Production of the TV mega-hit "24" has been shut down as star and executive producer Kiefer Sutherland has been whisked into surgery.

Fox won't tell us what ails Sutherland - who plays uber hero Jack Bauer - and we can only wish him well.

The LA Times has said that Sutherland suffered from a ruptured cyst but did not get any more specifics.

"While Kiefer Sutherland is frustrated to miss even one day of work, he and Fox decided together that it would be best to complete this minor elective procedure now," Sutherland's publicist said.