Young Republican Mark turned me on to 24 this season.

The day 3: 6:00 am – 7:00 am episode is probably the best hour of network television I've seen this season.

Unfortunately, a Bush press conference bumped the episode to Sunday, where it received the show's lowest ratings ever.

I know it's a little late for ranting (the season finale is next week), but I'm pissed at Fox for giving away too much in the 24 promos that air about 10 minutes before each new episode. The 24 teasers at the end of each episode reveal far less and are just as effective.

Last week, the pre-show 24 promo showed Michelle with a bloody nose. What could have been a surprise instead made me think —Oh, so that's how she escapes from Saunders.

At the end of last night's pre-show 24 promo, the voice-over man said —Two of these people won't survive the hour! over a montage of faces (Jack, Sherry, Stephen, Jane, David, Julia, Tony). Then, Wayne screams —Nooo! which in turn made me scream —Goddammit!

It was so obvious that Sherry was going to bite the dust.I hate when networks spoil surprises.

I remember the producer of ER refused to give NBC Julianna Margulies' last episode until its broadcast date and NBC still managed to dick him over by rushing out a promo about how the episode featured —a surprise appearance by a very special person.

Network television shows are not movies. I don't have to pay for network television. Networks don't have to impress me with previews. If I enjoy a show, I'll tune in anyway.

In other news, I saw the movie Heat and I must say, Dennis Haysbert cannot and should not play ghetto black characters. His voice and demeanor do not lend themselves well to ebonics. It's just odd.