Jack Bauer Getting a 2-Hour '24' Prequel

By Nellie Andreeva,

Reuters

Posted: 2008-03-06 11:08:02

Filed Under: TV News

LOS ANGELES (March 6) -- Jack Bauer gets to save the world in the fall, after all.

The producers of Fox's "24" are developing a two-hour "prequel" to the upcoming seventh season of the real-time thriller.

Writers' Strike: The Aftermath

'Lost'
Returns: Currently on
Number of Episodes: 10
In addition to the eight episodes already completed, ABC will shoot an additional five to begin airing April 24. No word yet on how many of those will feature Jack's "depression beard."
ABC
'Grey's Anatomy'
Returns: Late April
Number of Episodes: 4-5
You won't have to wait until fall to see whether Mer and Der get back together; a handful of new installments will air in April/May, before 'Grey's' begins another full 22-episode run this fall.
ABC
'24'
Returns: January 2009
Number of Episodes: 24 (obviously)
Although eight Season 7 episodes have been shot, Jack Bauer will have to postpone his plans to battle his very-much-alive former CTU pal Tony Almeida until all 24 episodes can air consecutively in 2009.
Fox
'Heroes'
Returns: Fall 2008
Number of Episodes: 22+
Although the show won't be returning this season, production is set to begin again in April. Season three will likely have more than the traditional 22 episodes and will focus on supervillains gone wild.
NBC
'Desperate Housewives'
Returns: Fall 2008
Number of Episodes: 4-5
The catty women of Wisteria Lane will return to ooze more desperation in a bunch of new episodes this April/May. ABC has also picked up 'Housewives' for a full 22-episode run to begin this fall.
ABC
'The Office'
Returns: April 10
Number of Episodes: 6
Michael Scott and co. are punching back in at Dunder Mifflin, which means we'll finally get to see the eagerly anticipated Michael-Jan/Jim-Pam dinner party at Michael's condo. The big question is: Will Hooters cater the affair?
NBC
'30 Rock'
Returns: April 10
Number of Episodes: 5
Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin (but most likely not Greenzo) are back with hilarious new plotlines that may include a pregnancy scare for Liz Lemon and more 'MILF Island' fun.
NBC
'My Name Is Earl'
Returns: April 3
Number of Episodes: 9
Having nipped karma in the bud, a newly immoral Earl returns with a one-hour episode on April 3. Look for Alyssa Milano to come onboard in a recurring role as a possible love interest for our karmically challenged antihero.
NBC
'Scrubs'
Returns: April 10
Number of Episodes: 5-9
It looks like J.D. and the gang will get a proper last hurrah. The medical comedy will close out its seven-year run with five pre-strike episodes and a likely four new post-strike installments.
NBC
'Chuck'
Returns: Fall 2008
Number of Episodes: 13+
NBC has renewed the frosh action-adventure-comedy-drama for a second season.
NBC

The movie, designed to bridge the two-year gap between Seasons 6 and 7, is targeted to air in the fall, leading to the show's January return.

"24" was one of the biggest casualties of the writers strike. Three days after the work stoppage began on Nov. 5, Fox decided against airing a partial season of the serialized drama with the eight episodes produced before and during the first weeks of the walkout.

Each season of "24" is a closed arc that takes place in real time over a 24-hour period. The upcoming seventh season of the Emmy-winning series is set in Washington and features the first female U.S. president, played by Cherry Jones. Kiefer Sutherland stars as Jack Bauer, the government agent with a busy work day.

At the end of the writers strike three weeks ago, there were rumblings about a possible split of the seventh season into two parts to air in the fall and in midseason. But Fox was quick to put those rumors to rest, reiterating that the show's scheduling pattern would remain intact with a January launch.

The "24" writing team is back at work, with production on the remaining episodes of the seventh season slated to begin in April. Missing from the writers room is the series co-creator/executive producer Joel Surnow, who left at the end of the strike.

Fox and series producer 20th TV declined comment Wednesday.

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2008-03-06 06:19:43

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23 comments

TASHAP744 01:47:29 PM Mar 29 2008

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JACK BAUER.........24 ......................CANT WAIT..............................I MISS YOU MUCH

edkl54 09:45:07 PM Mar 23 2008

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waiting too long, 24 is like air, cant live without it. if u havent watched yet you must be dead!! I'm jonesin for the return. I need my fix of heart poundin adreniline as delivered only by Jack and the team. Edkl54

romirebeling 04:32:58 PM Mar 23 2008

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I am SO glad that Jack will be back soon! Yep, definitely have been in 24 withdrawal!

mooreplm 02:37:50 AM Mar 10 2008

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I've been patiently waiting for the season to begin. Hooray!

jlivi 11:18:21 AM Mar 09 2008

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the best news I've heard. Great TV show

baylesshal 01:22:48 AM Mar 09 2008

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yesssssssss im so glad

Viragonian 11:30:59 PM Mar 08 2008

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'24' is great television viewing, but after his t.v. 'wife' died and they just left the whole thing hangin' in the air...I stopped watchin' it b/c while the action is good does it really matter without the human connection? I don't think so...though I do know writing action is a lot easier than writing about good human interaction.

sweetpen7 08:40:07 AM Mar 07 2008

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I too had atched '24' by mistake the cable was out so we rented a couple of movies and got "24" for a dollar and went back and rented all of them hooked isnt the word, this guy puts in a hell of a days work go Jack we love you, glad your back!!!!

FaireFaces 02:53:24 AM Mar 07 2008

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I havent watched network TV since the 80s...just videos...then one day last year i was out renting a movie and the rental place was having a 7 videos for 7 days for 7 dollars and i rented the first 7 discs of 24's first season, because it had won an emmy and I was curious about it. I was HOOKED and couldnt stop watching it...after every episode, i would say, OH I AM SO GLAD I DONT HAVE TO WAIT A WEEK TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS!!! IT was the first show I ever watched all the way thru....needless to say each week, i went back and rented the other seasons until they were all done...I love the whole cast and the edge of your seat excitement and twists and turns even tho we know there isnt any way all that could happen in one hour, but 24 sure enetetained me to the end...thanks for the good fun!

Njae2000 06:24:01 PM Mar 06 2008

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I'm having "Bauer Hour Withdrawal" as well! Pretty soon I'm going to have to get the teens in my family to start acting out scenes of 24 for entertainment!

notrightnowrosie 05:18:02 PM Mar 06 2008

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CAN'T WAIT FOR 24 TO RESTART....
I'M LOVING IT.

mutodu2 02:43:05 PM Mar 06 2008

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This is very exciting! I have to admit that until 3 weeks ago I never even watched 24. I happened to be at the store and decided to buy the first season of the show and now I am hooked.