10 Comments so far

1. Melissa February 27th, 2007 5:15 pm

   24 is like a drug - the suspense is highly addictive and even if one doesn’t buy into all of the terror-mongering, it still can be seductive. I know - I actually started watching last season’s shows on AETV for a couple of months. All the more addictive because it came on every morning.

   I took a week off and the spell was broken.

2. EARL L. ROWLEY February 27th, 2007 6:08 pm

   Pierre, thanks for the voice in the distance
   that echos my feelings.

3. kittyladyoregon February 27th, 2007 6:08 pm

   I watched the very first episode, probably due to the hype. I did not like it, but that is most likely because I like to read rather than watch TV. I hate the prescription commercials for diseases nobody ever had before and the mindless crap that they show. I do like Frontline, Nature and Masterpiece Theatre.

4. BigNoseKate February 27th, 2007 11:48 pm

   Spot on as usual. I watched a small portion of one show the first season, mostly because I like Keifer Sutherland, but I couldn’t stomach the premise or the execution of it. The only people I know that watch that show regularly tend to be very hostile, passive-aggressive people in their personal lives. If the ratings are accurate, there’s alot of them out there; but they are still not the majority. I understand how difficult it must be to walk away from that kind of success, especially for an actor, however, I wish Mr. Sutherland would find a more worthy project.
   BNK

5. ballerina February 28th, 2007 4:06 am

   I haven’t seen the show, but saw Keifer Sutherland interviewed by Charlie Rose and then started hearing more about “24″ and realized what it was about. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that Hollywood would stoop so low, but I am amazed that people are only now beginning to see how hate-mongering is embedded into the culture.

6. mikell February 28th, 2007 9:11 am

   I tend to agree with most of Pierre Tristam’s article. However, I am also a fan of the series. I certainly don’t consider myself hostile or passive/agressive, as one person suggested…and I know quite a few others who enjoy this series as well…none of whom are hostile people in any way. I would describe myself left wing, anti-war…probably more so than many of the people who read Common Dreams. So…what is the appeal of 24 for me and others like me? I think it’s simply the production…great acting, intense story lines…grabs you and has you on the edge of your seat. I read books in this genre too…it’s an escapism. I never confuse this fiction with reality and I don’t see any contradiction in watching/reading these things and my personal beliefs. However, I understand that some people might have their hostile inner feelings confirmed by watching 24. So, I am conflicted about its popularity. I just don’t think that we should assume that the series is changing minds or having such influence on how people view terrorism or torture. Many of us watch it and suspend disbelief for an hour each week.

7. TLarson February 28th, 2007 12:20 pm

   I agree with Pierre but what disturbs me the most is the simplistic mind set of Cheney, et al. If officer candidates and high officials are unable to distinguish between the values of a fantasy show and the reality we face day in an day out, we’re in deep trouble. We’re in deep trouble!

8. elantoh February 28th, 2007 1:06 pm

   The importance of television’s influence must not be underestimated. The old TV program S.W.A.T. was purportedly finaced by government interests to get people to accept their presence as a necessary part of daily life.

   Even the acronym received a Big Brother name change from Stratigic Weapons Assault Team to Stratigic Weapons And Tactics. Much like the Reagan admisitration changing lie to mis-speak or Inter Continental Balistic Missles to “Peace Keeprers.”

   As a vet I know history must be listened to:

   “Of course the people don’t want war. But after all, it’s the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it’s always a simple matter to drag the people along… That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger.”
   – Nazi War Criminal, Herman Goering at the Nuremberg trials

   “Let us never tolerate outrageous conspiracy theories concerning the attacks of September the 11th; malicious lies that attempt to shift the blame away from the terrorists, themselves, away from the guilty.”
   – 9/11 Criminal, President Bush November 10, 2001

   A TV show here, a Popular Mechanics story there, it is the death of a thousand lies for our freedom.

9. bntywepusuco December 12th, 2007 10:49 am

   titnaracacixu…

   exxapovacuta…

10. bnkapuvotana January 1st, 2008 12:32 pm

    titpepevycoky…

    expizoxikatu…

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