"24" is a show that reminds me of serials I watched at the theater every week as a child, so now you know my age. They would run about 13 weeks, and every episode would end with a "cliffhanger," which is likely where the word came into the language.

The plots of "24" can be totally unrealistic, with Jack Bauer as a CTU super-agent, able to get all around Southern California in minutes in his Ford SUV (provided by Ford because Ford is a big sponsor). He navigates paths in 7-10 minutes that would take hours, but the story has to be completed in 24 hours, so a few factual corners need to be cut here and there.

The actors often overact. Their fictional technical abilities surpass that of the employees NSA. I think "Oh, yeah; right." Yet, the plot has the uncanny ability to become so addictive that even the harshest TV viewer who chooses shows selectively to not waste too much time in front of the tube, is drawn back. "24" triggers the "willing suspension of disbelief" and somehow pulls off a show with staying power. I TiVo "24," and, through season before last, I used to watch four episodes in a row in less than three hours. Last season, I looked forward to it, and I was hooked into watching each show the night it ran, usually 15-20 minutes after it started.

Yes, it is flawed, sometimes lamely written, always overacted, but not totally. Gregory Itzin as President Logan in the 2005-06 season was so smarmy, dislikable, and perfect I wanted him to win an Emmy. Dennis Hopper in the first chaotic season where they were writing as they were filming, not even knowing if they would finish the season, was also priceless.

This show has staying power even with this jaded TV viewer because of the inevitable cliffhangers, and it has a few more years left in it. How Jack Bauer gets out of being literally being "shanghaied" at the end of the 2005-06 season will be interesting.