Ramblings of a Jackhole

While the rest of the nation was watching last Sunday with great expectation the Season premier of the hit series 24, the viewers in the Michiana area (southwest Michigan, Northwest Indiana, including South Bend, IN) watched a frozen screen for about 12 minutes in disbelief and, for some (including The Jackhole’s loving bride) in extreme anger. While the show did return before the end, what transpired is still a mystery to the viewers. Apparently, just like the mystery to FOX and FOX28 WSJV to why the signal was lost.

According to David Gooding, Chief Engineer for FOX28 WSJV:

The problem has not been diagnosed yet but Fox is working on it. They control the receivers in our building that bring in the Fox programming via phone lines. There is really no control we have other than taking their signal and putting it on air. Last night for that 10 minutes or so there was simply no signal available to us. They have a backup receiver but it was out as well. We anticipate no problems tonight and I am told the producers of 24 have control over the program (as far as a re-airing). WSJV and Fox have no say as to such a re-airing. Thanks for your interest.

While this appears that FOX28 may understand that someone missing out on such a large portion of the premier show might want to see it reaired to understand what was missed.

However not everyone at FOX28 seems to have the same empathy for its viewing public for the missed portion. Mr. Stephen Morris, Station Manager and General Sales Manager for FOX28 WSJV wrote:

7 minutes of content was missed. It will likely not be re-broadcast. Fox offices are closed today for MLK Day so we don’t know for sure. We will make an announcement if we are to re-air it.

Clearly, if Mr. Morris is married, his wife isn’t the same kind of fan of “24″ as The Jackhole’s beautiful bride. No accounting for taste!