TV with MeeVee

"24" Update: Prequel Set For November

Fox announces its fall schedule today, and the first news is that Sunday Nov. 23 has been set as the airdate for the two-hour "24" prequel movie. Weirdly, there's no title given, but what we'll call "Prequel" was shot on location in South Africa, with Kiefer Sutherland as super-agent Jack Bauer battling yet another international crisis. Meanwhile, back home, Cherry Jones is being inaugurated as president.

All this is set a few months before the regular season, Day 7, which begins in January and features the return of Carlos Bernard as Tony "Isn't he dead?" Almeida. CTU has been dismantled and Jack is on trial. But yet another crisis for the new president brings an investigation led by FBI Agent Janeane Garofalo. And despite CTU's demise, Mary Lynn Rajskub and James Morrison return as Chloe O'Brien and Bill Buchanan.

Morning links busted with pot, Ecstasy, steroids, underaged country singer

No, no, no, we're not Gary Dourdan OR Roger Clemens. We're just good old morning links. We kid because we crave your attention...

• Early word on"Family Guy" spinoff "Cleveland" (right) and other pilotless fall pickup probables. (Hollywood Reporter)
• The return of "House" gives Fox a boost. (TV Decoder)
• And more on Monday ratings. (Televisionista)
• A loooooot of kids want to be in "High School Musical." Like, no kidding. (Buddy TV)
• Coming this fall on the "24" prequel: Jack Bauer in Africa. Cool! (Buddy TV)
• Big episode for "Reaper" Tuesday. C'mon, CW, renew this show! (TV Squad)
• Lucille Bluth and other "90210" casting news. (TV Addict)
• Katie's ratings still suck to the max. (TV Week)

Life Imitates Jack Bauer

Art imitates life and life imitates art. Inspired by danger and conspiracy and terror, "24" became an icon for people who wanted America to act tough, kick ass, and take names.

Meanwhile, alleges a new book by Philippe Sands, a British lawyer, the lawyers behind the Guantánamo interrogation (i.e. torture) rules were "inspired by the exploits of Jack Bauer."

"24" To Return Early (Sort Of)

The big news overnight: The Hollywood Reporter's scoop that Fox will air a "24" palate cleanser this fall between courses, errr, seasons. The two-hour movie is intended to fill the gap between last year's season six and season seven, which was pushed back by the writers strike to winter/spring 2009. Season seven takes place partially in D.C., where Jack is testifying before Congress about his methods. Anyone familiar with "24" knows that the pols are going to look like cowardly jackals. But we know exactly zip about this fall's movie. The funniest thing I've read about it is BuddyTV's poll:

How many people will Jack Bauer kill in the prequel?
0
1-4
5-10
Over 10

Of course, "Over 10" is the default answer.

"House," "Bones" And Other Fox Series Back In Business

Dr. House will once again be insulting the deathly ill. Why do we love him so.

Booth and Brennan will be flirting inappropriately over the grotesque remains of innocent crime victims. And Peter Griffin will be back sobbing into his beer at the Drunken Clam.

Fox has announced resumed production and post-strike premiere dates for a bunch of shows. Among those that will be back on the set is "24," which will finish up production on its seventh season, even though it won't return until Jan. 2009.

"Bones" will be back with new shows April 14, while "House" follows two weeks later. The much-ballyhooed Julianna Margulies courtroom series "Canterbury's Law" finally sees the air March 10. The complete press release with all the details is after the jump.

Morning Reading: "Jericho" Weak, And More

• The premiere numbers for the return of CBS' "Jericho" (right) are not encouraging for fans who worked so hard to get it back on the air. In fact, "all signs point to cancel." (TV By The Numbers)
• Kristin Chenoweth of "Pushing Daisies" and mucho Broadway experience will sing at the Oscars. (The Piemaker)
• MTV and NBC are coooking up some slick joint plans for the debut of "Quarterlife." (Reuters)
• CW's "Girlfriends" is a goner. (AP)
• New NBC honcho Ben Silverman has been sort of a lightning rod throughout the season, in part because he's young and in part because he has a habit of shooting from the lip. Wonder what people will say now that he's sold his production company for $125 million. (TV Decoder)
• Be glad you don't work for NBC's "Last Call." Remember when the network browbeat Carson Daly into being the first late-night host back to work? Well now they fired a bunch of his staff anyway. (Deadline Hollywood Daily)
• NBC is also going to be the only network that doesn't do a traditional upfront sales presentation. (Reuters)
• Fox confirmed what we've all known for weeks: no "24" till January 2009. (AP)

"24" Faces Almost As Many Challenges As Jack Bauer

At a turbulent time for his signature work, "24" creator Joel Surnow has "opted to depart," Variety reports. Surnow's deal with Twentieth Century Fox Television was up in April. But his decision to leave comes at a time when his right-wing politics - and his show's attitude toward torture - were becoming a liability in Hollywood, if not with viewers. But then, ratings have shrunk a little too. "24" was already changing up its plans for season seven, with a move to Washington and direct confrontation of the torture issue. As many as half of the episodes had been shot when the writers strike brought production to a halt. There was also the little matter of a DUI arrest for star Kiefer Sutherland, who did his 40 days in the old Greybar Hotel over the holidays, in hopes of returning to the set when the strike was settled. But now the show won't be back on Fox until January 2009. Here's a promo, anyway, complete with Kiefer's greeting to the fans in the UK:

Writers Strike: So Now What About "24"? And "Lost"? And...

The staff of your favorite sitcom is champing at the bit to start writing new jokes beginning Wednesday, assuming writers vote tomorrow to end their strike. But serial dramas are in a very different place, as the shows with the most to gain or lose as Hollywood returns to work. In recent seasons, the networks found out that shows like "24" and "Lost" play best in big chunks uninterrupted by reruns, allowing viewers to get fully absorbed in the often complex storylines. But the strike screwed up networks' plans. So what's up with your favorite drama series?

Well, the showrunner - aka the producer who makes it all go - is probably figuring that out at this very second, or possibly staring at his telephone in agitation, waiting impatiently for a call from the network that will give him his marching orders. (Shonda Rhimes aside, most showrunners are still men.) But even though the situation remains unsettled, the contradictory plans for Fox's "24" and ABC's "Lost" will give you a feel for what's really going on out there.

The anti-terrorism drama "24" was due to air 22 straight from early January through May sweeps, tag-teaming the Nielsen ratings with "American Idol" as in years past. ABC and "Lost" producers had committed to three more seasons of 16 episodes each, this year and in 2009 and 2010, giving dubious viewers some assurance of an orderly wrapup to the mystery-laden series. "Lost" was due to start airing in late January or February with a more-or-less uninterrupted run until May.

Morning Reading: Belated "Hey, I Had To Vote" Edition

• The WGA has scheduled major membership meetings for the weekend to talk strike settlement. (Scribe Vibe)
• I don't know how I missed this over the weekend, but here's a really good Wall Street Journal article on this season's, um, tortuous creative process on "24," which now may not debut until January 2009. (WSJ.com)
• Bryan Cranston talks "Breaking Bad." (Buddy TV)
• While the Super Bowl set a ratings record for the game, the post-game episode of "House" did very well too, scoring 33 million viewers. Or maybe 29 million. Either way, not bad since in New York and Boston it was considerably delayed for local post-game blather. (newsday.com and nyt.com)

Morning Reading: Writers Strike, "Eli Stone," "Jericho" And More

• TiFaux has joined the strike-centric Adopt A Writer project, but also has the best criticism of it in the headline for this item: "TV Writers and TV Bloggers: Holding Hands, Riding on Unicorns."
• ABC has added a disclaimer to its controversial premiere of "Eli Stone." (TV Guide)
• Photo spoilers for the season premiere of "Jericho." (Televisionista)
• Bob Newhart will stand in for his late TV spouse, Suzanne Pleshette, where her star on the Walk of Fame is dedicated. (TV Squad)
• Another sign of the apocalypse: "Celebrity Apprentice" gets a second season. but where oh where will they find someone as creepy as Gene Simmons (right)? (TV Squad)
• Screen Actors Guilding begins to prepare for its negotiations with the producers. (LA Times)
• "Idol" and "House" kick ass in Tuesday ratings. Duh. (TV Decoder)
• Another studio strikes a side deal with the writers. (Scribe Vibe)
• Self-aggrandizing douchebag Dr. Phil says he "regrets" the Britney mess, but, uh, he didn't violate anyone's trust, and he only did what he did to "stop speculation." (AP)
• On the bright side, "Montel" is history. (H'wood reporter via Reuters)
• Breaking "24" news: Chloe is pregnant! Well, not Chloe, but the actress who plays her. (E!)

Kiefer Sutherland Is In Jail

Originally scheduled to serve his time (for a 2nd DUI conviction) beginning on December 21, Kiefer Sutherland reported to prison last night instead. The plan had been to get locked up over Christmas to avoid interrupting the filming of "24," but the writer's strike means he's got time off now. So, why not take it?

No word on whether Jack Bauer is going to be waterboarded until he reveals the hidden location of the deal that can stop the WGA strike.

WGA Strike Solution: Hire Cats As Scabs

Here's a video of what would happen if LOLcats (that is, those cats with silly captions that are so popular among unemployed writers right now) were writing the next season of "24." In summary, the president would be a walrus, and the bad guy would be a cat, and Jack would have to find the president's missing bucket of fish.

Writers Strike: All The Latest Bad News

It really is Apocalypse Hollywood. And Jack Bauer can't save us.

That's what I wrote last night, and it appears even more accurate in the cold light of day. The effects of the strike are being felt faster than anyone thought. Fox late yesterday announced a complete schedule re-set for the rest of the 2007-2008 season, which includes sliding Day 7 of "24" until next season.

Perhaps not a coincidence that the WGA has scheduled its first mass picket for Friday at Fox? (Scribe Vibe)
 

We'd like to bring you some hopeful news, but so far there isn't any. The strikers mock greedy moguls. Moguls mock the strikers. Just about everyone in the industry is caught in the middle - and/or looking to the writers to set the tone for their own looming negotiations. Oh, and oil is headed for $100 a barrel. Yup, nothing but good news.

THE LATEST:

• Will sad TV fans turn to MySpace? The producers of "thirtysomething" hope so. (AP)
• Are some soaps already hiring scabs who'll work behind the anonymity of email? (United Hollywood)
• Breaking down Fox's complicated plan. (TVG)
• Fox shuffle means only one more "Prison Break" in 2007. (Televisionista)
• Studios threaten to sue showrunners (who live on both sides of the strike). (Televisionista)
• Strike could be bad news for "Heroes" fans. (TV Squad)

The United Hollywood YouTube page is a great place to look for WGA strike video. Here's one with legendary comedy producer Garry Marshall:

Writers Strike: Bad To Worse, Fox Re-Sets '08 Sked, "24" On Ice

It really is Apocalypse Hollywood. And Jack Bauer can't save us.

 Positions are hardening, the mouthpieces for both sides have become lightning rods for their opponents, and as everyone really looks at their production schedules and business models, the effects of the strike are being felt faster than anyone thought. Fox late yesterday announced a complete schedule re-set for the rest of the 2007-2008 season.

The network lists revised premiere dates for new and returning shows and a "mix of original and encore episodes to begin in January." The "24" premiere has been postponed, apparently till next season, "to ensure that Day 7 can air uninterrupted in its entirety." A Fox boss told the Hollywood Reporter that it just won't air this season, due to the uncertainty about the strike. "American Idol" bows Jan. 15-16, two hours both nights. Repeats of "House" will air on Mondays and Fridays, although a new episode with Mira Sorvino is set for after the Super Bowl. Premieres of midseason shows have been scattered through March and April, with Julianna Margulies' "Canterbury's Law" not bowing until April 11.

Dooooooooom.

And there's more.

A deal was missed by 12 hours? REALLY? (Variety)

The two sides are "further apart than they have ever been, and that’s saying a lot. Both sides believe they have fresh and ample reasons not to go back into negotiations anytime soon or even backchannel." (Deadline Hollywood Daily)

A whole lot of shows, careers and businesses are hanging in the balance, waiting for a creative, open-minded person or persons to step up and find a way out of this mess. If that doesn't happen, we're in trench warfare, Verdun on Pico, and this TV season is just the first thing going down in flames.

"24" Could Take A Few Pointers From "Prison Break"

The writer's strike is especially dangerous for serials like Fox's "24" and "Prison Break." They depend on hooking viewers with ongoing suspense - continuing plotlines punctuated by weekly cliffhangers. Continuity is important. That's the main reason the network has taken to airing them in long, uninterrupted strings of episodes, rather than the repeat-laden schedule normal for sitcoms and traditional dramas like "Bones" that wrap up their stories each week. With a long strike, "Prison Break" could end up paused indefinitely in the middle of a season's complicated adventures. "24," set to debut in January, might not air this season at all. Will viewers still care if and when when they return? Well, I'll care about "Prison Break." But "24," maybe not.

"24" gets all the attention and bigger ratings. But "24" also gets all the abuse. Last season was widely reviled by both mainstream critics and blog-comment wiseasses. The show, starring Kiefer Sutherland as anti-terrorism agent Jack Bauer, has become deeply ingrained into the popular consciousness. It's also become something of a joke, with its endless close calls, fakeouts and miraculous escapes. The writers are making it up as they go along, yet feel obligated to jack up the stakes each and every season. By last year's season six, the dangers Jack faced, the complications of the story, seemed both wildly over-the-top and boringly repetitive.

"Prison Break" had some of the same problems last season, its second. The first year, the focus was entirely on Michael Scofield's elaborate plot to break his brother, Lincoln Burrows, out of the fictional Fox River penitentiary in Illinois. But the breakout led to a second season spent roaming the U.S. and even Central America as the characters fought the elaborate conspiracy that sent Lincoln to prison in the first place. The challenges they faced seemed both wildly over-the-top and mundane  ... just like "24," in other words. Fortunately, ahem, the second season ended with Michael thrown into a hellish Panamanian prison. Now, in season three, he's once again trying to deliver on an impossible escape plan. The show is once again cohesive, focused and at times gruelingly suspenseful.

The strike might render all this moot. Watching last night's two-hour "Prison Break" extravaganza, however, it occurred to me that Fox ought to take some lessons from that show to help "24"...

Jack Bauer, Call Your Congressman!

Everybody's linking to this like it wasn't part of last night's World Series telecast, but here's the "24" season 7 trailer:

"24" Star Gets "48" Days

"24" star Kiefer Sutherland was sentenced to 48 days in prison. That's divided into two hitches in jail, 18 days for his probation violation and 30 for the DUI. However, he doesn't have to go to prison right now, and he doesn't have to serve it all at once: he may well come out for a break (and to keep working on "24") in the middle.

According to a press release from Fox, Bauer... I mean, Sutherland is doing everything he can to put this behind him, and trying to serve the time in a way that won't harm the production schedule of the show or the other people whose jobs depend on him showing up for work.

Pretty nice behavior for a man about to be "interrogated" in a "detention center" for 48 days.

Pope-ly Confusion: Thank God For The Snip Tool In Vista

I just saw this in Yahoo News and had to share it with you. Apparently they're selecting their pictures with an algorithm now, because this item about Carly Pope getting cast on "24" came with a picture of Pope Benedict XVI. It's probably the first time His Holiness has had his name connected to the film "Itty Bitty Titty Committee." Just for the record, that's the real Carly on the right.

What Does Kiefer's DUI Arrest Mean For "24?"

As we mentioned earlier, Kiefer got charged with a DUI last night. However, this turns out not to be his first offense. According to CelebTV.com, he's got a 2004 arrest under his belt, as well as convictions from 1988 and 1993. That many DUIs can mean serious jail time, although the fact that the first two convictions are so far in the past (last century, even!) is probably going to work in his favor.

Besides, does he look drunk in that photo? I didn't think so. That's my expert witness testimony right there. Come on!

Still, Sutherland is still on probation from the '04 DUI, to which he pleaded no contest. And that means that if convicted, he's likely to be sentenced to at least five days in the pokey.  If he gets a particularly stern judge or gets into trouble again, I believe he could get a sentence severe enough to delay filming of this season of "24." The show has already had problems with delays, and Kiefer's law troubles could be yet another in a line of setbacks.

And let's talk about another thing: why the hell do these people drive? If you have an entourage, you'd think one of those people could be your designated driver. And if you have a Bentley, you can afford a driver for it, at least a part time one for party nights. There's got to be a business opportunity here for qualified drivers who know how to keep their mouths shut about who's screwing whom in the back seat.

Or, for bar-owners, you could have a private shuttle service for high-profile clients. At the very least, I'd have some kind of serivce where there's a dude who drives you home in your own car and returns on a folding electric scooter that fits into your trunk. They have it in Louisville, for crying out loud, it would be a huge hit in LA.

"24" Star Kiefer Sutherland DUI Arrest

AP, TMZ and X17 all report that Kiefer Sutherland got busted for a DUI last night after making an illegal U-turnin West L.A. He was released after posting $25,000 bail, with his next court date in October.

I suppose I'm not the first person to make a joke about "24's" Jack Bauer not being able to hold his liquor, or maybe about him torturing the cops until they let him go, so let's cut to speculating about why all these Hollywood actors and musicians keep getting DUI arrests. They obviously seem to think they can get away with it, or that they're not drunk. They're all rich enough to take taxis or limos, so there's no reason for them to drive unless they want to.

Which do you think it is: Is the LAPD cracking down on DUI generally? Or are they making a special effort to look out DUI near celeb hangouts, because high profile arrests might inspire more people to use a designated driver? Are stars just convinced they're invulnerable, and therefore more likely to get busted? Are stars driving drunk deliberately, because they think it's some kind of hilarious challenge? Or is the celebrity arrest rate the same as the non-celebrity arrest rate, but we just hear about the famous people?

"24" Day 7 Gets An Air Date

I just got a press release about "24," day 7, that has a great explanation for the delays in production. You see, it's not that they had to scrap their work and rewrite the whole season, as various outlets had previously reported. No, it's because they want to make sure that Fox is showing original programming year-round, instead of following the usual TV seasons like other networks. Way to spin, guys, way to spin.

Regardless, the show returns to the air on Monday, January 14, 2008, and new eps will run through June of that year. Jack will not be animated (as he is in this picture I snagged from "The Simpsons"), but CTU will be disbanded, and Jack will be working from Washington, D.C.

Also, in a detail sure to please fans, Tony Almeida (played by Carlos Bernard) will return, as will Chloe and Bill, despite CTU's demise. New to the show will be Cherry Jones as President Allison Taylor, as well as a half-dozen other big shots.

A final bit I find fascinating: although "24" has deep veins of right-wing sentiment (that whole pro-torture thing, you know), production for this season is going to be extra-gentle on the environment, using biodiesel in set generators and so forth. They've got those details in a separate press release.

Morning Reads

I'm not sure if this is good news or bad news, but Jim Belushi is moving out from in front of the camera. He's going to direct. ... Doug Elfman has a funny Game Dork column in the Chicago Sun-Times outlining the video game habits of stars like Zac Efron he met on the press tour. Wish I'd thought of that. ... TV Guide reports "24" star Reiko Aylesworth - aka the late Michelle Dessler - is joining "ER" this season. ... Our pal the TV Addict has pix of a certain second-generation Hispanic music star's upcoming appearance on "How I Met Your Mother." ... TV Squad's recapper is having a complicated relationship with this week's "Rescue Me," which seems about right, actually. ... Dave, Oprah. Oprah, Dave.

New Video Promos: "30 Rock," "Desperate Housewives" And "24"

ONTD is a treasure-trove of promotional videos. They've pointed me to the new clip out for the upcoming season of "30 Rock:"

There's also this interview with Nathan Fillion for "Desperate Housewives:"

Finally, for a touch of absurdity, I present you with this video for the Japanese market, advertising the newest season of "24:"

Casting Update - "Lost" Of Course

Reports from here, there and everywhere say Rebecca Mader (left), formerly of "Justice," is joining the cast of ABC's "Lost," perhaps in the hottie-prof Kristen Bell turned down in favor of a spot on "Heroes." ... Colm Feore is joining the cast of this season's "24" as First Husband of President Cherry Jones. ... TV Guide says Aidan Quinn is joining "Canterbury's Law" as the husband of Julianna Margulies' character.If you think about it, though, this is a casting choice with national political  implications. He replaces Linus Roache, who is moving to a larger and/or better role as the new assistant prosecutor on "Law & Order," now that Sam Waterston is the DA. Waterson got the promotion because Fred Thompson left to maybe run for president in the real world. So really, Aidan Quinn just got an acting job because Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney don't have the full support of the conservative base.

Fed-tastic Casting: K-Fed, J-Garo The Fed

The word is out: Kevin Federline has somehow managed to land himself a recurring guest role on CW's "One Tree Hill." He'll play - stretch! - a cocky rock singer on the teen soap, which is about to undergo a major transition: the characters will age four years before the new season begins. They'll be almost as old as the actors playing them! Rimshot please! TMZ.com broke the "news" with an item making much of the fact that K-Fed would only take the gig if it didn't interfere with his child custody arrangements - an item that K-Fed's publicists should put on their resumes it was so sympathetic. ... Meanwhile, slacker comedienne turned liberal firebrand Janeane Garofalo has joined "24" to play a federal agent this season, despite the fact that the show is run by self-described "right-wing nut job" Joel Surnow.

Ruper Murdoch's Reading Rainbow! (All Fox, All The Time)

Fox has named "American Idol" host geek Ryan Seacrest for the same task at the "Super Bowl" this season, which will be followed by an episode of "House." Seacrest will handle pre-game and halftime festivities; no word yet on a musical guest. But since Prince, U2, Sir Paul and the Stones have already done it, I'm not sure who's left. Maybe Sanjaya is free. ... In a slightly related item, Give Me My Remote reports that "House" co-stars Jennifer Morrison (Cameron) and Jesse Spencer (Chase) have ended their engagement, which, if I know Hollywood writers, means they'll have at least a couple of makeup scenes before their characters' inevitable breakup. ... And in one more Fox item, Televisionista and many others are reporting that production on the new season of "24" has been postponed once again to give the writers more time for their desperate quest to come up with a story that doesn't suck. The show is still supposed to debut early in January. Good luck with that, gang!

MeeVee Video Top 5: Action - The Amazing Race, Prison Break, 24, and more

Car explosions, intense car chases, and monster football hits are just samples of the big-time action found in many of today's popular TV shows. With shows like 24 and Friday Night Lights, some TV shows are creeping up on Hollywood as big budget productions.  These heart-pounding shows are just constant reminders of how bland our lives truly are. That reminds us, we gotta go pick up our clothes at the dry cleaners.

The Amazing Race: All-Stars shows us that no matter what your age, gender, size, or sexual preference, when you have the chance to win money you'd do just about anything. Check out some of the highlights from previous shows.

We have the explosive interviews with the producers and director of 24. Get their take on the show everyone talks about Monday mornings at the water cooler. This week we also have full episodes of Friday Night Lights and behind-the-scenes of Rescue Me.

Finally, we have some hot yo-yo action. This guy can "walk the dog" and then some!

Men On The View And A Woman Commander-in-Chief On "24?" Now We've Seen Everything

Two shows are rumored to be crossing their usual gender lines for next season.

First, "24" is reported to be considering a female president for season 7. This is not the first new president for the show, nor the first female president on TV (that'd be Geena Davis in "Commander In Chief," if I'm not mistaken). Other reasons I'm inclined to believe this rumor: Hillary Clinton is a very credible presidential candidate for 2008, and 24 has previously cast an African-American man as president.

Conversely, "The View" may bring in a man to replace Rosie O'Donnell, a first for the estrogen-centric talkfest. The most-talked-about candidate? Mario Cantone, the fabulously gay comic. Now, there's something a little odd to me about the assumption that any man on a woman-centric show would have to be gay. Still, Cantone would be an better Rosie stand-in than most men, gay or straight. After all, they're both gossipy drama queens with annoying voices.

24: Season Six Goes Boom

Fans of 24 who were frustrated with much of this season -- Audrey again? -- could take some solace from Monday's season finale. Although the series delivered its usual late-season doses of bad dialogue and ludicrous plot twists, the show's faithful were also rewarded with good acting and genuine suspense.

Read on for our final thoughts on Day Six of 24.

(WARNING: SPOILERS.)

Tonight's Picks: Monday, May 21

24 -- Day 6 - 4:00 AM to 6:00 AM
The sixth season concludes with a big two-hour episode. Cut off from Josh, Bauer fights to thwart a Russian attack on a U.S. base in central Asia. As long as the bomb doesn't go off during a commercial break, everything should be alright.

Heroes -- How to Stop an Exploding Man
In the first-season finale, the heroes all converge in New York for the big bang. Peter and Sylar face off; which of them will explode? Who will survive? Will the cheerleader save the world?

The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman -- Finale
The season ends as Andy chooses his bride-to-be. But first, he takes Bevin and Tessa to meet his family in Pennsylvania, and then it's off to a Hawaiian paradise for their finale dates.

Fox Gives ‘24’ Another 48

Fox has committed to at least two more seasons of the high-tension drama 24. The real-time serial is currently wrapping up its sixth season. Fox hasn’t decided whether 2009 will represent the final season of the show, perhaps waiting to see if the drama can get out of the ratings doldrums before pulling the plug.

MeeVee Video Top 5: The End of the World -- Jericho, 24, Heroes

Maybe Chicken Little was right. Maybe we should panic. If you've ever watched FOX News, you'd know that our days are numbered (by the way, tune in at 10 tonight to find out what common household item can kill you and your entire family). In an age of nuclear weapons and wacko presidents / dictators with their pointer fingers on the giant red button, who knows how much time our precious planet has?

Earth Day was this past Sunday. What better way to celebrate than by highlighting some TV shows that depict potential catastrophic events on Earth?

Watch full episodes of Heroes with online commentary that puts you in control. See how a tiny town in Kansas may be our last remaining source of humanity. Find out how everyone's lives can be inextricably linked by a mere Six Degrees. Finally, go behind the scenes and see how they put the BOOM! in 24.

It's the end of the world as we know it... and I feel fine.

Tonight's Picks: Monday, March 12

The Riches -- Series Premiere on FX
Minnie Driver and Eddie Izzard star in this devilishly offbeat dramedy about two American con artists living their version of the American dream.  Witness a typical midlife crisis for the most atypical family since Twin Peaks.

I Love New York -- Gettin' Hot in the Desert
New York and her four remaining boy toys hit Palm Springs with a vengeance. Witness the always classy New York smash and crash a golf cart and burn her weave on an ill-fated hot air balloon ride.

24 -- 6 PM - 7 PM
Gritty cop show hottie Rick Schroder joins the cast as CTU newcomer Mike Doyle.  Meanwhile, two highly unlikely enemies go toe-to-toe in a heart-pounding attempt to defuse an international situation. All in an hour's work for Jack ...

Tonight's Picks: Monday, Feb. 12

24 -- 1:00-3:00pm
Darren gets sidetracked with his delivery to Fayed, and Jack kills some more terrorists while critics of President Palmer's response engage in "bipartisan politics" in this two-hour double episode.

Heroes -- Run!
Hiro visits Sin City, Mohinder makes a new friend, and Simone demonstrates that insulting someone with superhuman powers is invariably followed your lower intestine wondering where that shoe came from. It doesn’t remember you eating any shoes...

Everybody Hates Chris -- Everybody Hates Snow Day
Ever have those days where you show up to school and it's just you and the principal in the entire place, but instead of your principal, it's a short, whiny, balding guy from a popular mid '90s sitcom? Me either. Orlando Jones and Todd Bridges guest star.

Tonight's Picks: Monday, Feb. 5

Rules of Engagement -- Debut
Just what the world needs -- another relationship show with two unhappy couples and their single friend. The bright side? David Spade plays the single friend.

How I Met Your Mother -- Monday Night Football
The gang TiVos the big game when a funeral interrupts their plans -- which means they all go to great lengths to avoid hearing anything about the outcome. Emmitt Smith makes a cameo appearance.

Heroes -- Distractions
Hiro tries to explain his quest to daddy dearest, while Niki gets a chance to reunite with D.L. and Micah. Claire visits the local trailer park looking for her birth mother, and Sylar makes a move to escape.

24 -- Day 6: 12:00 Noon-1:00 PM
Jack finds himself in a bit of a role reversal with his devious brother, while Lennox pushes President Palmer to crack down even more on basic civil rights.

In Style Celebrity Weddings
Admit it -- you secretly hoped Katie would trip when she walked down the aisle. Alas, she didn't. But you can still check out the highlights of her marriage to Tom Cruise in this wedding special.

Tonight's Picks: Monday, Jan. 29

24 -- Day 6: 11:00 AM-12:00 Noon
As the nation reels from additional attacks, Jack's family becomes part of the investigation. Damn, why didn't the nuke get Kim? Meanwhile, President Palmer is put in a tight spot, and Chad Lowe finds the spotlight as a politico trying to advance his own agenda.

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip -- The Harriet Dinner
You knew it couldn't last. As the gang attends a dinner in honor of Harriet, things between her and Matt begin to deteriorate. Danny isn't around to stop it, because he's stuck on the roof with Jordan.

Heroes -- The Fix
Beam me up, Hiro! George Takei steps in as Hiro's father as the young time traveler continues to search for the sword. The other heroes are keeping busy as well. Isaac works to prevent the New York bombing, D.L. takes on new family responsibilities, Matt opens up to his wife, and Claire begins her search for her birth parents.

Golden Globes: Host-less Yet Crowded

Last night’s Golden Globe Awards did not have a host. At least, not in the traditional sense. Several pseudo-stars huddled backstage to interview the winners, but no one was truly driving the bus, a la Billy Crystal and the Oscars. Instead, NBC went with a simpler formula: An announcer introduced the star presenters, then let them tell us who won.

And boy, were there stars in this room. This was the kind of crowd whose agents have their own agents. Brad and Angelina didn’t even turn any heads.

Continue reading "Host-less Yet Crowded" at MeeVee's Golden Globes Go-to Guide