SueTube – Let’s talk TV with critic Susan Young

Between the strike and the fires in SoCal, even Jack Bauer didn’t have a chance.

Fox announced today that “24” would be delayed so the planned rollout of all 24 episodes without interruption could still be a happening thing. They also offered up a tentative winter/spring schedule in the event the writers’ strike continued.

(By the way, if you haven’t checked it out, we’ll give a silent prayer to the L.A. Times which whipped up this schedule about how many shows have been shot, etc.)

Of course, Fox knows “American Idol” will keep them afloat during the tough times no matter what. And we’ll probably get even more of all those weeks of tryouts. For goodness sakes, they could probably run the tryouts every day through the end of the season.

But we’ll hope they don’t.

“American Idol” returns with a two-night, four-hour premiere on Jan. 15 and 16. But it won’t be all reality shows. The impressive “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” will air on Jan. 13 and 14, and the creaky “New Amsterdam,” about an immortal, shows up on Feb. 22. “Gilmore Girls” creator Amy Sherman-Palladino has “The Return of Jezabel James” in March, the Farrelly Brothers’ comedy “Unhitched,” and “ER” alum Julianna Margulies comes back to TV in “Canterbury Law.”

But the rest is a laundry list of reality programming.

The new schedule is subject to change, pending resolution of the strike.

TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES: Again facing relentless Terminators that will stop at nothing until 15-year-old John Connor (Thomas Dekker), the future leader of the resistance, is eliminated, Sarah Connor (Lena Headey) stops running and starts fighting back against fate and the machines that are out to get her son. The show also stars Sumnmer Glau as John’s classmate, the fearless, otherworldly Cameron; and Richard T. Jones as FBI Agent James Ellison.

UNHITCHED: Executive-produced by the Farrelly Brothers, this single-camera comedy revolves around four unattached friends who actually want to be married and must navigate the tricky waters of dating in their 30s. The series stars Craig Bierko, Rashida Jones, Johnny Sneed and Shaun Majumder.

THE RETURN OF JEZEBEL JAMES: From Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, this comedy stars Parker Posey as Sarah, a successful children’s book editor who reconnects with her estranged and free-spirited younger sister Coco, played by Lauren Ambrose. The series also stars Scott Cohen as Sarah’s no-strings-attached boyfriend, Marcus; Michael Arden as her loyal and slightly terrified assistant, Buddy; and Ron McLarty and Dianne Wiest (in a recurring role) as the girls’ meddlesome parents, Ronald and Talia.

NEW AMSTERDAM: This drama series tells the story of a brilliant and enigmatic New York homicide detective, John Amsterdam (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), who has a profound secret: He is immortal, and will not age until he meets his one true love. Also starring are Zuleikha Robinson as Amsterdam’s new partner, Eva Marquez; Alexie Gilmore as Dr. Sara Dillane; and Stephen Henderson as Omar, Amsterdam’s sole confidant.

CANTERBURY’S LAW: From the producers of “Rescue Me,” this courtroom drama centers on rebellious defense attorney Elizabeth Canterbury (Julianna Margulies), who’s willing to bend the law in order to protect the wrongfully accused. The series also stars Aidan Quinn (in a recurring role) as Canterbury’s husband, Matt; Ben Shenkman as her colleague Russell Krauss; and Keith Robinson and Trieste Dunn as Chester Grant and Molly McConnell, the associates rounding out Canterbury’s legal team.

THE MOMENT OF TRUTH: Game show that puts contestants to the test – the lie detector test – to reveal whether or not they are willing to tell the truth for a chance to win half a million dollars. The new game show is hosted by Mark L. Walberg.

WHEN WOMEN RULE THE WORLD: Set in a primitive, remote location, this unscripted series explores what happens when a group of strong, educated and independent women, tired of living in a man’s world, rule over a group of unsuspecting men used to calling the shots.

FOX JANUARY THROUGH MAY

MONDAY

Monday, Jan. 7:

7:30 PM-CC ET ALLSTATE BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

(LIVE)

Mondays, beginning Jan. 14:

8:00-9:00 PM PRISON BREAK

9:00-10:00 PM TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES

(Time Period Premiere)

Monday, March 3:

8:00-9:00 PM WHEN WOMEN RULE THE WORLD (wt)

(Series Premiere)

9:00-10:00 PM TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES

Mondays, beginning March 10:

8:00-9:00 PM WHEN WOMEN RULE THE WORLD (wt)

9:00-10:00 PM HOUSE (Time Period Premiere)

***************************

TUESDAY

Tuesday, Jan. 1:

8:00 PM-CC ET ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL (LIVE)

Tuesday, Jan. 15:

8:00-10:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Season Premiere, Part 1)

Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 22:

8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Time Period Premiere)

9:00-10:00 PM HOUSE

Tuesdays, beginning April 1:

8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL

9:00-10:00 PM HELL’S KITCHEN (Season Premiere)

***************************

WEDNESDAY

Wednesday, Jan. 2:

7:30 PM-CC ET TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL (LIVE)

Wednesday, Jan. 16:

8:00-10:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Season Premiere, Part 2)

Wednesdays, beginning Jan. 23:

8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL

9:00-10:00 PM THE MOMENT OF TRUTH (Series Premiere)

Wednesdays, beginning March 12:

8:00-9:00 PM THE MOMENT OF TRUTH (Time Period Premiere)

9:00-9:30 PM AMERICAN IDOL

9:30-10:00 PM BACK TO YOU (Time Period Premiere)

***************************

THURSDAY

Thursday, Jan. 3:

7:30 PM-CC ET FEDEX ORANGE BOWL (LIVE)

Thursdays, beginning Jan. 10 (No changes to lineup):

8:00-9:00 PM ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5th GRADER?

9:00-10:00 PM DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS!

***************************

FRIDAY

Fridays, beginning Jan. 4:

8:00-9:00 PM BONES (Time Period Premiere)

9:00-10:00 PM HOUSE (Time Period Premiere)

Friday, Feb. 22:

8:00-9:00 PM BONES

9:00-10:00 PM NEW AMSTERDAM (Series Premiere)

Fridays, beginning March 7:

8:00-8:30 PM ‘TIL DEATH (Time Period Premiere)

8:30-9:00 PM THE RETURN OF JEZEBEL JAMES (Series Premiere)

9:00-10:00 PM NEW AMSTERDAM

Fridays, beginning April 11:

8:00-8:30 PM ‘TIL DEATH

8:30-9:00 PM THE RETURN OF JEZEBEL JAMES

9:00-10:00 PM CANTERBURY’S LAW (Series Premiere)

***************************

SATURDAY

Saturdays, beginning Jan. 5: (No changes to lineup)

8:00-8:30 PM COPS

8:30-9:00 PM COPS

9:00-10:00 PM AMERICA’S MOST WANTED: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK

11:00 PM-Midnight MADtv

Midnight-12:30 AM TALKSHOW WITH SPIKE FERESTEN

***************************

SUNDAY

Sundays, beginning Jan. 6: (No changes to lineup)

7:00-7:30 PM VARIOUS COMEDY ENCORES

7:30-8:00 PM VARIOUS COMEDY ENCORES

8:00-9:00 PM THE SIMPSONS

8:30-9:00 PM KING OF THE HILL

9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY

9:30-10:00 PM AMERICAN DAD

Sunday, Jan. 13:

7:00-7:30 PM VARIOUS COMEDY ENCORES (West Coast only)

7:30-8:00 PM VARIOUS COMEDY ENCORES (West Coast only)

8:00-9:00 PM TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES

(Series Premiere)

9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY

9:30-10:00 PM AMERICAN DAD

Sunday, Feb. 3 (Super Bowl Sunday):

6:00 PM ET SUPER BOWL XLII (Approx. 4 hours, LIVE)

Approx. 10:00 PM ET HOUSE (Original episode; guest star Mira Sorvino)

Sundays, beginning March 2:

7:00-7:30 PM COMEDY ENCORES

(West Coast only on 3/2 due to NASCAR)

7:30-8:00 PM COMEDY ENCORES

(West Coast only on 3/2 due to NASCAR)

8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS

8:30-9:00 PM KING OF THE HILL

9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY

9:30-10:00 PM UNHITCHED (Series Premiere)

Sundays, beginning April 13:

7:00-7:30 PM COMEDY ENCORES

7:30-8:00 PM COMEDY ENCORES

8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS

8:30-9:00 PM KING OF THE HILL

9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY

9:30-10:00 PM AMERICAN DAD

Can America accept a woman president?

No, we’re not talking Hillary here. We’re talking about the new president for “24’s” seventh season.

Tony-award winner Cherry Jones (“The Heiress,” “Doubt”) serves as President Allison Taylor when the series comes back for “Day 7” in January.

Of course, “24” isn’t breaking any new ground here. ABC already had Geena Davis on the short-lived “Commander-in-Chief.” Cherry’s character won’t even be the first for Fox.

So, did anyone else notice who the former First Lady was snugglin’ by in the previews for next week’s “24”?

First, we’ll hark back to how strange it was to realize that while our dear Jack was getting tortured in prison and his daddy was aiding terrorists who nuked Valencia (Magic Mountain!), some of his old pals were getting busy.

Did anyone else expect that Bill Buchanan, who had romanced Michelle Dessler after her split from Tony Almeida, would bounce back to marry Karen Hayes???

Anyway, in the previews we discover that former First Lady Martha Logan is now in the arms of her hero, former Secret Service agent Aaron Pierce.

Now, there’s an explosion.

Well, it wasn’t actually Kiefer Sutherland who got torched, but his little doll.

Oops. Make the “action figure.”

McFarlane Toys’ first “24” action figure based on Jack Bauer, Kiefer’s character on “24”, is expected to hit store shelves in August, with the second scheduled for holiday season 2007 release.

It could have come out a year earlier if they hadn’t sent the figure to Kiefer to get his approval.

As Kiefer told us during a TV critics set tour, he was working on the film “The Sentinel” when the prototype for the doll was sent to him.

“So we decided to take him out one night for dinner and a couple of drinks and then we lit him on fire in the parking lot,” Kiefer says. “It was pretty cool.”

Until he got the phone call later from the company asking him how he liked the action figure.

“I told them I liked it, and then they asked me to send it back,” Kiefer says. “I told them `You need to leave me a note about returning things in advance.’ It took a gentleman in Japan a year just to make it, and we were just having some fun with it not knowing.”

So, I asked Kiefer how the gentleman in Japan took the news of his creation’s destruction.

“I didn’t have that conversation with him” Kiefer says. “But I can imagine that he wasn’t happy.”

So, does this stunt rank right up with the most embarrassing thing he’s ever done?

“No,” Kiefer says. “That would have to be the Christmas tree.”

Ah, the Christmas tree. That’s the time Kiefer spied a Christmas tree in a hotel lobby in England and did a flying tackle. Check it out:

In fairness, Jack Bauer would have been proud. Kiefer asked first and offered to pay for the tackled tree.

Still, not something he looks back on with any fondness.