Mucho mucho spoiler-o . . . .

This was posted on DigitalSpy . . . sounds ominous! <_<

Virtually all of the 24 cast have been axed as part of a major overhaul of the show, it has been confirmed.

Only Kiefer Sutherland will be back to reprise his role as Jack Bauer in season four, premiering January 2005 in the States.

The news means that James Badge Dale (Chase), Elisha Cuthbert (Kim), Carlos Bernard (Tony), Reiko Aylesworth (Michelle) and even Dennis Haysbert (David Palmer) will all be given at best just a few appearances in the new season.

Speaking at the TCA's summer press tour, executive producer Joel Surnow confirmed that the only other returning actor will be Geoff Pierson, who played Palmer's Republican rival John Keeler in season three. Come season four, Keeler will have taken over from Palmer as President.

Surnow also revealed that Jack will no longer be working for CTU.

:o Shocking stuff, this changes everything! I wonder if they have any big names lined up? :unsure:

But didn’t a few of the cast members sign up for another season or 2? :huh:

Yes, it is shocking. I honestly can’t think of another show that has virtually replaced all it’s cast members from one season to another. I can see both sides of the argument thought, whilst the characters are established and well loved (especially Palmer) within core 24 fans, some had reached their sell by date (pains me to say Kim!). The trouble with new season regulars is that they have to be established before any form of a bond can be made between them and the viewer. Take Chase for example, I thought he was twit til about half way in and then after the Mexico stuff, I changed my view of him, only for the soap-opera-style "its my baby" fiasco! <_<

I guess this all fits in with last season and all the ‘loose’ ends being tied up.

Also – if Jack is no longer at CTU, the rumour that it might be partly set in the UK might be true. B)

It is certainly going to be a very long wait to January! :cry:

I'm surprised that they are getting rid of Kim, but I'm not too bothered. They had managed to make Kim a more likable character this year by stopping her from becoming the girl in danger every week for S3 but I'm not sad to see her go.

A few more bits and bobs about casting:

I do like the sound of Shohreh Aghdashloo joining. She is a really good actress and anyone who hasn’t seen The House of Sand and Fog, frankly should! B)

Raver has clearly been wheeled in for a bit of a love life for Bauer to develop. I reckon she’ll do well against Kiefer. :)

How long before the new love interest's life is threatened? :lol:

I say 3 hours max! :D

The House Of Sand And Fog is an amazing film, and she was amazing in it. And Kim Raver :thumbsup: I wonder if she is... :lol:




****Season 3 Spoilers****

I don't think this is a bad thing. I thought Palmer's story was just padding in season 3, and with Tony going to prison I expect it would be difficult for Michelle to stay on. And I am definitely not unhappy to be rid of Kim! :lol:

What price on them bringing Nina and Sherry back from the dead, though? Sherry was dead, right? :unsure:

She looked pretty dead to me, there were quite a few bullets fired into her.

Me too! <_< :D


Also - just thought to throw in a coupl of Kim Raver pics for those not familair with her on Third Watch . . .

:wub: :wub:

Lukas Haas has also been added to the ever increasing S4 cast as Andrew Paige, a computer hacker.

Is he playing an Amish computer hacker? One who wants to be all rebellious and anti-authority but actually isn't allowed to plug the pc in? :unsure:

Jonathan Ahdout who played Shohreh Aghdashloo's son in "The House of Sand and Fog" has also been added to the S4 cast as, er . . . Shohreh Aghdashloo's son! <_<

Should be interesting! :lol:




******** Season 3 blah blah *******

Steve, the early Palmer stuff was pointless. It did frustrate me because the Mexico stuff turned out to be quite weak too. I reckon they’ll see how the ratings go and if they’re going down a bit they’ll wheel in some of the oldies. Also Amador turned out to be so useless it was just plain stupid! :(

Eitherway, I’d expect one of the oldies to pop up at least during the Feb sweeps. :)

Next you'll be telling us Ben Kingsley and Jennifer Connolly have signed up! :lol:





***** Season 3 Spoilers *****

Totally agree Moe. I thought the Palmer stuff was totally divorced from the main plot this year, which made it a bit difficult to get interested in. The Mexico storyline just seemed like a red herring in the end - and it wasn't at all jingoistic, oh no! :lol:

Now that would be brilliant. I’m going to email Fox about it . . . :lol:




**** S3 Stuff *********


For me this season was the equivalent of Buffy S4 in that it was a below par overall but produced some superb episodes. I know the context of 24 doesn’t allow stand-alones as such but the end result of some was still fantastic ever so often.

Jack killing Chappelle was brutal yet fascinating (and arguably relevant to current affaires) TV. That episode was some of the best TV I’ve seen all year. I don’t often get up from having watched an episode of anything, thinking f*uk! After this I was gobsmaked, shocked even. It left a very bitter taste in my mouth. :unsure:

The stupid thing is that because of a Dubbya speech, the episode was moved from it’s usual Tuesday slot to Sunday in the US and this caused the audience for it to literally halve! And Fox being as clever as they are didn’t even repeat the episode. :mad:

That's terrible! Bloody Fox!! :angry:



**** More S3 Stuff ****

Yeah, the Chappelle episode was riveting. You've got to start worrying about Jack's superiors, though. Chappelle, dead. Mason, dead. Almeida, in prison. :lol:

I really think the changes could be good for the series. I'm disappointed that Michelle is going, though, cos she was the best character in it this year, imo.

*More s3 stuff*

I thought Michelle and Tony were the best part of s3, Im really annoyed that they are going...