FOX may have just made the smartest post-strike decision of any network. After deciding to shelve Season 7 of 24 until January of 2009 because of the Writers strike, FOX has announced that a two-hour Season 7 prequel movie is in the works to air on the network sometime in Fall 2008. The made for television movie is “designed to bridge the two-year gap between Seasons 6 and 7.” (link) FOX has stuck with the belief that all 24 hours of 24 must be aired as close together as possible, which is why even though “there were rumblings about a possible split of the seventh season into two parts to air in the fall and in midseason…FOX was quick to put those rumors to rest, reiterating that he show’s scheduling pattern will remain intact with January launch.” (link)
After a lackluster Season 6 the news that almost two years would pass before the next season began seems like almost a death blow to the revolutionary real-time show. It’s amazing the ups and downs this show has had over its 6 year run. From its first season which defied critics who said a real-time show could never make it to Season 5 which set an all new high for the Kiefer Sutherland action/drama, the show has continued to do well while going through cast members like water (with a fatality rate much higher than even Lost for those of you counting at home).
While the show has once again made Sutherland a star, there were reports of growing concern as to the direction Season 7 was taking and the increasing budget to make 24 work. Hopefully with the extended break and the additional two hours the 24 movie brings the writers and producers will be able to get the show back on track and Jack Bauer can do what he does best, save the world from total destruction.