Why Harry Potter and Jack Bauer Are More Similar Than You Think
Published March 21, 2006
Like anyone else hooked on the show 24, I've got Jack Bauer on the brain. Unlike many fans of the show however, I came to the world of CTU late in the game. Therefore, I've been hauling in the DVDs on Netflix, recording the current season on TiVo, and racing to catch up. This means that I'm cramming in about 12 hours of Bauer every weekend. That kind of input makes you go a little crazy.
I find myself dreaming about sockets and protocols. Wondering who Division is going to send down to bust me for skipping my Advanced Trademarks seminar. When someone takes too long swiping his debit card at the grocery store, I scream, "We're running out of time!" I'll admit, I've got a problem.
However, one of the good things to come out of my daily ponderings of 24 is that I've stumbled on a striking similarity between Jack Bauer, CTU Agent extraordinaire, and Harry Potter, boy wizard. This may seem like an odd pairing, but just check out the evidence.
1. Both Jack and Harry are impervious to fear. Time and time again, the two heroes throw themselves into terrifying situations with no hesitation. This is probably a quality that exists in most heroic characters, but it is hard to recall any action hero running headlong into danger more often than Jack Bauer. And there is certainly no precedent for a 14-year-old old boy confronting a 50-foot basilisk, as Harry did in the second book. The only other combination of youth and bravery that even compares to that would be the time that Chunk found the strength to befriend Sloth in "Goonies." Or any kid that made it through a stay at Neverland Ranch.
2. Signature skills. Both Jack and Harry have a plethora of heightened skills that enable them to save the day when everyone else fails. Among those varied abilities, the two heroes have signature skills that stand out and define their greatness. Bauer's are killing, torturing, and pistol-whipping, as evidenced by websites that track his total kills and tortures every episode. Every Monday on PTI, Tony Kornheiser gleefully announces that he will be tuning into 24 later that night and keeping tabs on Bauer's number of pistol-whippings. For all of Bauer's stamina, decisiveness, and helicopter-piloting skill, it is his handling and use of weapons (including his hands, feet, and head) that stands out the most. As for Harry, his signature skill is clearly flying on his broomstick. That was made obvious in the fourth book (and movie), when he was nudged toward using his broomstick to defeat the dragon in the Tri-Wizard tournament. Throw in his amazing record as a Seeker in Quidditch and there is no doubt about this one.
- Why Harry Potter and Jack Bauer Are More Similar Than You Think
- Published: March 21, 2006
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Culture: Humor and Satire, Video: Action, Video: Fantasy, Video: Television
- Writer: Adam Hoff
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Comments on this articleComments
its nice you took a lot of time with this, but you could have taken any 2 heros and replaced them with the paralells you've drawn
... That was just a list of any formula for any generic hero-type character in a movie or videogame.
It's so cliché.
Ah, but neither of these heroes made for good video games.
Make that No. 10.
Um, that is the whole point. It was supposed to be a joke - comparing such absurdly opposite "heroes" yet still finding how they can still be alike given all the stereotypical qualities they possess. It was meant to be tongue-in-cheek and if the humor is missed, then I take the blame for not making it more clear. Trust me, I'm not trying to make any sort of serious statement here. Lighten up, people!
It's so cliché
Actually - it was rather clever.
Lighten up, people!
Amen Adam
Next time though, you gotta say, "Lighten up Francis"
Not my favorite article because it has very little meaning to anybody who has not watched the 24 (most of the population...thanks god). Obsession with such a TV show is not healthy. Nonetheless, it does have humor and would be fun to read had I watched 24.
very very nice.
although very difrent i kinda would like to c harry figth terros and jack get ass wooping with guns gaintst them weird wans
I think you'd be surprised how many people watch 24. What is more interesting though is that everyone who does tune in becomes obsessed. You can't help it. It isn't the kind of show you just turn on to have in the background while reading a magazine. Of course, when you start getting the urge to torture people, that is the time to scale back. (Disclaimer: that was a joke. Just so we're clear.)
AWESOME
"Killing off Dumbledore and Tony Almeida is more than enough"
bit of a spoiler for people not watching the lastest US eppisodes
I'll say it again -
Lighten up Francis!
I mean seriously. Playing the 'spoiler' card? What did you think you were going to see when you read this? Gentle hints and innuendos?
and to this comment:
because it has very little meaning to anybody who has not watched the 24 (most of the population...thanks god
You know, the show is pretty darn popular. Sometimes it's nice to read about something that you're not familiar with.
I thought the funny part was when Greg (#10) mentioned people not watching 24. What about people not reading or watching Harry Potter? I watched two seasons of 24 and saw only the first HP movie, and haven't read any of the books.
Seems like a big assumption to think that 24 would necessarily be the missing piece of the formula, rather than HP!
I'm sorry, but that was absurd and stupid.
dude u r a fag jack bauer is nothing liek harry potter n00b,
Phillip Winn: You should give the Potter books a try. The books are so long and so much is left out for the movies that I don't know how one would make heads of tails of the movie without reading the book first.
I'm sure I've read books by the thousands, but probably wouldn't have thought to buy what seemed to be a kid's book. But someone gave me the first two books; I couldn't put them down, read all night.
That's a very good informative comparison! Aaman put it right ... both are survivors! :)
lol love the reference to dwight's hero definition
While this article is simply a description of the classic hero archetype, it was still somewhat clever.
24 is an incredibly creative and amazing series, and I would highly recommend getting into it. A word to the wise, however, try to catch it in DVD or marathon form as having to wait a week in between episodes could drive a man to drink - it's that addictive.
As for Harry Potter, I cannot say enough how imaginitive and enjoyable these novels are. I stress "novels" as while the movies are well done, they can only do so much in such a medium. A LOT is left out, butchering the Harry Potter name to many who only watch the movies and judge it as childish. I believe the movies are more geered toward children, but the novels are spectacular. Don't take my word for it, simply read the first book and I guarantee that you'll have the other 5 under your belt soon after - they're that addictive.
I just wanted to say that although i don't watch 24 i am a massive HP fan and i thought your similarities were really good. you wrote that whole story/article thingy really well and it was just a nice brief yet long insite into the world of the heros. so thanx for a nice article thing from CLaire
Thanks for all the feedback. I agree that you should certainly read the Harry Potter books and that the movies don't do the trick. You should also give Season One of 24 a try by picking up the DVD's and diving into it over a weekend.
I'm glad that someone enjoyed the Dwight nod. That was just such a classic scene. (Although we now have a new "ultimate Dwight" moment - the acceptance speech.
were u on crack when u wrote this?
Excellent comparison!
Speaking of #5 - giving credit where credit is due - Harry was only 12 when he killed the 50ft Basilisk.
Thanks for the article! I really enjoied it! Sure, most of these things could fit in a comparison between any of the heroes, but I don't think that's bad.The man has just expressed an observation he's made on two of his favourite heroes.Actually, since someone's not familiar to the characters, I don't see a reason to read such an article in the first place.But I also liked the comments.It's nice to hear different opinions;it helps improvement(of course the last doesn't refer to #26).Thanks also to Matthew T.#10,Sonny D.#19,Mark #20,Ron #21,Kevin #22,Adam #25,Melanie #27 for their observations.
You compare me to Harry? Your time, my friend, just ran out.
I would have never thought to make this comparison, but it surprisingly rings true (at least for me). They are superheroes with interstingly similar qualities. Nicely done!
Comment #29 reminds of one of those "Jack Bauer Facts" like:
- The city of Los Angeles once named a street after Jack Bauer in gratitude for his saving the city several times. They had to rename it after people kept dying when they tried to cross the street. No one crosses Jack Bauer and lives.
- Upon hearing that he was played by Kiefer Sutherland, Jack Bauer killed Sutherland. Jack Bauer gets played by no man.
- Jack Bauer once forgot where he put his keys. He then spent the next half-hour torturing himself until he gave up the location of the keys.
- If you wake up in the morning, it's because Jack Bauer spared your life.
what about "they both WHITE!" they both honkys and that's fine by me. but what about them other colors in the rainbow. you see, i head a coalition of colors called the Rainbow something...
we deal with all them different funny types. we need heroes to be of different color to truly reflect our hero society. Imagine a little yellow asian boy, he know he ain't gonna grow up to be no white hero!
Imagine a little yellow asian boy, he know he ain't gonna grow up to be no white hero!
So, he'll grow up to be a Asian hero. World needs more heros' no matter what the color, no matter real or fictional.
Adam - did you ever think you'd open up this can of worms when you wrote this?
I'm thinking we outta preface these things with the aforementioned "Lighten up". : )
I loved this. I'm an avid fan of both 24 and Harry Potter. And these comments are just too funny.
Dude Why the hell are you Comparing ME The UBERLEET Harry Potter vanquisher of all evil in the magic universe to some Yankee cheeseburger Snarfing Fucker?*Continues to act like a British ass for the next 20 minutes*
{-=disclaimer=-NOt all brits are asses just the closedminded ones that asume all americans eat shit tons of Cheeseburgers}
I love all the role playing we have going here. It's like an episode of PTI with Kornheiser and Wilbon. (Perhaps I should save that reference for the sports-related blogs?)
Mary, no, I didn't expect to come under fire for marginalizing various races, ethnicities, nationalities, or any other group when I wrote this one! I am going to assume that the comment was made in the same, light-hearted spirit with which the article was penned and leave it at that.
I love Harry Potter, 24, and The Office!!!!
Nice. And your thoughts on Arrested Development, Curb Your Ethusiasm, Scrubs, and Lost?
I dunno if this fits, but Jack Bauer also has Chloe O'Brian (Senior Analyst at the Counter-Terrorist Unit and computer whiz) the same way Harry Potter has the ever dependable brightest witch of her age, Hermione Granger. :)
I dunno if this fits, but Jack Bauer also has Chloe O'Brian (Senior Analyst at the Counter-Terrorist Unit and computer whiz) the same way Harry Potter has the ever dependable brightest witch of her age, Hermione Granger. :)
Hmm -
Edgar=Ron Weasley
Bill=Dumbledore
Audrey=Rita Skeeter? I hope not!
Curtis=Hagrid
This was just off the top of my head - I'm sure someone will take issue w/at least one pairing.
for the sevent book of harry potter the title should be Harry Potter and the mystery sister it is about a sister thath came out of nowere
Well, Jack can't really fly on a broom and talk to snakes, and Harry Potter isn't that good at killing people, but I really agreed with one of your points--both of them have no respect for protocol. But, I'm sure that if Harry Potter had jack's secret weapon on HIS side--the secret weapon being Chloe O'Brian--then maybe he would win his battles. And maybe if Jack knew that illegal torturing curse, he'd be even more productive!
Hey, I just remembered--didn't Jack not inform Kim about still being alive for her sake? He was obviously afraid for her if someone ever found out about his being alive. With good reason, seeing as everyone that knew about his fake death was killed except for Chloe. He isn't really IMPERVIOUS to fear, he just really doesn't show it a lot. Oh, and another similarity? They both like to yell a lot. In the fifth HP book, Harry was yelling at everyone for no reason. Other than being an angsty teenager. Jack Bauer isn't really an angsty teen, but has anyone else noticed how often he yells? Like, he'll have his gun out, searching for a terrorist, and he'll be yelling, "I DO NOT HAVE A VISUAL OF THE SUSPECT, CHLOE." If this was anyone but Jack, I'd think Chloe would say something like, "God, I hear you." What a pessimist... She's still my favorite.
This is a note for Mary K. Williams:
So, would Lynn be like that annoying guy at the ministry? That Fudge guy?
I've enjoyed the Harry Potter book and movie series. '24' was well done (at least, the first season I saw), though somewhat unbelievable. Any stories about heroes are going to have some similarities, inevitable really.
Fantastic comments. I love the torture curse and the observation that they both yell a lot. Good stuff.
Harry was only 12 when he took on the basilisk. He was 14 when he escaped from Voldy and the Death Eaters in the graveyard.
Well i have to say this is a well thought out argument but you really need to get a life and see the facts.
anyone can have similaritys with anyone and nine is a such a small number to call that significant.
and as a 24 fan and long time harry potter hater you need to see the real facts.
harry potter is a faggish wizard who needs to be killed.
Jack Bauer is a tough, ruthless, efficient, ambitous and detached HERO
Harry potter isa fucktard
if Jack Bauer was trapped in a room with Hitler, Stalin, and Nina Myers, and he had a gun with two bullets in it, he'd shoot Nina twice.
i agree with hardcore 24 fan, harry potters's gay
and lauren, we all heard that before
JAJAJAJA Great, that was funny as hell
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This was awesome!