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 ...
Yep...right after he jumped the shark. LOL!
Rush and Surnow should team up on a new production ...
Michael Yon’s Combat Diaries ...
starring Allegra, Old Sarge and Squantos...
with that wacky lemon-headed Humblegunner
and his buck toothed sidekick Eaker
you heard it here first ;o)
Who needs ‘24’ when we’ve got 24/7!?!
Gordon is a shameless liberal goofball. '24' is done.
My own favorite line was, “I’m gonna need a hacksaw.”
will you please post it here and ping me if he does?
My favorite: “Chloe, we don’t have time for your personality disorder right now.”
that was a classic line:)
So I guess this means at least four seasons of non-Muslim terrorists. Dang.
A bit off topic, but since I never watched 24, I’ll say this... the new Terminator show on Fox is incredible.
The writers strike is over and Jack is out of jail so when is the new season going to start?
In Season 7 there is no CTU. It’s been dismantled and Jack is in Washington to answer charges of torture. No it’s not a joke.
I heard not right away. Maybe even not til next year
Smart move.
The new season starts in January 2009. They have 7 or 8 episodes filmed already and will hold those until next year.
First few seasons of 24 were the best thing I’ve seen. Gripping, clear cut good guys, Jack took no crap and killed the bad guys.
Then he started getting soft.
First time I noticed was when the bad guy had Jack’s girlfriend with a gun to her head while Jack had the drop on him, and he actually put his gun down. The real Jack would have shot her through the shoulder and took out the bad guy, then gave her a bandaid and told her to quit her bitchin’.
That’s the Jack that we’ll never see again.
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