Has our love affair with Jack Bauer finally come to end? Judging by '24's latest viewing figures, it's certainly starting to look that way.

After peaking in the ratings last year, the current, sixth season of the Fox thriller has received criticism for its soapy and repetitive plotlines, complaints that are reflected in the US ratings.

More than one-third of US viewers have bailed since the four-hour season premiere aired over two consecutive nights in January, and last Monday's episode drew 10.4 million viewers, the show's smallest audience in three years, according to Nielsen Media Research.

The show's creators are promising a typically suspenseful finale to be screened in the US on May 21 and are optimistic that �24� can recover and deliver the goods next season.

They are, however, planning some major changes for future seasons of the show.

"It hurts to hear the criticism," executive producer and writer, Howard Gordon tells the Los Angeles Times.

"I don't dispute it's been a challenging season to write for us. But it has reinvigorated our determination to reinvent the show. This year could be seen to be the last iteration of it in its
current state."

"It won't be a musical or a half-hour," he adds unhelpfully.

It looks like we're going to have to wait a while longer to see what the future holds for America's favourite counter intelligence agent.