Posted on 02/12/2008 6:21:07 PM PST by RDTF
LOS ANGELES -- "24" co-creator/executive producer Joel Surnow is leaving the Emmy-winning drama.
Surnow's departure is effective immediately. He served as an executive producer on the first eight episodes of Fox's real-time thriller's seventh season that were produced before and into the strike but will not be creatively involved in the remaining 16 episodes, slated to begin filming shortly.
Surnow's overall deal with "24" producer 20th Century Fox TV was up April 30. This week, the writer-producer asked the studio to release him early, to which they agreed.
Instead of signing a show deal to continue providing services on "24," Surnow decided to go for "a clean break" and leave altogether to focus on new projects, sources said. ("24" co-creator/executive producer Robert Cochran's overall pact with 20th TV also expired last year, but he continues to work on the series.)
"Joel created one of the landmark series of this decade in '24' and his contribution to its creative excellence over the years has been immeasurable," Fox said in a statement Wednesday. "While he leaves the show in the incredibly capable hands of the talented Howard Gordon, his input will always be welcome."
In the past few years, since executive producer Gordon took the reins of the 20th TV/Imagine TV series as showrunner, Surnow has been developing other projects on the side, including the "The 1/2 Hour News Hour" for Fox News Channel.
-snip-
The openly conservative Surnow, who jokingly labeled himself a "right-wing nut," has been the most visible of the masterminds behind "24."
He hasn't shied from speaking his mind and made headlines in November when he asked, "Are we nuts thinking Hillary Clinton could be president of this country? Honest to God, just stand back and think about it."
-snip-
(Excerpt) Read more at hollywoodreporter.com ...
Looks like it’s gonna get even more PC.
Goodbye, Jack.
Not surprised at all. Bauer will be going to Washington to explain why he didn’t toe the PC line. I won’t be watching.
Another show that has jumped the shark. A pity, as it’s hard to find decent programming with all of this junk they peddle.
Z-z-z-z-z.
How about an episode where McCain waterboards Jack?
RIP 24..It was fun while it lasted!! There is no hope for the show if he is leaving(imho).
Probably the end of “24” on the way.
PC format will be a drag and a loser. The fun was that it wasn’t PC.
I won’t watch it if it is.
Joel will certainly be missed from this show. Who can ever forget the great line, “spare me your 6th grade Michael Moore logic.” Plus, he created Chloe!
yeah it’s a bummer. He probably got tired of waiting for the writers to stop striking. And Sutherland to get out of jail.
Coming up next season, Jack Bauer and Janaane Garafalo battle the perils of Global Warming. Near the end of the season, it turns out the past 4 seasons were all a nightmare, and Jack wakes up to find David Palmer in his shower.
Can’t wait!
Hopefully his new projects will bring more conservatism to the boob tube.
We liked 24 and will watch at first to see what happens but if it becomes another West Wing, we’ll bail fast.
Right now, it’s the CSIs (except Miami with the Growler) and Prison Break, the kids are watching American Idol.
That’s pretty much it, except for seemingly constant repetitions of Sponge Bob!
A liberal version of 24 wouldn’t be very interesting, since there really is no terrorist threat. I guess they could always make CTU the bad guys planning false flag operations to frame the peaceful Islamics to finance a war for oil, but Michael Moore (the new Jack) blows the lid off the conspiracy and now he’s being hunted by CTU and the CIA. Say, that’s not bad.
I heard today that “24” won’t be back until January. Well, new epis, any way.
lol - is that Fonzie?
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