Jack Bauer to Save the Earth From Global Warming
Looks like I might have to rethink my 24 boycott.
The producers of the show have decided that for the upcoming seventh season of the show, they will seek to reduce the carbon emissions produced by the crew, part of the “Cool Change” program by Fox Network. They also appear to be integrating global warming into the plot this year, which sounds about as wise a move as Kim working at CTU, so maybe the headline of this post isn’t as misleading as it appears.
The amount of power needed to produce a major television show or a movie is unbelievable and difficult to come to terms with, especially for one like this that is shot largely on locations, which necessitates numerous cars and trailers, portable gasoline-powered generators, etc. Evan Almighty was the first major motion picture to commit to this level of minimal environmental impact, but this was nowhere near enough to get me to see it.
The crew will utilize soundstages run on electricity (they weren’t before?), and vehicles and generators will run on a biodiesel blend. Toyota Priuses (Pria?) will be used to shuttle the locations department and production assistants around. No word on whether that will mean the good guys will drive Toyotas this year instead of the traditional Fords, as part of their early promotional contract. Apparently now they will send scripts, schedules, and memos via e-mail as opposed to before when they were delivered by car. And it’s all scheduled to lead up to the big finale, which is to be entirely carbon-neutral.
I’ll watch you again, 24. I’ll give you that. This is a good move. However, any more of those bullshit shenanigans (Rain Man subplot? What?!), and we’re done. And if it pisses off all those right-wing jerkoffs who salivate over the torture scenes and think we actually live in this fantasy world (like a certain Supreme fucking Court justice), well, all the better. Anybody hear Rush comment on this one?
August 9, 2007 at 11:37 am
Ok, I feel the need to clock in on this one. Correct me if I’m wrong, but your boycott of 24 began as a protest of the widening American mindset that Jack Bauer, and 24, is somehow the moral justification of torture. As evidenced here:
“The conservative jurist stuck up for Agent Bauer, arguing that fictional or not, federal agents require latitude in times of great crisis. “Jack Bauer saved Los Angeles. … He saved hundreds of thousands of lives,” Judge Scalia said. Then, recalling Season 2, where the agent’s rough interrogation tactics saved California from a terrorist nuke, the Supreme Court judge etched a line in the sand.” Per your source.
I agree that taking the 24 style of fiction, and applying it to real life as if we constantly live under a ticking clock, is not only ridiculous, but a dangerous justification of immoral and inhuman tactics. Let’s not forget that the prohibition on torture is designed, partly, to protect our troops from similar treatment by foreign governments, without such “immanent cause”. After all, what’s critical for one government is not always critical for another.
That all having been said, what the hell does that have to do with reduced carbon emissions?? ~Your honor, the defense asks for leniency as Mr. Smith did admit to the armed robbery which resulted in the death of one bank teller, however, he was driving a Prius during the heist, and should be awarded a reduced sentence for doing his part to save the economy.~ Sorry man, not seeing the connection on this one…what would really benefit the environment, is if you maintained the boycott, and the show weren’t on anymore.
August 9, 2007 at 11:48 am
That’s easy.
While I was writing the piece, I went through some conservative sites and saw the reaction to this announcement from them. They were FURIOUS. And the show is not going to bury this or anything; they are shooting PSAs promoting their belief in reducing carbon emissions, which will only enrage conservatives even further.
I think you can see from the post a transformation as I began thinking, okay, this might possibly be good to at the end fully embracing its return to my viewing schedule. That’s why, I saw how conservatives freaked out about it. If you’ll notice in my previous post, the problem was never with the show itself (except the quality issues which are peripheral). The show has been pretty complex in not stereotyping Muslims, in showing that many times torture does not work and is counter-productive. I’ll stand by that forever. My problem was with conservatives embracing it. As it appears that is soon to be a thing of the past, I will commence watching it and thus support what they are doing for the environment.
August 9, 2007 at 3:12 pm
I see what you’re saying, but I’m still calling shenanigans. Today, I blame the 300 point stock market dip, the symbol of shaken consumer confidence, on your johnkerrian decision to return to 24. Yea, I know that you’re thinking, nah…it’s just the sub-prime mortgage backlash killing the market, but we all know the truth. You let down the free world…you let us all down. And for what, Kiefer’s rugged good looks? His ability to look into your eyes, and burn a whole into your head with his Bauer-vision? His ability to extend six knife- like claws from his adamantium skeleton, and miraculously heal himself from all inflicted wounds? Yea who am I kidding – you’re right, we can’t abandon Jack in his hour of need. Actually, Chuck Norris gets an hour…Kiefer gets….24!
PS Mr. Kerry, regarding the crack above…yea, I went there. You know what’s up. Mr. Norris…sorry about inferiority I may have insinuated above, I’ll be awaiting immanent destruction in the form of a Trancer thought beam witch will inevitable make my head explode, just when I least expect it.
August 10, 2007 at 10:08 am
I boycotted 24 after the second season, when I realized that the writers had only written one arc and were simply going to vomit it back up each season and every season. Not to mention, the number of utterly ridiculous things that happen totally dissolve the suspension of disbelief you need in order to maintain the premise that the show needs to be suspenseful.
I will say that I absolutely love poking fun at it though. Speaking of which, I’m sure the show’s getting a few extra “carbon credits” for all the dramatic whispering. I mean, let’s face it, we all know that yelling causes more emissions than talking in our library voices.
August 10, 2007 at 10:09 am
Butternuts, you spelled adamantium correctly but not imminent. Your dork certifications are now secure.
Tim, each time Bauer yells “DAMMIT!” one tree dies. True story.
August 11, 2007 at 12:14 am
Never seen the the show.
Reason: The people I know who watch it where I work.
If these particular folks like it, I doubt I would.
I did think it was interesting that Kiefer Sutherland has a Gibson Signature guitar, though:
http://www.gibsoncustom.com/kiefer.html
Pretty sweet, but I’d rather just have a vintage 335 for that price..
August 11, 2007 at 2:40 am
You have been given an award.
Tag you’re it!
The scientifically impossible I do right away
The spiritually miraculous takes a bit longer