Ever since news about Fox and 20th Century Studios' plans to cancel 24 after it's 8th season (which is the season that is currently airing and in production on the remaining episodes of season 8) were released by Entertainment Weekly, TV Guide and other media outlets, there has been speculation that NBC may pick up the show AND it's high production costs if Fox does drop the TV show from the network's current programming lineup.

All of the talk and "reports" about Fox canceling the show has been unsettling for fans that do not want 24 to be canceled...even if it has to move to NBC. While I agree that it shouldn't be canceled, NBC may not be a good place for 24 to end up if Fox cancels the show. Moving to NBC may be the beginning of the end for 24. Aside from Dancing with The Stars, Law & Order shows and The Biggest Loser, NBC has not been very popular among TV fans for some time, as far as ratings and hit shows are concerned.

Still, there are TV fans who believe that 24 has become less entertaining and it's time for the clock to stop ticking with Jack Bauer and company. I guess these particular fans (whether fans of 24 who lost interest OR general TV fans that know shaky programming when they watch it) have a good point. In one way, I do believe that IF 24 is really losing ratings among it's core audience and fans, then maybe it's better to cancel a show while it is still good and has an edge than to wait until it has to be canceled because no one is watching, everyone is tired of Jack Bauer and no one will miss it when it goes. I would not want that to happen to 24. The show is just too awesome to go out like that.

Now, here is where things get really interesting....

According to Entertainment Weekly, an NBC pickup of 24 would delay plans that 20th Century Fox has for turning the show into a feature film. They are certain that a movie cannot be made if the show is airing on television.

What does that mean for 24 fans? Here is what it could mean:

If the studio that owns 24 cancels the show and sells it to NBC, they may put some conditions on the deal that require NBC to not air 24 until the movie has been made or released. That could cause 24 fans to wait even longer for new seasons........as if the year-long wait for it to start again every January isn't long enough!

OR

They could sell it to NBC and then delay or cancel the movie plans, which may also disappoint a lot of 24 fans.

While "sources" and "industry insiders" seem to have a lot to discuss regarding this matter, it appears that the actual studios and networks involved in this 24 season/movie/cancellation dance has not commented on the subject at all.

The only question I have is......

If 20th Century Fox is not talking and NBC is not talking, then what do we really know about the current status and future fate of 24?

No, make that two questions.....

Who are these "insiders" who claim to know what's going on?

Three questions, and I'm done...

When in the world is Fox or NBC going to comment?