Results tagged “24” from ARTicles

The Fox series "24" aired its 2-hour special "Redemption" Sunday night, a season 7 prequel which bridges the new season with the last.  It's been about a year and a half since "24" brought us its adrenaline-charged, real-time, terrorist-ridden action.  This time its president is America's first female commander-in-chief (played by Tony award-winner Cherry Jones).  

"24's" virtual drama got me thinking about the nation's real-life drama.  When I look back at the "24" Hall of Presidents, I can't help but wonder: Did Fox actually help President-elect Barack Obama get elected?

When "24" entered the American post-9/11 zeitgeist in the fall of 2001, it introduced us to a major party's first African-American presidential candidate (who incidentally was also a senator).  By the second season, David Palmer had become president.  Played with aplomb, smarts and empathy by actor Dennis Haysbert, President Palmer proved to be a president to love, one worthy of being saved, repeatedly, by hero Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland).  

"24" became an addictive hit, and viewers initially thought, "Wow, an African-American president.  That's a novel idea."  But Fox made Palmer believable, as if he could happen in real life. "24" addicts became so accustomed to a black man leading them into action week after week that many (including me, I'll admit) wanted Palmer to run for president in 2004.  Now he could have beaten George W. Bush.  

This year America skeptically asked itself if the US would really elect an African-American president.  But the 12 million Americans who watched "24" had not only accepted a black leader, but had rooted for him.  So is it possible that Palmer paved the way for Obama?  Haysbert seems to think so.

Now that "24: Redemption" has introduced the series' first female president, will the show go 2-for-2 as a presidential predictor?  Could this mean a victory finally for Hillary Clinton?  Or God forbid, Sarah Palin...  


Speaking of Palin, don't miss her recent television interview on KTUU News.  Palin may need to retake some of her college journalism classes.  According to Andrew Sullivan's Daily Dish, she chose the shot for her own interview, but broke the cardinal media rule: Never give an interview in front of a man killing turkeys.  Happy Thanksgiving!