So says executive producer Howard Gordon as cast and crew gathered with television journalists on the sprawling CTU set Tuesday in this suburban area of L.A. "It had to be that big to get [Jack Bauer] back," he says. "If it had been an assassination attempt, I think he would have said 'I'm done' and headed off to Palm Springs to retire."

In future episodes, look for Chad Lowe to turn up as a White House aide, Ricky Schroder as a CTU worker and James Cromwell as Jack's father: "You'll see why Jack is kind of cursed," Gordon says.

The popular star of ABC's Betty was walking off stage after her emotional victory for best actress in a comedy or musical (Betty also was named best comedy series) when she ran into NBC interviewer Maria Menounos. First, Menounos left her hanging so long that [Ferrera] sidled out of camera range in embarrassment; then she brought her back on and asked her an oddly timed question about ABC's purported objections to Ferrera being cast as Betty.