Hello, my name is Shawn. This is where I put things. This site has been active since 2002. A lot has changed since then but basically I'm still writing ridiculous articles about ridiculous things. You can also look at my Flickr photostream which is a lot of fun if you aren't blind.
If you get the Universal HD channel, they will be running both parts of the Battlestar Galactica Mini-series July 7th (and again on the 8th). I’ve been wanting to re-watch it for a while now, that it’s HD is even better. Also a good chance to start the series before season 4 returns in November.
(I can’t link directly to it but if you look at this Schedule and navigate forward to July 7th, you’ll see it.)
I haven’t watched the Sopranos finale yet so until I do, I am avoiding all sensory input. Websites, Twitter, newspapers, speaking with friends, magazines, skywriting – I’m ignoring it all. Hopefully I watch it soon because this is hard.
They say more people vote on American Idol than vote in the presidential election. That’s what I keep hearing at least. Then, just now, it struck me as one of those bullshit phrases that people repeat without questioning. So I looked it up. According to Wikipedia, there were a total of 63.5 million votes cast for the final round of American Idol, the highest total of any of the 5 Idol seasons. 122.3 million people voted in the 2004 presidential election. So roughly twice as many people voted for a presidential candidate as voted for an American Idol contestant. Now factor in all the under 18 votes that Idol is getting, plus the fact that you are allowed to vote as many times as you want on American Idol and suddenly it’s not only a completely invalid comparison but it’s not even close.
Likely someone heard the total vote count for the entire season of American Idol (all 12 rounds of voting — as high as 580 million votes last season) and compared that to one presidential election. Or even more likely, someone just made it up because it sounded good.
Either way, it isn’t true, and now you know.
I was talking recently with some friends about how each new season of 24 seems to up the stakes, leaving one to ask, “How will they top themselves this year?” Invariabley they do, though after last season I still asked the question. How can they possibly top themselves with this new season?
Well, um, after watching the Season 6 trailer I think they’re going to find a way to do it.
[UPDATE: Whoops, I meant to mention that I’ve opened comments on this post. It’s been over a year since I’ve had that option on my site. I’m excited – if a bit nervous – to have it back. Leave a note!]
I said last week that Lost was my favorite show. I kinda lied a little. I wanted to raise it up by labeling it my favorite, almost a dare for it to live up to that standard. But even then I had my doubts and after last night’s episode, I’m really beginning to worry. This last episode proved that, if the writers don’t completely disrespect the audience, at the very least they at least don’t trust us anymore.
The addition of these two flaky filler characters that alternate between instruments of self-referential humor and pure exposition are an absolute insult to anyone who’s invested time in this frustrating show.
Killing Eko in the face of adding these two ridiculous characters compounds the problem. Eko’s fate may have been the result of circumstance, or the intention all along but that’s not an excuse for bad writing. The flashback confirmed what we already knew about Eko but did not really add anything. We could have guessed he was capable of slaughtering a bunch of bad dudes. What’s funny is that he hasn’t actually done anything this season. His goal was seemingly to go through the motions of his episode from Season 2 only this time he’s just more sleepy.
After redeeming the episode somewhat with a genuine and heartfelt speech to his “brother” we’re suddenly thrust back into clunky mythology. “What makes you think I’m your brother?!” Um, the fact that you look exactly like him? And so he’s suddenly afraid of the monster and it kills him despite last season’s episode that proved he wasn’t afraid of the monster – and this episode re-confirming that he’s not afraid of his past! Then it’s back to more clunky mythology. Eko’s dying words are “You’re next!” Really? They couldn’t have come up with something a bit more layered and cryptic than “You’re next”? I’d even have taken him saying it in Latin just to add something to it.
Don’t even get me started about the guy with the eye patch who has apparently been waiting next to a security camera in a hatch for 50 days just so he can look spooky at just the right moment then turn the camera off for dramatic effect.
IMDb is finally listing Alan Ball’s new TV Show True Blood based on the “Sookie Stackhouse” book series by Charlaine Harris. No casting or other details on IMDb but two items from the author’s blog. First, on April 2, 2006:
I heard from Alan Ball, who said the pilot will probably start filming in February 2007, since he is going to shoot a movie first. I was faintly disappointed, but everything does seem to be on track for the HBO series.
And from a July 17th post:
In the middle of this came the excellent news that HBO has put “True Blood” on the schedule for late next year. Of course, this is exciting news, and I can hardly wait (like the rest of you) to find out who will be cast, and what the finished product will look like.
So filming in February ‘07 with a fall premiere? That seems like a lot of lead time but perhaps they really want it to be a fall show instead of a summer show.
Also the original press release (and Amazon) refer to it as the “Southern Vampire” series, but the author’s website refers to it as the “Sookie Stackhouse” series. I haven’t read these books so I have no idea.
I can’t quite describe how amazing it was when on Lost, my favorite TV show, they played a clip of the Red Sox winning the World Series, the Television/Sports highlight of my entire life. The combination of the two was like some amazing soufflé that just exploded in my mouth. I know those Joe Buck words by heart and every time – every time – I get goose bumps. The marriage of these two things was so gaudy, so decadent that I never dreamed of even asking for them in the same serving.
Upon reflection I was thinking that, honestly, if Lost just randomly cut in highlights from the 2004 Red Sox championship run, I’d like the show even more than I do now. You know, right in the middle of some boring Charlie episode just play the clip of A-Rod slapping the ball from Arroyo’s glove, or Dave Roberts stealing second in Game 4. You don’t even have to justify it, or work it in. And at the end of any episode, even one where Claire screams “Char-lie!” I’ll be like “That episode was awesome!” for no other reason.
Not sure if the show will be any good, I’ll definitely give it a shot, but these promos they’ve been airing crack me up.
Last night I accidentally caught the last 10 minutes of Studio 60. Some thoughts:
Did anyone tell these actors that this wasn’t the West Wing? When the exact extremely somber (yet difussingly flip) tone of Washington politics is used for the politics of a comedy show it smacks of inflated self-importance.
Did they hire the cinematographer from “The More You Know” segments?
Did they hire the AutoSteadyCamBot5000 that directs every episode of ER?
Was I the only one who kept catching Amanda Peet looking off camera wondering if it was time yet to take off her clothes? (I give it 3 episodes, max)
Using the song Under Pressure is basically saying “We have run out of ideas.”
I am so sick of TV shows about TV shows that I want to vomit. NBC has two shows about itself. Two shows! And they both have numbers in their title! This is insanity!
We all know that NBS = NBC and Studio 60 = Saturday Night Live, so why can’t we just cut the crap and call them that? I think the Uncanny Valley Effect applies to naming as well.
If I had actually seen the entire episode of Studio 60 would I have liked it?
On a separate note, I saw a preview for the season premiere of The Office. It was this overly sentimental, completely genuine clip about two of the characters falling in love or something. This is a comedy show for Christ’s sake! Why does everything on NBC have to be so saccharine and touching! They might as well just play that Enya song under every show and commercial.
I was just on ABC’s LOST site looking for a trailer for the new season (there isn’t one) when I noticed their online store. They lure you in to the store with this gem:
Be like Sawyer and collect a stash of special keepsakes.
This is priceless. The most inexplicable hook I’ve ever read. What makes it sadder is that I bet it works. Someone actually thought, “Hey, I could be like Sawyer…” Assuming that line was accurate and the store actually sold stolen prescription drugs and hand guns I journeyed on and found even more oddball stuff. Like this line from the Season 2 DVD synopsis:
But they discovered that the island holds many secrets, including the intense howls of a mysterious creature stalking the jungle, as well as a polar bear, a marooned and possibly crazy French woman, a mystical boar, a mysterious group known only as ‘The Others,’ […]
Um, did I miss something or did I never see a “mystical boar?” Yes, I remember a boar, and yes, I remember Sawyer being cutely annoyed by it, but I don’t recall anything mystical about it. Has this copywriter even watched Lost? The answer to that is a firm “No” because anyone who has knows that the French woman is most certainly crazy.
The next best thing about this store is how painfully simple most of the products are. “Wait, so you’re saying all we have to do is put these numbers on a t-shirt and we can charge $25 for it? Sweet.” Maybe I should credit them for embracing simplicity when most t-shirts suffer from over-design, but this Push the button tee (set in what looks like Helvetica), is an insult to t-shirts.
Conan’s Emmys opening (including parodies of Lost and 24) NOTE: Has since been removed.
This is a full episode of a 1991 TV show called Lookwell written by Conan O’Brien and Robert Smigel. Adam West’s acting is hypnotizing and it’s very funny in a very Conan kind of way. Did anyone else know this existed?
I totally take back my negative and pessimistic entry from earlier today. The Lost finale was quite good and they’ve learned a lot about how to make a good finale since last year. No 10 minute getting-on-the-airplane-bullshit-musical-montages, no departing shot screw-you-I-can’t-believe-you-fell-for-it. Just a good well crafted episode that answered as many questions as it raised. Good stuff. (Though I could have used at least one good Sawyer moment, but I guess we got that last episode. “Well, at least we’re going to go kill some people.”)
[ No real spoilers but if you haven’t seen the last episode of Six Feet Under you might as well not read this yet. ]
Like others, the Six Feet Under series finale has stuck to my brain. And (both thankfully and horrifically), I don’t think it’ll ever come off. I’ve been in a funk ever since Sunday, playing scenes from the series over and over again. Especially scenes from that very last sequence. Just like Nate’s death felt like a real person dying, the show’s end feels like saying goodbye to a real friend. As Alan Ball said, “It’s like having seven kids, and they all go off to college at the same time.”
Some things:
· I need to note here on the site that the show ended and how I felt about it so in a year or two when I peruse through my archives I can see this in context.
· Yes, I keep reminding myself that it’s just a TV show, and no, it doesn’t help. Though of course, any really good work of art is really good because of what it makes us think about ourselves and our own world and our own existence, so saying goodbye to Six Feet Under is really saying goodbye to a part of me. So that makes me feel a little better for crying over a TV show.
· When did this trend start where in order to praise Six Feet Under one was required to acknowledge it’s “mistakes” and “missteps?” It’s like obligatory to praise the first two seasons but shake your head at the last 3 with an “Oh well, we forgive.” I just don’t get it. People say the show changed and forgot what made it good but I think it’s these people that forgot what made SFU good.
People are just like Hollywood. They’re terrified of new ideas, new forms, new questions or anything without precedent. Every once in a while they let their guard down and allow something new in, and holy shit, it’s so great, it’s so refreshing it’s so original. The new thing is praised for being ground-breaking. Then, once they realize they like it they just want more of the same, spoon-fed again and again and don’t want it to change. Right back to old habits. That’s crap. Six Feet Under never forgot that its success hinged on testing and pushing boundaries. And repeating seasons 1 and 2 over and over again ad nauseam would have betrayed the show’s spirit. In fact, Alan Ball said one of the reason’s he stopped the show was that it started feeling too comfortable.
So enough of this supposed apologizing or excusing in order to approve of the series. I won’t participate. Season 3 was my favorite. And the show kept getting better. There it is.
· No, I don’t think I could be objective about Six Feet Under and I prefer it this way.
· The end sequence just totally got me like a softball striking the target and dunking the idiot at a carnival. I went for it every frame of the way. It made me feel exactly the way they wanted. I almost feel like a sucker for being so weak against such an overt and sentimental sequence. I’ve never gotten overly emotional about any other episode of the show, even at its peak intensity, because the show never depressed me. It always renewed my sense of life. But now I know that I have a giant red button on my heart that can be pressed and there’s nothing I can do to stop anyone from pressing it. And all said and done I kind of loved it being pressed this time, for this show.
After reading Ellie’s Entry about Arrested Development I realized I had never posted about my own deep, profound, almost unhealthy love for the show. After recent rumors of cancelation I feel an obligation to urge you to watch the show if you don’t already. It takes two or three shows to really pick up on Arrested Development’s vibe and rhythm, but after that you will crave it like crack tea, if they made such a tea.
It is my favorite show.
SO, watch it if you haven’t yet. Also, the DVD of the First Season can be picked up pretty cheap.
Lastly, I just read this on the Official Arrested Development page:
Dear Arrested Development Fans:
Thank you for your e-mail and your passionate support of Arrested Development. While the show has finished production for its second season, contrary to the rumors you may have heard or read on the internet, it is NOT cancelled.
We at FOX love Arrested Development and we look forward to having the Bluth family back on FOX in the future – hopefully for many years. You can help make the show a bigger success by getting as many people as possible to start watching the show this Sunday and every Sunday at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT.
Sincerely,
Fox Broadcasting Company
Obviously that statement is excruciatingly non-binding, but still, at least it’s not officially cancelled yet. Though if they were so concerned about ratings you’d think they’d at least try to air it regularly. Anyway, here’s me doing my part.
I was just talking about “The State” last night, a sketch comedy show that aired on MTV from 1993 to ‘94. I remember really loving it at the time but I haven’t seen it since it originally aired. Just stumbled across The State’s official website while looking for a DVD. Which I guess is happening but tied up. Nice little history there for those of us who were watching MTV in the early 90s.
I can’t wait to get my hands on some shows and see if it lives up to my memory.
[NOTE: For those arriving here looking for information on Season 6 of 24, you can catch up now and buy the Season 6 premiere on DVD for only $10.]
At first I was complaining that I didn’t want to sit through four hours of 24 over two nights. But watching it tonight made me realize that it usually takes about 4 or 5 episodes for 24 to get really good. So starting it off with two consecutive 2 hour blocks is actually a pretty good way to accelerate things. I approve, FOX.
Also, having skipped last season, where the hell did everyone go?
Garrett
The second paragraph of my entry answers your last question, hopefully without spoiling anything about the 3rd season.
Shawn
Fantastic! Thanks. So Palmer was in season 3 but they never explained what happened to him thus far? Tony is unaccounted for… OK. I can assume that since Palmer is gone that his annoying ex-wife won’t be making any more appearances? Was she in season 3? Who’s the Chase character that you say Kim is living with? Do I need to know about that? It seems like I’m just about as in the dark as someone who watched season 3, no?
I don’t care about spoiling season 3 personally, I don’t plan on watching it. Just warn everyone with all caps and some asterisks if there’s anything I asked that is spoiler-ish.
Garrett
SPOILERS FOR SEASON THREE
Palmer
President Palmer was in season three, yes, running for re-election. He ended up resigning from the race at the end of the season because of the following:
So Palmer resigns. He tells Jack in the last episode that he’s not going to be seeking re-election and that he hopes to be friends with him once he’s a civilian again.
Tony Almeida
He’s not unaccounted for, he’s in jail. In season three, Tony was forced into helping the terrorists because they had Michelle hostage. Unlike when Jack went against CTU in season one, which he did because he was informed that no one at CTU was to be trusted because of moles (see Nina, below), Tony went against CTU purely to save Michelle. Apparently Division didn’t like this, so they told him he would be tried for treason.
There was no reason to suspect this didn’t happen some time before season 4 started, but I’m sure he won’t be back. If he is, I would be surprised. It’s too bad, too, because he was a good character. Michelle, I could care less about. I expected her to die in season 3 (she was exposed to the virus released in a hotel but was one of like 15 people to survive, sadly), and was disappointed when she didn’t. But two other deaths made up for it.
Nina Meyers
Oh, Nina. How we loved you in season 1 when you ended up being the mole. How shocked we were when we hear someone speaking a foreign language one minute before the end of the 23rd hour and then we saw your face. That was one of the greatest moments of the series. Oh, and then you killed Teri. That was even better because she was terrible.
The unfortunate thing about Nina, though, was that they just. kept. bringing. her. back. How many times can one woman be arrested, escape and still be a problem for Jack? Three times, actually. Seasons 1, 2 and 3.
The good news is, Jack finally got tired of her. Half-way through the third day, Jack killed an unarmed and injured Nina in CTU while she lie on the ground bleeding. She wasn’t reaching for her gun, she wasn’t fighting. She said she could help him, that she had more information. He said, “No, you don’t,” stepped in front of the security camera (so as to block its view), and shot her three times.
Ryan Chappelle
Remember Chappelle from Division? He’s been a dick since the first season. Well, in a moment of pure suspense pornography, the terrorists demanded in season three that Jack kill him and deliver his body or they would release more of the virus. Jack tried to stall them, but plans fell through and-yes, my god, yes-Jack killed Ryan Chappelle execution-style in a train yard. The worst part? Chappelle didn’t struggle. He was crying, Jack was in shock, and Jack said, “Get on your knees.” Then: Bam. Chappelle falls. Tick-tock, tick-tock. GOOD. SHIT.
Chase Edmunds
Chase was a new character in season three, and he was Jack’s field-ops partner. He was also secretly dating Kim. At the end of season three, Jack and Chase track down the virus and chase the carrier into a school. They split up to look for him, Chase finds him first. As they fight, the terrorist drops his vial and, apparently in an effort to not let the guy get away with the vial, Chase clamps it to his arm before passing out. The terrorist arms the bomb and nearly shoots him when Jack comes in and kills him.
Chase wakes up and realizes the timer only has like 2 minutes left. They call the bomb squad but they don’t know how to disarm it. Jack tries to get the vial off his wrist, but can’t. Chase sees an axe on the wall and tells Jack to use it. Jack does. With 20 seconds left, he tells Chase to brace himself and then CUTS. CHASE’S. HAND. OFF. Chase screams and immediately passes out. Jack runs into a lab and puts the vial into a freezer where it pops but doesn’t hurt anyone.
Two notes
Shawn
Holy.
Fucking.
Shit.
Why didn’t I watch Season Three?
Ellie
Last night’s show was fantastic! I can’t wait for tonight. I also heard that there will be no STOPS in the season as they’ve done before. They finally moved it off the American Idol night.
mookid
Season Four (so far anyways) feels just like Season One all over again, I love it! I found Season Three to get a weeeee bit on the tedious side, this one feels more like home. hehe. Funniest thing is that I actually like Chloe this year (maybe since she’s helping Jack for a change)!
24 is such a blessing in this crisis of “reality TV”…(funny that Fox is actually the worst for laughable reality shows)…I haven’t found myself itching and waiting for the next week and rushing home to watch a show since the first few seasons of The X-Files…oh, and LOST. =)
There is a great interview on the Fox 24 site that shows who’s coming back this season…I won’t mention who just incase anyone doesn’t want to know…
http://www.fox.com/24/24inside/
All in “24 Hours”…amazing.
melissa
I think season 3 was definitely the best season of 24. I wish that in season 4 the smae characters from season 3 were in it, like Kim and Chase. I really liked them both in season 3. I don’t think there’s gonna be a season 5, but that would be awesome if they had one with all the characters that were alive on season 3 and 4.
Anonymous
Regarding season 5:
Minor Spoiler:
Mary Lynn Raskjub in an interview said that her character (Chloe O’Brian) would be returning as a regular character in season 5.
Joe
Well last night was the end of season 4(the best season yet) and yes it has been confirmed….in January season 5 starts!!! Wooooooo
Will
Does anyone know if Kiefer Sutherland will be returning for season 5?Because the show would pretty much suck without him. So if anyone knows anything about this please let me know -Thx
Shawn Morrison
The teaser for Season 5 said something to the effect of “If you think 24 is over then you don’t know Jack.” Showing the shot of Jack from the end of season 4. I’m fairly certain that strongly implies he is coming back.
Cygoku
Good lord YES! I’ve just finished watching season 4 and I think this one as the best emotional ending. 24 seconds later ;) I’m there looking for season 5 info on google and happened to have my expections confirmed here!
I SAY YES!
Cygoku
Will
Thank you Shawn. Thats a relief to know. Could you tell me where to find that season 5 teaser? -Thx
Ken
Season Five. Some poor civilian is going to start crap with him(Jack). It’ll be 24 hours of hell for the fool.
Shawn
Will - The Season 5 teaser was what aired directly after the end of last night’s show. It didn’t show any of Season 5 (just clips from the past) though I’d still consider it a teaser. I can’t find it online though, sorry.
Will
Hmm I guess I missed this at the end of the show last night thx anyway Shawn. I have another question, Ive never seen the season 1 of 24 and I was wondering if it would be worth it to buy it on DVD? -Thx -Will
Shawn Morrison
Definitely worth it. Some interesting “How Jack Bauer Became Jack Bauer” stuff in there. He never was quite the same after that first season. Note that he does not need to save the world in Season 1 just his own family but that said I still think the first season was the best.
Richard UK
OMG just finished watching season 4 and i think its awesome! I havent watched previous seasons so thats me off to the shops to buy them.. think i might take a week off work to watch them :) i cant wait!
Garrett
The first season is also about saving President David Palmer, which gives you a nice insight as to why they like each other so much (and their connected pasts).
The interesting thing to me about the first season is how much it dramatically changes half-way through (around the 12th episode), because the show hadn’t been officially picked up until near then. Basically, the 12th episode feels like the end of one season and the beginning of a new one.
It’s a really great season, definitely worth the money for the DVDs.
alyssia sharpe
There is going to be a season 5 look on - www.fox.com/24 - it says “Season 5 returns Janruary”
SPOILER KING
A MAJOR SPOILER! SEASON 5 is to start off with a bombing of a major or “high-value” target. this targer is unclear to be an actual building or a person of importance inside the building but some one Jack was close to (im guessing Palmer or Tony) dies in the bombing and Jack goes back to CTU undocumented to help as a FEILD OPS agent once more. rumour is: the chineese need help and that way they can trade bake ol’ KEIFERS identity for his humble services.
James
Of course there is a season 5, if you thought there wasn’t, then you don’t know Jack.
Brian
No storyline for Season 5 has even been discussed yet. Meetings don’t take place for another 2 weeks yet.
YJD
Just got off of season 4…. bit dissapointed with the ending. Every other season has ended with a bit of a shock scene (jack crying, who’da’thunk it???).
That aside, god damn thats some good veiwing….not as good as season 3 but close… why? Ryan Schapelle getting his brains plastered all over a trainyard has got to be the best 30 seconds of tv in the history of the universe.
Would be good to see jack do an Anikin Skywalker.
But then im all starwar’s-ed out.
So hopefully he just blows lots of crap up and kills lots of bad guys.
And a few good guys for good measure and viewing pleasure
Daltry
I read in Entertainment Weekly, that there is going to be at least 7-8 seasons total and thats taken from an interview with Jack. 24 is the best show ever, get the blockbuster month pass and watch them all in order!
spunkie
24 is friggin awsome~ i would be my pants for it…cause its sooo awsome
24fan
Fox has only signed them so far just through season 6
davidr
i love 24 i have been a fan since at first started but and i cant wait till season 5 but after watcing season 4 the last episode i think that it would be a perfect endin for jack and that if thay stoped know it would be a classic that will last forever
belette
Hi everybody! I’m a big fan of 24 and thanks to internet, I have seen season 4 even if I live in France. I would like to know if there is a way to assist at the shooting of the new season, as an extra or only as a spectator. Many thanks for your help!
Scott B. Foresman
Season one is by far the best season in the series with the best villian. season 2 and 3 were ok, but the 4th is definately second best. Season 4 has the best ending. i was imagining something a little different, watching the episodes leading up to the end i was imagining him actually going to the chinese death camp, and kicking some major ass, excaping and returning to america and kcking more ass. Jacks character was 10 times cooler than he has ever been. I doubt anything will make him turn bad, i mean terrorist and the US government have fucked him over in the past, but he always acts America’s best intrest in mind. Thats a major change from the first season, but what does he relaly have to lose now? i like the new nothing to lose jack it makes for way beterr tv. Now about season 5, its gonna be awesome as long as Jack remains. as soon as i saw the last episode, i was afriad Jack might not return. The spoiler hints to him coming back but they could still kill him off in the first episode. It is not what i want to happen and i couldnt imagine y they would kill him off, but regardless if Fox ever releases a season of 24 without Jack Bauer i will burn down the studio.
Zack
It will probably be Kim and Chase who get blown up in that building, since she said she doesnt want to do the show anymore that otta’ piss off Jack
jay
Season 4 was great… but the realtime timescale seemed a lil too crammed…personally i think they had a great story line, but it jus seemed a bit unbelievable that its possible for all of that to have happened within 24hrs.
I have no doubt jack will be back… but jus for you guys i’ll try n dig more info up…( i have a friend who lives/hangs with Kiefer in LA.)
Sophie
Thanks you guys - for the info on season 4…. I havent been able to watch that yet, and cant wait for the DVD to come out. Its pretty sad that tony isnt coming back - i quite liked him! and yeah, the shows nothing w/o jack! and why’d they lose kate as jack love interest???
Phil K
One night I was flipping through channels and came to 24 hours season 3 during March. I end up buying seasons 1-3 to catch up on 24 now I am going to have to buy season 4 to see the begining of season 4.
AES11
Any news on Jack returning in Season 5? Think FOX will really churn out a full season (or more) without Jack?
Luke
No i don’t, cos its confirmed hes comin back :D
Emily
wat a brilliant way to end season 4!…..wonder how season 5 is shown!
Rahul
I just have to say that Habib Marwan was the best ever villan in Season 4 of 24. How much ever close the guy came close to getting caught by Jack, he always managed to escape. He was in a class of his own. His plans actually would have succeeded as the nuke missile was launched in time but the fighter jets blew it at the last second. He never actually got caught by Jack.
It would be class to have a villain like him for season 5 of 24.
Tom
All season 5 info seems to be contradictory!
ANN
I THOUGHT THAT SEASON FIVE OF “24” WAS BEGINNING TONIGNT, SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2005 ? ? ? THIS IS THE ONLY SHOW LEFT THAT IS “GREAT” ! ! !
IF SOMEONE KNOWS THE START DATE PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANK YOU, ANN
Chris Cross
So, do I really have to wait until January for season 5 of 24 ? ? ? Please tell me its no so …
Gibs
Perhaps season 5 will just be a whole lot of dramatic multi-angle shots of Jack taking a well earned, 24 hour long sleep/toilet break… cos, shit, he deserves it!
Rahul, I agree with you. I’d actually expand the villain in season 4 from Marwan (a.k.a the mummy!) to the whole terrorist group as a whole. They were all so immaculately organised, had a zillion backup plans and diversionary plots that it’s a miracle they were stopped at all (then again, Bauer is a bit of a miracle man himself). Marwan himself was a bit bland, but I guess he had to be, to portray that overwhelming sense of focus and composure under pressure.
For speculation on season 5’s plot, I say look to the headlines. 24 usually seems to take its tone from what’s currently scaring the bejeezus out of people in the real world. Perhaps it’s not too late to see a Jack vs. Hurricane/Bushfire/Tsunami season…
basole
I liked season 3 most. But Season 4 was nice too and Im looking forward to season 5. I hope Palmer & not almeida gets killed. Tony is such a nice character. I would love to see more of Chase as I really liked his role in Season 3.
mark
I love 24 but i think that the producers since season 3 have been killing the very characters we love to see around Bauer i.e George Mason, Shappelle, Nina Myers, Mrs Palmer name it. word of advice keep the characters add some more but keep those we have come to like i.e Palmer( i would love to see him president again) ,Almeida, Mike, Michelle e.t.c and Boy i cant wait to see how jack gets back into action. On the whole you are better han Alias and bravo mates… well done
BigbadBrit
I have to say that some of you need to get out more. I have all 4 seasons on DVD and think they are all very good in their own right. Why compare and say which is best? Although largely inane comments from most people, some rather interesting stuff from others. If anyone else says ‘is jack comming back’ my blood pressure is likely to get a whole lot worse. Of course he is for goodness sakes and if they commission a 6th which I dont think has been confirmed yet, he will be in that too unless fox seriously piss him orf. Roll on Season 5; I will have to buy on DVD in Summer though as cannot get satellite…..poor show. Enjoy
Jason
My personal thought is that Michelle is going to die in or around the first couple of episodes of season 5 possibly causing Tony to become really emotional or full of rage. On IMDb.com, the guest stars are already in (or mostly in) for the first handfull of episodes in season 5 and Michelle only appears in the first 2 episodes. I also believe that Tony can not die… he is one of those main characters that makes 24 so awesome. Really, what would 24 be without Jack or Tony?
JamieJ
Hey all,
I’m new to this, but watched every episode of every season, and fuck me backwards if it aint the best thing since blowjobs were invented. i doesn’t seem as though anyopne actually knows what is going on with this new season though, i mean one minute rumours are that jack’s going to be in it with all the old cast, (with the obvious exception of Nina), then, It’s Tony’s turn to die, and Chloe’s gonna go off with some terrorist (some other rumours from other sites!?!) i mean, it just sounds as though everyone likes to think they know what’s going on with it, from rumours that they have heard (which were made up from the person that told them in the first place!)
Season two was very nearly the best of the lot, i mean, the ending (palmer drops and everyone thinks he’s dead!!!!), but it just couldn’t get close enough to season three to be the best.
how’s jack gonna make a comeback after everyone think’s he’s dead??
tell u what, I’m waiting till april (that’s when we get it in England (apparently) and make my own mind up,
catch you all later
steve maina
Am steve from kenya 24 rocks!!!!av watched all seasonz and without a doubt season 2 waz the bomb!!!! I hope season 5 will live up to the other seasonz!! CANT WAIT
Ekul
i just watched the finale of series 4, and was happy to find that Cygoku had exactly the same idea as me, i instantly googled up series 5 of 24, i think the ending was great, but convinced me that there was a posibility of that being the end of 24, all the loose ends were tied up (except behrooz, but that is explained in the deleted scenes on the dvd). after reading theorys and spoliers, i think that palmer will be killed off in the opening. he no longer has any way for his character to evolve, he can no longer be president, he has paid back his debt to jack by saving his life, and who better to be killed off to REALLY pee jack off. o by the way, MANDY ROCKS, i hope she is in series 5 too, and can sombody tell me, was she in series 3 at any point? coz shes been in 1 2 and 4, figured she must of been at least mentioned in 3…
Tom
A&E is showing all the episodes of 24 for four hours on Monday. They’re in season 2 with the last 8 hours to go. I guess it’s leading up to season 5
Belgium
I’ve just watched 24 in Belgium. The last episode was on Monday 21th of November 2005. It was the best season ever imo. What i’m asking is when will season 5 be on television in the US?
(I read here that there will certainly be a Season 5 WITH Kiefer Sutherland! Would be Just so amazing!)
antoine
I a of th opinion that there will be 7 seasons, one for every day of a week. or hopefully 365!
Shae
Well I must say I am siked about Season 5. You think it will prolly continue with the whole China ordeal?? I woul dlove to see Chloe get out there in the field this season. 24 is GREAT SHOW!! As fans, we have all been through the Nina Drama, Queen Bitch Sherri Palmer Escapades, Wacky Chloe, Tony & Michelle saga, not to mention how many CTU directors now?? oh and of course JACK.Damn shame what he has been through. I couldnt stand Kim the first two seasons, but she sort of grew on me a little bit.
Season 4, I couldnt stand the new CTU director and the whole story with her daughter, didnt seem to fit. Oh and I found Curtis and Edward annoying.But nonetheless, this season was a good one. Although I will say Season 3 is just so unforgettable, I mean Jack taking ryan out (JESUS!!).
Anyway, its nice to see some 24 fans out there. I cant seem to find any teasers for Season 5. Anyone know where I can see one?
Shawn Morrison
Season 5 starts January 15, 2006 in the US. And Jack is indeed back. They are currently running a teaser on FOX, I don’t have a link though.
Lila
For all of you out there. Visit www.Fox.com/24/….Itshows season 5 with a 4hr premier. Sun Jan 15 and Mon Jan 16.Hope this covers all questions about when.
Peter
POSSIBLE SEASON 5 SPOILER*
Ok. I just watched all of Season 4 on DVD. WOW.
Disc 7 contains a “prequel to season 5” video. It lasts 15 minutes.
Quick and dirty Synopsis:
Chloe and Jack are back. She meets him incognito in Illinois where he is living now. He haslong hair and is very scruffy. She tells him someone hacked into her communications and may have started to suspect she is in contact with him. After she leaves him, a man (or woman) on motorcycle shows up. There is a staredown, and then a black beemer shows up and a high-speed chase begins. Jack manages to not only evade the beemer but to kill the driver without firing a shot or getting out of the car.
As he speeds off, the man/woman on the motorcycle stares (at Jack’s nice new Toyota Avalon: the scene is “presented by toyota”). You hear the motorcycle engine reving, fade to black… Text comes up:
(kinda something like this)
“He changed his name and identity to protect his secret” “He started a new life” “He thought he was safe…”
Tick Tock Tick Tock
If you want some SERIOUS SPOILERS for the new season:
http://www.24spoilers.tvheaven.com/index.html
Farhan
I just watched the Season 5 teaser (http://www.vidstogo.com/player.php?vfname=24S5Prequel&ext=wmv), it looks amazing. I can’t wait.
Smiffcat
You can download and view the Series 5 Taster of 24 on the following website: http://www.24weblog.com/2005/10/24-season-five-promo-trailer-clip-shown-
Simon
Thank god for 24!!! The last remaining great television program. i have found some season 5 spoilers that will knock your socks off!! I’ll put out the link just in case you dont want to ruin it. Let me tell you this…THIS WILL BE THE BEST SEASON OF 24 EVER!!!!!
http://www.24spoilers.tvheaven.com/
Also, if you want to view clips from season 5 go to this link:
http://24natic.atspace.com/Season5/teaser.htm
Enjoy!
Ivette
I’m Cuban, I live in Cuba and i have to say I have watched all the 24 Seasons, I’m eager to see the 5 season, which I guess I will have to wait long time to watch it, because it will take time for someone bring it in digital system, That show is not transmitted in our tv, someone has to copy it from satelite or some way, and bring it in, but I’m sure, I will like it, Jack is a wonderful actor, he knows how to act and make us watch him ultil the end. Send me news about it and tell me through my mail: ivette1972@yahoo.com everything you know and watch on 24 season 5. Thank you all. Enjoy the show!!
gary
damn season 5 is a blast but it sucked that palmer died. He was really a good character. but i havnet seen season 2 or 3 so after readin this i guess jack doesn have to go to jail for killin ryuan chapelle
Amanda
I was wondering if anyone knows if Kim is supposed to make an appearance this season? I read in a magazine that she might be coming in for a cameo….
daniel
i realy wonder if i can speak with jack.the film is the most wonderful i have ever seen. i mean it.
jez
can 24 get any better??????? one of the best shows on tv at the mo. my only complaint, why take it of of terrestial tv???
Walter Santaliz
When can i buy the dvd for season 5 ??
zak
i love 24 hours it is the most coolest film in the world im trying to find season 5 but i cant seem to find it can anyone tell me where i can buy 24 hours season five.
dude
i have a few questions i have watched all seasons: 1 2 3 and 5 except for season 4. season 1: attempted assasination of palmer, with the serbian dudes season2: nuclear bomb with terrorists and oil dudes season 3: virus used by some terrorists what happens in season 4??? season 5 is with the nerve gas and presiden logan correct? can someone please make clear what happened in season 4, but dont spoil it it
Royal Messup
4th season: a buncha crap happens that leads up to… DUN DUN DUUUUUN!!!!: a nuclear missle launched against L.A. anyhow, some chinese guy knows some terrorist who knows what the plot is (cause we sure as hell don’t). So Jack raids the Chinese Consulate so he can kidnap this Chinese guy. The Chinese are so stupid that they end up shooting their own Consulate and they blame it on Jack!!! that is why the Chinese are so pissed at Jack. Jack runs away and hasn’t had a name for a while. Now that the Chinese got Jack we can only feel sorry for him and wait to see what happens to him in the 6th season which comes in January.
Tom
I have seen season 5 already. It was very great. I think one of the best seasons, now i’m waiting for season 6. Hope you will all enjoy season 5.
Dave
ive heard that the new coming season 6 has a big role to do with the city of London
shaz_ff
season 3 is the best so far. shame about palmer. i luvd him. he has got a wicked screen persona!
The first thing you do when you watch a Survivor season premiere is you decide who you like and who you don’t. It doesn’t take long and it’s key to enjoying the show properly. It is what fuels the commercial break gossip. Not the “who kissed who?” “who’s ugly who’s not” brand of gossip. It’s the “who’s playing this game, who’s making the right moves, who’s completely fucking this up” gossip. And a little bit of the “he’s a fucking jack off” kind of gossip.
I can almost instantly spot my favorite. Occasionally it takes a few episodes. This time out however, I spotted my favorite before the show even aired. Perusing through the contestants online I saw this guy, laughed and said out loud, “This guy fucking rules.”
And I was right. You got this big bear of a man, just one of those characters, and you know he’s just going to be fun to watch. What does he do within the first ten minutes of the show? He steals everyones’ shoes. What does he do within the first thirty minutes of the show? Trades his thick black jeans for a skirt made from a girl’s dress. Just because it was more comfortable.
Thus, I pick Rupert, in full on sincerity. He won’t win. But god it’ll be fun until he’s gone.
While watching the commentary track to the pilot episode of Six Feet Under, Alan Ball mentioned that Michael C. Hall, who plays David Fisher, was the MC in Broadway’s Cabaret. He mentions this because of the connection of Ball to American Beauty to Sam Mendes who directed the current incarnation of Cabaret. But, ah ha more coincidence abounds! I am nearly certain, after a bit of research and memory jogging, that indeed the performance I saw of Cabaret a few years back starred that very Michael C. Hall. Me , who loves Six Feet Under and American Beauty saw Michael C. Hall as the MC well before I would have cared whatsoever that he was Michael C. Hall. And that’s just one of those look-up-and-left, mouth open, wonder-filled moments where you can only conclude, “Hey, that’s pretty cool.” The degree to which you are fascinated by this “coincidence” is uncertain at best.
So I’m really late to this game, but some things just take time. Two years later and I finally have discovered Six Feet Under. I received the Season One DVD for my birthday back in May. Sunday we killed the first disc. Just fantastic. So dark and funny and morbid and complex and human and fun.
Six Feet Under is one of those things that I knew I would really really love. There exist certain moments when you can anticipate your reaction. I knew it was only a matter of pulling the lever, watching an episode, and falling in love. It’s almost as if I had been saving the show for when I needed something new.
One of the most fantastic aspects of the show is that it just drips of Alan Ball. This is the same universe as American Beauty. It feeds the desire to know more about that world. I can’t describe it and won’t try, but it’s a universe I like to be in.
Naturally it would be radically absurd to sequel-ize American Beauty (though I wonder if some clueless producer pitched that) but this does the trick. I get ravenous when I find something I like. With music I tend to own one band’s entire discography rather than a variety of bands. American Beauty left me with no follow-up. I got excited when I first heard about Road to Perdition but the more I learned the more I realized that that wasn’t the follow-up I had in mind. Who knew Six Feet Under was just that? Itís so clear now that American Beauty was more an Alan Ball film than a Sam Mendes film (not to shirk Mr. Mendes any credit mind you). It’s so obvious now. The tone, the texture, the look, the feel.
I was told before ever watching it that it is a depressing show that would leave me feeling lonely and uncertain. Exactly the opposite. I feel refreshed and creative.
Ten more hours that I am very much looking forward to. If only seasons two and three were somehow available…
I must say, they sure ratcheted up the suspense in 24 towards the end. I remember around about the 5th or 4th to last episode I was wound so tight blood was dripping from my clenched fists. The last two episodes, and specifically tonight, this last episode, left me a bit flat. And I completely understand that there is no possible way I could have been satisfied in comparison to the Season One finale which left me with my pants wet. The Season One finale was such an obnoxiously fantastic display of pure bad ass machismo-shoot-em-up-fuck-you amazingness that it simply couldn’t be topped by anything. There is nothing so cold ass, nothing so chill worthy, nothing so decadent as Jack Bauer with two guns against 20 men.
This time ‘round, Jack’s heart was on the fritz and it definitely affected his bad ass factor. Sure, he’s still the only man on TV who can break a man’s neck in mid air while having a heart attack but… yeah but…
BUT, the very tippy-bottom ending of the whole thing DID work. It did give me chills, and it did send one clean message: whoever’s behind this whole mess is going to get his ass stuffed, Jack Bauer style.
I can’t wait.
Is it just me, or is art meant to be shared? I’m a sharer, to be sure. I have been to a total of one movies by myself. That movie was Chicago and I only went alone cause I was dying to see it and had no one to go with. But watching things alone is a let down. A good movie or a good TV show will get you all hot and bothered and the first thing I want to do is talk about it. Rant, rave, quote, laugh, et cetera. It’s part of the total experience as far as I’m concerned.
I only bring this up because I just watched 24 alone. I’m accustomed to watching the show with a friend. This entails yelling, screaming, moaning, pointing, clapping, stomping and maybe a yelp or two. But it just doesn’t feel right watching it alone. Don’t get me wrong, it still gives me painful chills its so good, but I prefer it shared.
Ditto Sex And The City. I just read that they are releasing Season Four on DVD at the end of the month. I really really shamelessly love that show, but I discovered it with my good friend and ex-roomie Ellie. I can’t even imagine watching the show without being able to gossip about the episode with her like I was a 19 year old sorority girl.
So am I weird? Am I the only one who feels this way about art? At least movies and TV and theatre which is more conducive to a shared experience. Is this some sign of a deep discontent in me, or some masked fear of dying alone? Or is the sharing an actual part of the art? Is it still completely valid when it’s received alone?
‘Cause I’m not sure it is.
Andy Richter is the funniestfunnyfunfun bingolaughjellofunnyfligagoofunny madpants thing.