Is DESGINATED SURVIVOR Gonna Make It?

Article published as DESIGNATED SURVIVOR Review on Seat42F.

We all know about the DESIGNATED SURVIVOR, right? During the annual State of the Union speech, one member of the administration is chosen to stay behind at a safe location in case an attack wipes out the rest of the government. This unlikely event has never happened, but it’s a worse-case scenario contingency that is ripe with story potential, as shown in the great reboot of Battlestar Galactica a few years ago. But it was only one element of that show; does it have the legs to support a weekly series?

ABC is going to find out as DESIGNATED SURVIVOR premieres this week. Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland, 24) is the outgoing Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, probably left behind because he’s fallen out of favor with the president and being forced to resign anyway. But when disaster strikes, Tom is quickly sworn in as leader of the free world, thrust into a situation where he must make the tough calls in short order, set the country’s response to the most devastating attack its ever experienced, and assert power from those who don’t believe he can handle the job.

One such critic is Seth Wright (Kal Penn, House, Harold & Kumar), a speech writer for the POTUS that does not think the new guy has what it takes. Nor do any of the military leaders. This is understandable, not just because Tom is not a combative guy, but because the first things we see him do do not inspire confidence in his ability to lead and make the tough calls. It seems like he will not be able to make this work.

But if that were to remain the case, there would be no show, right? Tom is our hero and he will step up to the plate. That’s a given before we even start watching the series.

The problem is, Tom finds his inner strength way too easily. I guess you can take the man out of Jack Bauer but you can’t take the Jack Bauer out of the man. While Kiefer does a fine job finding Tom’s timid nature at the start, he transforms ridiculously quick into what he’ll need to be. Where’s the struggle? This would be a far more interesting show if the focus was on that growth journey instead of moving quickly past it to get to the action.

Funny enough, ABC president Channing Dungey recently said she wished cable series weren’t automatically seen as better than broadcast shows. DESIGNATED SURVIVOR is the perfect example of exactly why this bias exists. Were the series on FX or HBO or AMC, the show would be about the character’s struggle. The cast would likely be smaller, and the story tighter to the immediate situation. Instead, like a lot of ABC shows, it’s bloated and quick moving, wanting to get more action and soapy drama in than worrying about Emmy-worthy performances or fantastic writing.

Though I called the roster bloated, I’m not complaining about the rest of the cast; it’s a strong ensemble comprised of Natascha McElhone (Californication) as Tom’s wife, Alex, Italia Ricci (Chasing Life) as Tom’s aide, Emily, Adan Canto (The Following) as the new president’s, well, tutor seems appropriate though isn’t entirely accurate, Aaron, LaMonica Garrett (Sons of Anarchy) as a Secret Service agent, Mike, and Maggie Q (Nikita) as an FBI agent, Hannah. But most of them are underdeveloped, such as the First Lady being a very bland type, or poorly used, in the case of Q. This could improve over time, but these supporting players are not well established in episode one.

I really want to like this show, and I kind of do. It is exciting, I do enjoy the actors, and I am curious about the mystery that we start with. I just worry DESIGNATED SURVIVOR is not set up for success, and that things will get hokey and insincere as the season plays out, forcing twists where they aren’t needed, and skipping over the potential deep bits beginning to be explored based on the unevenness and flaws of the pilot. I guess we’ll have to wait and see if this one can be great or not.

DESIGNATED SURVIVOR premieres Wednesday at 10/9c.

Out of Touch

Article first published as Out of Touch on TheTVKing.

FOX's Touch completed its two-season run with the series finale "Leviathan" last week. Aster Corps kidnaps Jake (David Mazouz) and Amelia (Saxon Sharbino), hoping to use them to finish the sequence before a financial report ruins the company. Unfortunately, with time being limited, Farington (Frances Fisher) orders a dangerous method to extract those digits from their brains that could kill them.

Jack Bauer Martin (Kiefer Sutherland) goes a bit crazy in trying to track down the children, torturing Tanner (D.B. Sweeney) for a lead. We know Martin's overriding motivation has always been protecting Jake, but we've never seen him like this before. He's violent and irrational, getting the job done, but at cost to both his soul and his ability to stay within the limits of the law.

Thankfully, not only do Martin's efforts pay off, but he's made a friend in the police force, Detective Lang (Mykelti Williamson), who is able to protect Martin from the ramifications. It's not exactly realistic, but it is satisfying that Martin gets off without trouble, while making the villains pay. This is the episode where Touch ventures into 24 territory.

Which seems to be exactly what FOX wants. Shortly after cancelling Touch, it was announced that 24 will be returning next spring for a twelve-hour season, solving the difficulty of making a feature film. Kiefer fills the role of Jack very well, and it's funny that Touch works best when he is allowed to revert to that part. I look forward to Jack Bauer's return, even if that means the end of Touch, which was a decently enjoyable series.

Touch season two is quite a bit different from the first year, containing a large, compelling arc in the battle between our heroes and the evil corporation, which fits more into the action genre, something Touch did not start out in. Over the course of thirteen episodes, the back and forth between the two sides keeps escalating, until is ends in a climatic showdown. As that run-in concludes this week, "Leviathan" serves as a pretty neat series-ender.

That's not to say that there aren't more stories that could be told, of course. While season one shows us the numeric patterns in the world, and season two seeks to protect abuse of those patterns, there are still a number of directions this story could go in. Sadly, it will not get the chance.

We also get the conclusion of a couple of other hanging tales in "Leviathan." First, Calvin (Lukas Haas) has to pick a side, staying loyal to Aster Corps or saving the kids' lives. He chooses correctly, but only after influence by others. It makes him a weak character who hasn't earned a reprieve from his wrong-doings, and thus does not get one. I like that his decision is not simple, and that his earlier actions have consequences, even if that makes his redemption incomplete.

We also find out what has happened to Avram (Bodhi Elfman). His story isn't nearly so exciting, having been abducted by his own people, who hope to set him back on the right path. But because Avram's boss is Ron Rifkin from Alias, it not only makes a cool couple of scenes, but there's also a level of possible evilness lurking just below the surface of the organization. This could have made a wonderful season three plot.

In the end, I'm glad Touch was able to bring their story to a close, with no huge, hanging threads, even if it didn't feel like it got enough time to explore the possibilities. It's a series I probably won't think about enough to really miss, but enjoyed it while it was around.

Touching on the Touch season finale

FOX's Touch ended its freshman run this week with the two part episode, "Gyre." Things come to a head as Sheri (Roxana Brusso, Southland) and the company make a play to take over full custody of Jake (David Mazouz). Knowing that the shady organization killed Arthur (Danny Glover) and made a little girl named Amelia disappear, Clea (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) helps Martin (Kiefer Sutherland) sneak Jake away. With pursuers hot on their heels, Martin and Jake flee New York.

Touch is all about patterns in the world, and how things are fated to come together. For many weeks, this is simply something hinted at, seen in brief glimpses, or at the ends of episodes. But "Gyre" really pulls things together. A number of guest stars, such as Arnie (Jude Ciccolella, 24), return, making the world appear a little smaller. As first Abraham (Bodhi Elfman), and then Randall (Titus Welliver, Lost, The Good Wife), help Jake and Martin escape, it seems like their team, which includes Clea and Abigail (Catherine Dent, The Shield), has gotten a little bigger.

This is great! Martin and Jake need a team behind them!  They are facing one of the unseen, shadowy corporations with unlimited power and staff that makes for many an exciting story. Everyone wants to root for the little guy when he is threatened by the big guy, and Touch taps into the classic storytelling technique. Plus, how doesn't love a secretive group of traditional Jews, and prophecies of thirty-six people saving the planet?

Similarly, Touch has lots going on behind the scenes, too. Masquerading as a procedural, with Martin helping a different person each week, "Gyre" exposes the true serial story. Touch is something that will play out over years, and connections come together constantly, in the most unexpected ways. Those watching most of the first season may be forgiven for being disappointed in the lack of movement of the major arcs. "Gyre" makes up for this, and points to a less fomulaic approach moving forward. In fact, the title of the episode plays into unexpected change, and hints at things moving in different directions.

Not that the cases of the week are bad. Seeing a son and father finding understanding in Japan, or a man making up for a mistake that he thinks he made, or another guy, who is lost, but finds himself while building a church and a life in a community, is heartwarming. Unlike the slew of medical and crime dramas flooding the airwaves, Touch is more of an anthology series, with common threads typing things together. It's also inspiring and uplifting, making it unique and deserving of airtime.

Besides Martin and Jake's plot, which is the central thread of Touch, "Gyre" opens up a whole new bag of worms by introducing Lucy (Maria Bello, Prime Suspect). At first, she seems to be a crazy woman destined for a single hour, interacting with a traumatized man on the beach (Cougar Town's Ian Gomez). But then viewers learn that she is the mother of Amelia, and she is looking for her daughter, whom she does not believe is dead. With the ending of "Gyre" bringing together Martin and Lucy in California, she appears to figure more prominently into season two of Touch. As a fellow servant to the numbers? As a love interest for Martin? Who knows, but it would be nice if she is signed full-time.

Season one of Touch has been a mixed bag experiment, sometimes growing boring and confusing. But both parts of "Gyre" are shining examples of what the series could, and should be. With a finale like this, I am very much looking forward to season two! Touch will return to FOX next fall.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Catch up with streaming episodes of Touch. Article first published as Touching on the Touch season finale @TheTVKing.com

Touched by Touch

     FOX presented a very special preview episode of Touch last night, two months before it officially joins the network lineup. In the "Pilot," widower Martin Bohm (Kiefer Sutherland, 24) is working a low paying job, struggling to make ends meet, while caring for his autistic son, Jake (David Mazouz, Amish Grace), who, by the way, doesn't talk, nor allow even his father to touch him. When Jake repeatedly runs away from his school to climb a cell tower, social worker Clea Hopkins (Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Undercovers, Doctor Who) shows up to remove Jake, at least temporarily, from the home. But soon both Martin and Clea are drawn in by the mystery of Jake's numbers, which leads to some remarkable connections. Martin follows those, and when his actions result in kids' lives being saved, he becomes a true believer.

     "A believer of what?" you might ask. Well, that's complicated. Basically, the theory set forth in Touch, and explained to Martin by the series's mysterious fourth main character, Arthur DeWitt (Danny Glover, Lethal Weapon, Brothers & Sisters), is that everything in the world is connected. Not only that, Jake is part of the next stage of human evolution. Jake can see all of these connections, and it allows him to understand what is going to happen. It's not predicting the future, but rather, having a clearer understanding of how the world works. Unfortunately, being mute is a side effect that prevents Jake from acting on this knowledge, so Martin must pick up on the clues and do the hard work for his son.

     While, in terms of realism, Touch stretches things just a bit, the emotional impact of this show cannot be overstated. Sutherland is fantastic as Martin, and other than at the beginning of the episode when Martin is informed that Jake has left the school, and dad gets upset, there are few echoes of Jack Bauer. For instance, Jack Bauer would never be afraid of heights! Viewers will really feel the affection Martin that has for his son, as well as his frustration at not being able to connect with him. Add to that, Martin's wife died on September 11th, and the whole nation will remember and feel his pain. Martin is in a nearly impossible situation, and the way in which he deals with his life is nothing short of heroic. Being given this purpose, as difficult as it may pan out to be, is kind of like a reward for all of the suffering Martin has been through, tangible proof that his efforts have paid off.

     In "Pilot," things get personal for Martin when Jake's numbers keep leading dad to run into a grumpy man (Titus Welliver, The Good Wife, Lost, Sons of Anarchy). At first, this strange guy seems to be an antagonist. But soon enough Martin learns he is a firefighter, and one who not only tried to save Martin's wife's life on that fateful day, but also pulls children from a bus. He is a hero, too, and Martin's actions lead to the latter outcome. It personalizes the mission in a way that future episodes likely won't often be able to, making for a hell of a "Pilot."

     It's wonderful that Clea gets on board with Martin so easily. Many shows would stretch out this friction to make drama, keeping Martin fighting with her. But in finding an ally for him and his son, Martin's job gets a little easier. And Martin has suffered enough, he doesn't need any further problems. Look for Clea to get more personally involved soon, cementing her role in Touch.

     There are other things going on in the "Pilot," though, that don't seem to have a lot of connection to the main plot, other than the central role of cell phones. A woman trying to make it as a singer sends videos of herself out on cell phones, aided by a friend. The video gets onto a father's, which he loses, and it also has pictures of his young, deceased daughter. The father desperately tries to get his phone back, and it ends up on a suicide bomber in the Middle East. Luckily, the bomber just needs an oven for his family, the father is a restaurant supplier, and they end up both connected to an operator, who happens to be the singer, during a crucial moment. How this connects to Jake and Martin is circumspect, but it's an inspiring, uplifting tale.

     In all, Touch really hooks viewers in with one of, if not the, the best pilots of the season, even with the few leaps people will have to make to enjoy it. The biggest worry here is that it is from Tim Kring, who also created the ill-fated Heroes. Fans of Heroes will remember how awesome the beginning of that show was, before devolving into something not worth watching, and getting canceled at the end of season four without resolution to a cliffhanger. Thus, watching Touch is recommend with some reservation, given that if Kring goes down the same path, an emotional investment might hurt quite a bit.

     Touch will return in March to FOX.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

The Simpsons partners up "The Falcon and the D'Ohman"

     FOX's The Simpsons begins its twenty-third season with "The Falcon and the D'Ohman." Homer (Dan Castellaneta) does his best to befriend and unfriendly new security guard at work named Wayne (Kiefer Sutherland, 24). Wayne soon saves Homer in a bar, and then loses his job while having a flashback to his dark past. Homer takes Wayne into his own home, but Wayne's past continues to haunt him, and Homer ends up getting kidnapped as part of a trap for Wayne. Of course, there is a happy ending.

     Sutherland is not new to The Simpsons, having voiced different characters in 2006 and 2007. He is, however, welcome back on the network for which he starred in a series for so long. As soon as his voice is heard, it brings to mind just how much one misses Jack Bauer, and thanks are owed to The Simpsons for making that happen.

     That being said, the main story is just OK. Homer taking in a former super military guy, who has enemies hunting for him, is only a marginally funny plot. Perhaps after twenty-three years, it's getting harder and harder for the writers to find new scenarios. Among the few gems that pop out in the mediocre episode are Moe (Hank Azaria) having his patrons pick up his pickled eggs and returning them to the jar, and Homer setting Wayne up with a job at the DMV. Perhaps Wayne can become a recurring character, since he is staying in town. But that may not be a wise choice, given his lack of interesting development.

     Marge (Julie Kavner) has the B story, but it's so brief that it can barely be referred to as that. She dreams of being a contestant on Top Chef, which leads to a cameo by Tom Colicchio (voicing himself). This cannot be an uncommon wish among housewives who pride themselves on their cooking. But with so little time given over to the bit, it's hard to say that it's even worth doing.

     In last May's finale, fans were asked to go online and vote on whether Ned Flanders (Harry Shearer) and Edna Crabapple (Marcia Wallace) should remain a couple. Happily, participants voted to keep the two together, revealed first in a small manner, then in more overt ways, in "The Falcon and the D'Ohman." As both has suffered enough in their love lives over the past twenty-two years, it brings a smile to see them happy together. Yay for love!

     Watch The Simpsons Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

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The clock runs out on 24

        As the final seconds ticked out on the series finale of Fox's 24, there was a countdown clock rather than the one moving time forward, as has been the custom of the series.  It was appropriate, the "real-time" series finally coming to an end after eight seasons, nine years (there was no season the year of the writer's strike as producers did not want to deliver half a day).  Jack Bauer's (Kiefer Suthland) intonation of "events occur in real-time" was a welcome homage but back in the beginning of each of the last two hours, which was dropped long ago, and Kiefer's personal message to viewers was touching.  It is a series I will surely miss.

     The final moments of the show, as they should have, came down to Jack and Chloe's (Mary Lynn Rajskub).  Although Chloe was not part of the the original cast, she has appeared in the second highest number of episodes, after Jack, and has become a beloved character.  She has grown a long way since her annoying personality turned off viewers initially.  I think many of us agree with Jack that we did not expect her to be the one watching his back for the long haul, and yet, who else could have done such a great job of it?  Their show down midway through the finale was gripping, but their goodbye was one of the most moving moments television has yet to produce.

      Jack struggled more this season than any other with doing the right thing.  He always acted on his beliefs, even when they came into conflict with the law.  But as this season barreled towards a close, even fans such as myself found it hard to justify his decisions.  His cold-blooded massacre of many a Russian, because of their execution and cover-up of the assassination of his most recent love, Renew Walker (Annie Wersching).  Jack went into a dark place or revenge, and left the path of righteousness.  Yet, his video recording and his behavior in the last hour redeemed the hero in our eyes, though he will face a number of criminal investigations should the authorities ever catch up to him, which I assume will be the plot of the upcoming 24 movie, which while not guaranteed, is well on it's way to becoming a reality.

     One of the most interesting characters in the past two years was President Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones).  After she turned over her own daughter to the cops at the end of last season, it was easy to believe that she stood for principals rivaling even the fan favorite 24 president, David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert).  Then this season she made the mistake of listening to former President Logan (Gregory Itzin), who has been one of the show's greatest villains.  While she had noble aspirations, she allowed herself to let the ends justify the means.  Thank goodness that she decided at the last minute to let the truth come out.  It will protect Chloe, if not Jack and herself.  She fully redeemed herself in my eyes, and I hope we will learn from the movie that she earned the sympathy and continued respect of the American people, even if she has to serve a short sentence.  Unfortunately, Logan, who got away with crimes before, did not succeed in taking his own life.  Hopefully he will rot in a cell for the rest of it.

24 delivers best hour of season

    This has been a big week for Fox's 24.  Besides airing the best episode of the season, nay, one of the best of the series, last week, it also became known that the show is officially canceled, and will not be picked up by NBC, as previously rumored.  That's not to say that there are only eleven hours left in Jack Bauer's (Kiefer Sutherland) story.  In fact, the series finale is designed to set up Jack for a feature film, which is already in the works.  The head honchos always wanted a definitive end for Jack, and it looks like he will get one.  By their statements, it appears there will be only 24 movie, but perhaps that's a good thing.  Go out while it still works.  Speaking of working, last week...

      I always look forward to that awesome Chloe (Mary Lynn Rajskub) episode.  It comes after Chloe has been beaten down, not listened to, and generally, dumped on.  Then she wows us all and makes her bosses listen to her.  This week was that shining moment, as Chloe pulled a gun on the jerky NSA agents and fixed CTU's EMP-blasted computer system all by herself.  Chloe, you rock my world!

     The CTU mole was revealed.  Of course there was a CTU mole.  There always is.  However, even before the mole was exposed, I stopped rooting for the character.  Dana Walsh (Katee Sackhoff) has been one annoyance after another, and as she strangled the poor parole officer (Stephen Root), I stopped wanting her to get away with anything.  When, moments later, she was shown on the phone with the terrorist, it all fell into place.  The writers can be forgiven for making us hate Dana so much, because we needed to hate her eventually anyway.  And the twist gives hopes that Sackhoff's talents will not be wasted on the role.

     A side character died.  24 has not killed off anyone important yet this year, and so I have begun to get tense, knowing that it's just a matter of time.  True, Agent Owen (Julian Morris) with his six episode stint was not vital, but I still felt emotion as Jack lied to him, lying dying on the pavement.  His death is surely a harbinger of the bloodbath that will ensure.  There aren't many majorly important characters left in the series to kill off, but as long as it's not Chloe, I'm cool with it.

     Speaking of important characters, I still need to see the return of three of them.  Chloe's husband, Morris, (Carlo Rota) should make an appearance, as should secret service hero Aaron (Glenn Morshower).  I am really disappointed to have not seen Karen Hayes (Jayne Atkinson) since 2007, especially after her husband's heroic sacrifice last year.  And Jack's love story with Renee (Annie Wersching) cannot ever play out to satisfaction without bringing back Audrey Raines (Kim Raver).  I don't care if I have to wait for the big screen to see any of the four, but for me to be happy about the end of the story, I need to see what happened to the four of them.  And if they want to toss me a little Martha Logan (Jean Smart), I'll gladly take it.

     24 continues it's final season Monday nights, including tonight, at 9pm on Fox.

24: RIP CTU

     Wow.  I just completed a three episode mini-marathon of Fox's 24, ending with last night's, and I just have to say, wow.  An essential part of the show has always been the CTU (Counter Terrorist Unit) Los Angeles, until last season.  Prior to last year's episodes, CTU had been disbanded, its practice weres under review by Congress, and the FBI picked up the slack, although in a different way.  I was very happy to see the glossy new CTU New York building in Day Eight's premiere in January, staffed with a whole new crew of agents, and of course, Chloe O'Brian (Mary Lynn Rajskub).
     Then last night happened.  An EMP pulse effectively wiped out their entire operation.  Only halfway through Jack's (Kiefer Sutherland) eighth bad day, his support system is kaput.  Yes, he managed to save everyone last year without them, so the tension there is off, despite the startling preview for next week's hour, but that doesn't mean it isn't shocking and sad.  Chloe, Hastings (Mykelti Williamson), Arol (John Boyd), and Dana (Katee Sackhoff) are there!  What do they do now?  It would be nice if Rene (Annie Wersching) could step up and help them out, but I'm not counting on it.
     Well, surely Dana will continue her very annoying, and far too long drawn out plot of covering up her past life as Jenny.  This story, which, at the latest, should have ended two weeks ago when she disposed of the bodies, was made slightly more interesting by the appearance of another great actor on the case, Stephen Root (True Blood, Pushing Daisies, The West Wing).  However, as previously noted, Katee is a great actress, too, and that hasn't been enough to save the plot, so it is doubtful Root, despite his considerable talents, can help.
     24 does do some things right, though.  Besides the dramatic taking out of CTU, the subplot between Kayla (Nazneen Contractor) and Tarin (T.J. Ramini) was done well.  There was real emotion between the two, and I was kept guessing what Tarin would do throughout.  First he was thought to be guilty, then innocent, then guilty, then guilty but having a change of heart, and now, he's fully on the wrong side of things.  How the two of them may further affect the plot is a point of interest, although it seems unlikely that a happy-ever-after is in their future.
     24 still has twelve hours left, and will continue Monday nights at 9pm on Fox.

Don't count out Jack Bauer yet

     It has widely been noted that Fox's 24 has been slipping in the ratings and may soon face cancellation.  How far has it slipped?  Down to third for the entire network.  Yes, the show that ranks only behind American Idol and House is considered lagging.  I guess it takes more than 12 million viewers a week to still be considered good enough to keep on the air.  And yet the network continues to air 'Til Death.
     Seriously, though, after eight years, the budget has gotten pretty high, and if the downward ratings trend continues, then 24 might cease to be a valuable, marketable commodity.  That would really screw things up for Fox when they try to begin putting Jack (Kiefer Sutherland) on the big screen, and need to sell a few more than 12 million tickets to turn a profit.
     Which is why it comes as a surprise to learn that 20th Century Fox, the studio that makes 24 for the Fox television network, is talking to NBC about taking over the adventure.  Yes, this is a rumor, but multiple sources confirm that these talks are happening.  The price tag to keep the series going is, of course, a major sticking point, and may cause the deal not to happen.  Also, keeping Jack on Fox might mean a delay in the feature films, the first of which already has been given script treatment, though it's not at a final draft stage, awaiting approval, or anything.
     Should 24 continue?  It's debatable.  I still love me some Jack Bauer action, but this season has been dragged down considerably by the Dana Walsh (Katee Sackhoff) subplot.  The show has plenty of time this year to redeem itself, and if past performance is any indicator, it will.  Yet, as the television movie, 24: Redemption, aired in fall of 2008 showed, a fresh take on things benefits the plot.  It may be time to turn in the gun on the small screen, and take things to the next level.
     24 airs Mondays at 9pm on Fox.

2010 Golden Globes results

     Ricky Gervais (the British version of The Office, Extras) hosted the 67th Golden Globes, the first host in fifteen years for the ceremony, and to no one's surprise, knocked it out of the park.  He started strong with an opening monologue mocking Steve Carell, NBC, Jay Leno, and cosmetic surgery, praising actors like Hugh Laurie (House) and Kiefer Sutherland (24), and pushing his Office DVDs.  The only sad part of Gervais's performance was how short it was.  Not allowing him more screen time was what hurt the Globes the worst.  Sir Paul McCartney wins for second funniest man of the night, when he said that cartoons aren't just for kids any more, but also "drug-taking adults".

     Some of the awards went to exactly who they should have gone to.  Glee won Best Musical or Comedy series, and hands down, it was the front runner.  The brilliant freshman show proves that geeks are definitely in vogue, and winners to boot!  Drew Barrymore, while having an unnecessarily long speech, came off sweet and sincere for her win portraying Little Edie in Grey Gardens.  Having finally seen the performance a few days ago, it was well deserved.  The series itself won, as I predicted it would.  Toni Collette certainly deserved an award, though I did not recommend her in my original picks. This was because I hadn't yet seen the show, but now I have, and I was blown away. My problem was which one she was given - Best Actress in a Comedy. United States of Tara is much more drama than comedy, but she is amazing in it, so I will overlook the gaff.

     Others were mistakes, at least in this reviewer's opinion.  Why, oh why, does Mad Men keep winning best series?  I tried to watch it.  I stuck with it for seven episodes.  It was incredibly boring.  Guess it's time to give it another chance, since it even beat True Blood.  And while I dearly love Alec Baldwin's performance in 30 Rock, there are other deserving actors.  He shouldn't keep getting the awards year after year.  I haven't yet seen Big Love so I shouldn't jump all over Chloe Sevigny taking the best supporting actress awards, but Jane Lynch is just so perfect in Glee that I can't help it!  Maybe supporting actor and actress need to split into Drama and Comedy categories like the other awards.  Next year, Jane Lynch!

     Other television winners included Michael C. Hall (Dexter) for Best Actor in a Drama, Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife) for Best Actress in a Drama, Kevin Bacon (Taking Chance) for Best Actor in a Miniseries, and John Lithgow (Dexter) for Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries.

     On a slightly more sober note, many of the stars wore red ribbons to the event in support of the tragedy in Haiti.  People all across the country, and the world, have contributed to relief efforts.  Even in Lexington, there is something you can do.  The easiest thing is just to give money.  To donate, please visit www.redcross.org or text 'Haiti' to 90999 for ten dollars to be added to your cell phone bill.

Another 24 hours for Jack Bauer

     Last night Fox aired the first two hours of their annual 24 season premiere event, and as usual, it did not disappoint.  Opening with Grandpa Jack (Kiefer Sutherland), happy and satisfied with his family, fully recovered from the biological weapon that almost killed him last season, it took a bit longer than usual for Jack Bauer to get fully involved in the action.  In fact, Jack didn't agree to commit to stopping the latest terrorist plot until nearly the end of the two hours, even denying his best friend, Chloe, (Mary Lynn Rajskub) the favor he so seriously owed her.

     Speaking of Chloe, it is awesome to see the technical guru playing fish out of water, presumably having fallen out of practice and the latest innovations because she was spending time with her own family, and was forced back to work by her husband getting laid off.  Chloe, who started as an annoying, anti-social tech whiz at Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU) back in season three, and has become the series's second most important character, after Jack.  Last year, she only appeared in about half the episodes, and she was certainly missed.  It's nice to see her back in action, with a new and fresh plot.

     The sparkling new CTU New York Chloe is working at is welcome, after CTU had been disbanded and put on trial sometime before last season.  While the FBI bureau filled in for it, it wasn't the same.  Already we are putting together all the pieces of our typical CTU formula: a hot shot new agent following in Jack's footsteps (Freddie Prinze Jr., Scooby Doo), someone with a secret that should have never been missed when they joined the group (Katee Sackhoff, Battlestar Galactica), an inept boss who won't listen when Jack tells him what is really going on (Mykelti Williamson, Forrest Gump).  The only thing missing is the inevitable mole within the unit that works for the terrorist, but surely that will show up soon as well.  Believe it or not, that formula somehow manages to never get stale, and when it was changed a bit last season, it was felt.  The best part of the FBI last year, Agent Renne Walker, (Annie Wersching, General Hospital) should be showing up in tonight's installment.

     Also nice to see back President Allison Taylor, (Cherry Jones) the woman who choose to continue to serve her country rather than let her daughter get away with murder.  This year she is working on an historic middle east peace accord with President Omar Hassan (Anil Kapoor, Slumdog Millionaire), who is the target of the assassination plot Jack is trying to stop.  Fans of 24 know that the murder is only the beginning or what will be a rapidly falling domino array that Jack must stop before he can get back to his family.  Despite the fact that Jack kept saying "I'll be done soon" last night, we know he will be in done in exactly 24 hours, not a minute more or less.

     Hours three and four of 24 will air tonight on Fox, before settling into one-hour-per-week episodes next Monday.