Say it ain't so, Jack Bauer?

I have to wonder what Joel Surnow, creator of Fox Television's highly popular 24, was thinking when he decided to bring Janeane Garofalo into the show's fold for Season... er... 'Day 7'.

The openly Conservative Surnow, who has labeled himself as "a right-wing nutjob" bringing in one of the most militantly Leftist members of the Hollywood anti-establishment is just a major head-scratcher here. At first, I speculated that perhaps she decided to do the show in exchange for being given the promise of being able to deliver an anti War on Terror monologue at some point during the season. But, then I saw this write-up on her character:

How it happened: "I got a call from (24 co-creator Joel Surnow). I was initially very reticent to do it, because I heard about the right-wing nature of Joel's politics and the torture-heavy scripts. And then I thought, 'I'm unemployed!'"

Well, so much for having any depth to her resolve and dedication to her true political principles. This sort of retort makes you wonder if her well-documented Far Left schtick is just an act to ingratiate herself with Hollywood. But, then again, the reality is that even for Hollywood standards, she's on the fringe!

For now, maybe we should just give Surnow the benefit of the doubt in that he's setting up 24 fans all across the globe for a taste of guilty pleasure in ultimately taking out Garafalo's character at some point in the season and it would have all been worth it. Or, perhaps - In a touch of poetic irony - Jack Bauer will save the life of Garafalo's character, Janis Gold (as well as a football stadium full of other innocents), by way of utilizing a twizzle stick, a poker chip, and some wasabi, while partaking in some creative interrogation tactics on some deadly terrorists.

Regardless, the questions still remain regarding this casting decision... as do others.

Like... does anyone else remember a time there for a couple of years when Janeane Garofalo was actually pretty majorly cute!?!?? ... and actually a funny comedienne?