TV Guide's report that 24 writers are "seriously considering" moving Jack Bauer to a new city for his next very bad day -- otherwise known as season 7 -- got me to thinking.
If I were to pick a city in which to unleash America's intrepid terrorist fighter, which one would it be?
My first thought was Boston. During the great siege of the Aqua Teen Hunger Force Lite-Bright boards that prompted a shut-down of large parts of the city earlier this year, Boston certainly could've used Jack Bauer to beat back those nefarious cartoon characters. Plus, I could definitely see a scene with Jack using Fenway Park as a place to rendezvous with a terrorist, who would, of course, be wearing a Yankees cap.
Or it might be fun to send Jack to New York City where he could meet up with the folks from Heroes and tell them he's takin' back Monday nights. Dammit! Plus, the dude who absorbs everyone's superpowers and is shown blowing up like a nuclear bomb in some Heroes scenes is a threat to national security.
There's always Washington, D.C., where Jack could go all political and beat the stuffing out of anyone who wants to reduce the black ops budget or cut back on CTU funding.
What do you think? Where should they set season 7?















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
4-25-2007 @ 6:49PM
Jake said...
How about Arlington National Cemetery? 24 is already on life support with this crap season. Oh Snap.
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4-25-2007 @ 7:09PM
Kyle said...
New York City or Washington D.C. would be my top two cities. I was disapointed when this season started, I was hoping the story would have atleast a few episodes in China with Jack saving himself or someone saving him. Maybe China, or another foreign country, could be used for season 7?
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4-25-2007 @ 7:08PM
Steve Mohundro said...
They set 24 around L.A. partly because it's much easier to shoot both on sets and on location. If they want to go cheaper, they should shoot in Canada somewhere (Vancouver? Toronto?) or somewhere in Eastern Europe, a favorite location for studios.
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4-25-2007 @ 7:14PM
Ryan S. said...
The 24 producers in the past have said that they wanted a storyline to take place in England, specifically London, I could see that.
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4-25-2007 @ 7:22PM
C C said...
I'm betting next year's setting is going to be Chicago for three reasons:
1. In the prequel to season 5, Jack was hiding out in Chicago. Why?
2. A Cubs mug has been present as part of the backdrop of 24-as the possession of a certain character.
3. The 24 writers are fond of drawing parallels to American political events, such as Watergate and the 1968 California Presidential Primary. The next one they're going to use? Maybe the 1968 Democratic Convention that took place in Chicago?
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4-25-2007 @ 7:23PM
cybele said...
Oh, I would love a whole season devoted to a non-emergency day like the ATHF lite brites. That would be just too hilarious if they played it perfectly straight. They could get Jim Samples of the Cartoon Network (who is now out of a job) to co-star!
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4-25-2007 @ 7:35PM
ac said...
New York City would be a good idea because Jack Bauer needs some time with the Yankee pitchers. Then we'll beat you (You seem like a Red Sox fan).
Also Jack Bauer would have to face his biggest challenge, Manhattan rush hour!
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4-25-2007 @ 7:52PM
David said...
Washington DC so they can blow it up next season!
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4-25-2007 @ 8:09PM
Rob said...
Another country definitely,.. that way the whole episode he could be protecting American interests while dodging government agents from that country.
Make the show about Jack and what he does best. Cut out CTU (for the most part), wind up Jack, let him go, and watch him track, maim, kill, blow up, and generally wreak havoc,.. all on foreign soil.
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4-25-2007 @ 8:11PM
Franklin said...
This is something they should have done several seasons ago. Call me a cynic, but I won't believe it until I see it in the premiere, and I'm betting they would still have Jack eventually wind up in LA somehow.
Joel Surnow seems awfully incurious about the world outside of Los Angeles. I'm starting to theorize that he and his fellow executive producers are simply ignorant of the other major cities in the United States, and they keep Jack in LA out of pure creative laziness on their part. Somebody feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about them.
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4-25-2007 @ 8:25PM
khamel said...
As someone who lives in downtown chicago, i would love a chicago version of 24, but it would likely be either NY or DC. I'm fairly sure the 24 movie will take place in London so whoever said that might get their wish.
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4-25-2007 @ 8:29PM
C C said...
Although I think next season will take place in Chicago, I personally want to see a scenario where Jack Bauer goes to GERMANY! His last name is German, after all. And we could get the backstory on Nina, who I suspect was working for German intelligence. We also could get Theo Stoller back into the mix (love Henry Ian Cusack). And wouldn't you just love to see Jack driving on the Autobahn?
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4-25-2007 @ 8:33PM
Drew said...
My pick would be Miami. He could save a cruse ship from evil shuffle boarding terrorists (he can ambush them as they take a break around the buffet), free Cuba, and hopefully torture Horatio Caine (Perfect line: "Where's your smug look now, you redheaded bastard?") But that's just me.
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4-25-2007 @ 8:46PM
MichaelS said...
I vote for exotic Belgium.
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4-25-2007 @ 9:15PM
David said...
We are all thinking of this wrong.
Next season will take place in OUTER SPACE! Jack has to fight aliens, that's the last scary thing.
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4-25-2007 @ 9:22PM
boomer said...
New Orleans, baby...
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4-25-2007 @ 9:45PM
Chris said...
I was actually surprised that San Fransisco was actually used this season, even if it was briefly. 24 should've been in San Fransisco for one of their seasons.
The only problem with Jack Bauer in NYC or Boston or Chicago is they need an area where the climate remains the same for about 10 months. That's why Jack has been in LA, outside LA or Northern Mexico for the past six seasons, there isn't snow seen falling or the leaves on trees changing colours during episodes 10-14.
Without A Trace (set in NYC) and all 3 CSIs film in California and at certain times in the season will shoot scenes and exterior shots in NYC, Miami, Las Vegas to give the shows the feel they are in that location. So 24 could do that, but it would certainly make the show even harder to produce.
How about this?
Houston: 4th largest city in America, Johnson Space Center, major corporate center, Port of Houston.
So if Jack does need help, there will be a CTU office. And if Houston gets too small Jack and the bad guys have the rest of Texas to play in. Can't go to Mexico, that would be rehashing.
Not many network shows have been set in Houston, so it is a fresh location. Prison Break season two was filmed in the Dallas area and stood in for half a dozen states. So why can't Houston be home for season seven? Bring plenty of water.
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4-25-2007 @ 9:57PM
C C said...
David-Outer space wouldn't be that far-fetched. Most of the 24 writers worked on sci-fi series in the past, so it wouldn't surprise me if they went off the deep end and went that direction. (Joking)
Then again, wasn't there a James Bond movie that took place in outer space?
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4-25-2007 @ 11:11PM
RedStarRevolution said...
I have to go with the foreign soil Jack Bauer. Remove everything else, Chloe, Buchanen, crazy cracked-out Audrey, anyone with the last name Palmer and start from scratch. Have Jack somewhere very hostile...although then they might have to name an actual foreign country, instead of 'these countries on this piece of paper here that we won't show or say out loud.'
An idea that might be a little far-fetched...Daniels starts World War 3, and Jack is the leader of some black ops team putting out fires across a foreign country.
We need a serious infusion of new faces, new settings, no CTU, no mushy love crap (seriously where the hell did the love-in come from this year? love triangles freakin everywhere)
I've loved 24 since it came out, but now i find myself not minding missing an episode, when 2 or 3 yrs ago, it woulda been time to freak out a little bit...I'd say its more than past the time for a reboot...
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4-28-2007 @ 4:39AM
Chris said...
North Jersey
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