Will the Writer's Strike affect 24?

[nerd4hire]

Here's the question...

Will "24" return in January, as Fox had previously announced? Fox, like the rest of broadcast networks, refused to say what its plans are. "We're hoping that all parties can come to an agreement and a strike can be averted," a spokesman said. "However, in the event one does occur, we're prepared."

Here's what David Fury had to say...

David Fury, an executive producer of "24," said that if the writers work past their contract date, as some think might happen if progress is made in negotiations, Jack Bauer may indeed return in January. "As of right now, I think Fox will premiere "˜24' as scheduled," Fury said, but he noted that "it really depends on if and when the writers are called to walk out. If the strike does hit on Nov. 1, it certainly makes sense for Fox to delay the start, even if the lack of new programming hurts their bottom line."

More Here

 

[teentitan]

I just read this and I believe it will answer your question...source zap2it.com


With the Writers Guild of America strike looming long-term, FOX has announced an overhauled spring schedule that includes an "American Idol" premiere, but no "24."

FOX is quick to note that a fast resolution to the strike could cause yet another schedule upheaval, but as of Wednesday (Nov. 7) afternoon, the seventh season of "24" has been postponed indefinitely so that when the show returns, it can have its standard uninterrupted run.

 

[white avenger]

A lot of shows have a surplus of stories each season that are for one reason or another not used. I'm sure there are more than a few of those that will see production if the strike lasts very long. Other stories previously made might be adapted to different shows with only a little work.

 

[goldenboy]

Question: Any news on the return of 24? "” MB

Ausiello: Well, although Fox hasn't confirmed it, I'll go out on a limb and say Jack Bauer isn't returning this season. Even if the strike ends tomorrow, the earliest the show could get back on the air is this summer "” and there's no way in hell Fox is dumping 24 onto the summer season. That leaves the network with several options, none of them ideal. One solution is to just kick off Season 7 next January, but by then Jack will have been in hiding for nearly two years. Another, and much more controversial, scenario being bandied about involves taking the eight episodes currently in the can and creating a 10- to 14-episode mini-season to air in the fall. That would be followed by another 10- to 14-episode mini-season "” featuring a completely different plot "” during the second half of the season. Opponents of that idea have argued, and rightly so, that by splitting the season, you're essentially compromising the show's unique, 24-hour conceit. Proponents, however, argue that these are desperate times. And sometimes desperate times require throwing out the rulebook.

Ausiello on 24, Lost, House, Moonlight and More! - Ask Ausiello | TVGuide.com

 

[nerd4hire]

I'm not sure if I care if 24 returns, even though I used to be a fan. It has nothing to with the strike. I heard Jack Bauer is going to be fighting global warming. That's just one bit of nonsense too many. Jack Bauer torturing people to prevent the evil C02 from entering the atmosphere is just one silliness too many. I can't help seeing something like Al Gore making a special appearance, and me throwing my shoe through the television set.

 

[goldenboy]

Aw c'mon, they wouldn't torture us with that would they? Talk about the mother of all shark jumps. Is that for real? What about "24" bigwig and self-described right wing nut job Joel Surnow? He'd sooner walk, you'd think.

 

[ckg927]

I'd rather have Jack Bauer spend the next 24 hours on a massive bender caused by all the crap he's had to deal with over the last 6 seasons.

And God knows it'd be justified....😀

 

[nerd4hire]

Aw c'mon, they wouldn't torture us with that would they? Talk about the mother of all shark jumps. Is that for real? What about "24" bigwig and self-described right wing nut job Joel Surnow? He'd sooner walk, you'd think.

Upon further investigation it looks more like this.

When appropriate, incorporating the issue of global warming and the importance of carbon emission reduction into storylines;

http://www.fox.com/24/info.htm

 

[goldenboy]

OK, I gotcha. It's like a top down, "green" mandate for the show.

So they'll have a shot of Chloe driving a Prius or something. Jack recycling. Tony using energy efficient light bulbs...

 

[nerd4hire]

There's kind of an irony here. 24 canon has borrowed from real world conspiracy theory to create puppet masters pulling the strings behind governments, but the way that theory actually works in the real world is global warming is seen as a made up boogey man argument created to shift power into the hands of the elite. So really Jack should be driving a hummer, and blowing up a forest to save an oil well.

Either way though, I just don't think I want to be preached to by the Hollywood smugista on their private causes for my entertainment.

 

[goldenboy]

Any time you contaminate drama with "product placement", art takes a nosedive. Whether the product's a can of Pepsi or a some social/political cause, whatever. It takes you out of the drama. 24 sometimes gets political, obviously. But it's usually relevant to the story.

 

[goldenboy]

Surnow leaves '24'

Co-creator and producer exits to focus on new projects

By Nellie Andreeva
Feb 13, 2008

"24" co-creator/executive producer Joel Surnow is leaving the Emmy-winning Fox drama.

Surnow's departure is effective immediately. He served as an executive producer on the first eight episodes of the real-time thriller's seventh season that were produced before and into the strike but will not be creatively involved in the remaining 16 episodes, slated to begin filming shortly.

Surnow's overall deal with "24" producer 20th Century Fox TV was up April 30. This week, the writer-producer asked the studio to release him early, and it agreed.

Instead of signing a show deal to continue providing services on "24," Surnow decided to go for "a clean break" and leave altogether to focus on new projects. ("24" co-creator/executive producer Robert Cochran's overall pact with 20th TV also expired last year, but he continues to work on the series.)

Surnow began contemplating an exit from "24" in the summer, when the show was starting production on Season 7, but made the final decision during the strike.

"I did some soul-searching," Surnow said. "I took it as an opportunity to write on my own and do other things."

Surnow said he is not sure what exactly he will do next, but one thing is certain: "24" will be a tough act to follow.

"After doing '24,' I don't know if I want to do a mainstream show again," he said. "I like what's going on in cable; there is an opportunity to stretch dramatically there, which is something I'm trying to do."

As for his departure, Surnow said it was hard to leave the show that had been "a life- and career-changing experience" but knowing that "24" was in "the capable hands of Howard Gordon" made it easier. Gordon has run "24" since Season 6.

Fox on Tuesday praised Surnow and left the door open for him to be involved with the show in the future. "Joel created one of the landmark series of this decade in '24', and his contribution to its creative excellence over the years has been immeasurable," Fox said. "His input will always be welcome."

In the past couple of years, Surnow has been shepherding other projects on the side, including the Fox News Channel series "The 1?2 Hour News Hour."

Last year, Surnow, Cochran and Gordon developed and produced three pilots through their banner Real Time Prods., which will no longer exist because the principals won't be under the same roof anymore.

The openly conservative Surnow, who jokingly labeled himself a "right-wing nut job," has been the most visible of the masterminds behind "24."

He hasn't shied from speaking his mind and made headlines in November when he said: "Are we nuts thinking Hillary Clinton could be president of this country? Honest to God, just stand back and think about it."

Ironically, the upcoming seventh season of "24," slated to debut in January 2009, features the first female U.S. president, played by Cherry Jones.

Surnow leaves '24'

...knowing that "24" was in "the capable hands of Howard Gordon" made it easier. Gordon has run "24" since Season 6.

Season 6? That doesn't exactly reassure.