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Herc Has Seen USA’s Well-Laundered WHITE COLLAR!!

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.



$9: From A Dead Man’s Chest!!


$9: All Hail The King, Baby!!

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Reader Talkback

Psych is a great show. Makes me laugh more than any...
by JuanSanchez
Oct 23rd, 2009
03:42:29 AM
Got to agree with Juan
by slimballs
Oct 23rd, 2009
04:04:21 AM
"It's a passing craze; like LA Law."
by JuanSanchez
Oct 23rd, 2009
06:20:27 AM
what's wrong with Burn Notice?
by punto
Oct 23rd, 2009
07:36:27 AM
Why no love for Psych?
by Crash115
Oct 23rd, 2009
07:45:39 AM
Need edit feature
by Crash115
Oct 23rd, 2009
07:47:40 AM
Crash115 - plus David Naughton was on an episode...
by JuanSanchez
Oct 23rd, 2009
08:48:24 AM
Psych is indeed a good show and this new show..
by HollywoodHellraiser
Oct 23rd, 2009
09:16:31 AM
Don't hate on the Psych
by eyeshine
Oct 23rd, 2009
09:21:59 AM
Good something to hold me over till
by Series7
Oct 23rd, 2009
09:27:25 AM
"Everybody can do Connery, your Lambert sucks."
by JuanSanchez
Oct 23rd, 2009
09:58:05 AM
May I have your attention...
by secretcylon
Oct 23rd, 2009
10:09:54 AM
Bomer is the new Clooney
by estacado1
Oct 23rd, 2009
10:30:25 AM
Psych thread derailment...
by StatelyWayneManor
Oct 23rd, 2009
10:33:25 AM
I think Burn Notice is quite good
by CBWolf
Oct 23rd, 2009
10:33:33 AM
Psych and Burn Notice
by Xiphos_2
Oct 23rd, 2009
10:34:35 AM
Agree about Psych...
by keyserSOZE
Oct 23rd, 2009
10:40:58 AM
Another vote for Psych & Burn Notice
by ByTor
Oct 23rd, 2009
11:10:07 AM
No white collar crime in White Collar
by Man in Suit
Oct 23rd, 2009
11:48:09 AM
Psyche and Burn Notice
by Wrath4771
Oct 23rd, 2009
03:12:08 PM
Herc says its inferior to Catch Me if You Can
by BillboeFett
Oct 23rd, 2009
03:19:39 PM
USA, not Epic, not Thought Provoking, JUST FUN!
by Saen
Oct 23rd, 2009
03:36:11 PM
I miss Thief and Smith
by Guy Who Got A Headache And Accidentally Saves The World
Oct 23rd, 2009
03:58:34 PM
Another vote for Psych and Burn Notice
by JT Kirk
Oct 23rd, 2009
04:15:37 PM
Why do I hate Burn Notice, Monk, and Psych?
by Thrillhouse77
Oct 23rd, 2009
04:40:11 PM
USA's shows are all throwbacks...
by Chewtoy
Oct 23rd, 2009
08:50:49 PM
And this one is a throwback to....
by dzot
Oct 23rd, 2009
09:44:54 PM
And I'm surprised to say...
by Thrillhouse77
Oct 23rd, 2009
10:29:39 PM
How dare you call Burn Notice "fodder"!
by aversiontherapy2
Oct 23rd, 2009
11:10:26 PM
I came in late.
by CatVutt
Oct 23rd, 2009
11:41:27 PM
This was actually pretty good, like Leverage
by aversiontherapy2
Oct 24th, 2009
01:51:38 AM
USA doesn't get enough respect.
by Deathpool
Oct 24th, 2009
02:28:26 AM
Not bad
by The McPoyle Clan
Oct 24th, 2009
05:43:42 AM
A lot of fun, with great casting
by Chewtoy
Oct 24th, 2009
08:16:31 AM
Really good start: agreed--in family with Leverage
by chromedome
Oct 24th, 2009
11:44:41 AM
Interesting that USA can do shows like this, but NBC
by chromedome
Oct 24th, 2009
11:46:23 AM
I have to admit, I liked White Coller
by Datascream
Oct 24th, 2009
03:46:10 PM
Yeah, I liked it, and yeah, it is like Leverage
by JT Kirk
Oct 25th, 2009
04:06:20 AM
Leverage is lame
by Guy Who Got A Headache And Accidentally Saves The World
Oct 25th, 2009
11:13:49 AM
Love it!
by allykatD
Oct 25th, 2009
12:37:24 PM
boston herlad
by brechtsky
Oct 25th, 2009
01:55:06 PM
fun show, and like Leverage, a total Ocean's 11 rip off
by BadMrWonka
Oct 25th, 2009
08:24:12 PM
Agreed with most here on Psych.
by jerseycajun
Oct 26th, 2009
08:21:39 PM

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