'24' exclusive: Hail to the (new) chief!

According to my watch, it's time for the second piece of casting on 24's eighth season!
Chris Diamantopoulos -- best known as Debra Messing's gay BFF on The Starter Wife -- has been tapped to play the series regular role of Rob Weiss, the argumentative and tough new Chief of Staff to President Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones). He replaces Taylor's current C.O.S., Ethan Kanin, who snatched his job back in last Monday's finale after the prez's psycho daughter, Olivia, was taken into federal custody.
As I previously reported, Day 8's action will switch from Washington D.C. to New York City and center on an assassination plot against a visiting foreign leader (Slumdog Millionaire's Anil Kapoor, the new season's first piece of casting).

Season 8 of “24″ is Confirmed!

Executive producer Howard Gordon has confirmed that season 8 of “24″ is a go! It’s literally just around the corner.
“We’re gearing up for a May start date. I’m with the writers now just putting our heads together, coming up with an idea. Unless we fail to come up with an idea that’s satisfactory, you’ll see an eighth season.” says Gordon.
In other great “24″ news, Annie Wersching is confirmed to be returning for season 8, which mean love may be in the air for Jack Bauer! Gordon also gave us a little tease that season 8 could include a death. Who’s? Jack’s?
“We may decide ultimately if there’s not a movie [story] worth telling, Jack may see his last day on television. He could die in the series…I think that’s possible,” Gordon said.
Are you excited about season 8?