Somewhere between the writers’ strike and the Oscar Awards, when my “24” withdrawal symptoms were acute, I scoured the internet to find any little tidbit that might help me reconnect with the characters at CTU, the cast of “24” and the non-stop adrenaline rush that defines the show. Here’s what I found out:
1* Other than Jack, Glenn Morshower (Agent Aaron Pierce) is the only character that is all 6 seasons. Go Aaron, Go Aaron!
2* Mia Kirshner a.k.a. Mandy, (the evil motorcyclist) is the shows longest running villain. She was in the first 3 episodes of season 1 working for Ira Gains, The season 2 finale where she tried to kill President Palmer and again in the last 3 episodes of season 4. She was scheduled for season 5, but at the last minute was replaced. Take that you motorcycling menace!
3* Harris Yulin (Roger Stanton-season 2) is credited neither in the opening nor closing of guest star cast. He asked to have his name appear alone. When told that wasn’t possible, he opted to not be named at all. Way to be a team player.
4* Reiko Aylesworth (Michelle Dessler) originally auditioned for the role of Nina Myers and Kate Warner. Thank God the casting people know how to do their job. I couldn’t picture her as anyone else.
5* All cast members are required to have their hair and/or beard trimmed every 5 days. One of the many reasons I could never be a part of the show…
6* In season 3, all entrances and exits for the CTU holding room were monitored by security camera #24.
7* Including pre and post productions, filming a season of “24” takes 10 ½ months.
8* Approximately 25 hours of footage are edited into 1 episode of “24”.
9* In season 5, Debbie Warner’s cell phone displayed a valid California phone number which when dialed, connected you to either Kim Raver (Audry Raines) or Carlos Bernard
(Tony Almeida). This was a way for the show to connect to it’s fans. It is estimated they received over 80,000 calls in the first week.
10* Sarah Clark (Nina Meyers) got engaged to Xander Berkeley (George Mason) They were married on September 7, 2002. Awwww.
11* Actor Michael Masse (Ira Gaines) was a real life villain when he accidentally shot and killed Brandon Lee while filming “The Crow.
*12 Dennis Haysbert (President David Palmer) and Penny Johnson Jerald (Sherry Palmer) worked together in “Absolute Power” where there was a cover up for a murder by a US politician.
*13 Because “24” takes place in “real time” actors are only allowed 1 or 2 costume changes per day (season). Penny Jerald is the only real exception to this rule. She wore around six different costumes in the first season, two in the second season and at least three in the third season.
*14 Jean Smart (Mrs. Martha Logan) was a central character on Designing Women and also the voice of cartoon character “Kim Possible”.
*15 I wouldn’t have thought much of it, except my friend made a big deal out of season 2 and “what did Jack whisper to Nina?” In the script and during rehearsal Jack whispered “I will hunt you down every day for the rest of your life.” For a genuine look of shock during the final filming, at the last minute Kiefer whispered “Sarah, I love you. I wish you hadn’t married Xander – so we could be together.” What I wouldn’t give to have heard that.
*16 Jack Bauer’s birthday is February 18, 1966.
*17 Gregory Itzen (President Charles Logan) appeared in 3 Star Trek series and played 5 different characters.
*18 Bill Buchanan’s real name is Jim (James) Morrison.
*19 Carlo Rota (Morris O’Brien) first became popular for his part in Le Femme Nikita, a t.v. series which was also created by Joel Surrnow.
*20 Glenn Morshower (Aaron Pierce) is also a motivational speaker.
*21 Kim Raver (Audrey Raines) entered the biz at age 6 by way of regular appearances on Sesame Street.
*22 James Morrison (Bill) started acting as a circus clown and wire walker. He is also a certified yoga teacher.
*23 Kim Raver (Audrey) is trilingual. She is fluent in English, French and German.
*24 Kiefer Sutherland also played a government agent in “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me” where he was investigating the murder of a woman named Laura Palmer.
Sometimes, when I look at all the coincidences in the life, I have to think nothing is coincidence. Either that, or the world is a small and scripted place. God I hope this lasts me until January, or whenever season 7 will air…
