Welcome To Elizabeth's Place!: Spoiler Alert

Kiefer Sutherland's Return To Television Gets Cautious Praise

Kiefer Sutherland can't have felt anything but pressure as his first major TV role since 10 phenomenal years spent on '24' aired for the first time last night (26 January 2012).
Fans and critics were certainly eager to see how the Canadian actor was going to follow up what has come to be known as one of the iconic TV characters of the 21st century in secret agent Jack Bauer.
'Touch,' which sees Sutherland playing a single father of a mute son who sees things other cannot, aired last night for the first time - and the answer to whether he's managed to follow up what may be career defining role successfully?
A cautious yes, according to the critics.
Newsday was effusive in its praise, saying the program was "A bit melodramatic, a bit manipulative, Touch is still one of the best pilots of the 2011-12 season to date," and others were similar praiseworthy though understandably a little more cautious given it was the pilot episode.
"It's Mr. Sutherland's portrayal of the father--unyielding in his effort to break through to his mute child and grasp what he's trying to say with his numbers--that is the heart of this story, the power likely to sustain this promising enterprise," said the Wall Street Journal, whilst
TV Guide said "[Touch is] emotionally compelling but wildly fantastical and undeniably manipulative."Not all were enthused though, The New York Times commented "The 11-year-old boy at the center of the story has never spoken and is also the show's narrator.
It's a perfectly acceptable device, if not a particularly interesting one in this case," whilst the Los Angeles Times weren't fans at all, stating "Ironically, given a show that so clearly wants to touch its audience--from that weighty one-word title on down--we have met, apart from Martin, hardly a single character who incorporates more than the hint of an actual person.
"Contactmusic

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Spoiler Alert

Monday, April 2724 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) "3:00 AM-4:00 AM"

The nation remains vulnerable as Starkwood mastermind Jonas Hodges (guest star Jon Voight) remains at the epicenter of the mounting terrorist threat. Meanwhile, the FBI and the administration scramble to provide security and justice, and Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) questions a key suspect.

Monday, May 424 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) "4:00 AM-5:00 AM"

While lives remain on the line, some are lost, and an emotional Chloe (Mary Lynn Rajskub) copes with the declining conditions. With only three hours left, the devastating day worsens when the politicking inside the White House corners the divided administration.

Monday, May 1124 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) "5:00 AM-6:00 AM"

With the countdown on and innocent lives still targeted, Jack handles the situation and his imperiled daughter, Kim (guest star Elisha Cuthbert), gets involved. Meanwhile, the imminent threat stokes the heated rivalry between Chloe O'Brian and Janis Gold (Janeane Garofalo).

Monday, May 1824 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) "6:00 AM-7:00 AM" / "7:00 AM-8:00 AM"

Season FinaleAfter 22 hellacious hours underscored by the loss of innocent lives, the evil betrayal of colleagues, the First Gentleman's kidnapping and shooting, a vicious siege on the White House, heroic sacrifices, a conspiracy, exposure to a lethal pathogen and an unthinkable bio-weapon attack, Jack reaches an emotional tipping point as the remarkable day ticks toward its climactic conclusion.

TY, Lou

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20090408fox01