Last night we caught up our TiVo viewing in anticipating of the new system being swapped in.

Three as-yet unwatched episodes of 24.

And I found myself distracted by a particular character, trying to place his familiar gestures and features.

It's actually a game of mine: name that bit part player.

Turns out to be, you know, an un-cute version of Rob Lowe: same tone of voice, same mannerisms, same mouth and eyes. Not as much hair and, well, not cute.

When the next episode began, I caught his name in the opening credits. Jeff, laptop-computer-ever-on-his-lap, told me he had been married to Swank. At least I know who she is!