24 Season 5: Wins Zero Television Critics Awards

I'd venture to say that even 24's writers couldn't come up with a twist like this one. In what was hailed as 24's most critically acclaimed season, Kiefer and company came up short and didn't win a single Television Critics Award. 'Tis a bit ironic, don't you think?

On one hand you have a slew of people who think that 24 is the best show on TV. Then there's the critics who are all up in arms about this being 24's best season. But when it comes to dishing out awards for being the best in specific categories, 24 comes up short.

Is a snub from the critics. I bet most people will think so, but it's really not. 24 is all about excitement, adrenaline and awe. It's not about acting or good writing. So when you pit 24 up against shows that are praised for good acting and writing, it doesn't have a shot of winning. It would be like pitting Mission Impossible 3 against Crash for the Best Picture Oscar.

Even though I wasn't 100% correct with my predictions, I did guess that 24 wouldn't win. Next up, the Emmys.

24 Season 6 News: Interviews with Kim Raver and Jon Cassar

The latest news from Comingsoon.net reports the following information derived from interviews with Kim Raver (Audrey) and Jon Cassar (Co-Executive Producer) – (WARNING: Spoiler Alert):

Is Audrey returning?
Since Ms. Raver is now a leading character on next fall’s The Nine, there is some speculation whether or not Audrey returns. The word right now is that there are several options and nothing is nailed down. C’mon, she’ll be way too busy to bring her back. Besides, Jack can start screwing a new chick and terrorizing whichever relative of hers that he chooses.

Will there be another 10 minute video that links Seasons 5 and 6?
It’s not certain yet, but it looks like it. And if you read Cassar’s response, it sounds like Jack is BACK from China. I don’t think that’s correct, but it would be hilarious to put Jack THAT much higher on a pedestal and say he can escape an ENTIRE nation and get back to the US before the next day begins.

Is Season 6 going to be shot in NY?
Who cares? You go from one of the most spread out cities in the US to one of the most dense – but traffic doesn’t change. Though, I would say a nice subway sequence would be pretty cool – or should I say could be pretty cool. And if you try to fake a NY setting in LA... riiiiight.

There’s one more question in the interview snippet, but it’s boring. Check it out if you want/have time.

24 Season 6: It Already Sounds Stupid

The latest news from Comingsoon.net reports (WARNING: Spoiler Alert):

Regina King (Ray) is joining the cast of Fox’s 24, while D.B. Woodside is being bumped up to series regular, reports Variety.

In a Kennedyesque twist, Woodside -- who plays Wayne Palmer, brother of assassinated President David Palmer -- will begin season six as the newly elected president of the United States.

King, meanwhile, joins as heretofore unseen Palmer sister Angela, a powerful lawyer with an advocacy group.

I don’t mind the bump from part-time to full-time for Wayne Palmer, but he’s now the President!?! This is a guy who was running around with Jack last season shooting bad guys and kidnapping a bank official. If that doesn’t show that he’s President material, I don’t know what does. And with as much strife as the Palmer family has endured during their time in office, why would the public want another Palmer in the Oval Office? Answer, apparently the "dumb president" schtick is up.

Why not get the previous President in there – the one that was shot, which allowed Logan to take his place? That would be more interesting.

On the other half of this news, Palmer’s sister is now in the mix. If anyone can’t see that this is another Sherry Palmer story-line waiting to happen, then you’re not thinking wishfully enough. Honestly though, it’s taken five seasons for us to find out that Palmer had a powerful lawyer sister? Doubtful, she would have been around the second David was elected President.

I’d much rather see Palmer’s kids in a new role than his sister that we’ve never caught glimpse of.

Looks to be shaping up for a pretty corny story-line already. But we’ve still got five months until January. Hang on a while, you’ll hear more news here when it breaks.

24 Season 6: Peter MacNicol Joins Cast

The first news of season 6 has officially hit the wire – Peter MacNicol has joined the cast. MacNicol (who previously starred in Ally McBeal and currently stars in Numb3rs) will portray a high-ranking government official. He plans to shoot both 24 and Numb3rs simultaneously for next season.

Interestingly enough, MacNicol won a supporting actor Emmy in 2001 for his role of John Cage in Ally McBeal (in addition, he was nominated for Emmys three times for that role). Does that mean this bring instant credibility to the cast of 24? Not necessarily, but it doesn’t hurt it.

Is anyone thinking what I’m thinking? Is he the new Miles Papazin?

24 Season 5 Nominated for 12 Emmys!?!

Well I’ll be. Season 5 of 24, constantly hailed as 24’s best season by critics, has somehow garnered 12 nominations for the 58th Primetime Emmy Awards. Last year, it was nominated 11 times (three times in one category) and only won three Emmys (and I was pretty right on with my guesses). Could this year be more of the same? Possibly. While the show is exciting, it usually doesn’t have enough good acting or writing to pick up anything besides Sound Editing and Stunt Coordination.

24 Season 5 Emmy Nominations:

1. Outstanding Cinematography For A Single-Camera Series (Episode 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM) *
2. Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series (Episode 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM)
3. Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Drama Series (Episode 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM) *
4. Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Drama Series (Episode 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
5. Outstanding Music Composition For A Series (Dramatic Underscore) (Episode 6:00 AM - 7:00 AM)
6. Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series (Kiefer Sutherland)
7. Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series (Gregory Itzin) *
8. Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series (Jean Smart)
9. Outstanding Drama Series
10. Outstanding Sound Editing For A Series (Episode 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM) *
11. Outstanding Single-Camera Sound Mixing For A Series (Episode 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM)
12. Outstanding Stunt Coordination (Episode 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM) *

So really, we’re making nominations based on three episodes – the season premiere, the season finale and the one episode with huge explosions. Fair enough. It’s also interesting to note that the Academy has given up on nominating it for Outstanding Casting (because pretty much the entire cast wasn’t too great).

I’ve marked my predictions for 24’s winners with asteriks above. Kiefer will be snubbed again (screaming at people, shooting 100’s of extras and torturing people isn’t acting) and Jean Smart won’t win an Emmy for her blubbering. Although, I DO think that Gregory Itzin will win for his role as the idiot President (if he’s acting, that is). 24 will also walk away with some of its usual awards, again, which it deserves because it’s put together pretty well from a musical and editing stand point.

We’ll see how it does. Below are 24’s past nominations and wins.

Season 1: 2002 Emmys

• Nominated: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
• Nominated: Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
• Winner: Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
• Nominated: Outstanding Art Direction for a Single Camera Series
• Nominated: Outstanding Single Camera Sound Mixing for a Series
• Winner: Outstanding Single Camera Picture Editing for a Series
• Nominated: Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Dramatic Underscore)
• Nominated: Outstanding Drama Series
• Nominated: Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series

Season 2: 2003 Emmys

• Nominated: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
• Nominated: Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
• Nominated: Outstanding Single Camera Sound Mixing for a Series
• Winner: Outstanding Single Camera Picture Editing for a Series
• Nominated: Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series
• Winner: Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Dramatic Underscore)
• Nominated: Outstanding Stunt Coordination
• Nominated: Outstanding Drama Series
• Nominated: Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series

Season 3: 2004 Emmys

• Nominated: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
• Winner: Outstanding Single Camera Sound Mixing for a Series
• Winner: Outstanding Single Camera Picture Editing for a Series
• Nominated: Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series
• Nominated: Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Dramatic Underscore)
• Winner: Outstanding Stunt Coordination
• Nominated: Outstanding Drama Series
• Winner: Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series

Season 4: 2005 Emmys (winners not yet determined)

• Nominated: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
• Nominated: Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series
• Winner: Outstanding Single Camera Sound Mixing for a Series
• Nominated (three times): Outstanding Single Camera Picture Editing for a Series
• Winner: Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series
• Nominated: Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Dramatic Underscore)
• Winner: Outstanding Stunt Coordination
• Nominated: Outstanding Drama Series
• Nominated: Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series