It's that time of year -- time for the Fox network to relaunch its two most important midseason weapons. American Idol returns Tuesday, and 24 returns Sunday. Both are coming back in slightly retooled, but still recognizable, models for 2009.
American Idol is adding, among other things, a new judge. 24 starts off by having Kiefer Sutherland's Jack Bauer agreeing to BE judged -- to appear, before a Congressional subcommittee, in defense of his past actions as a CTU operative. The definition and use of torture is the topic at hand, and at first, things don't look good for Jack's chances to avoid indictment.
But because this is 24, and Jack's show, he isn't in front of that committee for more than a few minutes -- and since 24 runs in real time, that description is literal -- before he's called away by FBI special agent Renee Walker, who needs him immediately for urgent government matters. The senator agrees to reconvene at the same time tomorrow, but the joke's on him.
Why? Because the same time tomorrow will be 24 hours later, and this seventh season of 24 will be over. Score one for Jack.
Meanwhile, we have the first four hours of season seven, rolled out Sunday and Monday night at 8 ET.
They transplant Jack and the show to the nation's capital, a welcome change, and bring back some old faces in unexpected ways, which are fun surprises better left for the show itself to reveal. All I'll say about the way this new season starts is that Annie Wersching, who plays the FBI agent who extracts Jack from his Senate inquisition, has a good chance to become a star before the day is out. The day on 24, that is.
But we'll have to wait and see, because strong starts, on this show, don't always mean strong finishes. Just remember last season -- if you can.
By the way, if you want to hear my review of 24 on Fresh Air with Terry Gross, click HERE after 3 p.m. ET Friday.