McCain's '24' Moment: The Clock Is Ticking

When real life and fandom collide: In search of Sen. John McCain's split-second appearance on "24." (Ralph Orlowski -- Getty Images)

Monday, Feb. 6. The longest day of our lives.

11:16:22 a.m. Remember this is the day John McCain will be on "24." Thus begins a race against time to get home by 9 p.m.

2:44:05 p.m. Decide to write an item about his appearance. The American people need to know.

3:47:02 Learn that McCain just happened to be visiting the "24" set last fall when he was conscripted into service before the camera. Yeah, like that would happen in real life.

4:35:42 Call McCain's press secretary, Andrea Jones , leave a message asking about the senator's plans for watching the big show.

4:37:07 Wonder if she'll call back with invitation to a viewing party. What if Kiefer 's there? Or President Palmer? -- after all, Dennis Haysbert's in town this week for a Congressional Black Caucus event. Do we have time to go home, change into something cuter and still make it there?

4:55:29 Call Fox, ask for screen-grab photo of McCain's big scene. There isn't one. Begin to worry: Intelligence suggests that the window for catching McCain's appearance may be a mere couple of seconds.

5:11:21 Can't wait for an answer. Call Andrea Jones's cell phone. Weak connection. McCain is traveling, will land at 5:30; she will try to get us an answer by 5:40; is that okay?

5:45:20 Jones calls: No word from the senator. Says nothing about a party. Oh well.

5:46:32 Confidential source informs that the senator "usually TiVo's it."

6:23:05 Distracted by non-McCain stories; editors breathing down necks.

7:55:19 Man ahead of us in "express lane" has at least 17 items in basket.