The Return of Jack Bauer and 24

Monday May 5^th marked the highly-anticipated return of an iconic TV show and character to the airwaves.  24: Live Another Day premiered on FOX and brought Kiefer Sutherland’s Jack Bauer back to TV. 

24’s real time concept, an entire season of 24 one hour episodes, spanning one day in the storyline was unique and innovative when it premiered.  The pulse pounding storylines about a US Counter Terrorist Unit in post 9/11 America made audiences stand up and take notice and 24 became the talk of TV.

The show aired on FOX from 2001-2010 for 8 seasons and 192 episodes, plus a 2 hour movie in between seasons 6 and 7.  Sutherland won an Emmy,  a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Jack Bauer over the course of the series run. 

In May of 2013, after several failed attempts to bring 24 to the big screen, Fox announced that the show would be returning in a “limited run event series” called 24: Live Another Day.  Fox CEO Kevin Reilly said that the series would essentially represent the twelve "most important" hours of a typical 24 season.  As with the rest of Fox's push into event programming, the production will have "a big scope and top talent and top marketing budgets."

In a press release, Producer Howard Gordon said:  “Jack Bauer has always been an exciting, thrilling character, and I confess that I've missed him. I think the audience has too. The character has evolved through the years, and this new and exciting event series format is perfect to tell the next chapter of his story and continue to reflect how the world is changing. Fans can rest assured that the Jack they know and love will be back.” 

The story will take place 4 years after the events of the show’s final season. Once again, world peace hangs in the balance as the U.S. is about to sign an important treaty with Great Britain. U.S. President James Heller,  played by William Devane, is in London to sign the pact, but the CIA uncovers a threat to assassinate the president.  Jack Bauer, will be forced to come out of hiding in an attempt to thwart the plot.  

All the familiar elements are in place including the digital clock signaling the ends and beginnings of segments to remind us that it's all happening in real time.  But while the 12-part series will still portray the events of a single day in real time, there will be jumps forward between certain episodes.

Whether 24 : Live Another Day will lead to more 24 is yet to be seen.  Producers and actors have all said they would be open to more but the ratings will need to be there.    "I think the show could go on indefinitely," Sutherland said, then added with a tone of doubt in his voice: "I'm not sure how long Jack Bauer could go on."   Sutherland still hopes a 24 feature film will be made one day, but for now is just happy to be back playing Jack again.  “He’s this long-lost friend,” he says. “It was great to see each other again!”

24: Live Another Day airs Monday nights at 9 on FOX.