Why Has "24" Lost Viewers?

April 30, 2007

Undoubtedly, "24" has experienced a rapid decline in popularity this season, what with all the repetitive plot lines and its time slot that conflicts with that of "Heroes." According to a post in the LA Times TV blog Channel Island, "24" will undergo some serious changes next season, prompting me to wonder if the show's format of "24 hours in real time" is no longer new and interesting.

Yet Channel Island writer Scott Collins attributes the show's decline to something else: the "fading memory" of 9/11. Collins wonders if the initial popularity of "24" was due to its proximity to 9/11, when peoples' fears made the experience of watching the show more real, and therefore more "thrilling." The drop in popularity, then, can be attributed to the fact that 9/11 is fading from memory. As Collins points out, "Real-life political tension does wonders for creators of thriller fare."

What do you think?

23 Comments

radarkitty 6 years 2 weeks

I'll never give up on my 24, but this season is seriously lacking in excitement and talent (minus Kiefer!). They killed off all the good people, except Jack of course.

smp7328 6 years 3 weeks

I love 24. I do have to say that for a while this season hit a bit of a lull. Things are picking back up now and there are only a few eppys left, so i think things should get very exciting very quickly. Don't give up on it yet!

bibiruby82 6 years 3 weeks

I personally can't stand the show because the violence is over the top and like mmmmmm said, it's also racist against those of middle eastern descent. The show has tanked once the first season ended.

mmmmmm 6 years 3 weeks

I didn't choose any of the options, It is too unapologetically violent and racist against those of middle eastern descent.

mmmmmm 6 years 3 weeks

I didn't choose any of the options, It is too unapologetically violent and racist against those of middle eastern descent.

cv8950 6 years 3 weeks

They need a new location...... GET OUT OF L.A.!

smarler 6 years 3 weeks

I love 24, and still watch it religiously...but I still admit that every season is almost exactly the same: 1) Major conflict, but it turns out to be someone else "secretly" behind the action for a secondary reason. 2) Major conflict leads to the back up plan. 3) Jack gets arrested for breaking the rules. 4) The Vice President (or someone else) uses the 25th amendment to remove the President from power -- This happened in Season 2, Season 4 and Season 6. And it rarely has happened in the 200+ year history of the US. I also find it really hard to follow 24 over the entire story arc, because of how quickly they change what the primary action is. This season, they haven't even filled us in on where Jack's dad went, and what happened to Charles Logan.

eBennet 6 years 3 weeks

I am still Tivo-ing it, but I haven't watched in five weeks. It just strains believability so much at this point and the plot is less well-crafted than in previous seasons. I don't like the characters this season nearly as much in past seasons and when the show is getting so repetitive that even the characters are like "Wait, didn't this happen before?" as when Jack and former President Logan went into the Russian Embassy and Logan is all, "Wait, didn't you just get back from a Chinese prison for doing this exact same thing?" blogsap, I totally agree with you. If this was real, all society in the US would have collapsed after six episodes of terrorist attacks on the level that have been shown on 24. The only thing I love is how cool Chloe looks!

partysugar 6 years 3 weeks

I still watch every week, but I have noticed as of late I'm not sitting on the edge of my seat anxious to see what's going to happen like on past seasons.

LesleyP825 6 years 3 weeks

I feel like every year it's the same story line. I got really bored with it this year and stopped watching.

blogsap 6 years 3 weeks

24 falls in with my "free willy" theory (how many times can a stupid wale get caught?). This guy has had what... 6 crazy days? Also, for me I enjoy watching it when it comes out on DVD.

Midnightkiss4u09 6 years 3 weeks

I feel the same Classy Amelia.

Classy Amelia 6 years 3 weeks

For me, it is that Heroes air at the same time as 24 which sucks.

ktjones 6 years 3 weeks

I am still a die hard fan and watch religiously.

tvjunkie45 6 years 3 weeks

I love(d) the show. I love watching the old episodes, even seeing them many times, but it's lost it's edge. The first part of the season was exciting but it doesn't have the old '24' vibe to it. Hopefully it will pick up.

demeter 6 years 3 weeks

None. 24 is still the best show out there, no others can compare. I know my 24 boys will come through. This season hasn't been the best by a long shot - Audrey all of a sudden coming back into the picture? Please... The 24 guys are creative. They can pull off 2 more seasons of this show - at least. Kiefer was signed on for 2 more years after this one.

SFKitkat 6 years 3 weeks

I know why I stopped watching...the first half was riveting: the detonation of a nuclear device, terrorists with more suitcase nukes, Russian intrigue in the mix and all that and then to abruptly have that storyline end just to rescue his stupid girlfriend?!? WTF! I'm sorry, but I think that this whole Chinese trying to get Russian intelligence/defense capabilities vs. saving Audrey Raines and Jack going along with it is just about the stupidest storyline. They should have stretched out the suitcase nuke storyline for the whole season, that would have kept me a loyal viewer.

janellethechef 6 years 3 weeks

Can we have an "All of the Above" option?

Link Love

23 Comments

You Might Also Like