Early on in 24's run, and long before Fox knew it was going to be a staple of their network and one of their few reliable sources for solid ratings, Kiefer Sutherland talked about the possibility of the show going on without him. But that was before 24 became a phenomenon and Jack Bauer became an icon in his own right. Now, it's hard to imagine the show without him. And there hasn't really been any talk of it lately, but you do have to wonder if Fox isn't thinking about it. Don't get me wrong, Season 7 is shaping up to be the second best season of the series so far (sorry, I don't think it will be possible to top Season 5), but what Monday's two-parter showed me was that 24 can be just as compelling without Jack Bauer. For the first hour of the night Jack was behind bars or being lead around by Secret Service agents. And yet there was plenty of action and excitement to keep the adrenaline pumping. Annie Wersching is a blast to watch as FBI Agent Renee Walker. Her ballsy dive both onto Juma's boat and off of it was pure Bauer.
You had Buchanan hustling around the White House with the President and Aaron Pierce the picture of calm and cool with her daughter, even after all hell broke loose. Hell, with Walker (Bauer), Janice (Chloe), Moss (Buchanan) and the FBI (CTU) you could almost replace the whole cast and keep some of the same sentiments. Or maybe we're looking at the foundation of an FBI spin-off for 24. Rebuild CTU in California and keep the FBI team in DC. 24: FBI or something. At this point, I'd trust this writing and production team with just about anything.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
3-05-2009 @ 11:13AM
Edward said...
if anything goes wrong, blame Brannon Braga...
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3-05-2009 @ 11:48AM
Galley said...
I could definitely see Agent Walker taking over next season, with Kiefer Sutherland staying on as a producer.
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3-05-2009 @ 12:14PM
Ryan said...
I love Jack Bauer, but I would definitely watch a version of the show without him, or at least check it out. The trick is finding the right replacement and getting the right chemistry among the ensemble.
I mean look at last season, even my love for Jack Bauer didn't stop me from shutting off my TV when it got so so SO bad. So why would I NOT watch something just on the basis that Jack Bauer is on screen?
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3-05-2009 @ 12:15PM
Clayton said...
A few months ago I would have said "YES", I would give it a try.
Now, my answer is no. The reason: CSI
I really tried to keep watching CSI without Grissom, but it just isn't the same.
So no, I don't think I would watch a single episode without Jack.
http://makeasitcom.com
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3-05-2009 @ 12:23PM
Pandora said...
Yes, because it's not just Jack Bauer that makes 24 so good!
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3-11-2009 @ 2:13AM
Sergio said...
ABSOLUTELY NOT! 24 does not work with Jack Bauer... in fact if people would just stay out of Jack's way, the show would be called 14!
This season is proving to show that there are few people who can cross the line that Jack does and maintain their sanity. Simply look at Walker. She seen but a shadow of the things that Jack has seen and she has barely made it out of her self identity crisis.
What makes 24 such a hit is the sacrafice that Jack Bauer makes on behalf of his country. The depth of his character causes his pain and loss to become our pain and loss. 24 is not just about thick plots and cool explosions, it is about the heart of a man who is willing to give up so much for so little in return. It would take far too long for anyone to match the sacrafice that Jack has made for his country.
All this to say, If Jack goes, I go.
3-05-2009 @ 12:29PM
ConspiracyGuy said...
Jack should have been gone after Day 5.: Here's what should have happened: Day 1,2,3 occurs , day 4 doesn't happen, and then after day 3 Jack decides to quit CTU, goes into Witness Protection because of those dirty CTU agents, including Henderson, he was investigating before day 1 are after him, and then Day 5 happens (Tony doesn't "die" plot continuity is fixed to fit in day 4 never happening). Then day "5" ends with Jack being able to retire, be at peace. Day 6 doesn't happen. Day 7 happens, but Tony is the lead of the show, he got over michelle getting killed and is working in DC with Agent Walker for the FBI, along with Chloe and Bill, etc. CTU is disbanded for the very high number of terrorist attacks that happened in LA. Jack can make a cameo as a bus driver or something, to satisfy fanboys. Thats what should have happened.
Right now, I no longer feel sympathy for Jack, I think he is a robot, without Asimov's three rules programmed. Right now, I care more about Agent Walker, and all the secondary characters more than Jack.
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3-05-2009 @ 12:40PM
Rob said...
I don't agree with your reasoning. I mean,.. I understand how you are equating people in the FBI team to the old CTU team, but here's the catch. Agent Walker isn't half of the bad a$$ as Jack is. Strangely enough, I think they are highlighting that fact particularly well this season.
This season is intensely focused on the fact that Jack is a necessary evil of a government asset. They don't like his methods or the fact that they need him, but he gets the job done. Even Jack realizes this. He knows that no one else is willing to get their hands dirty to get results, and it's because of his love for his country that he's willing to take that role on. Agent Walker will never have the 'intestinal fortitude' to do some of the things Jack does.
Will I watch a 24 without Jack? I might give it a try, but not with Walker at the helm. Put Rick Schroeder back in there and it might have a chance.
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3-06-2009 @ 4:41AM
pwood said...
I came late to this show; my first season was season 5, and two episodes into it I bought all previous seasons and watched them to catch up. As I watch this season develop I keep wondering how long it will take to foster a relationship, either plutonic or romantic between Jack and Renee. Then just as they become connected, something tragic will happen to Jack and Renee will continue in his name. That will be too bad, because the energy and personal commitment Kiefer Sutherland has instilled into this character, permeates the show completely, and without him, it will never be the same intensity. I'm sure it will be great, but never the same intensity. oh well, all good things must come to an end.
3-15-2009 @ 10:45PM
Chuck said...
It would definitely be hard to watch without Jack Bauer, but Renee Walker is shaping up to be a great replacement. But...you have to remember the TV studios have been down that road before. Alias, much? I think the last two seasons should be centered around more of Jack in covert operation situations...him leading a team of mercenaries or elite covert operators around the world to have like 24 hours to rescue kidnapped soldiers or something like that. What do you think?
3-05-2009 @ 12:55PM
Pamela said...
There is not a 'maybe' answer. I would watch a few to try it out.
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3-05-2009 @ 1:00PM
Mike said...
For every successful or iconic show that continued or flourished when its original stars left (Star Trek, ER, The West Wing) there have been a dozen that have failed or been cancelled. Character/Concept chemistry is rare enough, let alone messing with it once you've acheived it.
That being said, it's not Jack Bauer per sae that makes 24 successful, it's the IDEA of Jack Bauer. 24 hours, potential end of the world, everyone else is convering their ass, we need a hero. The 'procedural' concept over the last 10 years (CSI's, NCIS, Bones) shows that it's possible.
So yes, if you got another ass-kicker, man or woman, in another hot bed of potential trouble, that followed the Jack Bauer mold, I'd watch. For better or for worse.
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3-05-2009 @ 1:52PM
chrissthomas said...
So I have been saying for years that 24 should kill Jack off. Don't get me wrong Jack is amazing and I love to watch him but if they did it right it would be faithful to the 24 premise of doing the unthinkable. I mean could you imagine in the middle of a season, knowing that there are still 8 episodes left or something the kill Jack. Wow, what we all do? There would be day of mourning and then everyone would be talking about, "What the heck are they going to do now?" My suggestion is that they revisit the character Lou Diamond Philips played in the first season. Bring him in some way and then Jack dies so Lou becomes the focus of the show. Keep it in the Brat Pack!! Man that would be an amazing move.
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3-05-2009 @ 3:55PM
Vake said...
Let Tony take over!
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3-05-2009 @ 3:18PM
PS333 said...
What do you want from 24 in the future? The thought of no Jack makes me a bit sad, but I think that they have a lot of options for re-invention. Put Jack in charge of a CTU like org, and have a bunch of young mini-Jacks running wild for him to oversee. Make him the voice of reason and restraint and give him a taste of his own medicine. Evil Tony was a good move, but I'd have enjoyed it more if he was more evil and for a longer period of time.
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3-05-2009 @ 3:26PM
dennis phillips said...
would you watch House without House?
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3-05-2009 @ 4:03PM
Norman Sherfield said...
I don't watch this crap and I would not watch it no matter who is the star. Useless tv show in my thoughts so who cares who is the star.
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3-05-2009 @ 4:31PM
moz84 said...
and you bothered to write this comment........why???
3-05-2009 @ 4:48PM
jffm said...
I would *try* a show centered around Tony, but that's about it. Janice to replace Chloe? You have got to be kidding. That's like having Pat Boone replace Elvis. And Renee and Moss to replace Jack and Buchanan is like replacing napalm with a nice warm washcloth.
And that's the point. Even when Jack is off to the side in the action, he's *there*, like a reactor about to go critical, and that makes a whole world of difference in the show.
A shot of someone walking towards a door isn't much, but a shot of someone waking towards a door hooked to a bomb is something else altogether.
That's right. Jack is the bomb.
(Sorry. I couldn't resist.)
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3-16-2009 @ 10:51AM
Chris said...
I absolutely agree with you man...there is no "24" without Jack Bauer, it´s as simple as that! A "24" season without Jack, Chloe, Bill etc. would be like music without drums...no1 is directing the beat of it!
Though, i would consider watching an episode of the "New 24"...but it definitely wouldn´t be the same action and as characteristic as it is at the moment!
Peace out peeps