Mac Sightings - Fox's "24" Sports Massive Mac Presence

by , 9:00 AM EST, November 7th, 2001

Last night, Fox's newest show, "24," aired. 24 is a fairly unique program in that the 24 episodes that will air actually cover only one calendar day. Starring Kiefer Sutherland, 24 is a thriller involving presidential (candidate) assassinations, a kidnapping, and government conspiracies. Better yet, it is practically an hour long advertisement for Apple, and includes several Macs. We actually received a note on 24 almost 3 months ago from someone privy to an early screening. Since we were foolish enough to have not published it then, we thought we would give Observer Tom Musemeci some credit now. From Tom:

Just an FYI: I obtained a preview copy of "24" starring Kiefer Sutherland, a new show this fall. There are three Macs clearly visible (one being used): a new Ti PowerBook on the kitchen table, an old iBook in the daughter's bedroom, and a Cube in the Central office for counter-terrorism!

Good to know that the Counter-terrorism units can appreciate the safety and security of good-old Macintosh.

Tom Musumeci

In addition to the TiBook, the iBook, and the Cube, there were several Apple flat panel displays being used onscreen, complete with a recognizable Mac GUI, and more than one Apple keyboard. Observer BobbyTate27 noted in our forums:

You can actually see one of the characters Desktops. Her name is Kimberly. Her desktop is clearly a Mac OS 9.x desktop you can check it out at http://www.fox.com/24/research.html. You can click on the icons on her desktop, too!!!!!

For the voyeur in you, you can actually read her e-mail too. I caught my self trying to click on the window shutter, it looked so real!!

You need to see the desktop at the 24 Web site to understand what BoobyTate27 is talking about. You can find it by clicking on "Kimberly's Desktop" on the site's home page. It includes several Mac elements, including a trash can and Classic Mac windows. Forum Mod Justin noted:

I just finished watching 24, and it is impossible not to notice the extensive use of [Macintosh] computers. It was used extensively in "hacking" bank accounts, phone numbers, and in accessing e-mail. Very cool.

Lastly, Observer Dean Browell points out that the bad guy uses a PC:

Hey guys-- great sighting here... the new Fox show 24 with K. Sutherland-- the bad guy (assassin) uses a PC, but Kiefer and Co. use all Macs emblazoned with visible Apple symbols. Everything from Apple LCDs to TiBooks, to Cubes, to G4s to older iBooks....

Very cool and very visible...

Dean Browell

You can join in the discussion in our forums. Thanks (belatedly) to Tom Musumeci for the note. If you have of a Mac Sighting, let us know.

The Mac Observer Spin:

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