24

Every Monday night I hurry home from French class in time to see the only TV show I watch, 24. When I get there, my family is already assembled on the couch, looking tense and ready for an hour’s worth of heart pumping suspense. We are completely addicted to the adrenalin rush and coronary cliff hangers.

I heard Kiefer Sutherland on the Tonight Show tell Jay Leno that people who watch 24 have come up with a drinking game to play during the broadcast. Because it is on network TV, Jack Bauer can only say, ‘Dammit’ on air. All the other American swear words are prohibited. So Jack Bauer says, ‘Dammit’ quite a lot of the show. Imagine saving the US from nuclear disaster and only being able to say, ‘Dammit.’ So now that Kiefer knows there are people at home with shot glasses of tequila, or beer or whatever their personal preference is, poured, poised and ready to sling back when Jack cusses, he’s started making sure they are quite drunk before the hour is finished. He said sometimes he’ll say, “Dammit, dammit, DAMMIT!” three times in a row, knowing full well people are throwing back shots of hard liquor while Jack is defusing a bomb or shooting a terrorist in the knee.

I love this show. I know it’s fiction. I know all the technology that he has like tracking satellites that can tell how many warm bodies are in a room in some house in California, with a complete schematic of the house, including whom it’s rented to and to what channel the tv is set, is totally non existent in real life. I am aware it’s unbelievable that his cell phone never runs out of battery and has perfect coverage anywhere he is. I know it's ridiculous his 'magic man bag,' is always loaded with the perfect tool for him to solve his current problem. As I said, I realize this is just a fictional story. But I want to believe.

I pray that there is a real Jack Bauer. I hope out there somewhere, there's a man like Jack who would do anything it took to save our country from ruin. I want believe in him.