24 Premier tonight!

[ninamyers 0]

I thought it was pretty average, but I've heard that tonight's episodes are gonna be the best ever or something. I'm sceptical, but I will definitely be watching.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I shouldn't really be complaining about the lack of character development in a show that show that is primarily action driven (rather than character driven), but it would be nice if TV producers would stop treating their audiences like idiots and start making more sophisticated shows.

A film professor of mine told us students that television thrives on mediocrity and it's done on purpose...to keep you sitting there hoping to feel full.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I shouldn't really be complaining about the lack of character development in a show that show that is primarily action driven (rather than character driven), but it would be nice if TV producers would stop treating their audiences like idiots and start making more sophisticated shows.

A film professor of mine told us students that television thrives on mediocrity and it's done on purpose...to keep you sitting there hoping to feel full.

To be fair I'm not sure that's true - HBO has consistently put out interesting and entertaining drama: The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Big Love are all interesting (and popular) character driven dramas.

I just wonder why the regular networks aren't able to do likewise - its certainly not that they lack the budget, or the talent for that matter. I the producers impose strict creative controls as to what you can do with the formula.

IMO (and this applies to pop music and most movies) the public don't seem to demand originality. Hence you end up with endless sequels of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre as well as numerous remakes of old movies. All you have to do is come up with a "winning formula" and give people more of the same until you've wrung everything out of it. The X-Files (which I liked - at least for the first 3 seasons), is a good example of that.

Edited January 16, 2007 by erekose

[garya505 2]

Well, a sub-kiloton nuke lit off in LA just before the end of the show, that was interesting.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I shouldn't really be complaining about the lack of character development in a show that show that is primarily action driven (rather than character driven), but it would be nice if TV producers would stop treating their audiences like idiots and start making more sophisticated shows.

A film professor of mine told us students that television thrives on mediocrity and it's done on purpose...to keep you sitting there hoping to feel full.

To be fair I'm not sure that's true - HBO has consistently put out interesting and entertaining drama: The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Big Love are all interesting (and popular) character driven dramas.

I just wonder why the regular networks aren't able to do likewise - its certainly not that they lack the budget, or the talent for that matter. I the producers impose strict creative controls as to what you can do with the formula.

IMO (and this applies to pop music and most movies) the public don't seem to demand originality. Hence you end up with endless sequels of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre as well as numerous remakes of old movies. All you have to do is come up with a "winning formula" and give people more of the same until you've wrung everything out of it. The X-Files (which I liked - at least for the first 3 seasons), is a good example of that.

The professor was refering to commercial television. Advertising revenue is critical for regular television which means those stations depend on viewers to watch longer, while HBO is a paid subscription.

If anything, HBO has shown that subscription, commercial free television is much better than regular tv as a whole.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The professor was refering to commercial television. Advertising revenue is critical for regular television which means those stations depend on viewers to watch longer, while HBO is a paid subscription.

If anything, HBO has shown that subscription, commercial free television is much better than regular tv as a whole.

Ah I see. That's certainly true from my experience - similarly BBC TV programming in the UK (also a paid subscription service - it's what the licence fee pays for) is of a generally higher standard to the commercial stations.

[Ban Hammer 13,340]

Well, a sub-kiloton nuke lit off in LA just before the end of the show, that was interesting.

la? that could be termed "urban renewal"

[Robor007 0]

I recorded both episodes last night but only the first episode recorded. BrightHouse's HD-DVR sucks!!!!!!!

Anyway, I'm very disappointed in 24 so far this year. Already there's a guy on the inside who let the terrorist escape the prison (I'm shocked!). And I think the whole story with the family being held hostage while the father goes to deliver the package and bring back the device was weak. He overpowers they guy demanding more money for the device. Great! Now he can take his gun and go back and kill the terrorist kid holding his family hostage, right? Nah, that would make too much sense. Okay, he can just damage the part so it doesn't work. Not hard to do without it being detected. Again, that would make too much sense. I know it's just a TV show but it seems like I'm watching a horror movie plot. You know, 'Hey, I heard a noise in that rumored haunted house. Let's investigate'... :-/

Edited January 16, 2007 by Robor007

[Savanphil 3]

I loved it I watched all four hours. My biggest shock was that Jack killed Curtis. I was just wondering when he would die because he's been around for a while.

To the Naysayers, its called "suspension of disbelief''. It's entertainment for crying outloud

[garya505 2]

I loved it I watched all four hours. My biggest shock was that Jack killed Curtis. I was just wondering when he would die because he's been around for a while.

Jack is totally to dedicated to his cause, but has sacrificed his life for this. Although he's a hero, he's also a very tragic character. In some sense I think he's portraying the ultimate soldier, and there will be no happy ending for him whatever the results of his sacrifice.

[Robor007 0]

I loved it I watched all four hours. My biggest shock was that Jack killed Curtis. I was just wondering when he would die because he's been around for a while.

To the Naysayers, its called "suspension of disbelief''. It's entertainment for crying outloud

The problem is it's not entertaining when it's the same exact poor plot over and over again. I love the non-stop episode schedule but nothing about this show is original anymore...

There's a mass-scale terrorist threat against the US

President, CTU, etc respond by the book and of course it's the wrong course of action

Jack goes 'rogue' and saves the day *or* Jack would have saved the day but was impeded by CTU regulations

Mole in CTU

Mole in US Gov't

Mole in etc, etc, etc

Terrorists are almost caught but (to everyone's surprise) they escape

CTU realizes Jack is right and combined efforts neutralize the threat

The End

Edited January 16, 2007 by Robor007

[garya505 2]

I don't understand why people watch it if they don't like it. Is this some new form of "closet masochism"?

[Savanphil 3]

I loved it I watched all four hours. My biggest shock was that Jack killed Curtis. I was just wondering when he would die because he's been around for a while.

To the Naysayers, its called "suspension of disbelief''. It's entertainment for crying outloud

The problem is it's not entertaining when it's the same exact poor plot over and over again. I love the non-stop episode schedule but nothing about this show is original anymore...

There's a mass-scale terrorist threat against the US

President, CTU, etc respond by the book and of course it's the wrong course of action

Jack goes 'rogue' and saves the day *or* Jack would have saved the day but was impeded by CTU regulations

Mole in CTU

Mole in US Gov't

Mole in etc, etc, etc

Terrorists are almost caught but (to everyone's surprise) they escape

CTU realizes Jack is right and combined efforts neutralize the threat

The End

C'mon admit it you've been reading the spoilers

[Cassie 8]

I recorded both episodes last night but only the first episode recorded. BrightHouse's HD-DVR sucks!!!!!!!

Anyway, I'm very disappointed in 24 so far this year. Already there's a guy on the inside who let the terrorist escape the prison (I'm shocked!). And I think the whole story with the family being held hostage while the father goes to deliver the package and bring back the device was weak. He overpowers they guy demanding more money for the device. Great! Now he can take his gun and go back and kill the terrorist kid holding his family hostage, right? Nah, that would make too much sense. Okay, he can just damage the part so it doesn't work. Not hard to do without it being detected. Again, that would make too much sense. I know it's just a TV show but it seems like I'm watching a horror movie plot. You know, 'Hey, I heard a noise in that rumored haunted house. Let's investigate'... :-/

You sound like my husband, who was pounding his fists into the couch evrytime he found a hole in the plot.

Me, I'm strangely proud that it was Canadian comedian Shawn Majumder who set off the atomic bomb.

[Robor007 0]

I don't understand why people watch it if they don't like it. Is this some new form of "closet masochism"?

I'm not saying I don't like it, I'm just saying, '24 is not all that'. As far as action shows go, I'd much rather watch 'The Unit'. 24 is a decent show with a unique schedule (all episodes back-to-back with no gaps or repeats). While it's a cool concept I think it limits the show in a way. Rather than making a dozen or two dozen episodes about one thing or another that don't have to relate they have to create a single story line with side plots and tie it all together. Add to that the fact that there's always a mole and CTU uppers never listen to Jack when he's never been wrong and the terrorists always narrowly escape... Like I said, a decent commercial TV show.