24 -- progressive or regressive?

[soleta_nf]

I haven't watched 24 for a couple of years. As I've been watching it again this season, I've been evaluating it in light of the show's very real impact on foreign policy in the United States.[1]

Many activists I know practically froth at the mouth when I mention the show. My ex-boyfriend last year went into a rant as soon as I mentioned 24, and

Comments

[penpusher]

Here's the thing... Allison Taylor was selected to be the president for the Fall 2007 season. But, as fate would have it the WGA strike took place, effectively stopping production on all prime time scripted series for several months from December 2007 to March of 2008.

Because of the real time elements of "24," the decision was made to hold off on showing any of the episodes until the following year (only about a third of the episodes were completed by the time the strike hit), so seeing Cherry Jones in the role did not occur as the producers of the show (and Hillary Clinton) hoped it would until the following year.

This is Cherry's second season as The President and I think she does a magnificent job; just as quality as that of Dennis Haysbert's President Palmer.

I am going to miss "24" when it goes, but I think it is time for it to be over. I have missed the last 5 hours of this season, so I have some catching up to do!

[soleta_nf]

This is the last season of the show? Oh no. :(

That would have been when I stopped watching, after the strike. I can understand why Hillary Clinton would have wanted to see that! I'll definitely have to catch up on the seasons I missed (only two, I think).

Thanks for the information!

[katayla]

Heh. Someone beat me to the Hillary Clinton explanation. At the time President Taylor was conceived, the producers figured the next RL president would be a woman.

And I certainly agree seeing a black president (a GREAT black president) helped pave the way for Obama. So I give the show a lot of credit for being progressive in some ways.

[soleta_nf]

Yes, it definitely deserves some credit. If we were to score points, 'regressive' would definitely win, but I don't like it when people dismiss the show entirely as Republican military propaganda or something. Not on.