I never did get into 24. Kinda came into it in the middle so nothing much makes sense.
I've found, over the last three years that I have gone without tv (well, without channels. I have always had the box itself) that I really don't miss anything... other than my occasional wish for local news/weather which I can get online anyway. And Amazing Race but it's good to give up my one reality tv show because that makes me a better person. Or something.
It's weird, though, going to people's houses where they do have tv and remembering "oh yeah, that's what commercials are like".
I didn't start watching it "live" until the the 5th season. Watched the first four on DVD.