Question: What is the best thing about Season 8 so far?

41% (83 votes) – Renee Walker’s emotional problems.
17% (35 votes) – Cylon mothership inspired CTU NY set design.
15% (31 votes) – Jack’s new, sophisticated manbag.
15% (30 votes) – Anil Kapoor’s hair … it’s so bad, it’s good.
7% (14 votes) – Katee Sackhoff’s legs in that dress.
3% (7 votes) – Chloe’s sheer, leopard print top. Was that a gift from Morris?

This poll has been running from right after the 4 hour premiere aired to now (just over 1/3 of the way through the season).  The results were overwhelming in favour of Renee Walker and her affecting (though far-fetched) emotional breakdown as the winner.  Jack’s new leather manbag and Anil Kapoor’s pompadour were pretty much neck and neck with only one vote separating them, but both were edged slightly by the new set design inside CTU.  As for Katee Sackhoff’s legs and Chloe’s horrendous wardrobe selections this season, no one seems to care much for them.

Don’t forget to vote in our new follow-up poll on the worst thing about Season 8 so far.

I want a Season 9 solely because I want a vehicle for the return and redemption of Tony Almeida, not because I can’t live without another year of Bauer Power, but nonetheless, this gives me some hope.  Although it appeared that everyone, including Kiefer Sutherland himself and the rest of the cast and crew, had assumed Season 8 would be the swan song for FOX’s flagship drama, a report on Friday from the Toronto Sun (yay Canadian news media outlets!) suggests that Season 9 may be in the works after all.  Negotiations regarding an extension of Kiefer Sutherland’s contract is the first step, and according to FOX Entertainment President Kevin Reilly, those are scheduled to begin in about two weeks’ time.  What I found interesting are the reports from a source “close to Sutherland” that Kiefer’s infamous problems with alcohol, most specifically the 48 day jail term he served for impaired driving that interrupted production of Season 7, were a strong factor in the network’s inclination to end the series after the conclusion of Season 8 and their contractual obligations to Sutherland.  Highlights:

Kiefer Sutherland had been under the working assumption that Season Eight of his hit series 24 would be his last. [...] But, now 24 is back and looking as good as ever, talks are hurriedly being scheduled for a ninth season; and it seems a good bet Sutherland’s now-iconic role won’t be put to rest just yet. (more …)

… but not actually linked.  What up withat, Groucho?  Not very blogging-friendly of you to forgo the linkback!  Nonetheless, I enjoyed their review of Season 7, which was not crazy-glowing but certainly far from uncomplimentary, and it makes some very valid points in a very balanced way.  Highlights:

24 has always been uneven as it tries to keep the adventure alive and kicking through twenty-four episodes, but the early seasons had an undeniable vigor in their variations on a formula. Recent years, however, have understandably strained to sustain freshness, especially with a self-imposed mandate to twist the plot with double and triple-agent characters who betray loyalties from within CTU or the White House. Fan and critical griping came to a head with the widely-panned Season Six, so it was a blessing in disguise when the 2007-2008 Writer’s Strike halted preparations and caused a year-long delay for the Season Seven launch. With more time to “break” the story, the 24 team could begin filming from a place of relative confidence (though the show would shut down again, late in production, to rewrite a pivotal episode). (more …)

The writers and producers of 24 think they can get away with No Tony In Day 8 if Annie Wersching distracts us by posing for FHM? Not bloody likely! (although at least the pictures are tasteful, thanks for having standards, Annie).  Just hoping a few facts and figures will provide some food for thought …

Number of different search terms related to Tony and Season 8 that have directed people to AlmeidaIsGod.com since S7 ended: 440

Number of site visits generated for AlmeidaIsGod.com from people looking for information in search engines about Tony in Season 8 since S7 ended: 1,466

Number of times the “Bring Tony Back to Season 8″ petition has been viewed since it launched in November: 1,483

Number of signatures on the “Bring Tony Back to Season 8″ petition: 179

Come on, people, do the right thing and BRING HIM BACK!

Gareth over at TV or Not TV has posted a hilarious “Year In Review” piece, dishing out a flurry of smart and funny commentary on the greatest performances, biggest disappointments and other goodies on the boob tube in 2009.  24’s seventh season is featured prominently!  Highlights:

TV or Not TV Nominee for Man of the Year – Carlos Bernard:

I couldn’t forget the Almeida could I!?

‘24’s seventh season seems like a lifetime ago but it was only back at the start of the year that we got to witness the resurrection of possibly the most beloved character on the show.

Brought back from the dead, Carlos Bernard’s Tony Almeida went on one hell of a journey through ‘24’s seventh day, culminating in his master plan to avenge the murder of his wife and unborn child being thwarted and him being carted away in bracelets.

Almeida’s journey was by far and away the best thing about season 7 and encompassed some great moments as well as some truly shocking moments. This was the first chance the producers gave Bernard to really sink his teeth in to Tony and he did not disappoint, which makes his reported absence from season 8 all the more mind-boggling. (more …)

According to cinematographer Rodney Charters’ Twitter Feed, it sounds like the cast and crew of 24 are anticipating the show will wrap for good on network television in Spring 2010, at the end of the 8th Season.  Charters states:

At a fine restaurant debating how we will cope with the demise of 24. It’s family, unimaginable to walk away from 9 years of camaraderie

and

Celebrating with Kiefer the extraordinary gift of 24 mindful that our continuance not expected nor even discussed or in contractual talks

While I can’t imagine this comes as a surprise to most fans, who have been aware of the show’s uncertain future after this season since the summer when a number of sources reported that FOX had no plans in the works to renew after Season 8, I can imagine it does come as quite a disappointment to the Tony Almeida contingent after last month’s unhappy news that Tony will most likely not be appearing in the new season. (more …)

Now that we’ve all had a chance to process this terribly disappointing news, I’m trying to figure out where my head is at.

I have to say, I’m still pretty floored that the show elected to go this route, because in my mind all signs, and common sense, pointed to the opposite.  I had already decided before Season 7 ended that if the writers saw fit to leave Tony breathing when the finale beeped its last boop, then we definitely hadn’t seen the last of the character and it was almost certain he would return for Season 8.  At the time, Sutherland, Gordon and FOX had pretty well announced that Season 8 would be the last season of 24 to air on network.  And so Tony’s return seemed even more likely given that he has been an elite, epic character on the show and if the show was going to end, deserved more definitive closure and resolution to his relationship with Jack than we received at the end of Season 7. (more …)

SCI FI Wire caught up with Katee Sackhoff, a perennial favourite from her days at Battlestar Galactica (and a new favourite of yours truly’s after falling in love with her character Kara “Starbuck” Thrace during my recent BSG Virgin Viewing Experience), to chat about her new role as top analyst Dana Walsh in the newly resurrected Counter Terrorist Unit of Season 8. (more …)

Last week, UK magazine The Sun asked Tony fans to submit their questions for an exclusive webchat with Carlos Bernard. Hurray to Avery for representing the site (and North America, it seems) and having her question addressed in the webchat! Highlights:

You’ve said that you love the journey that Tony has taken to get to this point but what do you think of the vehemence with which fans have reacted, both positive and negative?
Avery, New Orleans

I can only feel good that people react either way, positively or negatively. Whether they’re angry or supportive of the character, if they’re reacting with a lot of passion then that’s great. It means they care. (more …)

Holy shit, I just about peed my pants when I saw this item on Michael Ausiello’s Twitter Feed. He reports on his blog:

Former 24 heroine Reiko Aylesworth has booked a recurring role on Damages, sources confirm to me exclusively.

Not surprisingly, details about her character are being kept under wraps. The actress joins a season 3 cast that also includes new series regulars Campbell Scott and Martin Short, as well as special guest stars Lily Tomlin and Keith Carradine.

Production of the show’s 13-episode third season began last week ahead of a January debut.

Oh my Almeida, I already couldn’t wait until Season 3 of Damages started, but now, I’m tingly all over.