There’s been a lot of hooplah about 24 possibly not returning until 2009. But one thing that slipped under the radar is the leaked original pilot of the show when it was originally conceived in 1994.

Okay, so it’s not really all of that, but if you spent any time online in the mid- to late-nineties, you will probably find this video quite appropriate.

I think “Three floppies!” is my new favorite line.

Fox has taken a look at its “revised” fall schedule (i.e. the term they use for cancelling the crap and replacing it with more crap), and made some changes. The most notible?

“24″ has been pulled from the schedule completely, and it will remain that way until the entire season can air with no repeats. Fox is committed to airing “Day 7″ uninterrupted. I can’t really argue with that, but I’m sure it must be disappointing for “24″ fans everywhere.

“Lost” fans take not - ABC is contemplating doing the same thing.

It’s not due to debut until later today, but the Season 7 trailer for 24 leaked last night. You can find it below in all its YouTube glory.

If you live in the New York area, you may want to find a way to be in Times Square at 1 pm on Thursday, October 25.  On the Panasonic jumbo screen, we’ll get our first glimpse of the seventh season of 24.

For those of us who find it difficult to be in the Big Apple that day, the preview will be available at 24Trailer.com, and will also air during Game 2 of the World Series that night.

Here’s the spoilerrific rundown on the new season, premiering January 13 and 14.

“Set in Washington, D.C., Day 7 opens with CTU dismantled and Jack Bauer on trial. Bauer’s day takes an unexpected turn when former colleague Tony Almeida returns. Meanwhile, President Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones) leads the country alongside White House Chief of Staff Ethan Kanan (Bob Gunton) and First Gentleman Henry Taylor (Colm Feore). A national security crisis prompts an investigation by a team of FBI agents including agents Janis Gold (Janeane Garofalo), Renee Walker (Annie Wersching), Larry Moss (Jeffrey Nordling) and Sean Hillinger (Rhys Coiro), and security specialist Michael Latham (John Billingsley). Although CTU is no longer, Chloe O’Brian and Bill Buchanan are back for another momentous day of shocking events.”

Kiefer Sutherland has been going through some troubles.  First, the lackluster response to the most recent season of 24.  Then he was busted for DUI for a second time, an event that threw fans of his show into a bit of anxiety about its fate next season.

The news came in yesterday that Sutherland will spend 48 days in jail for his DUI bust.  Starting December 21, he must serve 18 days, and then another 30 days by July.  No hopes for house arrests or anything like that.

There’s no word yet on how this will impact the filming of 24.  I would think that, with the show set to premiere in January, this could pose a bit of an obstacle.  As we hear more, we’ll let you know.

Oh, and here’s my PSA…drinking and driving is bad.  Don’t do that.

(Source: NY Daily News)

24’s seventh season will officially premiere on Sunday, January 13.  Following the model for the past few seasons, it will debut the first two-hour episode at 8/7c on Sunday night, followed by a Monday night episode at 9/8c, where it will reside for the rest of the season.

But that’s not the big news.  Carlos Bernard will be returning to the show in the role of Tony “Soul-Patch” Almeida, who was left for dead in Season 5.  It was reported here that he was originally slated to appear in the sixth season finale as a cliffhanger, but that was nixed.

It seems like the producers are making a genuine effort to either take the show back to its roots, or reboot it completely.  Either way, the show needs a renovation.  Hopefully, we’ll see some improvement on January 13.

(Source: Zap2It)

Some new casting info rolled in for 24 yesterday.

You’ll probably recognize Colm Feore, he’s been in a lot of stuff…most recently, HBO’s Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.  Feore will be playing the nation’s first First Husband, married to Cherry Jones’s President.  He’ll be struggling to keep the First Children in line.

Next up is Rhys Coiro.  He’s played a bit part in several shows…Raines, Criminal Minds, Numb3rs, Ugly Betty, CSI: NY & Miami and Six Feet Under.  His most recognizable part, though, is as troubled filmmaker Billy Walsh in HBO’s Entourage.  In 24, he’ll be working with Jeneane Garofalo’s character, investigating the crisis surrounding Jack Bauer.

Can you believe that we’ve only had one major casting announcement for 24?  The production has been hitting some delays, but you would think that there would be more news from that front.

Anywho, it’s confirmed that Janeane Garofalo will be joining the ranks of 24 next year.  She will be playing “a government agent who is part of the team investigating the crisis befalling Jack Bauer and Co.”

Could this be another indication of the changes that are coming to 24?  Garofalo is pretty much known for her comedic roles…will she be the one changing to fit the more somber tones of the show, or will the show itself be brightening up a bit?  I’m not sure either alternative really fits 24.

(Source: TVGuide)

It’s been a rough few months for 24.

This past season drew the rage of many fans by recycling old storylines and really just being all-around boring.  Then, then producers tried to mix up the formula by moving it at least in-part to Africa, but were shot down by FOX, who cited financial reasons.

Now, the show has hit another delay.  Production was set to begin on August 27, but has been bumped back again to September 10, only four months before the season premiere.

I’m still holding out hope that these delays mean that they are striving to create the best possible show, but I’m starting to have a nagging fear that they may just be fumbling to make the show work in a new format.

(Source: Zap2It)

Director Jon Cassar and writer/producers Manny Coto, David Fury and Evan Katz took the stage at Comic-con to answer a few fan questions.

- We’re reminded that, unless we really see someone dead, all’s fair.  See, Tony Almeda was originally slated to come back in the finale of Season 6.  Jack would have been looking out over the ocean, like we left him.  He would have heard Tony, offscreen, saying, “Jack, we have a lot to talk about.” 

- At the beginning of next season, CTU will be disbanded.  Jack will be brought to before a Senate Committee to explain his actions over his past actions.

- Season 7 will be set in DC.

- The 24 movie, which won’t happen until after the show goes off the air, will possibly be set with one half non-real time, and one half real time.  For example, a bomb is triggered mid-film that sets the clock in motion (that’s all my speculation there).

That’s about it.  It’s good to see some changes coming regarding location, and the lack of CTU support is a nice shift, too.