Maybe it's a good thing that the writers' strike kept 24 off the air in 2007-08, since it's taken a good 18 months for the stench of Season Six to fully dissipate. But there's still a lot of goodwill out there for the series, and Fox is rewarding its fans with 24: Redemption, a stand-alone film that serves the purposes of reminding people that 24 is still on the air, and introducing the world that we will be seeing when the show returns in January. Jack Bauer is out of Los Angeles at last, working in Africa to keep a local warlord from forcing children into his militia. It wouldn't be a new season of 24 without a new president, and this time it's Broadway veteran Cherry Jones. 24: Redemption takes place Sunday between 8 PM and 10 PM.

Also this week:

Monday: One Tree Hill (CW, 9 PM): I've knocked this show for its bizarre scripts, and it's almost like the producers have answered me: they decided to let world famous novelist Lucas (aka Chad Michael Murray) write this episode. For some reason, Murray has made the hour a homage to films of the 1940s, also known as the era in which the grandparents of most of this show's fans were children. Coming up next week: Gossip Girl salutes the Holy Roman Empire.

Tuesday: Real Housewives of Atlanta (Bravo, 10 PM): There's some Bravo crossover on the season finale, as Sheree, fresh off the failure of her fashion show, solicits advice from Project Runway also-ran Mychael Knight. There's also a climactic dinner. Any bets on who gets drunk? You know someone has to.

Wednesday: America's Next Top Model (CW, 8 PM): The 11th cycle finale pits Analeigh, McKey, and Samantha against each other with the usual commercial shoot plus runway show. I'm not certain who the show is favoring, but I'm partial to Sam, even though I usually prefer my women to be smarter than a pipe wrench.

Thursday: Ugly Betty (ABC, 8 PM): I've heard of "Badgley Mischka," but I never realized before that Badgley and Mischka were two separate people. Yes, you learn things on Ugly Betty, which will feature both men this week in cameos. Also, Betty and Marc compete for one spot in a training program for young editors. This show is having a lot of trouble regaining the momentum of its first season.

Friday: Stargate Atlantis (SciFi, 9 PM): This isn't the first series you think about when it comes to stunt casting, but there's a trio of special guests this week. Dave Foley plays a wacky scientist whose weather machine creates some major issues. Bill Nye and celebrity astronomer Neil deGrasse Tyson also pop in.

Sunday: True Blood (HBO, 9 PM) and Entourage (HBO, 10 PM): Is True Blood the long-sought new flagship drama for HBO? For me, that's still Big Love--the whole vampire trend is still new, and I'm already over it. The first season ends with Sookie learning the common thread behind the local murders. What many feel has been a comeback season on Entourage concludes with the gang back in New York City, where Eric pitches Vince to Gus Van Sant, while Vince is busy with an old girlfriend.

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