chuck,' 'Heroes,'" 4 March 2010).
New 24 Movie?
Even if fans won't get new 24 episodes on a different network, a 24 movie may be in the works. Kiefer Sutherland and other producers have long been keen to take Jack Bauer to the big screen. Variety has reported that Fox's film division recently hired Billy Ray to write the movie's script ("Clock winds down for '24,'" 9 March 2010). Executives responded to his idea of taking Jack Bauer to Europe. The difficulty has always been that the show's shooting schedule wouldn't allow for a movie to go forward. Thus, news of its cancellation may well be a good thing.
Still, movies take years to come to fruition, even if they don't get stuck in development hell. That means that if Fox cancels 24 Jack Bauer could be gone for some time. Diehard fans better stock up on 24 DVDs now.
Update 26 March 2010: According to Broadcasting & Cable, among others, Fox has officially canceled 24 ("'24' to End This Spring," 26 March 2010). Its two-hour finale will air 24 May 2010. While 20th Century Fox TV has reportedly been open to taking the show to another network, series showrunner Howard Gordon has said if they're talking to other networks it's "without my consent or knowledge." The likeliest future for Jack Bauer is on the big screen; the movie script is currently being written.
Kimberly Shumway - Kim has worked all over the entertainment industry, from reality networks to film companies, from the agency world to the production ...
