With no conclusion to the writer’s strike in sight, this year’s television season has been decisively swept away. This leaves all of us in TV land to sit and guess what our favorite characters would be doing right about now. I have friends who are desperately wondering what their favorite Housewives are up to. There are others who just can’t wait to see the next gore fest on CSI. For me, my long lost show is Fox’s 24. I don’t remember a show that has sparked as much debate in the circles I run in more than the adventures of Agent Bauer.
In fact, no show in recent memory has captured the attention of America (and the world at large) quite like this one. For those who prefer more lighthearted fare from the slim pickings of what’s on TV, 24 follows the adventures of a counter-terrorism agent named Jack Bauer, played by Kiefer Sutherland. Throughout the show’s tenure, Jack and his agency, CTU, (I’ll leave the acronym to your imagination) has fought every form of terrorism both foreign and domestic.
What brings it to mind is recent complaints from the conservative media for the strike to end so that “their” show can return to the airwaves. What’s so interesting about the show is that in this time of political divisiveness, the show has allowed the Red vs. Blue battle bleed over into the public square of entertainment as never before. When the season 7 premiere was pushed back, the national conversation about it picked up speed amongst fans causing them to discuss, rant about, complain and white-knuckle their remote waiting for the now-famous LED logo that runs at the top of each show.
What I find so fascinating is that both sides truly believe that 24 is “their” show.
Sit-down comedian Rush Limbaugh spoke at a forum at the Ronald Reagan Trade center praising the “brains and creativity” of 24. Conservative talk show host Laura Ingraham could barely contain her excitement when she was offered a walk on role towards the end of last season. Conservatives feel that finally there is a show emerging from the liberal precipice that they can relate to. The President and former Secretary Donald Rumsfeld are apparently big fans.
My only question is, have they ever actually seen the show? Though the baddies in this series have ranged from Latin American coke peddlers to Caucasian Muslim fundamentalists, there has been one element that is almost a constant; the government of these United States has been, in whole or in part complicit by action or non-action in the attacks that take place in the show. One example; Season 5. With a few keystrokes, one can easily find a truckload of conspiracy theories relating the worst event in our history; 9/11. Some say that our government knew ahead to time and did nothing; some go so far as to say that the CIA planned the whole thing, soup to nuts.
A quick summary of that fifth season: The Logan Administration planned to create a catastrophic terrorist event in order to justify and immediate and permanent presence in the Middle East in order to pacify its citizens and reap profits from the untold oil wealth of the region and blame everything on Arab fundamentalists. Sound familiar, conspiracy enthusiasts? What’s more is another constant, the biggest obstacle to Agent Bauer getting the bad guys has been always been a corrupt, shady government hell-bent on eliminating its opponents by whatever means necessary. One can go round and round on the quality of the show, but before the American right can claim this show as one of their own, I have one humble piece of advice: watch it.
All that aside, no matter who is a fan, as viewers of each of our respective shows, we can all just sit and wait for this black hole in entertainment to close up. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait another few months for you, dear readers, to see if you agree or disagree with this theory. In the meantime, we’ll all have to get by on mid-season starters and reality TV, the entertainment equivalent of emergency rations: they aren’t very good but they’ll keep you alive until you’re rescued.
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2 responses so far ↓
1 Jeff // Jan 15, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Sorry Bro but you know my opinion on this crap show, I don’t think it’s any surprise the right loves it, and I’m sure they watch it, they just Actually think it’s sweet that the Gov acts that way. I’d rather watch a million days straight of American Idol before 1 episode of 24. Remember Lakisha, she was the shit, Jack Bauer and the fans who love him are actual shit, with the exception of you man. Just when it comes to TV for you.
2 Vigilante // Jan 15, 2008 at 6:27 pm
I agree with you, totally, Jeff. I have pontificiated elsewhere on 24. It totally sucks. Appeals to the base of the least common denominator.
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