GET WELL SOON KIEFER!

'24' shuts down production to allow Kiefer Sutherland to have surgery

February 14, 2010 | 11:42 am

20th Century Fox Television has temporarily shut down production of "24" so that star and executive producer Kiefer Sutherland can undergo a surgical procedure related to a ruptured cyst near his kidney.

Although the cyst ruptured while he was working earlier in the week, production continued until Friday without him. His publicist, Evelyn Karamanos, issued the following statement on Sunday to the Times:

"While Kiefer Sutherland is frustrated to miss even one day of work, he and Fox decided together that it would be best to complete this minor elective procedure now as a precaution as opposed to six weeks from now when production wraps. He looks forward to returning to work next week."

Production will probably resume in one week. 20th Century Fox Television also issued a statement on Sunday:

"We are temporarily suspending production of '24' while our friend and colleague Kiefer Sutherland undergoes a medical procedure. We hope to resume production shortly and do not anticipate any disruption in the broadcast of this season's episodes."

-- Maria Elena Fernandez (follow me on Twitter @writerchica)

Photo: Kiefer Sutherland at last month's Golden Globes. Credit: EPA

SOURCE: LATIMESBLOGS