For the first time in years, Howard Gordon has some time on his hands. Last month, the 49-year-old writer sat down with his family in Los Angeles to watch the very last episode of 24, the television drama he helped mould into one of America’s most successful exports.
Gordon was the driving force behind 24, both as writer and executive producer, for eight years. With its cast of nihilist terrorist networks hell bent on destruction, the show became a global phenomenon.
Kiefer Sutherland’s rugged, all-American hero Jack Bauer helped the show surpass both Mission Impossible and The Avengers as the longest spy-themed TV show, picking up 18 Emmys along the way and beaming into the homes of millions of viewers around the world.
Now Gordon hopes to weave the same sort of magic with a subtler take on America’s so-called “war on terror” with a new TV series based on a popular Israeli drama about prisoners of war.
THR: So Jack lives. I know you’ve got the movie planned, but how much did you seriously consider killing him in the finale?
Gordon: We certainly considered it. We considered killing him earlier (in the season) as an off-rhythm thing. But every time we went there and penciled it out, it didn’t feel satisfying. It felt frustrating or it felt affected or something.
Gordon also spoke with Entertainment Weekly. He is asked about many things including the fan reaction to Dana Walsh and the death of Renee Walker. Gordon was also asked about the lack of returning characters – where was Tony Almeida, Aaron Pierce, Mandy, and Alan Wilson?
Here’s a lengthy audio interview (30 minutes, 26 seconds) from NPR with 24 showrunner and executive producer Howard Gordon. This is a really great listen if you have the time – he explains a lot of the writing decisions made this year.
Cochran, who left the series during Season 6, and executive producer Howard Gordon, who ran it since early in the first season, sat down with The Wrap to choose the 24 greatest moments in the “24” pantheon, presented here in chronological order.
1. Voice-over
SEASON 1 | Episode 1 | Date: Nov. 6, 2001
The first episode begins with words on a screen and the low-key voice of Special Agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland): “The following takes place between midnight and 1 a.m. on the day of the California presidential primary. Events occur in real time.”
Those last four simple words signified a historic experiment in TV storytelling. Never before or since has a series taken place without cutting ahead or flashing back in time.
Here’s a behind the scenes movie from the 24 series wrap. (NOTE: The first 20 seconds have no audio, that’s just the way the video is).
Kiefer Sutherland, Mary Lynn Rajskub, showrunner Howard Gordon, crew members Rodney Charters, Marci Michelle, and more are visible. 24 co-creator Joel Surnow showed up too and gives Kiefer a hug. Loved the “damnit” cake.
Interesting interview with Howard Gordon where he is asked about some of the worst decisions on the show. Zap2it: What was your worst decision? Howard Gordon: “I feel as though the story made a very wrong turn in season 6. I don’t think the idea of Jack’s family was a wrong turn, but I think [...]
If you’re still reeling from last night’s totally mind-blowing episode of 24, we feel you. Really, we do. And that’s why we’re here to offer up some equally mind-blowing intel on the dreaded series finale (yes, time really is almost up). And have you heard of a little thing we’re calling the fan-freaking-tastic 24 movie?! [...]
Showrunner Howard Gordon was interviewed on Dana Walsh’s death, her character, and what this means for Jack for the remaining episodes. There’s some interesting info in here on how they decided to make her a mole. TVGuide.com: Jack didn’t have to kill Dana. Why did he? Howard Gordon: That’s exactly the point. In this episode, [...]
Nearly lethal confrontation between these two? whoaaaa! Question: I’m literally dying for some 24 scoop. Please, give me some! – Daniel Ausiello: The May 24 series finale will find Jack squaring off against his most formidable adversary yet: Chloe! “Chloe and Jack are in a real face-off,” reveals executive producer Howard Gordon. “And Chloe has [...]
Question: Now that Renee has been killed off in 24, is there a chance of Audrey returning for the 24 movie? —Patty Ausiello: Yes, there’s a chance. “Any character who is still alive has been discussed and is being considered,” says exec producer Howard Gordon. “But I’m not ready to disclose any names because it [...]
Howard Gordon talks about the end of 24 and says that he knew from the start it’d likely be the final year. He also gives a very nice tidbit at the end saying that “There will be some old cast members making an appearance in the movie”. Get the latest Flash Player to see this [...]
I’m pretty pissed off, but this makes me feel a tiny bit better. I still feel her death was unnecessary and the writers could’ve accomplished ‘Bauer revenge mode’ with Renee just being in surgery these last few hours fighting for her life. Last night, yet another of Jack’s love interests bit the dust, this time [...]
Pretty interesting behind the scenes story here. Alex Berenson, reporter for New York Times and author of several novels was invited to consult on 24 Season 8 for a month after Howard Gordon liked his novel The Faithful Spy. He gives a look at what goes on in the writers room and just how hard [...]
The April 9th issue of Entertainment Weekly (as part of a larger article titled ‘The Clock Runs Out on 24′) has some interesting comments on the finale from 24 showrunner and executive producer Howard Gordon. Death to Bauer is clearly not an option–though the producers did consider a tragic ending for TV’s favorite antihero. (Hey, [...]
Question: Since this is the last season of 24, I need some scoop. — Shannon Ausiello: Fans hoping for a Jack/Audrey reunion are out of luck. Although exec producer Howard Gordon admits he’s “personally curious” about what happened to Audrey, he says the fate of Kim Raver’s bedridden character will remain one of the show’s [...]
