Counting sheep...

So, it's over.

I've used my blog to talk 24 before, and now it seems as relevant as ever before. As the clock ended on the series last night, I went to bed counting sheep by trying to list my top ten favorite 24 moments of all time.

What I couldn't do is list them in numerical order, so instead they're listed in order of season. I've included my honorable mentions at the bottom. 

(I apologize that I couldn't find clips of these moments, but I hope you enjoy nonetheless. The whole series can now be streamed on Netflix.)

•  That bitch!

After spending the first day so close to Nina, you'd have considered her a main character that was the Tonto to Jack's Lone Ranger. Sure, she had her shady qualities, but they all did.

In the final hours, the sound of her voice speaking Serbian, or whatever the hell that was made me shit my pants. Seriously, poo everywhere. Well played, 24.

• Hacksaw Jim Duggin

In the first season, Jack's family was at risk, and while we knew that he was crazy, at least we knew why. Or, at least we thought we did. 

They made a huge statement in the first hour of the second season, and let us know without a doubt that shit was 'bout' to get crazy.

    •    Jack and Nina, sitting in a tree.

After that bitch killed Jack's wife, there were many awesome moments in the following seasons. It's hard to narrow them down, but here's my three favorites

    ⁃   Is Wayne Brady going to have to choke a bitch?
First contact since the end of season 1. Nina is trying to not look scared as shit, but she's scared as shit. Also, Jack knows she's scared as shit, so let the mind fucking begin. Nothing like a good throat grab, drag, and slam to get things started.

    ⁃    Lost in translation.
Lost In Translation has got nothing on this. Oh if we could only know what Jack whispered to Nina in the desert after a thwarted attempt to kill him. The look in her eye gave you an idea.

    ⁃    I don't care.
Season 3 - on the plane back from Mexico. Nina thinks she's crippled CTU and will soon be set free. By threatening the pilot, Jack gives Chloe enough time to stop the computer virus. Nina didn't believe him, but Jack responded with 'I don't care what you believe'. However, it was Jack's smile that followed that made it a million times more awesome.

• Death of George Mason

In didn't take long into the 2nd day for 24 to show us how crazy the real time scenarios could get. CTU's resident asshole took a wrong turn at Albuquerque and got a heaping helping of radiation poison.

With less than 24 hours to live, Mason bucked up and went back to work.  This work ethic would lead him to hide in the back of a plane carrying a nuclear weapon, and giving Jack a reason to live.

It was the moment that Jack got ready to bail out that left a mark. The final grasp from Mason, then Jack was gone, leaving nothing but a scared, lonesome Mason and his eminent fate.

•  Death of Ryan Chappelle

Whew, what can you say about this. It was the first moment where both Jack and President Palmer let me down. It was also a point where the series strapped Fonzie in some skis and had the boat on standby.

I guess in the end, you can say it was the definitive moment where the series dropped it's elephant sized balls on the viewer. Like with Mason, it was the moments leading up to the final shot that fucked me up. Jack had to help him out of the helicopter because his legs were shaky - I mean, that's some cold-blooded shit.

    •    You, me, and an axe.

Okay, so there was plenty of shock in season 3, but it was the conversation that Jack and Chase had with their eyes. No words were needed, just a tourniquet.

    •    Don't fight it.

My favorite ending of any season, and probably the most fitting. After a day of doing some hanis in my anus shit, Jack sits in his CTU mobile and has one hell of a sob fest.

It's a moment where we realize that he was indeed affected by his actions. It's a moment of awareness where Jack realizes that his actions that day have changed him forever. Yep, he's going to hell.

    •    What's your primary objective?

Imagine if Superman had lived for a few years as only Clark Kent, then in a shining moment, bypassed the phone booth and just stripped down to the outfit. Well, that's what happened at the end of season 4's first hour, and it was glorious.

    •    Nobody puts baby in a corner

Not much good about season 6. In fact, I try to forget about it. However, it's rare that we get a moment with Jack where he can express his feelings, and the final scene between him and Secretary Heller is one of my favorites of the whole series.

    •    Soul Patch Zombie

It still doesn't make sense, but damn, it was great to see Soul Patch Jesus again. The year off due to the writers strike actually helped. I had some time away from the series and I didn't feel as inclined to care.

Be honest, when Tony showed us his scarred face in season 7 it felt like a friend coming home. Let's not get caught up on the fact that he died and they really couldn't explain that away. I wanted it and so did you . Is he bad, good, good, bad? Who cares? Hell, we were all upset that they killed that hot ass Michelle Dessler. 


Honorable mentions:

• I think I love you.

After her work in season 3, Michelle Dessler could have taken over the series. Remember when she shot that dude for trying to leave the hotel? Damn.

• Jack calls Kim

Season 2 - 'Hey Kim, going to die now saving the world.' Should have been cheeseball and maybe it was, but man, it's getting a little dusty in here. (sniff, sniff)

• Death of a hobbit

So much death in season 5, however, it was Sean Astin's final breath that was the most horrific. Holding his breath knowing that when he finally did breathe he would die an excruciating death from poison gas. WTF?

• Tony saves Jack 

Oh man, when Jack called the 'only person he could trust' in season 4, I really didn't know that Tony was coming in shooting. Beer belly and all.

• Paul dies

This would have been Audrey's ex husband Paul gets his nipples shocked with a lamp cord. However, after taking a bullet for Jack, he's left to die by Jack's orders so that they can save the terrorist and get the pertinent info.

• Jack on Heroin  

Need I say more?

Your mom is Jack Bauer...

Whether we want it or not, Jack is back. That's right, the poor bastard is about to get into his 8th crunk-ass day; another event that will last exactly 24 hours.

Besides that, what else do we know at this point?

• Jack doesn't work for the government anymore. (sigh)
• Kim is still alive and kicking. (sigh)
• Jack is the most bad-ass grampa ever.
• That lady is still the Prez.
• Bubba Gump works at CTU... so does Starbuck. We also get Acevada from The Shield.
• Location change - NYC. You thought the Cloverfield monster was destructive?

What we don't know...

• Will there be any cougars in NYC? Sexy ones not included.
• Who will rise from the dead this year?
• Will Aaron Pierce be the only person other than Jack to be in all 8 seasons?
• Will Soul patch Jesus return in any capacity.
• Will this finally be the last season?
• Will it finally be revealed that Terri never really died, and that she's been the mastermind behind every single plot line?
• Will anyone care?
• Will anyone watch?

Jack N' Nut's

On my last flight, I decided to mix things up a bit. For you little whippersnappers who may not know, there was a time when folks used to fill there RC and Coca-Cola with peanuts before drinking. I actually think this is more of a regional thing, maybe even unique to the Carolina's, I'm really not sure. Regardless, if peanuts work work well with Coke, then surely they would work even better with Jack Daniel's and Coke.













That's why I'm proud to announce my new favorite drink, the 'Jack n' nuts'. Jack Daniel's, Coca-Cola, and peanuts.










I apologize if I'm stealing somebody's idea, but honestly I'm afraid to Google 'Jack'n Nuts'

Also, there is a variation. Use Crown Royal instead of Jack Daniel's for a 'Crown my nuts'.

Enjoy...

You complete me...

Over the past few years, several great shows have made their mark on television. I'm not just talking premium cable, either. Even better, the DVD/Netflix combination has made it possible to bring these shows home. So, now you don't always have to watch in real time or syndication. Instead, you can watch a season a week and even an entire series in a month.

As Fall approaches and the days get shorter, here are some shows to keep you comfy and reality free in the evening. Even better, these are completed series, so resolution awaits you.

Alias -












Okay, so I was a long time hold out of this show. What little screen time I'd seen of Jennifer Garner, in particular '13 Going On 30', had left me wondering what all the hub bub was about.

It wasn't until I saw the JJ Abram's Mission Impossible 3, along with a recommendation from a friend, that I decided to give it a shot.

Take whatever reservations you may have and toss them aside. If you like the storytelling of Lost, then you'll definitely appreciate it's predecessor. Honestly, even though Lost has yet to run it's course, I believe that Alias is the better show. Suspenseful, action packed, dramatic, and at times humorous, you'll find it hard not to watch 3-4 episodes per night.

I implore you, give Jennifer a chance kick her way into your heart. The show will grab you in the opening scene, promise.

The Shield -












FX's breakthrough drama ended it's run last Fall, but I'm still haunted he series finale. It's like, someone ran my emotions through a juicer.

I've already blogged about this show in the past, so I'll keep it short. The last five minutes of the pilot episode sets the stage for the rest of the series. It sets the timer, and then winds down to the series finale where it all finally explodes.

Pulling for a bad guy has never been so much fun.



Battlestar Galactica -












The name alone isolates an audience. Then, for those who are old enough, there's the image Dirk Benedict and Lorne Greene fighting those clunky ass Cylons. Cheese whiz in space.

Well, fuck all that. Start with the mini-series and settle in to the one of the best shows ever written.

For more info, see the 'Trying to get regular' post.




The Wire -










Brilliant. I mean, I'd heard so many great things about this show, that I was determined to find fault. Sure, there are some things I didn't like about the story, but that was the story. You are an observer, and these characters aren't there for your entertainment.

It did take me awhile to get fully involved in the show. It was a slow burn, but once you're hooked, you'll be glad that you stuck around.


24 -












Well, technically this show has not ended, but most 24 fans will tell you that it's long been over. Personally, I think the end of season 4 should be the stopping point for newbies.

Let's face it though. How many times can you make the real time scenario work? How much shock and awe can you deliver before it becomes predictable or just ridiculous? The show is a victim of it's own success, and in turn has become a parody of itself.

However, the first 4 seasons maybe some of the best 96 hours in television history. After that, just walk away.