EVOLUTION OF AN IDEA

It’s long been said that there are no new ideas in Hollywood. But we have to admit that there have been some pretty good new incarnations of the old ones.

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PREMISE

“24”

A group with highly specialized skills backs a former military operative and his paramilitary group that engages in secret missions to protect innocent Americans from evildoers.

“THE A-TEAM”

A group of former military operatives lends highly specialized skills to a nonmilitary group that engages in secret missions to protect innocent Americans from evildoers.

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THE TICKING CLOCK

“24”

Every mission, no matter how complex, must be completed within 24 hours.

“THE A-TEAM”Every mission, no matter how complex, must be completed within one hour, minus commercials.

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PRODUCT PLACEMENT

“24”

Jack Bauer always drives trucks made by Ford.

“THE A-TEAM”The team always drives vans made by General Motors.

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CHANGE OF PLAN

“24”

After ratings slipped in the show’s sixth and latest season, producers vowed to change the format. They had Jack leave his governmental position behind and go rogue. They also attempted to have him leave Southern California -- plans to have part of the seventh season filmed in Africa were reportedly nixed by the network.

“THE A-TEAM”After ratings slipped in the show’s fourth season, producers changed the show’s format. After years of running from the government, the A-Team began working for the government. Their new missions took them out of Southern California and into foreign countries, where they carried out political espionage for their agency

- Patrick Day