If you’ve been anxiously awaiting the return of Kiefer Sutherland to TV, then today is your lucky day. After taking some time off to do a play on Broadway (among other things) Kiefer Sutherland is ready for a return to primetime TV.

The former star of 24 has reportedly closed a deal to be in the Fox drama pilot Touch, which was written/created by Heroes creator Tim Kring. In the show, Sutherland will play a father who discovers his autistic, mute son can predict events before they happen.

Naturally, once Sutherland’s character knows what’s going to happen, he’s obliged to take action. No, we don’t know if he shoots anyone in the leg during the first episode. However, we can only hope for some Jack Bauer-like action with this new show.

As we mentioned earlier, Sutherland is currently starring in a play, so expect to see Touch as a mid-season show. No word yet on other casting for the pilot (or if that title will change), but expect those details to come soon.

* By the way, we know that’s a picture of Sutherland as Jack Bauer, we just think its cool.

Last week, Fox aired a special 2-night, four hour premiere of the eighth season of 24 to record ratings, and a groundbreaking plot that will keep us enthralled for most of this season. Now it seems things are heating up even more for for Jack Bauer and the CTU team.

Tonight will be hours 8PM to 9PM, which is already the fifth episode of the season. Now that Jack and CTU are based in New York City, things are already getting intense for the East coast. From Fox:

Four explosive hours after being unwillingly drawn back into action, Jack Bauer reteams with a risky Renee Walker to track some very dangerous leads. Meanwhile, back at CTU, a desperate Dana Walsh faces tense and untimely circumstances, and emotions escalate when President Taylor learns of a larger looming threat that jeopardizes the peace accord with President Hassan.

Check out four brand new clips from tonight’s episode, and be sure to catch the episode “8:00pm-9:00pm” of 24, tonight on Fox.

We’re all pretty excited about the upcoming 8th season of Fox’s 24 next Sunday. We broke the very first trailer back in October, took you behind the scenes earlier this week, and now we’ve got some more goodies to get you excited for Jack Bauer and his upcoming adventures.

A few new clips have recently become available, showing off mostly Keifer Sutherland as Bauer, transporting an informant that may have details on an upcoming assassination attempt. Fans of FX’s The Shield may recognize Jack’s informant, as well.

There aren’t many details about how this season’s “day” will unfold, but we do know that Jack has retired; Kim has a daughter;They both live in New York City, and CTU has been completely revamped, with the addition of Freddie Prinze Jr. and Katee Sackhoff to the team.

Check out the clips after the jump, and catch the action as the eighth season of 24 kicks off on January 17, only on FOX.

We’ve already talked about January being a big month for Fox with Human Target starting up in a few weeks, and American Idol following shortly thereafter. One huge factor in Fox’s potential ratings success this season will be the return of 24 for it’s eighth and possibly final season.

This season takes place in New York City, which is a first, with Jack (Kiefer Sutherland) just about to get cozy for a life of retirement. Just as that happens, he gets a new mission dropped in his lap, with very little room to continue his life of leisure.

This season promises to have exciting new character archs, including new cast members Freddie Prinze Jr. and Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica). A few new surprises, and plenty of Jack Bauer beating up on terrorists.

Check out an all-new behind the scenes featurette on the new season after the jump, and be sure to catch the season premiere of 24 on Sunday, January 17th.