Did Kiefer Sutherland just say goodbye to '24'?
Kiefer Sutherland kicked off the Fox upfront presentation with his usual kind words to advertisers. But then he said something that caught our attention -- and made us nervous.
"24" fans know that Jack Bauer is dying -- find out his fate on tonight's season finale -- and Sutherland's contract is up next year. It has been the subject of much speculation in the industry and observers have wondered if the series will end next year.
"I don't know how many more times I'm gonna have the opportunity to say this," the actor said before calling his time on "24" as the "greatest experience I've had so far in my career and in my personal life."
Sutherland also thanked the advertisers for their role in the show's success.
"It sounds trite," he said. "But you've helped me become part of this family."
Was he saying goodbye?
-- Maria Elena Fernandez
Photo: Getty Images
24 is the greatest Show on TV. I had got out of watching prime time shows until 24 came on the air. And the bad thing is, if Kiefer Sutherland does not return, then that will be the end for me watching prime time tv again. Keep him on the show. He is 24.
Posted by: Cliff Owen | May 18, 2009 at 07:08 PM
Keiffer Sutherland cannot quit 24 - he is the show. Fox needs to do whatever it takes to keep him on the show. There is no question that he is worth every penny. And, quite frankly, if 24 does lose him I'll never watch Fox again.
Posted by: Sandra Hickey | May 18, 2009 at 10:54 PM
24 is the best tv series that I've ever seen... I hope that there will be more series to come...
Posted by: Joseph Pedrero | May 19, 2009 at 05:22 AM
I'm of the same mind as Cliff above, I had virtually given up prime time series' until 24 came along, If Kiefer does not return, nor shall I. On a separate note, I would really like to have seen Agent Walkers little pow-wow (pun intended lol) with Alan Wilson!
Posted by: Michael | May 19, 2009 at 09:45 AM
24 forever !!! Don't leave us Jack, Tony, Chloe, Renee...You don't know how much we love this show.
Thank you so much !
Posted by: Jack Fan | May 19, 2009 at 10:18 AM
I love 24, I love Keifer, and like his characterJack, Keifer is a good soul who sometimes goes a bit to extremes---However he is one of the best actors out there and 24 is one of the best shows ever to be on TV. It will be a major loss for us 24 fans out there if Keifer were not to return.....He should be helped and not jailed.
Posted by: Terry Castellano | May 19, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Keifer is Jack and Jack is 24. No Keifer means no more 24 for me. Keep Jack on the show. Period.
Posted by: SSK | May 19, 2009 at 02:28 PM
Well, there goes watching TV on Monday nights.
Posted by: tig | May 19, 2009 at 03:19 PM
If Jack quits, I QUIT! He IS THE SHOW. But I was ticked off at the ending last night; it left us up in the air -- as usual -- but worse this time. But I think Kim's stem celll help will save him!
The show may end next year; 8 years quite awhile for any series; how many terrorists can show up and why are they always Americans?????? The Muslims are no longer the enemy in "24". I think I liked Seasons 4 and 5 the best. Waiting for "7" was maddening!
Rush Limbaugh loves the show and he says Kiefer has another year or so on his contract! So .... what does that mean? Hopefully, Season 8!!!!
Posted by: Mary Sanders | May 19, 2009 at 04:40 PM
I hope he stays at least through Season 8 and that the writers tie up the Jack/Audrey love relationship. Jack slipping away while Audrey is just lying sick, after her going through so much for him, they need to be together. Bring back Audrey for Season 8!
Posted by: Jonas Salk | May 19, 2009 at 08:31 PM
OK
I love Jack Bauer and 24 IS a fantastic show, would hate to see Jack Go but ......
I think if 24 is to survice LONG TERM as a series ie : for years and years (like Doctor Who which has been running since the 60's) then it needs to be fluid, I think at some point, we will HAVE to say goodbye to Jack Bauer if only coz kiefer gets too old for the job!
I do wonder if Agent Walker is being groomed as a replacement, she sees jack as a bit of a mentor and has started following his somewhat grey area techniques.
I think Jack has a season or maybe 2 left in him, but to be fair, fresh blood would help keep the show alive, and personally I think Renee Walkers Character would be a perfect move .. going forward!
Posted by: MArtyn ZombieTuesday | May 20, 2009 at 01:17 AM
It’s been 7 of the greatest seasons of one of the best shows to be on Prime Time in a long time.
Jack Bauer is 24. If you don’t plan on having Kiefer in the show, cancel it . Let’s leave the fans with a pleasant memory of a great show . I’m not saying that Kiefer is the only character in the show , there’s plenty of great talent in the show , but Kiefer is the foundation that you build upon. Real men may not eat quiche, but we do like the three J's James Bond, John McClane and Jack Bauer . Dont mess with it.
Posted by: Michael | May 20, 2009 at 06:12 PM
That was the WORST ending to any 24 show! It appeared to me that the season was phoned in. I will have to come down on the side of time for Jack to go.
Posted by: frogman | May 21, 2009 at 12:02 PM
i would like to see the show bring back audrey/kim raver.
Posted by: sal lucena | May 21, 2009 at 12:10 PM
I love this show please dont quit kiefer i love you i cant wait till i see you every week on mondays this is the best show ever on tv i dont know what i would do without you so kiefer please dont leave me
Posted by: marisa greco | May 22, 2009 at 04:31 AM
i love jack!
i want jack to be back!
Posted by: benben | May 22, 2009 at 05:51 AM
Everyone is right Jack is 24 and without Jack how am I going to get "All Jacked Up" on Monday nights.
Posted by: Tony Diaz | May 22, 2009 at 11:16 PM
24 will not have a season starring anyone but Sutherand. It won't happen. What will happen, and what I was already the impression of before I read this glib 'article' here, is that Sutherland is returning for season 8, in 2010, and that's it. There will be no 2011 season, so he will have no need to appear at the advertisers conference in 2010... so he was saying goodbye to those advertising people, yes.
Posted by: Salvadore Guiccione | May 23, 2009 at 05:37 PM
Keifer Sutherland is 24. With out him this show should not go on. It is an awesome show, but to lose Jack would be to lose the core of the Earth. You could not get past the pure love of Jack bauer the fans feel. Without him, even if you replace him with someone as STUPID and hypocritical as Renee Walker, would cause a strike a million times worse then your writers strike. Though I do not want to see the show end, I definitely do not want to see 24 without Jack Bauer.
Posted by: Abigail | May 26, 2009 at 06:04 PM
24 is the best tv series that I've ever seen, if 24 does lose Keiffer, i 'll never watch 24 & Fox...
Posted by: Okhtay | May 28, 2009 at 03:01 AM