24's Kiefer Chooses Extra Jail to Avoid TV Time-out

Kiefer Sutherland by Michael Caulfield/WireImage.com

Kiefer Sutherland on Tuesday pleaded no contest to the single DUI count stemming from his September arrest, and as such will first serve 18 days behind bars starting Dec. 21 — house arrest with electronic monitoring is not an option (if only because Chloe could disable that with a hairpin) — and then put in another 30 days by July 1. Sutherland could have served less time overall, but instead went for a two-part stint, the first batch coming during 24's holiday hiatus, to avoid a production shutdown. In a statement to the Reporter, 24's producers say, "[Kiefer] told us that even if he had to sacrifice more time in custody in order to protect the show and the jobs of those who work with him, he would do so. It is evident he is a man of his word."

Sutherland himself says in a statement, "I'm very disappointed in myself. I'm deeply sorry for the disappointment and distress this has caused my family, friends and coworkers."

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Posted by

Matt Webb Mitovich

Oct 10, 2007 9:15 AM

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Hopefully he'll learn something from this experience and never drive under the influence again. I will say that under the circumstances, I appreciate how he's taking responsibility for his actions and doing MORE time in order to avoid hurting the people he works with instead of trying to weasel out of the punishment he earned through his own recklessness.
Posted by texasannie Oct 10, 2007 10:12 AM Report Abuse

This just shows Kiefer is a class act - even when he screws up.
Posted by eclipse1994 Oct 10, 2007 10:23 AM Report Abuse

I am very proud of Kiefer Sutherland for taking responsibility for his actions. He is a man of his word. I sincerely hope he does not let a drinking problem take over his life like so many others in Hollywood have done. Kiefer, your fans are on your side.
Posted by Georgia Peach Oct 10, 2007 10:25 AM Report Abuse

I do admire that he is being very adult about this and taking responsibility for what he has done. With that being said, I hope he has learned something from this and just not that he is serving more time to help out the show and those employed by it. I always thought he was smarter than driving under the influence, but this proved me wrong completely. I just think that since this is a repeat one for him (as he is serving more time because he had another in 2004 I believe) that he would have smartened up after the first one and learned something. So with 2 now, let's hope he does finally learn something out of it. It's easy to hop behind the wheel of a car when you're drinking, but think about people who get killed every day by drunk drivers and the families they leave behind. Would these celebrities want this to happen to their moms, their dads, etc.? You'd think with their money they could at least be able to afford a cab, a driver, or a limo when they drink and be more responsible.

Posted by jlittlejohn

Oct 10, 2007 10:29 AM

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Being responsible for his actions would have meant not drinking and driving in the first place.
Posted by chrisnine11 Oct 10, 2007 10:33 AM Report Abuse

I'm glad he's owning up to his mistakes. None of this "not guilty" garbarge. Kiefer, pls no more drinking and driving. Do yourself and others on the road a huge favor - get a driver when you drink.
Posted by zortil Oct 10, 2007 10:37 AM Report Abuse

Matt, not at all related to this, but you have no email that I can find I'm putting it here: Any chance we can get Christopher Gorham back to blog on Ugly Betty?
Posted by sapphiremoon Oct 10, 2007 10:54 AM Report Abuse

Sacrifice...are you kidding me? How about not driving drunk, he could have killed people!
Posted by gillek Oct 10, 2007 11:14 AM Report Abuse

Any chance we can get Christopher Gorham back to blog on Ugly Betty? Sorry, he's too busy this season. But I'm trying for someone else from the cast....
Posted by Matt Webb Mitovich Oct 10, 2007 11:17 AM Report Abuse

My impression of Kiefer is a good person and a modest movie star and doesn't want to make a scene. I love his show and he is doing the right thing to keep his fans respect!
Posted by mikewalsh Oct 10, 2007 11:25 AM Report Abuse

So I don't get it ... Kiefer gets 48 days of jail time ... but our stupid little miss princesses get less than 5 days total between the three of them. One of them isn't even of drinking age and yet she was pulled over how many times in a matter of days for DUI, drug possession, etc ... Kiefer's arrests were 3 years apart. Something is definately wrong with this picture!
At least there's still some class in Hollywood - we're with you Kiefer!

Posted by SadieStarr

Oct 10, 2007 11:25 AM

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Wow! I'm impressed! What a better reputation some of these young celebrities would have if they'd just follow Kiefer's example and take responsibility for their own actions (yes ... I'm talking to you Britney, Paris, etc ...).
Posted by Shannonm93 Oct 10, 2007 11:27 AM Report Abuse

I'm happy to hear that this incident won't have an adverse affect on 24's production and applaud Kiefer for his decision.
Posted by beckpal Oct 10, 2007 11:50 AM Report Abuse

Good for him! I'm glad to see that he is standing up and taking responsibility for his actions; not whining about a few days in jail.
Posted by huntergirl727 Oct 10, 2007 11:56 AM Report Abuse

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