"24": Houston, we have a problem...

Houston, we have a problem…

My second favorite Canadian, RT, alerted me to a rather disturbing story on TVGuide.com…

Production on the seventh season of “24” has been delayed for three weeks because the show’s execs have scrapped their entire storyline for the season.

According to my scoop hero, Michael Ausiello, the overhaul occurred when FOX nixed an idea to shoot a number of episodes in Africa (!). The show tried to find a suitable substitute in Los Angeles, but ultimately decided to throw the whole thing out.

The idea that the writers once again have no idea where they’re going does not inspire a lot of confidence in the upcoming season, which—let’s face it—really needs to be a good one in order for FOX to preserve one of its major international moneymakers.

Especially when the pressure from TV critics is getting even more intense. This week, the “TV Week” Critics Poll named “24” the second worst show on TV behind “October Road,” but ahead of “Real Wedding Crashers” (“The Sopranos” was named the best.).

Now I agree that “24” did not have a good season, but the second worst show on TV? I don’t think so…

But the poll does underscore my point that “24” needs to seriously bring it next year, or risk losing even more of its fans. Maybe even me…

Okay, you know I didn’t mean that…