I am – Hercules!!


Essentially a contemporary, unauthorized basic-cable version of the Steven Spielberg/Jeff Nathanson big-screen hit “Catch Me If You Can” (this time penned by less-accomplished screenwriter Jeff Eastin, who wrote the 1999 Jamie Foxx comedy “Held Up” and created NBC’s short-lived 2004 series “Hawaii”), USA’s “White Collar” follows an Abagnale-like con-man (Matthew Bomer, who also plays Bryce Larkin on “Chuck”) who teams with the Hanratty-like FBI man who put him away (Tim DeKay, who played Jonesy on “Carnivale”). Together they fight crime.

Producers even find an excuse to put the con man in some Abagnale-like 1960s wardrobe. The Bomer character’s antics are largely unconvincing (if he’s so keen to stay out of stir, why does he make it so easy for the FBI man to catch him a second time?) and the oversized opener is predictably and fundamentally inferior to “Catch Me If You Can” in every other conceivable way. But Bomer is an awfully pretty young man and the show is no worse to my eye than profitable USA fodder like “Psych” and “Burn Notice”; I suspect the channel will keep it around for years.

The critics seem absolutely hypnotized by how cute Bomer is:

USA Today says:

… Happily, USA has learned two important lessons from Thief: Keep the capers light, and build them around an incredibly appealing actor. And boy, have they. … Bomer gives White Collar the charm, wit and sex appeal tinged with sadness it needs to work …

The New York Times says:

… a winsome, quick-paced caper that is part “Catch Me if You Can,” part “Shampoo.” Portrayed without any breaks in impish magnetism by Matt Bomer (formerly of “Chuck”), Caffrey is a master forger, hobby historian, high-end thief …

The Los Angeles Times says:

… Sparkling, snappy, bursting with energy and good clean heist fun, the first episode of "White Collar" may, in fact, be the most perfect pilot to air in a long, long time. … Bomer, last seen as Bryce Larkin on "Chuck," is all blue eyes, chiseled chin and president of the rowing club charm, a man capable of wrangling room-with-a-view and board from a rich widow ( Diahann Carroll) with nothing more than a knowing compliment and a smile. …

The Chicago Tribune says:

There are several good reasons to watch “White Collar.” Two of them reside on either side of Matthew Bomer’s nose, just below his forehead. … Caffrey’s apparently effortless approach to life could be grating, but Bomer imbues him with an element of a sweetness and even longing (a missing girlfriend will be an ongoing story thread). And the lessons Caffrey teaches the slightly nervous Burke about enjoying life may be more or less expected, but they’re delivered with a relatively light touch. …

The Washington Post says:

It must be said right off that Matthew Bomer, who stars as paroled forger-thief-grifter Neal Caffrey in USA's stylish new crime procedural, "White Collar," is like, even cuter than Dr. Humunuh-humunuh or whatever his name is over there on CBS's brain-dead new hospital show, "Three Rivers." This is important to point out because the fall season has all but unfurled itself and somewhere out there, editors at People are assembling a new Sexiest Man Alive issue. I'm just doing my part in identifying televised hottitude and I apologize if there's drool on your paper. … works hard to establish a vibe of style and smarts, and almost gets the job done. It's certainly watchable and easy on the brain, which is just how dedicated crime-show watchers like it. …

The San Francisco Chronicle says:

… "White Collar" is no "Mad Men," nor is it "Sons of Anarchy," but it doesn't aim to be. It's a procedural with elements of longer spiraling story arcs, loads of charm, good-looking actors, writing that can be both witty and move the plot along without embarrassing itself and, most important, characters that viewers will embrace. … If you can get past the shortcuts that series like this have to take (everything happens too effortlessly, there's excessive exposition, etc.), there's an enormous likability factor in play, and it makes you want to watch it (without much mental effort) the following 13 weeks. …

The Newark Star Ledger says:

… Bouncy, slick and very much on-brand from the channel that gives you "Burn Notice" and "Monk." …

The Boston Herald says:

By now everyone is sick of USA Network’s overworked slogan: “Characters wanted.” Also needed: writers with a strong grasp of story and dialogue and actors who can do more than model clothes. … DeKay is well cast as the neurotic agent with a short fuse, but Bomer seems to have won his role because of his talent for strutting in a Rat Pack suit. (“You look like a cartoon,” Peter tells him.) He’s stiff, bland and utterly unconvincing as the brilliant strategist capable of outwitting practically the entire FBI. … While USA Network deserves credit for introducing a crime drama that doesn’t revolve around forensics (or even violent crime per se), “White Collar” is forgettable. …

The Boston Globe says:

… beyond the formulaic outline, “White Collar,’’ which premieres tonight at 10, is actually one of the best new shows of the season. … The “White Collar’’ script isn’t deep or particularly clever, but it’s filled with appealingly wry flourishes. … I can’t say that you’ll be blown away by “White Collar.’’ Like the similarly jaunty “Burn Notice,’’ it’s not that kind of show. But you may well be gladdened by its breezy spirit. …

Variety says:

… There's nothing new under the sun, but USA seems to get more mileage out of its retreads than most. Neatly in tune with the breezy charms of "Burn Notice," "White Collar" recycles the outlines of "It Takes a Thief," as a high-tech criminal/con artist grudgingly teams with the FBI investigator who put him away. …

10 p.m. Friday. USA.