KIEFER SUTHERLAND - 24 HIT BY WRITERS STRIKE

24 HIT BY WRITERS STRIKE

KIEFER SUTHERLAND's tense drama 24 has become the latest TV show hit by the Hollywood writers strike, which began on Monday (05Nov07). Bosses at Fox, the network which airs the show in America - are refusing to air the new season of 24 until they are guaranteed the entire series can be aired without interruption. Fox scheduling chief Preston Beckman tells trade paper Daily Variety, "The viewers have told us that this is a show that needs to be digested with minimal, if any, interruptions." 24's new season was scheduled to debut in January (08). It now looks likely that the show won't hit TV sets until the spring (08). It will be replaced by Terminator TV spin-off The Sarah Connor Chronicles, which was set to air later next year (08), and hit show Prison Drama's hiatus has been cancelled. The show will continue to air after the holidays. Cast and crew have joined the picket lines on their breaks as they continue to work on the available scripted episodes. Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy are among the other hit shows hit by the strike. Late-night chats shows like The Tonight Show and The Late Show are running repeats this week (begs05Nov07) because of the walkout.