Review & Giveaway: Deadeye by William C Dietz
February 10, 2015 Danielle Romero 3.5Stars, 3Stars, ARC, audiobook, Author Interview, giveaway, R2R, reviews
Deadeye by William C. Dietz
Published by audible studios, Penguin on 2015-01-27
Genres: Action & Adventure, Fiction, General, Science Fiction
The national bestselling author of the Legion of the Damned novels, "a must-read for any fan of Mil Fic," (Archaeologist's Guide to the Galaxy) begins a brand new science fiction police procedural series...
In the year 2038, an act of bioengineered terrorism decimated humanity. Those who survived were either completely unaffected or developed horrible mutations. Across the globe, nations are now divided between areas populated by "norms" and lands run by "mutants"…
Detective Cassandra Lee of Los Angeles's Special Investigative Section has built a fierce reputation taking down some of the city's most notorious criminals. But the serial cop killer known as Bonebreaker—who murdered Lee's father—is still at large. Officially, she's too personally involved to work on the Bonebreaker case. Unofficially, she's going to hunt him to the ends of the earth.
In the meantime, duty calls when the daughter of Bishop Screed, head of the Church of Human Purity, is kidnapped by mutants and taken into the red zone to be used for breeding. Assigned to rescue her, Lee must trust her new partner—mutant lawman Deputy Ras Omo—to guide her not only through the unfamiliar territory but through the prejudicial divisions between mutants and norms…
Deadeye was a unique take on mutants in an urban setting that provided a fast paced plot and a like-able main character. Cassandra Lee is admirable in her motivations, driven, and often reckless but she grabs your attention and almost forces you to like her and take notice. I'm not sure how this one falls into the sci-fi category, it feels more like an urban fantasy but overall I was pleased with the uniqueness of the story.
My biggest pet peeve with this book was the multiple POVs. I've never been a particular fan though there are several books that have multiple POVs and I feel do so successfully. Deadeye however is not one of them. In addition to main characters having their own point of view, minor characters and those who we saw for only one scene even, gained their own brief points of view such as the widowed mutant who is in one scene and Cassandra's early partner who we don't see anymore after the second chapter.. While I understand that the author likely did this to give the reader a larger perspective of what was going on, I feel like it lacked creativity and was more distracting than anything. Another thing that didn't add up for me was that norms and mutants such as main character Cassandra and Ras, wouldn't eat with on another for fear of contamination but later have sex. That leap didn't really add up for me.
The ending saved this book for me though. While there were moments in the end that felt rushed due to all of the chaos that was going on, the over the top cliffhanger left me wondering what the heck was in store for our cast of characters and how they were going to get through what they'd be forced to face in the future. Now as I mentioned earlier, the story itself was quit good but the writing style was hard for me in particular with the multiple POVs. I read an eARC of the book as well as listened to the audiobook from audible and would give the book itself 3 stars meaning I did like it, it had issues but it was still enjoyable. I'd give the audiobook 3.5stars. The reason for that is because the audiobook made it easier to overlook the hiccups that occurred throughout the story and made the multiple POVs much easier to handle. The speakers voice was also easy to listen to. I don't have a a lot of audiobook experiences but will say this has been my best so far. A voice can make or break and audiobook and this narrator did an exceptional job.
William C. Dietz is the bestselling author of more than thirty science fiction novels. He grew up in the Seattle area, spent time with the Navy and Marine Corps as a medic, graduated from the University of Washington, lived in Africa for half a year, and has traveled to six continents. Now retired, he lives in the Seattle area with his wife. Visit him online atwww.williamcdietz.com.
The publisher is providing a physical copy of the book for a US reader. Best of luck!
Interview with the Author
Hi William, thank you so much for joining us today over here at Coffee and Characters as we discuss your latest book, Deadeye. Now for those who may be unfamiliar with the book, what can you tell us about it that the blurb doesn't already?
There are various traps that a writer can fall into, one of which is to always write the same sort of story in the same genre or sub-genre, and that's something I've tried to avoid by getting out of my comfort zone every once in a while. But what to do? Which way to go?
I considered zombies. They've been popular for a while… But that's the problem—zombies have been done to death. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.) Besides, from a writerly perspective the problem with zombies is that they don't scheme, love or hate… They just lurch around gnawing on people.
Mutants however have all of the same motivations that regular people do–plus the angst that goes with being different/looking different, being hated for something you have no power over. So I went with mutants, game on.
How does Deadeye differ from your previous novels and how is it similar? Will original fans of your work love Deadeye?
On the face of it Deadeye, as well as the two books to come, are near future police procedurals all of which are set on Earth, and have a single science fictional element which is mutants.
Therefore those who are Legion of Damned fans and used to reading books about a future filled with intergalactic battles, alien politics, and a futuristic French Foreign Legion might be surprised.
On the other hand I think people who have read previous books will feel right at home with Casandra's Lee's loner personality, street tough persona, and code of personal honor.
Deadeye contains multiple POVs from main characters to minor characters and some in between, what was your thought process behind utilizing the multiple POVs?
I must say that the criticism of multiple POVs came as a surprise, primarily because I've been doing it for thirty years, with very little reaction pro or con during that time. All of my Legion of the Damned books involve multiple POVs for example and have received quite a bit of critical praise.
That said I think it should be mentioned that the type of book we're talking about has a name. It's called a braided novel, and they are typically distinguished from other novels by the fact that there are two, three, or even more primary viewpoint characters. All have significant parts to play in the story and the reader is given an opportunity to "see" what is taking place through their eyes.
One of the advantages to the form is that the author can imbue characters with a lot more depth than is possible by only providing the sort of observations available to the main character… Or the sort of things that the omniscient narrator can hint at.
Can the approach be taken too far? Of course… And at least some people (including yourself) feel that I did so. And believe me I listen to my customers. So, if I had it to do again I would remove the short segments.
On the other hand I can't imagine telling this story without going inside the Bonebreaker's head. Knowing what he thinks, why he's doing what he does, and how that will impact Lee is critical.
What inspired you to write Deadeye and how long did the book take to fully develop?
Well, I don't want to sound too commercial here, but the need to make a living certainly inspired me. I have published more than 40 novels at this point–and consider myself to be a professional writer. So at any given time I am writing a book, working through the editorial process on the last book, and thinking about the next book.
The Mutant File trilogy was born from that process and, as I said earlier, a desire to do something different. I worked on the idea on and off for a year or so, was fortunate enough to sell the series to Penguin, and wrote it in six months. The latter might sound like a short period of time to some, but when not on vacation I write seven days a week, seven or eight hours a day.
What can we expect in book two and when can readers expect the book to release? The ending left us hanging so I'm sure readers are wondering when they'll have the opportunity to see what happens next?
Okay, full disclosure… There will be changes of POV in book two and book three as well. But as in book one the plot will focus on Lee. I can't share any spoilers, nor would my readers want me to, but I will say this. In book two Lee will learn some very interesting things about the mother who abandoned her as a child, an interesting man will come into her life, and a whole lot of bad people are going to be sorry they were born. How's that?
Does Deadeye contain any hidden meanings or messages that you are hoping your reader will grasp?
But if I tell it won't be hidden! The simple answer is yes, although I don't know how hidden it is. The whole subject of mutants was an opportunity to address the role that looks and tribalism play in our society. First, there's lots of research that proves a positive correlation between good looks and success as measured by position and wealth in our society. So if you are born without legs as some people are, or you have a horn sticking out of your forehead, it's going to impact your life in a negative way. And that isn't fair.
Secondly, it's my opinion that a great deal of misery flows from traditional tribalism, religious tribalism, political tribalism, and so forth. And by dividing the world into green and red zones I hoped to poke at that. Not change it, because I know that's out of reach.
Thank you so much for joining us, it was a pleasure having you.


How Does 'AHS: Cult' End? The Finale Was The Perfect Ending To The Horrifying Season
By Billy Lorusso
If you've been keeping up with American Horror Story this season, then you know it's been one horrifyingly thrilling episode after another. Between arms being sawed off, nail guns being used to kill people, dead people being preserved with formaldehyde, and people being poisoned in their own damn kitchens, it's been one seriously f—ed up ride. Having said that, the AHS: Cult season finale was the most perfect, most sinister way to end one of the darkest chapters since Asylum. For a season that generated so much hype in the months leading up to its premiere, AHS: Cult certainly delivered the bone-chilling terror we have come to expect from the show and left us with goosebumps.
That's right, like most every other episode this season, the final episode, titled "Great Again," was terrifying and full of jaw-dropping surprises that could only happen on American Horror Story. Indeed, between Kai escaping prison, Beverly shooting Kai, and Ally ~seemingly~ being a member of Bebe Babbitt's cult, the episode is filled with one shock after another, but it does wrap up everyone's storylines pretty neatly (well, except for Kai's dead family... not quite sure what happened to them), and hints at the fact that Ally has become "Great Again."
The season's ending was especially well done considering the various avenues Ryan Murphy could have chosen to take with this season's finale. Any fan of the show knows multiple fan theories have surfaced online since the season's premiere, some of which even ended up coming true, others of which did not; as for how the series ended, though, it's a bit different from what fans thought.
Indeed, there have been theories suggesting the show would end with Kai training Oz to be the next leader of the cult or with Kai ascending to the presidency. Ryan Murphy himself told Collider earlier this year that Cult is,
[A]bout somebody who has the wherewithal to put their finger up in the wind and see what's happening, and is using that to rise up, and using people's vulnerabilities about how they're afraid, they're feeling vulnerable, and they don't know where to turn. We've been very conscious of that in the writing, to make sure that that idea is central to the show.
So it's easy to see how some would have thought Kai would end up as POTUS. That's obviously not the case, though; instead we got something much more satisfying.
The finale episode opens with Kai in prison, eleven months after the events in the penultimate episode. From there, we see Ally and how she has been coping since Kai's been out of her life: She is back running The Butchery on Main, she has a new girlfriend, and she's preparing to run for a Michigan Senate seat — the same seat that Kai was after. We soon find out that Ally is the one responsible for Kai's being arrested; she worked with the FBI to infiltrate and dismantle his cult from the inside and, of course, when Kai finds this out, he makes it his mission to get revenge on her.
Unsurprisingly, Kai uses his "divine leader" bullsh*t to manipulate a guard and escape from prison at which point he immediately goes after Ally during a Senate debate, using the guard as an accomplice. Low and behold, Ally got to the same guard and used her own charms to lure the guard into working with her and Beverly to defeat Kai once and for all.
The episode closes with Ally winning the Senate race and explaining what that means to Oz. That's not all, though: In the final minutes of the episode, Ally can be seen getting ready for a "meeting," which seems normally, especially now that she's a Senator, only she's getting ready in a green cape reminiscent of Bebe Babbitt's cape from earlier in the season.
All of this leads me to believe that while Kai's cult might be dismantled, it looks like Ally, now a U.S. Senator, is heading up her own cult.
It may not be the way we expected the season to end, but it is American Horror Story, after all. Now the only thing left to do is see how Cult will connect to past and future seasons.


Cplusplus
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Linux Foundation Hires Developer for Kernel.org
Linux kernel developer John "Warthog9" Hawley assumes the full time role of kernel.org web administrator for the Linux Foundation (LF).
Britta Wülfing
As the Executive Director of the open source foundation, Jim Zemlin, reports in his blog, two industry names ("hint: they start with letters like I and G," presumably alluding to IBM and Google) have contributed to financing a new full time position at LF. Since 2005, John "Warthog9" Hawley has been one of five administrators of the kernel.org website and can now assume the role full time. Zemlin describes Hawley's previous projects as having worked on "system operations, the wikis, the kernel.org Gitweb, the GeoDNS patches to ISC's BIND name server and a number of other things for kernel.org." Hawley also participated in other Open Source projects, including Syslinux, OpenSSI and PXE Knife. He is even expert in non-computer roles: "In his free time he enjoys cooking extravagant meals and watching bad movies."
Zemlin considers Hawley's job as "essential" for disseminating the principles behind which the worldwide distributed development of the Linux kernel functions. He describes the website's role as "the actual physical space - in cyberspace - where kernel developers get their work done. Without it, nothing happens." Zemlin further describes why the availability of kernel.org is essential for the Linux distribution and, therefore, for the foundation: "It is the primary site for the Linux kernel source and git, the distributed revision control/software management project created by Linus Torvalds." While this undertaking would not necessarily guarantee the success of an organization, Zemlin considers it a core competence of the Linux Foundation. "We marshal the forces of our members - they would have a hard time hiring the person directly... The model works. "
Video: Interview with Jim Zemlin, Linux Foundation
During CeBIT Open Source 2010 Jim Zemlin, executive director of the Linux Foundation, found the time for an interview with Linux Pro Magazine.
Linux Foundation Survey Confirms Professionalism of Linux Kernel
A recent survey by the Linux Foundation (LF) on Linux kernel development shows that the number of kernel developers has tripled in the last three years. In most cases the developers' work is funded by corporate sponsorship.
New Stable Kernel 2.6.26.1
Kernel developer Greg Kroah-Hartman recently announce the latest stable kernel version. The Minor Update 2.6.26.1 contains bugfixes, updates, and new drivers.
CeBIT 2010: Linux Successes, Challenges
At the Open Source Forum of CeBIT 2010, the Linux Foundation's Jim Zemlin named three reasons for Linux's success. He also identified three possible challenges for the free platform.


From the glaciers new studies to help cerebral palsy and beyond.
3 July 2018 Comments (0) Publishing, Tech, Wellness Like
Adam Marsh. Photo Credits: GenPro LLC
It is said that our society and our economy are becoming more and more "Data Driven". Often we do not give you much importance, but it does, because as in this case the ability to manage millions of data, quickly, can make the difference, even between life and death.
We present here a discovery directly from the University of Delaware that is worth reading.
When University of Delaware molecular biologist Adam Marsh was studying the DNA of worms living in Antarctica's frigid seas to understand how the organisms managed to survive—and thrive—in the extremely harsh polar environment, he never imagined his work might one day have a human connection.
But it turns out that the genome of these Antarctic worms is very similar to ours in terms of the number and types of genes present. And the pioneering technique Marsh developed to analyze their genetic activity is proving valuable for human health care research.
Marsh and a business partner established a biotechnology company to make that technique available for such study. Specifically, Marsh's method uses next-generation genetic sequencing data to measure how cells control the way genes are turned on or off, a process known as DNA methylation.
Now, a Delaware team has released a study in the peer-reviewed journal BMC Bioinformaticsshowing that DNA methylation patterns in circulating blood cells can be used to help identify spastic cerebral palsy (CP) patients.
The interdisciplinary work is a collaborative effort between researchers at UD, Marsh's company Genome Profiling LLC (GenPro for short), and Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children.
Co-authors on the study include Marsh; Robert Akins, the project principal investigator, who directs the Center for Pediatric Clinical Research and Development at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children and is an affiliated professor at UD; Erin Crowgey, the paper's lead author and associate director of Bioinformatics at Nemours; Karyn Robinson, Akins' laboratory manager, and Stephanie Yeager, project research coordinator, from Nemours Biomedical Research.
Seeking solutions that enable earlier intervention
Spastic CP is a lifelong condition characterized by joint stiffness, jerky movements and muscle tightness that affects the movement and posture and restricts the activity of affected children. CP is the most common physical disability arising in childhood and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in every 323 children has CP.
In the study, the research team profiled blood samples collected in a blinded study from adolescents ranging from 9 to 19 years old to explore whether orthopedic surgery patients with spastic CP show differences at the cellular level that routine orthopedic patients (with ACL tears, spine alignment or other surgeries) do not. The researchers identified a strong set of methylation markers, or patterns, that indicate differences in the genome between children with spastic CP and those without it.
These methylation patterns— found in the DNA sequencing data—allowed the scientists to distinguish groups of children that had spastic CP from those that did not. In a second study, using samples from a separate group ranging in age from 2 to 5 years old, the researchers were able to validate their results and predict with 73 percent accuracy whether the blood samples came from children who already had CP.
"The evidence suggests that there is some epigenetic or genetic connection," said Crowgey, a bioinformatician with Nemours Biomedical Research who earned her UD doctoral degree in bioinformatics and systems biology in 2016 and is an affiliated faculty member at UD. "If we can do a better job of screening for these at time of birth versus waiting for the disorder to be diagnosed say, at two years of age, then potentially we'll be able to deliver earlier therapeutics and have better outcomes and lower medical costs."
Medicaid data show that annual medical costs for a child with CP are 10 to 26 times higher than those without CP, imparting a high burden on patients, families and society. In 2003, the CDC estimated that lifetime costs of caring for an individual with cerebral palsy are approximately $1 million, in addition to normal living costs. This amount equaled approximately $1.3 million in 2014 when adjusted for inflation.
The power of data science, analytics and machine learning
The UD/Nemours study leverages a unique statistical method and software platform developed by Marsh at UD, and licensed by GenPro, to measure methylation patterns in DNA (a cell's genetic code) using next generation sequencing (NGS) data.
NGS is a modern technique that enables scientists to decode DNA faster and more cheaply than traditional DNA sequencing techniques. Each person's genome, or complete set of DNA, is like a word that's the length of 3 billion characters; but spelled with only the letters A, T, C or G. Traditional DNA sequencing techniques decode sections of DNA 700 characters at a time, while NGS takes advantage of parallel computing capabilities to enable scientists to simultaneously decode millions of DNA fragments.
According to Marsh, in the human health applications he is studying, subtle changes in a patient's physical health are paralleled by changes in DNA methylation, making it a useful tool to understand disease.
"Many of the signals that we are picking up are based on immune system shifts—meaning the way a person's immune system responds to external stress events," said Marsh, GenPro's chief science officer and an associate professor in UD's College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment. "We are able to pick up that epigenetic response, or signal, found in the genetic sequencing and use it to provide another line of evidence for clinicians to use in making decisions."
The approach uses sophisticated machine learning techniques and algorithms to sort through hundreds of gigabytes of NGS data looking for these distinct DNA methylation patterns.
"The data is massive," Crowgey said. "It's not something a human can do, you need infrastructure, machine learning and data analysis, and data science."
It's the kind of research and training that will be possible through UD's newly announced Data Science Institute, which will be led by Cathy Wu, who advised Crowgey's UD doctoral studies.
Results are promising, but researchers say more testing is needed
While the study findings indicate that there is a consistent signal present in circulating blood cells of children with spastic CP that remains from early childhood to teenage years, the researchers say further study is needed of samples from different age groups, including teenagers, toddlers and infants from birth to two years old. Better understanding these methylation signals also could provide researchers new clues to understanding the cellular processes involved in advancing CP, and consequently, new therapeutics to manage the disease.
"We're still in the early phases, but the results are extremely promising and we're excited about the sensitivity of the test that we are seeing in our retrospective analysis," Crowgey said. If successful, the researchers say the blood test also may be useful for other disorders, including infant leukemia.
"This blood test could be a game changer," said Dr. M. Wade Shrader, who leads the Cerebral Palsy Center at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children. "The earlier the diagnosis, the earlier we can direct therapies at the child. Specifically, high intensity physical therapy and possibly early surgery to prevent more significant problems in the future, and hopefully improve overall function and quality of life."
This research is funded in part by Delaware Bioscience Center for Advance Technology, the National Science Foundation (award #'s 0944557 and 1316055), the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine and Nemours.
The birth of a biotechnology startup
Marsh credits his unique background in computational biology, marine science and academia with helping him to approach problems in human health in a non-traditional way.
In Antarctica, Marsh was trying to understand how environmental forces epigenetically altered DNA methylation patterns in invertebrate worms. Specifically, he was studying how stress from low temperatures and low food availability stimulated chemical changes at the cellular level to help cells survive, and how those changes were passed along to future generations.
At the time, available techniques to do this work were expensive and focused on human model systems, so Marsh developed his own method and platform to measure DNA methylation patterns using NGS data. Once the platform was working, Marsh realized it could be applied to any organism, including the human genome.
"Genomes are genomes, but I needed more funding support to push the tool further," Marsh said.
David Weir, then director of UD's Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships (OEIP), helped Marsh protect his idea and introduced him to Jeb Connor, whose expertise lies at the nexus of software and life sciences. Early on, Connor peppered Marsh with questions about the technology before arranging meetings for Marsh to speak with others about the project. Fast forward 100 or so presentations and the pair knew they were on to something worthwhile.
Marsh and Connor co-founded the biotech startup company GenPro in 2011 and commercialized in 2014. Today, GenPro has a core team of five professionals and the GenPro software platform provides a fast, cost-effective and more accurate way to measure DNA methylation patterns over traditional techniques.
Marsh called OEIP an incredible resource that helped him "stay on track, make the right contacts in the business community and push [his] ideas further" than he could alone. And there were others too, from Connor who helped Marsh develop his analytics platform into a product with a solid business plan, to the health care systems and other partners the GenPro team has developed along the way.
"I've been impressed by Delaware's ecosystem," Marsh said. "It wasn't just us at GenPro with an idea, we had help from UD, agencies and other companies. From small things like people who were willing to give us feedback about our idea, to state funding through Delaware Bioscience Center for Advanced Technology grants to do the genetic sequencing."
Last fall, GenPro and researchers at Christiana Care Health System announced a promising new blood assay, or test, that may improve the ability to detect breast cancer when used in conjunction with routine monitoring, such as mammography.
The assay leverages the GenPro analytics to identify epigenetic biomarkers that can be used to detect subtle changes in the immune response in women with different stages of breast cancer. The work is a collaborative project with Christiana Care immunologist Jennifer Sims-Mourtada, director of translational breast cancer research at the Helen R. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute. The team completed its first pilot study in 2016 and has raised funds from various sources to support ongoing preclinical work.
In other work, GenPro researchers are conducting pilot studies with the Endometriosis Institute in Chicago to explore an early diagnostic screening for endometriosis, a condition believed to affect approximately one in 10 women of reproductive age.
GenPro was named a Top 10 Drug Discovery and Development Solution Provider by Pharma Tech Outlook magazine in 2017.
Like Publishing, Tech, Wellness From the glaciers new studies to help cerebral palsy and beyond.
About the Author: Fabio Paolucci
Chief Business Development Officer @STUDIO CP CREATIVE www.studiocpcreative.com
Aira – The assistant for blind persons
Wayve Believe Machine Learning is Key to Unlock Safe...


Mary Lynn Rajskub
24's Howard Gordon - Final Countdown
Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland, center) faces his final conflict this season on 24. Photo by Kelsey McNeal and copyright of Fox.
Now in its eighth season with Kiefer Sutherland starring as the heroic Jack Bauer, the inventive and suspenseful 24 has been nominated for a total of 68 Emmy Awards - winning for Outstanding Drama Series in 2006. Over the course of seven seasons, Sutherland garnered seven Emmy nominations and a win for Outstanding Lead Actor - Drama Series. While the series gained global recognition, Sutherland's portrayal of the legendary character penetrated the American psyche like no other dramatic television character to become part of the English lexicon.
Premiering on November 6th, 2001, 24 employed a pioneering, split-screen, fast-paced format with complex interweaving storylines as viewers followed anti-terrorism agent Jack Bauer through pulse-pounding episodes, each covering one hour and presented in real time. On Monday, May 24th, the show's eighth and last season will conclude with a two-hour finale airing on Fox from 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. EST/PST. Last Friday, 24 showrunner and executive producer Howard Gordon chatted with myself and other journalists about the series and his work on it. The following is an edited version of that Q & A - enjoy!
There is a huge online and Twitter fan base for this show that has been upset about the death of Annie Wersching's character, Renee. Was there another choice you had been pondering, or was killing the character off the idea from the beginning?
HOWARD GORDON - Typically we come upon these things as more of improvisations, but this was one that we had come up with at the very beginning of the season and stuck with for reasons that I think everybody is seeing right now, which is obviously motivating Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) to this very final, climactic confrontation and taking him to a place he has never been before. I have to say that I'm taking peoples' outrage as a measure of interest, and their indifference would have been far more hurtful than their outrage. But we have a history of doing that. I remember when that happened with Edgar (Louis Lombardi) we got a fair bit of angry e-mail, but, yes, this is something that we've thought about and thought about very carefully, and hopefully did it well.
I was wondering if the decision that this would be 24's last season came early enough that you could do any adjustments in the show, or is this the way you were going to end this no matter what?
HG - It's a good question, and it was one that the network asked as well. To me, the show was always going to end the way it was going to end, whether there was a ninth season or a movie because the story has been told. What I think changed, though, was the context of it all. In other words, it really took on a different meaning. I've said this in the past that I think any number of seasons in years past – season four, season five, I think even last year – could have been a really cool series finale. Only the fact that this was our series finale did it really have the kind of context that, wow, we're really saying goodbye to this character. And there is a final moment that is very specific to the series finale. It's not so much a plot moment, but it's a punctuation mark that I think is unique to the series finale. But the answer is really no. We told the story the way it was going to be told and would have no matter what.
Are there any hints you can give about what people might expect in the series finale? Also, was there an emotional place you wanted to leave Jack as you wrapped up the show?
HG - We tried on a couple of very different endings for size and the one we came to at the end is the one that felt just right. So it was not for lack of trying a couple of different ways. But we knew it when we saw it, that this was the right way to do it. One thing we tried and didn't work was happily ever after for Jack. Forgetting for a moment about the last eight seasons, what he does in these last few episodes, which you haven't seen yet, leaves him once again in a very compromised place morally, ethically and emotionally. This show is a tragedy, so to give Jack a happy ending just didn't feel authentic. We gave him a happy beginning, and I really am very pleased with the way we started and, of course, gave him something to care about with Annie Wersching (Renee Walker) and his own family. And of course, circumstances and the story dictated a kind of very complex confrontation.
As far as what can expect in the finale has to do with the things that were aligning, which were basically Chloe (Mary Lynn Rajskub) versus Jack versus President Taylor (Cherry Jones). We're taking all these characters to places that we've never seen them before. We knew it constituted a risk and one that was frankly challenging to write and, among the actors, pretty challenging to play. But it was one really we think was worth taking and I think it pays off really well in the end. In the spirit of trying to take the series to a place where it hasn't been before, we've done this thing. It's certainly not playing it safe, but it is very emotionally climactic and, we think, we're pretty excited by it.
A lot of fans absolutely hated the whole Dana Walsh (Katee Sackhoff) character and sub-plot; I wanted to sort of get your defense of how that whole thing played out.
HG - Every season there is something that people seem to fixate on. You know, I got it and I guess all I kept telling people was to please wait until the story had been told before they commented. To me, I think episode 20 answered that question. I'm really, really proud of that episode and what I liked about it, too, was that for the first time, this very complex and admittedly very confused and crazy character, this onion of a character, got peeled down to the nub and you finally really understand a little bit, anyway, who she is. Now, of course, she is a sociopath and it's kind of an insane story. But we also saw that Dana really cared about Cole (Freddie Prinze, Jr.); that she really had done this all to get out of a situation she got herself into.
Look, it's crazy, the fact that there is a girl from Rock Springs who somehow manages to get in to CTU as an analyst under an alias. And the fact that the Russians had sponsored her and put her in there made it make some sense. I think it was a pretty wild roller coaster of a character which Katee pulled off, I think, beautifully. What I liked about it was that what felt unnatural or weird and maybe what didn't resonate with people at the beginning was that very fact that Dana wasn't authentic, that she was this counterfeit personality in the midst of our heroes.
I'm happy with the way it resolved. I really haven't gone online to see how people reacted or whether they are even more upset. But I think in the end, Dana acquitted herself pretty well and her story turned out to be very interesting.
About a month or two ago there was some talk on the business side of whether the show might be shopped around elsewhere (another network). Was there ever really anything to that? Would that have been something you wanted to do?
HG - You know, it wasn't something I wanted to do. It was something that I was willing to entertain as a loyal Fox employee - to help Fox find new personnel to run the show, and maybe even recruit some of the guys who had been with me. But when we really looked at each other, Kiefer included, I think we all felt that we were really telling our final season. We kind of knew that at the beginning of the year, and we always kept the door open. Fox may have had different conversations that didn't share entirely the same concerns we had in terms of that fact that we had really come to the creative conclusion of the story and wanted to end as close to the top as we can. But we did have some real conversations, and I certainly was insinuated into them. However, when we really sat down and considered it, it was something that just never caught fire.
I guess you're taking Jack to a place he's never been before, but he's been pretty far down already in the episodes. Can he get so low, though, that he can't come back? And can he come back?
HG - That's a great question; that was really the question we asked ourselves and certainly the studio asked us. The answer is no. The good part about Jack's character, and I really believe what has been a good part of the show, is that we never press reset. In other words, Jack is a character and you feel the accumulated scars of his experience and the weight of his actions for eight years. Jack has never been able to sort of snap back, even when he is happy, even when we introduced Audrey (Kim Raver) in season five. It wasn't like that didn't discount all the tragedy that had preceded it. Like in the beginning of this year, Jack allowed himself a moment of joy or possibility of human contact with his own daughter and her husband and his granddaughter, but it doesn't discount what has happened before.
So I don't think Jack is ever going to recover from what has gone on. It just adds to the weight as well as the complexity and darkness of his character. Jack has never gone happily-ever-after; that's just not in his wheel house. The show is ultimately a tragedy and you have to really play that and you have to honor that.
When you cast Katee Sackhoff, what exactly in her past body of work did you see as potential for the Dana character and how you wanted to develop it?
HG - Honestly, when we cast her, all the writers were just all fans of hers from Battlestar Galactica. We met Katee, sat down with her and just liked her as a person. We knew that Dana was a character with a past and we knew that she was a really interesting actor. But in all honesty, we weren't sure where the character was going to go and were just sort of willing to proceed in good faith that we'd find something. It really, really was a challenging part and Katee was completely game for everything we threw at her. And again, particularly in episode 20, I think that was her greatest moment. She gave a phenomenal and nuanced performance.
This season, what moment are you most proud of, most satisfied with? And conversely, is there anything you wish you had done differently but just couldn't because of time, resources or budget?
HG - I'll start with the first question. The moment I'm most proud of, frankly, is the very last one, which obviously you haven't seen yet. I'd kind of been obsessing for a while about what was going to be the last image or the last second on a real-time show, and I think that maybe it has a little more weight than any other moment of any other season finale. So for me, that was really something I was very, very happy with. Otherwise, I think we had some phenomenally exciting moments, one being when Renee took off Ziya's thumb. I loved that moment and the way she played it. It was just a beautiful performance and one that wasn't necessarily in the script. The way she sort of sexualized the character was a great moment. I loved Hassan's death, too. I thought that was really moving as well as surprising and sad. I'd say those are my two favorite moments except for the last one.
As far as regrets, I have remarkably few regrets, or none. I'd say the only thing was that the budget was rolled back a bit this year as it was across the board for all Fox shows. Hopefully it was invisible to the audience, but we didn't have what in years past was a real ability to re-shoot or enhance some of the production. So we had to do a little bit of belt-tightening.
When you look back at the legacy of 24, I know that everybody is going to remember the innovative concept. I'm just curious, are you happy with that being the legacy of the show, or would you prefer it to be something else?
HG - I think you're right. One of the legacies of the show, and perhaps the most important one, is the revolutionary concept. But I think the legacy of the show is also, having been here from the beginning, is the fact that we just never let go of the reins and truly never let down our guard. I'm just proud of the effort that everybody put into the show from our end creating the show. The audience stayed with us by and large, and I think that is a measure of the fact that we kept the story interesting to us to create it. Consequently, it was interesting to write it.
The legacy of the show, too, we certainly seemed to have an interesting dance with the culture and with our society and with the world after 9/11. So I think we very much were part of the first decade of this century; we played a role in it somehow and I think that legacy is a significant one as well. But hopefully we just put on a really good TV show that people will continue to watch on DVD and in reruns.
What have you enjoyed most, would you say, about your 24 experience and what has been perhaps the most creatively fulfilling for you, working on the show?
HG - Getting to work with such talented people is a privilege, and you have to have been doing it for long enough and be of a certain age to really appreciate it. First of all, starting with my colleagues, my fellow writers were just brilliant. I got to work with, I think, some of the best writers and producers in the business. The entire crew, because of the culture we created, everybody really was a stakeholder in the show so whether it was hair and make-up or wardrobe or props, people all were involved. And our editors, our editors are some of the best storytellers I've ever met. Not that it was a democracy, but it certainly was a collective effort. It was a team, and a lot of these people have been on this team now for nine years, so getting to work with people – I'll never have the chance to work with this many talented people ever again. I can't really describe any great moment, but it was just a great nine years and an amazing privilege.
As noted above, photo by Kelsey McNeal and copyright of Fox Television, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!
Posted at 03:00 AM in 24, Annie Wersching, Cherry Jones, Crime Drama, Dana Walsh, Entertainment, Fox TV, Freddie Prinze Jr, Howard Gordon, Jack Bauer, Katee Sackhoff, Kiefer Sutherland, Kim Raver, Louis Lombardi, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Renee Walker, TV, Uncategorized | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Tags: 24, Annie Wersching, Cherry Jones, Crime Drama, Dana Walsh, Entertainment, Fox TV, Freddie Prinze Jr, Howard Gordon, Jack Bauer, Katee Sackhoff, Kiefer Sutherland, Kim Raver, Louis Lombardi, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Renee Walker, TV
24: Day Eight Will Be The Award-Winning Series' Swan Song
Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) saving the day once again this season on 24. Photo by Kelsey McNeal and copyright of Fox Television.
IN a joint decision made by 24's star and executive producer Kiefer Sutherland, executive producer and showrunner Howard Gordon, Twentieth Century Fox Television, Imagine Entertainment and Fox Broadcasting Company, it was determined that the acclaimed series will end its remarkable eight-season run. Jack Bauer's last day on Fox will conclude when the final two hours of "Day Eight" air Monday, May 24th from 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. EST/PST. As the countdown to the series' climactic conclusion races on, the final 11 hours will air uninterrupted Mondays @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST on Fox.
Multiple award-winning series star Kiefer Sutherland reflected on the show's run, "This has been the role of a lifetime, and I will never be able to fully express my appreciation to everyone who made it possible. While the end of the series is bittersweet, we always wanted 24 to finish on a high note, so the decision to make the eighth season our last was one we all agreed upon. This feels like the culmination of all our efforts from the writers to the actors to our fantastic crew and everyone at Fox. Looking ahead to the future, Howard Gordon and I are excited about the opportunity to create the feature film version of 24. But when all is said and done, it is the loyal worldwide fan base that made it possible for me to have the experience of playing the role of Jack Bauer, and for that I am eternally grateful."
Executive producer and showrunner Howard Gordon said, "Kiefer and I have loved ever minute of making 24, but we al believe that now is the right time to call it a day. I echo his sentiments of gratitude towards the show's amazing creative team, as well as the studio and network who have always believed in us and shown us unbelievable support."
"24 is so much more than just a TV show - it has redefined the drama genre and created one of the most admired action icons in television history," said Peter Rice, Chairman, Entertainment, Fox Networks Group. Kevin Reilly, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company added, "We are extremely proud of this groundbreaking series and will be forever thankful to Kiefer, the producers, the cast and crew for everything they've put into 24 over the years. It's truly been an amazing and unforgettable eight days."
Commented Gary Newman and Dana Walden, Chairman, Twentieth Century Fox Television, "We are so grateful to Kiefer and Howard, who have really poured their hearts and souls into making this show over the past eight seasons. To everyone who contributed to this iconic series over its amazing run, we want to extend our heartfelt appreciation for your incredible work."
Added Imagine Entertainment's Brian Grazer, "I'm so proud to have been a part of 24, which has become such a cultural phenomenon. And to Kiefer and Howard and everyone who has worked on the show, many thanks."
Now in its eighth season with Kiefer Sutherland starred as the heroic Jack Bauer, the inventive and suspenseful 24 has been nominated for a total of 68 Emmy Awards, winning for Outstanding Drama Series in 2006. Over the course of seven seasons, Sutherland garnered seven Emmy nominations and one win for Outstanding Lead Actor - Drama Series. While the series gained global recognition, Sutherland's portrayal of the legendary character penetrated the American psyche like no other dramatic television character to become part of the English lexicon.
Premiering November 6th, 2001, 24 employed a pioneering split-screen, fast-paced format with complex interweaving storylines as viewers followed anti-terrorism agent Jack Bauer through 24 pulse-pounding episodes, each covering one hour and presented in real time. Subsequent seasons combined the show's unique and trend-setting format while delivering compelling new elements and attracting talented actors and guest-stars including the Emmy Award-winning Cherry Jones (President Allison Taylor). The series also currently stars Mary Lynn Rajskub (Chloe O'Brian), Anil Kapoor (Omar Hassan), Annie Wersching (Renee Walker), Katee Sackhoff (Dana Walsh), Mykelti Williamson (Brian Hastings), Freddie Prinze Jr. (Cole Ortiz), Chris Diamantopoulos (Rob Weiss) and John Boyd (Arlo Glass).
The first six seasons were set in Los Angeles, and following the strike-induced delay of season seven, 24; Redemption, a two-hour film bridging seasons six and seven, was set in Africa. The nation's capital, Washington D.C. was the setting for season seven, and the final year of 24 finds Jack Bauer thwarting a terrorist attack in New York. At the conclusion of season eight, 24 will have produced a total of 194 episodes (including 24: Redemption), making it one of the longest-running action television shows in history.
Tune in Monday, March 29th @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST for the next all-new installment of 24 and Monday, April 5th @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST for a special two-hour episode.
Created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran, 24 is a production of 20th Century Fox Television and Imagine Television in association with Teakwood Lane Productions. Howard Gordon, Evan Katz, David Fury, Manny Coto, Brannon Braga, Brad Turner, Alex Gansa, Kiefer Sutherland and Brian Grazer and executive producers, while Chip Johannessen and Patrick Harbinson serve as co-executive producers. Brad Turner will direct the series finale.
Posted at 03:00 AM in 24, 24:Redemption, Alex Gansa, Anil Kapoor, Annie Werschng, Arlo Glass, Brad Turner, Brannon Braga, Brian Grazer, Brian Hastings, Cherry Jones, Chip Johannessen, Chloe O'Brian, Chris Diamantopoulos, Cole Ortiz, Crime Drama, Dana Walden, Dana Walsh, David Fury, Entertainment, Evan Katz, Freddie Prinze Jr, Gary Newman, Howard Gordon, Imagine Entertainment, Jack Bauer, Joel Surnow, John Boyd, Katee Sackhoff, Kevin Reilly, Kiefer Sutherland, Manny Coto, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Mykelti Williamson, Omar Hassan, Patrick Harbinson, Peter Rice, President Allison Taylor, Renee Walker, Rob Weiss, Robert Cochran, Teakwood Lane Productions, TV, Twentieth Century Fox Television, Uncategorized | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Tags: 24, 24:Redemption, Alex Gansa, Anil Kapoor, Annie Werschng, Arlo Glass, Brad Turner, Brannon Braga, Brian Grazer, Brian Hastings, Cherry Jones, Chip Johannessen, Chloe O'Brian, Chris Diamantopoulos, Cole Ortiz, Crime Drama, Dana Walden, Dana Walsh, David Fury, Entertainment, Evan Katz, Freddie Prinze Jr, Gary Newman, Howard Gordon, Imagine Entertainment, Jack Bauer, Joel Surnow, John Boyd, Katee Sackhoff, Kevin Reilly, Kiefer Sutherland, Manny Coto, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Mykelti Williamson, Omar Hassan, Patrick Harbinson, Peter Rice, President Allison Taylor, Renee Walker, Rob Weiss, Robert Cochran, Teakwood Lane Productions, TV, Twentieth Century Fox Television
24's Anil Kapoor - Bollywood's Finest
Anil Kapoor as Omar Hassan on 24. Photo by Kelsey McNeal and copyright of Fox.
This season of 24 is set in New York, where Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) is unwillingly drawn back into action just as President Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones) negotiates international security with Omar Hassan (Anil Kapoor), a determined Middle Eastern leader visiting the U.S. on a peace-keeping mission. As the new day unfolds, an upgraded CTU operates under the command of M.B.A.-schooled, razor-sharp head-honcho Brian Hastings (Mykelti Williamson), who supervises quirky Chloe O'Brian (Mary Lynn Rajskub), expert data analyst Dana Walsh (Katee Sackhoff) and systems analyst Arlo Glass (John Boyd).
One of the most versatile and successful actors in India, Anil Kapoor has been entertaining audiences for more than 25 years. His talent, charm and professionalism have set the benchmark for a new generation of Indian actors. He has appeared in close to 100 Hindi movies and won numerous awards over the years, including four Filmfare Awards (the Indian equivalent of the Oscars) and much coveted National Award.
A native of Mumbai, Kapoor recently starred in the Academy Award-winning hit Slumdog Millionaire. The film was the actor's first feature released outside of India and a favorite of both critics and audiences. It was awarded a multitude of prizes, including the Academy Award for Best Picture, as well as BAFTAs, National Board of Review and Golden Globes. His additional credits include Race, Black and White, Welcome, Naksha, Chocolate, My Wife's Murder, Bewafaa, Arman, Rishtey, Lajia, Taal, Yuvvraaj and Salaam-E-Ishq. Kapoor is married with three children. He has two daughters, one is a successful model and the other is a film student in New York, as well as a son who is a film student in Los Angeles. The actor divides his time between India and Los Angeles.
On January 14th, Mr. Kapoor graciously spoke with journalists, including myself, about his work as Omar Hassan on 24 and career in general. The following is an edited version of our conversation! Enjoy!
In the early episodes of 24, Hassan is a very standup guy. Over the course of the storyline will we get to see what the problem is with his marriage and why he's having an affair?
Anil Kapoor - Actually it is not an affair, but kind of a relationship, which he feels is more like a minor relationship and, intellectually, he believes it's more of a friendship. While there is a possibility that it might develop later on into a relationship, it doesn't. And, yes, you will see the details of his marriage when the other episodes progress and develop after the fourth episode.
So you think that his relationships with these women is a big part of the character?
AK - Absolutely, because he is a normal person who has his gray areas, which makes him very human and very real. So yes, of course, he has these relationships and he has his problems with the relationship with his wife and he has a relationship with this journalist.
Can you talk a bit about what it's like to work with Kiefer Sutherland and Freddie Prinze, Jr (Cole Ortiz)?
AK - I'd heard so much about 24 and Keifer, and it never felt to me as if he had done eight seasons of this show. It felt like he was working as if it was his first year, and his commitment and excitement was as if he had just started shooting 24. I was really impressed by his commitment and professionalism. It was wonderful to work with him and every line he speaks, every performance he gives, it looks as if he's Jack Bauer and not Kiefer Sutherland. He's completely into the skin of Jack Bauer; he's become more Jack Bauer than Kiefer Sutherland now when he's on-set. And working with Freddie Prinze, I could see that he was very eager and curious, as well as extremely hardworking, very sincere and a very good-looking guy. He fits the role and I think 24 is going to gain a great deal from his addition to and participation in the show.
How was Kiefer welcoming to you, and did he offer any advice?
AK - The first time we met he said he had seen Slumdog Millionaire and loved my work in the film, so those words of encouragement from Kiefer eased my mind and gave me a lot of confidence. When two actors meet and there is a mutual respect for each other's work, it makes the job much, much easier. This is only my second stint as a performer in the United States of America, but Kiefer never made me feel like an outsider, and that was really great.
Did you have any concerns about going on 24? To be honest, most Indian or minority actors on the show play terrorists, whereas your character is a much more positive and very standup guy. What did you think of all that when taking on the part?
AK - When I first heard about the role I became really inspired because it was not just your [typical] bad man, and I felt that here was someone who stands up for his own convictions and what he believes in. It's a very strong character and there all these layers and this complexity involved. Being from India, I was very fortunate to be given the opportunity to play this role of Omar Hassan and that it was on 24. I've read a lot of scripts in India as well as internationally, but the writing on 24 is very special.
After 24 do you have any plans to keep trying to get work in the U.S. whether in TV or movies or would you be interested in spending more time focusing on your film career in India?
AK - As an actor, especially the way the world is today where the communication is so easy, I don't think it's very difficult to juggle both worlds. And I think wherever it is in the world, I'm going to go where the material is exciting, especially if it's from the West because for me, it's much more challenging. I'm performing in a different language, and mostly I've been doing films in my local language, which is Hindi, and now here I get an opportunity to speak in English, which is my first language in India. Sometimes I would have difficulty working in films over there because I would think in English, but now I'm finding it much more exciting and easier to work in films made in the West. So this is an exciting phase in my career, and this second TV experience [on 24] has been wonderful and absolutely terrific.
Could you tell us how you first became involved in 24 and getting this particular role?
AK - I feel it's thanks to Slumdog Millionaire, because they [the 24 producers] saw that the movie was such a huge success, critically as well as commercially. It swept all the awards and everyone was talking about it. I got rave reviews and I never really expected this kind of appreciation for my role. I'm sure people on 24 had seen and liked my work and that's the reason I was given this offer and I grabbed it.
If Slumdog Millionaire didn't happen, would you have tried out for a part like this?
AK - I don't think this would have really happened if Slumdog Millionaire never happened. Again, I think it's thanks to Slumdog Millionaire that I'm in 24 and it couldn't have been a better follow-up. On 24 I play something which is completely opposite to what I did in Slumdog Millionaire, and that's always exciting for an actor when you do something completely different and opposite in terms of a role. I've done over 100 feature films in India but I've never done TV there, so for me, this second time doing U.S. TV was something new, fresh, exciting, educational and I really loved every moment of it.
Was there anything in particular that you did to prepare for this role?
AK - Yes, I did. As a matter of fact, the most exciting part of all this was the preparation for the role, which I really loved. I play the leader or president of a fictitious country, which is supposed to be a Middle Eastern country, so I looked at a lot of world leaders, past and present, and researched their speeches, their body language and how to speak. I read a number of books as well on the United Nations as well as peace treaties, nuclear disarmament, etc. So all that really helped me. Also, even though I speak English, I had a dialogue coach. I had long sessions with him during the entire filming of 24, and he was of great help to me as far as figuring out how my character would speak. Because Hassan is British, or was educated in Britain, we gave him a bit of a British accent. So in 24 you'll find a complete change in the way I look, the way I walk, the way I talk and in my voice quality as compared to what I've done before.
Can you tell us a little bit about any other projects that you may have in the works?
AK - At the moment I am working on two movies in India, one is a comedy called No Problem, which is a mainstream Indian film and I play a cop, and then there's I Shall, which is based on Jane Austen's Emma. Both these films are almost in post-production and they'll be released this year. As soon as I return to India I'll be doing a play, which is going to tour all over the world.
What has made a career in this industry rewarding for you so far?
AK - I've been very fortunate from the first time I faced the camera, and it's always been in terms of satisfaction as well as financial stability, education and meeting people all over the world. I'm not a very academically educated person, but I think being educated is through people and people I work with and the work I've done in films, etc. So it's been very, very rewarding for me.
As noted above, photo by Kelsey McNeal and copyright of Fox, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!
Posted at 03:00 AM in 24, Anil Kapoor, Cherry Jones, Entertainment, Espionage, Fox Television, Freddie Prinze Jr, Jack Bauer, John Boyd, Katee Sackhoff, Kiefer Sutherland, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Mykelti Williamson, Omar Hassan, President Allison Taylor, Slumdog Millionaire, TV, Uncategorized | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Tags: 24, Anil Kapoor, Cherry Jones, Entertainment, Espionage, Fox Television, Freddie Prinze Jr, Jack Bauer, John Boyd, Katee Sackhoff, Kiefer Sutherland, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Mykelti Williamson, Omar Hassan, President Allison Taylor, Slumdog Millionaire, TV
Gregory Itzin Returns In Season Eight of 24
[caption id="attachment_3999" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Blast from the past - 24/Day 6 - Former President Charles Logan (Gregory Itzin) and Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland). Photo copyright of Fox"] [/caption] THE anticipation for Season Eight of 24 continues to surge with Gregory Itzin reprising his acclaimed role as Charles Logan. The Emmy award-winning drama starring Kiefer Sutherland returns for its next astonishing day with a two-night, four-hour premiere event Sunday, January 17th, 2010 (9 p.m. - 11 p.m. EST/PST) and Monday, January 18th, 2010 (8 p.m. - 10 p.m. EST/PST). The disgraced former President Logan was last seen after being shockingly stabbed by First Lady Martha Logan (Jean Smart) in Season Six. Itzin's return to 24 will bring together the series' two Emmy-nominated "presidents" for the first time when sitting President Allison Taylor (Emmy award-winner Cherry Jones) reluctantly enlists Logan to assist with an escalating international diplomatic crisis. When asked about this onscreen pairing, 24 executive producer Howard Gordan said, "The opportunity for these two remarkable actors to share the stage was simply too compelling to pass up." Season Eight resets in New York City where a retired Jack Bauer (Sutherland) is unwillingly drawn back into the intense action after learning of a plot to assassinate Middle Eastern peace-keeping leader Omar Hassan (Anil Kapoor). Meanwhile, Renee Walker (Annie Wersching) and Chloe O'Brian (Mary Lynn Rajskub) return alongside CTU newcomer Dana Walsh (Katee Sackhoff), Brian Hastings (Mykelti Williamson) and Cole Ortiz (Freddie Prinze Jr.). As noted above, photo is copyright of Fox Television, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!
Posted at 03:00 AM in 24, Anil Kapoor, Annie Wersching, Cherry Jones, Crime Drama, Entertainment, Fox Television, Freddie Prinze Jr, Gregory Itzin, Howard Gordon, Jack Bauer, Jean Smart, Katee Sackhoff, Kiefer Sutherland, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Mykelti Williamson, TV, Uncategorized | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
FROM outer space perils to down-to-earth turmoil, former Battlestar Galactica actress Katee Sackhoff (Captain Kara "Starbuck" Thrace) along with Freddie Prinze Jr., Mykelti Williamson, John Boyd, Jennifer Westfeldt and Chris Diamantopoulos have joined the cast of 24 for the show's eight season. The Emmy award-winning drama starring Kiefer Sutherland returns for yet another surprising day with a two-night, four-hour premiere beginning Sunday, January 17th, 2010 from 9 p.m. - 11 p.m. EST/PST on Fox. Season eight will unfold in New York City amidst the shadows of the Statue of Liberty and the United Nations. In this new day, CTU has been upgraded and is being run by MBA-schooled and razor-sharp head honcho Brian Hastings (Williamson - Forrest Gump). Cole Ortiz (Prinze), an ex-Marine who wants to follow in Jack Bauer's (Sutherland) footsteps, runs the division's field operations. Expert data analyst Dana Walsh (Sackhoff) collaborates with systems analyst Arlo Glass (Boyd - The Notorious Bettie Page) inside CTU. Rob Weiss (Diamantopoulos - The Starter Wife) serves as President Allison Taylor's (Cherry Jones) new chief of staff, and Meredith Reed (Westfeldt - Grey's Anatomy) is an ambitious journalist with ties to the unfolding situation. Sutherland, Jones, Mary Lynn Rajskub (Chloe O'Brian) and Annie Wersching (Renee Walker) also return. In addition, Bollywood icon Anil Kapoor of Slumdog Millionaire fame makes his American TV debut as Omar Hassan, a Middle Eastern leader who comes to the U.S. on a peacemaking mission.
Posted at 03:00 AM in 24, Anil Kapoor, Annie Wersching, Cherry Jones, Chris Diamantopoulos, Entertainment, Freddie Prinze Jr, Jennifer Westfeldt, John Boyd, Katee Sackhoff, Kiefer Sutherland, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Mykelti Williamson, The Fox Network, Uncategorized | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)


Fast Market Research
Kuwait Freight Transport Report Q4 2012 - New Market Research Report
Fast Market Research recommends "Kuwait Freight Transport Report Q4 2012" from Business Monitor International, now available
Boston, MA -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/09/2012 -- Kuwait's ports have struggled to recover the volumes they enjoyed prior to the global economic downturn, but BMI expects this largely to be achieved in 2012, with only total tonnage throughput at Shuaiba not forecast to recoup lost levels until 2013. If there are continued instances of industrial unrest and strikes, however, as Kuwait's ports have struggled with since the Arab Spring of 2011, then we may have to revise our forecasts down. The air freight sector was also hit in 2011, with volumes actually falling. 2012 has not started well, and we are forecasting another decline in tonnage at Kuwait International Airport in 2012.
What continues to bode well for Kuwait's freight transport is our macroeconomic outlook for the country. Oil prices remain elevated, and this is translating into spending by the Kuwaiti government, and greater wealth among the populous. This is attracting logistics companies to add services to the country.
View Full Report Details and Table of Contents
Headline Industry Data
- 2012 Port of Shuaiba tonnage throughput growth forecast at 4.8% and to average 5.0% to 2016.
- 2012 Kuwait International air freight tonnage forecast to contract by 3.9% and to average growth of just 0.3% a year to 2016.
- 2012 total trade real growth forecast at 3.6% and to average 3.8% to 2016%.
Key Industry Trends
DHL Global Launches New Shanghai-Dubai Service
German freight forwarder DHL Global Forwarding has announced that it has launched a new-less-thancontainer- load service between Shanghai and Dubai. The service will allow products to reach their destinations in either 17 or 19 days. Trade between China and the UAE was valued at US$120bn during H111. The service will also serve several other destinations in the Middle East, including Doha and Kuwait City.
Kuwaiti Mega Port Construction Suspended
The final phase of construction of Kuwait's Mubarak al-Kabir port has been suspended. This follows negotiations between the respective governments of Iraq and Kuwait. The port, which was initially intended to have 60 wharves, will now instead have 24.
KOTC To Receive Nine Takers In FY14/15
The Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC) is scheduled to receive nine new tankers from two South Korean companies in FY14/15, said KOTC's chairman Bader al-Khashti. The company will receive five crude tankers from Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, while Hyundai Mipo Dockyard will deliver four crude tankers.
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You may also be interested in these related reports:
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- Czech Republic Freight Transport Report Q4 2012
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- Argentina Freight Transport Report Q4 2012
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- Brazil Freight Transport Report Q4 2012
Bill Thompson
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Posted Friday, November 09, 2012 at 1:57 PM CST - Permalink


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Paralyzed Hit-and-Run Victim Sues for $12.8 Million
Posted on behalf of Greg Monforton & Partners Injury Lawyers on Sep 14, 2009 in Personal Injury
A pedestrian left paralyzed by a hit-and-run driver has filed a $12.8-million lawsuit that names the City of Windsor and a prominent local developer among the defendants.
Mohammed Abed, 19, was walking in east Windsor after spending the night at a friends house watching a movie, drinking pop and socializing.
It was about 1:45 a.m. on Aug. 25, 2007 when he crossed Greenpark Boulevard. Before reaching the sidewalk on the other side of the street, an SUV driven by a suspended driver ran him down.
The 2007 Ford Expedition dragged Abed for a distance before throwing him into a concrete utility pole. Abed broke his neck and remains paralyzed from the chest down.
The driver who struck Abed, Michael Metodia Dorakofski, pleaded guilty earlier this year to criminal negligence causing bodily harm. Superior Court heard Dorakofski was prohibited from driving at the time because of unpaid tickets and a traffic conviction.
Dorakofski was also on probation for a break-and-enter conviction. One of the terms of his probation was that he abstain from alcohol. He spent the hours before hitting Abed at a charity fundraiser where he had been drinking.
Court heard Dorakofski had attended the charity event with his sister and her husband, Nick Rosati, co-owner of the construction company that bears his family name. They returned to the Rosati home in LaSalle before Dorakofski took his brother-in-laws SUV and drove the vehicle to Windsor. Dorakofski told the court he took the vehicle without Rosati's permission.
Whether Rosati had given Dorakofski consent to drive the vehicle will be the subject of upcoming examinations for discovery in the civil case, said firm partner Greg Monforton, who is a trusted personal injury lawyer in Windsor. The lawsuit names Rosati as well as Ford Credit from whom the vehicle was leased.
Also named in the lawsuit is the City of Windsor. The lawsuit claims the city was negligent for having sidewalks on only one side of Greenpark Boulevard. The negligence claim and others in the civil suit have yet to be proven in court.
The vehicular traffic on that road is of such a volume that the city should have insisted on sidewalks on both sides, Monforton said Monday.
Also named is Allstate Insurance Company of Canada which insured Abed.
Abed is suing for $10.3 million. His father, Adnan Abed, and mother Neima Awad, are suing for $1 million each. His older sister, Ala, and younger brother, Omar, are suing for $250,000 each.
Dorakofski denied his involvement in the crime until after a preliminary hearing in the criminal courts illustrated the evidence against him. Court heard that after striking Abed, Dorakofski continued to a friends house where he drank some more. He then elicited his girlfriends help to get the damaged SUV back to the Rosati home in LaSalle.
Rosati called LaSalle police the next day. LaSalle police contacted investigators in Windsor who took less than a week to implicate Dorakofski in the hit and run.
Its unclear whether Dorakofski realized he had hit someone, but admitted, through his lawyer, that he did remember a thump.
Dorakofski was sentenced to three years in jail. Given the standard two-for-one credit for time he spent in jail prior to his sentencing, Dorakofskis sentence was reduced to one year and 10 months.
The repeat offender would not have been in jail had he not breached his bail conditions. Dorakofski had been released following his arrest, but was caught drinking alcohol in breach of the courts release order. He spit on the police officer who arrested him and was additionally charged with assault. He pleaded guilty to both the assault and breach before pleading guilty to the charges related to hitting Abed.
Monforton said Abed, an immigrant from Jordan, was set to begin his first year of business administration studies at Wayne State University when the crash pre-empted his life. With ongoing physical therapy and support at home, the graduate of Riverside high school is now pursuing part-time studies at St. Clair College.
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