El Paso Times from El Paso, Texas • 129

El Paso Times, October 27 -November 2, 2002 4 COVER STORY FEATURES 1 9 '24' recounts the second longest day in Jack Bauer's life urged her husband to murder to attain the Scottish throne. "Lady Mac is back," Gordon says. "In sotne ways, Penny has the most fun part to play. Her Lady Macbeth is a really delicious character in that we motivated her properly, and she really believes she's doing what's best." "I can't tell you much," Jerald says, "but I had a little peek at something coming, and I said, 'Boy, they're not disappointing anyone this I just hope she I won't say that. She's so that's a good word, she's so And she has a lot of You're going to love her.

"I think she's prettier this year, a little softer in some areas, and you might want to watch out for that:" With a Golden Globe for Sutherland, two Fmmys (writing and editing) and two Television Critics Association awards (outstanding new program of the year, program of the year) under their belts, the "24" writers are feeling the heat to live up to their own billing. his reconnection with his daughter, who blames him for the terrible loss they suffered." "It's definitely going to have to start on a rough footing," Cuth-bert says. "Jack Bauer blames himself for last year, and I have put blame on him as well. At the beginning, I think it's going to be a little rocky with him and me." The Palmers are also on the rocks. After disagreeing about how to handle a family crisis, the couple split altogether after David discovered to just what lengths including lying, blackmail and convincing a female staffer to flirt with the candidate -that Sherry would go to put her man in the White Mouse.

In the end, David Palmer decided to make that trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. all on his own. "They are divorced," Jerald says. "He is in the White House, and she's not far behind. You know her personality; do you think she would ever give up? Nah.

She would never give up." Many compare Sherry to Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth, who workers Tony Almeida and George Mason (Carlos Bernard, Xander Berkeley), and would-be first lady Sherry. After the rigors of Season 1, Fox and the producers of "24" -Robert Cochran, Joel Surnow, Brian Grazer and Howard Gordon pondered changing the show's format. But in the end, they stuck with what worked the first time around. "The hardest thing this year," Gordon says, "was finding the emotional center of the show. Last year, it was pretty clear that the show was based on the fact that Jack Bauer was trying to put his family back together and had this past trauma with the CTU and was trying to resurrect his own reputation.

"All those things informed the emotional center of the show: 'I must save my family. I must save the This year exists in the wake of last year, which we acknowledge. So this year is, in a way, Part 2 of last year. We drew from the same emotional well. "It's about Jack's redemption, politically ambitious and ruthless Sherry (Penny Johnson Jerald).

The scene being shot in the headquarters of the Counter Terrorist Unit involves Nina and Jack, but anything more than that is top secret. What can be revealed about the second season, which begins Tuesday, Oct. 29 (commercial-free, thanks to sponsorship from Ford), is that Palmer is now president, complete with a plush, wood-paneled retreat in Oregon, a sleek command center and blue golf carts emblazoned with the presidential seal. When' another terrorist plot arises, the newly minted chief executive calls Jack out of bushy-bearded seclusion to save the day. On the personal front, Jack is trying to mend his relationship with daughter Kim (Elisha Cuth-bert), now working as an au pair, and may find the beginnings of love with the wealthy, beautiful Kate Warner (Sarah Wynter).

He'll have to work fast, though, because like last year, it's a season in a day. Also returning are Bauer co By Kate O'Hare Zap2it It's a blazingly hot late September day in the western part of the San Fernando Valley, just "over the hill" from Los Angeles, but the mood is cool and businesslike on the mood-lit- set of Fox's sophomore espionage drama "24." A clean-shaven Kiefer Sutherland is hard at work as L.A.-based counterterrorism agent Jack Bauer, who last year had one hel-lacious day 24 hours, 24 episodes trying to prevent the assassination of a presidential candidate and save his wife and teenage daughter from terrorist captors. At day's end, the candidate Sen. David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert) survived, but Bauer's wife fell victim to turncoat agent and former Bauer paramour Nina (Sarah Clarke). In the meantime, Palmer dealt with an evolving family scandal, which ultimately threatened but failed to derail his candidacy but did destroy his marriage to the UNGLUED FROM THE TUBE Kids probe legends in Nick's 'Scaredy Camp' a i AaiuL mil 1 1 'in i SOAP TALK ABC brings together fans and stars By Candace Havens Zap2it During the weekend of Nov.

9-10, fans will have an opportunity to meet their favorite soap stars at the seventh annual ABC Super Soap Weekend. More than 30 stars from the ABC daytime serials will be in attendance. Fans will have a chance to see their favorite actors during autograph sessions, game shows, interviews and parades during the festivities at the Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World. Meredith Vieira is joining the lineup of daytime celebrities as the host of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Play It!" based on the popular game show. Joining Vieira for the weekend are Rebecca Budig, John Callahan, Vincent Irizarry, Eva LaRue Callahan, Alicia Min-shew, Sam Page, Jack Scalia and Aiden Turner from "All My Children." Cast members from "One Life to Live" scheduled to appear include Kristen Alderson, Kamar de los Reyes, James DePaiva, Kassie DePaiva, David Fumero, Catherine Hickland, Ilene Kristen, Hillary B.

Smith and Ty Treadway. Chad Brannon, Tamara Braun, Steve Burton, Robin Christopher, John Ingle, Wallace Kurth and Vanessa Marcil will be in attendance from the set of "General Hospital." Then there's the "Port Charles" gang, which includes Kiko Ellsworth, Brian Gaskill, Erin Hershey Emma Wilson By Diana Dawson Zap2it Imagine hearing the most spine-tingling ghost story by day, and then being sent out into the dark night to find out whether it's really true. That's just what happens in a new mystery-reality series, "Scaredy Camp," which premieres this week on Nickelodeon. Just in time for Halloween, "Scaredy Camp" joins the cable network's week-long "Shriek Week" with four serialized episodes airing Sunday through Wednesday during prime time. Throughout the week, Nickelodeon offers scares appropriate for every age group, including fans of "Blue's Clues," "Rugrats" and "Arc You Afraid of the Dark?" Parents will find entertaining goblins, witches and ghosts for every child in the house but need to be certain their children are viewing at the proper level of fright.

In "Scaredy Camp," two teams of campers compete to discover the truth behind their camp's haunted legend. By day, the teens relive the last five days in the life of a camper who was said to have disappeared a decade earlier. The winning team returns at 10 p.m. to meet host Emma Wilson around a campfire and to begin its foray into the night. Young viewers shouldbe prepared for anything as the teens reach into dark bathtubs for clues, hear twigs snap and wonder if they're hearing voices.

Cameras follow the sleuthing campers, recording every gasp, cry of fear and moment of triumph. Children above the age of 7 will enjoy following the suspenseful trail of fright and mystery with the young sleuths. Don't be surprised, however, if later that Meredith Vieira Presley, Thorsten Kaye, Kelly Monaco and Brian Presley. Linda Dano, who has appeared on all four soaps, is returning to her duties as the host of the ABC Super Soap Talk Show. Walt Willey of "AMC" returns as the master of ceremonies for the motorcade, star conversations and the Total Street Jam.

For more information, fans can log on to www.abc.com. Dear Candace: I've been a fan of "As the World Turns" for many years, and I agree that Mike (Mark Collier) is handsome, but no one will ever touch Jake (Tom Eplin). I wondered if it is possible to gat photos of these people. -Lady Miranda, New Bedford, Mass. Dear Reader: Most of the actors have fan Web sites where you can get photos.

One of your first stops should be www.soapcity.com. night they ask for the night light you put away years ago. Searching for ghosts -Work with your children on your own version of "Scaredy Camp." Create your own haunted legend, decorate with paper bats and cobwebs to ratchet up the fright factor, and then send them off with clues. Keep safety the priority, however, by confining your adventure to your home or yard. -Children needing a break from the spooky goings-on will enjoy reading "Halloween" by Jerry Seinfeld and "Scary Godmother" by Jill Thompson.

in the dark of the night. -Would you want to participate in "Scaredy Why or why not? Which part would be most difficult for you? How would you manage your fear? -What's the difference between fun Halloween fright and real fear? Have you ever been really fearful of something? How did you handle that? -What's your reaction to the dark? Send questions of general interest to Candace Havens. Soap Talk, Zap2it, 333 Glen Glens Falls. NY 12801. or e-mail to soaptalktvdata.com.

Only questions selected for this column will be answered. Personal replies cannot be sent..