Kiefer Sutherland to Undergo Medical Procedure; Fox Suspends Production on 24

Production on 24 has been suspended so Kiefer Sutherland can undergo a "minor elective procedure" after a cyst near his kidney ruptured last week.

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"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," said Evelyn Karamanos, his publicist. "He looks forward to returning to work next week."The cyst ruptured earlier in the week. The 43-year-old actor, who plays Jack Bauer, missed work Friday, but production continued without him.

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In a statement, Fox said the week off should not disrupt the broadcast of 24 this season.The season's eighth episode is scheduled to air Monday at 9/8c.