Looks like there really is good reason for 24 fans to think that next year's season 8 might be the last.  Count the "business decisions" bit, and what seems to be an effort to round up the whole story.  Oh, and the pretty high-caliber roster of stars.

Throw in another name to that list: David Anders has ferried his way from Alias and Heroes to this season of 24 and, as his rep told E! Online, he'll be playing a recurring character on the upcoming season.  There's no revealing about who he'll play exactly, however; the only thing they're telling us is, "he will be in a handful of episodes."

That, and that we'll never know if he'll end up becoming like his Heroes character.  Nah, don't typecast, please.

The other detail that could probably give credence to the idea of 24 wrapping up for good next year are the producers' plans to wrap up the season, which is essentially still up in the air.  Or, to be exact, they have many plans depending on whether they get a ninth season or not.

"[Some] contingencies are in place," executive producer Evan Katz told Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello.  "We have a scenario that would work well [if it's the end], but we also have a bunch of scenarios where the show could go on in different ways.  We're remaining flexible."

But the one thing fans shouldn't count on is the return of Kim Raver as Jack's past love Audrey.  "Some of the things we're doing this season preclude [her returning]," Katz said.  "So I think not.  She was in bad shape the last time we saw her."

At least we can chalk that contingency out a possible ending for 24, whether for the season or for good.  The only thing Katz hopes happens is that they'll have an idea about the fate of the show when they shoot the season finale some time in February.  Obviously, if they wrap up with a continuation, and they find out it's all over, well, it sucks, right?





- Henrik Batallones, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
(Image courtesy of NBC)