via press release:
“24: DAY EIGHT” WILL BE THE AWARD-WINNING SERIES’ FINAL SEASON
Two-Hour Series Finale Airs Monday, May 24, on FOX
In a joint decision made by 24’s star and executive producer Kiefer Sutherland, executive producer and showrunner Howard Gordon, Twentieth Century Fox Television, Imagine Entertainment and Fox Broadcasting Company, it was determined that the acclaimed series will end its remarkable eight-season run. Jack Bauer’s last day on FOX will conclude when the final two hours of “Day Eight” air Monday, May 24 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). As the countdown to the series’ climactic conclusion races on, the final 11 hours will air uninterrupted Mondays (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.
Multiple award-winning series star Kiefer Sutherland reflected on the show’s run: “This has been the role of a lifetime, and I will never be able to fully express my appreciation to everyone who made it possible. While the end of the series is bittersweet, we always wanted 24 to finish on a high note, so the decision to make the eighth season our last was one we all agreed upon. This feels like the culmination of all our efforts from the writers to the actors to our fantastic crew and everyone at Fox. Looking ahead to the future, Howard Gordon and I are excited about the opportunity to create the feature film version of 24. But when all is said and done, it is the loyal worldwide fan base that made it possible for me to have the experience of playing the role of Jack Bauer, and for that I am eternally grateful.”
Executive producer and showrunner Howard Gordon said, “Kiefer and I have loved every minute of making 24, but we all believe that now is the right time to call it a day. I echo his sentiments of gratitude toward the show’s amazing creative team, as well as the studio and network who have always believed in us and shown us unbelievable support.”
“24 is so much more than just a TV show – it has redefined the drama genre and created one of the most admired action icons in television history,” said Peter Rice, Chairman, Entertainment, Fox Networks Group. Kevin Reilly, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company added, “We are extremely proud of this groundbreaking series and will be forever thankful to Kiefer, the producers, the cast and crew for everything they’ve put into 24 over the years. It’s truly been an amazing and Unforgettable eight days.”
“We are so grateful to Kiefer and Howard who have really poured their hearts and souls into making this show over the past eight seasons,” commented Gary Newman and Dana Walden, Chairmen, Twentieth Century Fox Television. “To everyone who contributed to this iconic series over its amazing run, we want to extend our heartfelt appreciation for your incredible work.”
Added Imagine Entertainment’s Brian Grazer, “I’m so proud to have been a part of 24, which has become such a cultural phenomenon. And to Kiefer and Howard and everyone who has worked on the show, many thanks.”
Now in its eighth season with Kiefer Sutherland starring as the heroic Jack Bauer, the inventive and suspenseful 24 has been nominated for a total of 68 Emmy Awards, winning for Outstanding Drama Series in 2006. Over the course of seven seasons, Sutherland garnered seven Emmy nominations and one win for Outstanding Lead Actor – Drama Series. While the series gained global recognition, Sutherland’s portrayal of the legendary character penetrated the American psyche like no other dramatic television character to become part of the English lexicon.
Premiering November 6, 2001, 24 employed a pioneering split-screen, fast-paced format with complex interweaving storylines as viewers followed anti-terrorism agent Jack Bauer through 24 pulse-pounding episodes, each covering one hour and presented in real time. Subsequent seasons combined the show’s unique and trend-setting format while delivering compelling new elements and attracting talented actors and guest stars, including the Emmy Award-winning Cherry Jones (President Allison Taylor). The series also currently stars Mary Lynn Rajskub (Chloe O’Brian), Anil Kapoor (Omar Hassan), Annie Wersching (Renee Walker), Katee Sackhoff (Dana Walsh), Mykelti Williamson (Brian Hastings), Freddie Prinze Jr. (Cole Ortiz), Chris Diamantopoulos (Rob Weiss) and John Boyd (Arlo Glass).
The first six seasons were set in Los Angeles, and following the strike-induced delay of Season Seven, “24: Redemption,” a two-hour film bridging Seasons Six and Seven, was set in Africa. Washington, D.C. was the setting for Season Seven, and the final season of 24 finds Jack Bauer thwarting a terrorist attack in New York.
At the conclusion of Season Eight, 24 will have a produced a total of 194 episodes (including “24: Redemption”), making it one of the longest-running action television shows in history.
Tune in Monday, March 29 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) for the next all-new installment of 24 and Monday, April 5 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) for a special two-hour episode.
Created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran, 24 is a production of 20th Century Fox Television and Imagine Television in association with Teakwood Lane Productions. Howard Gordon, Evan Katz, David Fury, Manny Coto, Brannon Braga, Brad Turner, Alex Gansa, Kiefer Sutherland and Brian Grazer are executive producers, while Chip Johannessen and Patrick Harbinson serve as co-executive producers. Brad Turner will direct the series finale.
So it was really a creative decision?
Apparently.
It was a creative decision if creative decision = too expensive for Fox at the ratings it was producing and too expensive for NBC to pick it up. It's nice spin, but I'm pretty sure the only reason why this announcement is coming out just now is because NBC indicated to FOX only recently that it was passing on picking the show up for a day 9,
Bingo! It was “announced” 3 weeks ago and then nothing. As soon as FOX sensed NBC may have wanted it, they dragged their heels. It was a “we don't want it anymore but don't want anyone else to have it” kinda thing.
I loved the series. It had its up and downs, but has always been entertaining. It will be missed.
This interview suggests we could see a movie as soon as next year, and the producers will consider a spin-off series if they get the idea right.
http://www.thrfeed.com/2010/03/24-finale-.html
So it's official. No matter if it was a financial or a creative decision – it was the right one.
I don't think there'll be a spin-off, I just can't picture a series like this having a spin-off. And they don't need them anyway, the franchise will live on in the movies…
Well it sounds like it was more a creative decision than anything unless of course these guys are good spinners and they probably are. Regardless this was a great show and more power to fox to deciding to end it now.
But I'm curious, What made 24 any more costly to produce than a show like NCIS or Greys or CSI? And were their ratings consistantly in the upper 2's this season?
Oh I hope no spinoff? Wasn't there talk about FP Jr. doing a spinoff of 24. Ugh I hope not.
Outstanding Drama at the Emmys this year is definitely going to be tight contest. I expect another Mad Men win, but you have to figure Lost and 24 will get the preferential last season treatment. And then what are the other two or three shows going to be?
Damages, Dexter, Breaking Bad, The Tudors (also in its last season), House, plus potential sleeper entries like Grey's Anatomy, Saving Grace (also last season), The Closer and The Mentalist. Definitely interested in what makes the final cut.
I heard back last year this would be the last season and then a movie. I went into this season thinking it would be the last. I was actually more surprised they were thinking about renewing it.
As I said this is not really a cancellation since the season is finishing up in its's entirely.
I heard back last year this would be the last season and then a movie. I went into this season thinking it would be the last. I was actually more surprised they were thinking about renewing it.
As I said this is not really a cancellation since the season is finishing up in its's entirely.
he final 11 hours will air uninterrupted Mondays (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.
does that mean no commercials?
Well 24 reportedly costs over $5M an episode to produce. Kiefer Sutherland is also one of TV's highest paid actors (reportedly over $550K an episode) I don't think the show is profitable for the TV network anymore even though 20th Century TV makes alot of money off 24's international sales.
Yes, if your confused FOX has so many different divisions and everyone operates on their own dime.
All those costs would have gone up for a season 9. FOX's film division probably has alot more money to play with for producing a 2 hour 24 film than the TV division for producing another 24 hours of TV.
When will the retrospective clip-show special air? I expected Fox to push 24 into the 10:00 hour for the finale, but it appears that this is not the case.
No, that means there'll be a new episode every Monday – no reruns.
It ISexpensive to produce but according to Forbes, in 2009, “24″ was the third most profitable program on television in ad revenue per 30 minutes.
If so it was the first one the show
Amazing that he should get that much for a … limited ability – they could replace the team. Finding someone else to run around torturing people shouldn't be that hard. Someone who can do it at a tenth of the price.
I could see Freddie Prince jr (if he's not killed off this year) becoming the new Jack if they do a spin off, He is actually believeable in his role so him taking off the main lead wouldn't be that bad of an idea but they need to move the show to a cable network like HBO or Showtime. I think if CBS would to pick up a spin off it would get great numbers as mostly anything CBS has turns to gold.
CHUCK just improved its chances by doing nothing.