24 hours ago, I sat here in this very chair, at this very computer, eating the same flavor Pop-Tarts as now, and wrote about Kiefer Sutherland’s release from his 48 day jail sentence for DUI and probation violation.  Reports were that he was a model prisoner, gave nobody any problems, and was by all accounts happy to be released.  Perhaps a little too happy, according to some reports:

The actor was released at midnight Los Angeles time - 8am UK time yesterday - then headed straight home for a marathon drinking session with friends.

The party at his Los Angeles home was due to wind up this morning, copying the idea of Sutherland’s hit TV drama in which the events of a whole series take place over one 24-hour period. [...]

Sutherland was granted a request to serve his time in suburban Glendale’s city jail rather than the overcrowded LA County jail in downtown. The trade-off was that he could not shave any time off his sentence for good behaviour.

In addition, Sutherland was placed on five years’ probation and fined $510 (£260), ordered to enrol in an 18-month alcohol education treatment programme and to attend six months of weekly alcohol counselling sessions.

I don’t know, too many holes.  Why would he willingly comply with all the rules and regulations in jail, and then the moment he steps out he goes off on a bender, even though he knows he has to attend a treatment program and alcohol counseling sessions?  That doesn’t make sense to me.  But then again, not much in Hollywood does make sense to me, so maybe it’s true.

If it’s true, I could say at least he stayed home and didn’t drink and drive, but still…if it is true, a 24-hour boozefest doesn’t sound like someone who is taking their sobriety seriously.  This was his fourth arrest for driving under the influence, so he seems to have a bit of a problem with his drinking.  Paying attention to his recovery and complying with the court’s orders should take precedence.

Kiefer, man…take it easy.  I can understand being happy to be out of jail, but there are other ways to celebrate.  If you’re trying to get clean, being around alcohol, even in the privacy of your own home, isn’t really a good idea.

With little fanfare and no Paris-esque pap walk to endure, actor Kiefer Sutherland was sprung from the big house after serving his 48 days for DUI and probation violation:

Sutherland, 41, served his entire sentence for a second DUI conviction and for violating probation. He spent his birthday, Christmas and New Year’s at the Los Angeles-area facility.

“Throughout his stay, he never griped, never complained,” [jail spokesman] Balian previously said. “He never wanted preferential treatment from the get go, and we respect him for that.”

Kiefer also is on probation for five more years, and for the next six months he must attend weekly therapy sessions.  He must also complete an 18-month alcohol education program.

I’ll admit, I’ve never seen 24, and have only the vaguest idea of what it is about, but I know that Kiefer has had alcohol problems in the past.  I hope that he has learned a lesson from this little forced hiatus and is well on his way to getting his life back on track.  He seemed to be genuinely sorry that he acted as he did, and the fact that he went through his entire jail term without special “star” treatment says a lot about his desire to accept responsibility and straighten up his life.  He’s another recipient of the “Breath Of Fresh Air” award for his willingness to go through with his sentence instead of fighting it.

Kiefer, if you’re reading, DUI just isn’t worth it.  Too many innocent people can be hurt by one moment’s bad judgement.  But you seem to be on the right track, just do whatever it takes to stay on it.  Good luck to you in your sober future!

I just can’t get elated about this. While I typically rejoice at the misery of celebs out of sheer spite and nastiness, I just can’t feel happy about Kiefer’s DUI bust. Although, he was certainly due for a bust.

Just last Christmas Keifer beat the crap out of a Christmas tree just for looking at him funny. Of course he was stinkin’ drunk, but hey, CTU agent Jack Bauer isn’t taken any bullsh*t, not even from a ten-foot blinking, festive white pine. Mind your pins and needles beeyotch!

So anyway, the top pic Jack, er I mean, Kiefer’s mugshot. Sutherland is due for 48 days of lockdown and he opted for Glendale County Jail over the LA County Jail. Can’t say as I blame him. A handsome lad like that doesn’t need any extra attention from certain angry jail-types. If you know what I mean.

Maybe it’s just me, but Kiefer looks like he’s killing terrorist with his mind powers in that picture. I feel safer just having looked at it. Better stay in hiding OSAMA LUFTI, Jack will get you, even behind bars!

Actor Kiefer Sutherland resolved his DUI case in court today to the tune of 48 days total in jail. Less than I thought he would get, but more than most celebs. According to TV execs and those close to the star of Fox’s hit series 24, Kiefer made a promise to deal with this matter in a way that would have the least impact on the show, its crew and his fellow actors. As TMZ reports, his sentencing guidelines are “complicated” but the actor remained true to his promise:

Kiefer will do 18 days for the probation violation, surrendering December 21. He will serve an additional 30 days for the current DUI and must complete that sentence by July 1.

Based on what TMZ knows about production schedules, that would mean Kiefer is serving the bulk of his sentence when “24″ is on Christmas holiday and not in production — he may have agreed to the speedy disposition of the case in order to protect the show from having to shut down production.

Kiefer’s lawyer, Blair Berk, would not comment on the case.

I will NOT make excuses for Kiefer Sutherland, though I do like him as an actor, and in general, as a person. But I will say, not all DUI offenders are created equal.
But wait, there’s more…