Many of the online reactions to this week’s news that Janeane Garofalo is joining the cast of 24 have shared a distinctly stunned tone. "The über-liberal actress has signed on for the seventh season of Fox’sconservative-leaning, clock-ticking drama," marveled E! Online. "We don’t think we’ve ever been so scared in all our lives," shrieked one blogger. "24…might be going liberal." OMG! A person who has expressed progressive political opinions is participating in a show that’s often associated with more conservativeviewpoints! Even Garofalo herself got into the act, telling a Canadian paper, "I feel like I’m being punked…Ifeel like the creators are going to make me say things that cause mysphincter to tighten."
Uh, guys? She’s an actress! Do these people also think that Garofalo is actually a shy veterinarian/radio personality in real life? (Well, I guess they could be forgiven for the radio part.) Were they not aware that no less a conservative hero than Jack Bauer is played by a dude who’s vocally supported Canada’s leftish New Democratic Party, speaking up for decidedly non-24-approved things like public healthcare? (Jack’s idea of fair medical treatment: two bare fists and a brisk waterboarding, dammit.) Who cares whether or not the actors on an intentionally exaggerated TV show really believe the things they say?
Anyway, I know I’m looking forward to seeing Janeane back on the small screen. Are any of you worried that her politics will get in the way of your 24 enjoyment? And now that she’s in a TV mood, does anyone else wish she’d find some way to reprise her hilarious Seinfeld arc on Curb Your Enthusiasm?
I,too, was confused by the uproar over Garofalo’s casting.
not ONLY is Kiefer Sutherland a supporter of (the QUITE left) NDP here in Canada – but his grandfather INVENTED Universal Health Care (and also voted by the Canadian population as ‘The Greatest Canadian’).
Kiefer’s a lefty. I hope Americans don’t start melting with liberal contamination.
Unless she becomes one of the writers of the show, it won’t change.
Actors act.
To heck with this discussion, why no popwatch about Kristen Bell joining Heroes? I am against it, only because I don’t want to have to watch Heroes this season. Come on EW, let’s get this thread started!
Yeah, seriously. Simon is right, and I don’t really understand why this was treated as such a big deal. She’s an actress. It’s make believe!
If anything, when I heard she was joining “24″ I was envisioning some sort of face off against Chloe since Garafolo’s been doing the dour/sarcastic thing since the 90s. Still, should be interesting to see her play a government agent or something.
That blog you linked to also said Garofalo’s influence would mean “Jack Bauer will be too busy knitting his niece a lovely cardigan to stop terrorists blowing up a nuclear power station.” So maybe you shouldn’t take it so seriously, nitwits
I have no problem with Garofalo on the show, but let’s face it, the show’s on the downslope anyway. Last season was weak to say the least and I don’t see it improving this year.
It all comes down to if an actor/actress is good enough in the part to make you forget about off-screen beliefs/antics. (Tom Cruise and Lindsay Lohan hav proven unsuccessful).
Maybe I’m crazy, but I think this is absolutely perfect casting. I’m pretty sure I know why they hired her. I don’t want to give too much away, but doesn’t Janeane physically and personality-wise appear to be the split of two actresses who have been on the show?
I think the issue is in self-marketing. When you think of Keifer Sutherland, you automatically think of “24″, “Lost Boys” or any number of other work he’s been in. When you think of Janeane Garofalo’s career, you think of her activism and political ideals before you can remember the roles she’s played. And, I believe, that’s unfortunate. I think she’s a better comedian and actor than political thinker.
it’s not that she is a liberal on a ‘conservative’ show (whatever that means), it is that during every facet of her career she has not been able to stop talking about her political beliefs for 5 seconds. she has in fact created a whole new career from politics, so obviously people are going to question her association with anything that remotely smacks of conservatism. she is unable to seperate politics from people and personally attacks those with conservative viewpoints, just like conservative pundits like hannity do to her.
To “nathan” – while season 6 was wholly a disappointment, I would disagree that 24 is on a “downslope.” Personally, I think season 2 & 5 were the strongest, in that order, and each was followed by very weak seasons/story arcs. Personally, I think season 6′s misfires were a reality check, and I’d like to believe that the production delays for season 7 are truly to iron out the plot.
The casting on Janeane Garofalo and writing in a woman president are two shrewd moves with immense potential. I, personally, will be waiting with frenzied anticipation!
Why does everyone keep saying “24″ is a conservative show? How is a show that elected two African-American presidents and now a female president conservative?
I may be naive or out of the loop, but when exactly did 24 become a conservative show? Yeah, it deals with torture and other alike issues and Joel Surnow’s a “right-wing nutjob,” but the other producers don’t share the same political views. Plus, David Palmer, a democrat, was a big hero, and Charles Logan, a republican, turned out to be evil. But does that make the show liberal? Not at all. IT’S A TELEVISION SHOW. Just because it happens to be about government dealings, does that automatically mean it has to lean one direction or the other? It’s entertainment, nothing more.
P.S. I’m more excited about the casting Rhys Coiro (Billy Walsh). That’s going to be interesting.
I agree with Andy. I watch 24 to be entertained and couldn’t care less if this or that actor is conservative/liberal/whatever. Unless, of course, they feel the need to push their political views on the rest of us–that I can’t stand. I just hope the writers retire Stepford Chloe and bring back Original Chloe in all her snarkiness. I also hope they allow Garofalo’s character some of that same snarkiness as I’d love to see Chloe and FBI Janeane square off a few times. Now that’s entertainment!
I don’t know if someone has mentioned this already, but it bears repeating.
Not only does Kiefer Suterland support the NDP, his grandfather, Tommy Douglas, founded the NDP and is credited with founding Universal Health Care in Canada.
Let the bloggers put that in their pipes and smoke it.