One of the things that strikes me about 24 is that it started running about 2 months after the 9/11 attacks. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a debate about running it or edits, but in retrospect it does seem like the timing worked and fit with the public mood of the time. What would be interesting is how 9/11 and following real life events influenced the show's writing in later series.
They are suggesting that the events of 9/11 would have made the showrunners debate whether they should delay the release of 24, or edit it to change the content somewhat.
