Think of a TV drama that started as an edgy cult hit and zoomed to cultural prominence over the past 20 years, and Howard Gordon may well have been among the producers. Now, as show-runner for Fox’s "24," he has amassed an impact that he never reached with the dark fable "Beauty and the Beast," "Angel," or even the long-running hit "The X-Files." He talked with Eric Estrin about what it takes to make a great show last and why he senses failure always lurking in the shadows.
I would say this season has been the most challenging. We really didn’t have an idea.