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24 switches networks, plans 'more extistential' season
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Jack needs a nap. FOX TV
The eighth season of the real-time TV drama 24 will be unlike the first seven, as the cinematic style and the content will reflect a complete change of pace.
"Up to now we have inserted gaps lasting several years between seasons," said 24 Executive Producer Constance Payne. "Next year we will pick up exactly where this season left off, and show exactly what (counterterrorism agent and main series character) Jack Bauer would do after a 24-hour day where he avoided several attempts on his life and still saved the world each time."
That is eat, sleep, and finally visit the bathroom.
As the program is switching networks from FOX to AMC, the show will become more contemplative and intellectual. This begins with the point of view, as the entire program will appear from Bauer's viewpoint. He will climb into the back of the van, then close his eyes.
During the time he is sleeping--which will be at least 22 hours all told--the viewer will see a gauzy, gray static (there will be no effort to capture whatever Bauer might be dreaming). The static will go on for hours at a time, only dissolving into commercial breaks and previews of the next episode.
The eighth season begins (spoiler alert) at 8 a.m. when the exhausted Bauer, fresh after flushing neurological toxins from his bloodstream, falls asleep in the back of a van. There will be no action until two thirds into the 11 a.m. hour, when he spends some time in the john. He falls asleep, then wakes up for breakfast in the late afternoon. He sleeps again, but is awakened by a woman (presumably a character from a previous season. He has a few drinks, then crashes for the final time.
The show won't be real exciting to watch, and the producers expect that some viewers will use the time to catch up on other things. Which is the point.
"The world is going too fast and there is way too much noise," Payne said. "We want people to perceive the new 24 as a respite from their busy lives, and use the time to reflect about where they are heading. We expect to keep many of our viewers, and give them a chance to plan their own destinies rather than having to react to a series of deadly crises."
The program hopes to also attract a substantial new audience, of people who need to decompress. And if the concept succeeds there could be a spin-off, or two.
Last minute details are being worked out for the new-look 24 and are dependent on Kiefer Sutherland accepting a pay cut. If an agreement is not made the show will most likely return to the scripted format.
"For that kind of money we are going to want to see Kiefer kick some ass," Payne said.
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