Slick and smart, White Collar’s first episode struck me as charming escapism. It fits the USA Network’s business plan of sunny crime-solving shows — Burn Notice; Royal Pains — but it didn’t come off like a show conceived as a cynical ratings ploy. Instead, the brisk pace and easygoing chemistry between White Collar’s stars, Matt Bomer and Tim DeKay, is something that can’t be faked for very long. These guys just seem to work well together.
If you buy the premise — that Bomer’s Neal Caffrey is a master con man and thief whose abilities are fully equal to DeKay’s first-class FBI guy Peter Burke — then you buy the show. The merits of White Collar can’t be ascribed just to movies that have been popping up in many other reviews (Spielberg’s Catch Me If You Can, most frequently), but goes back at least as far as the Paul Newman-Robert Redford flick The Sting. It’s the pleasure of seeing pros do their thing with panache, while ribbing each other and tweaking the audience.
Bomer arrives with a lot of fan goodwill from his stint on Chuck. And those hardy few of us who watched HBO’s sorely under-viewed 2007 series Tell Me You Love Me know what a fine dramatic actor McKay is. (And I’m tellin’ ya, folks — you missed a whole lotta Sonya Walger that they’ve never shown on Lost or FastForward.)
I’m not saying White Collar is instant-classic TV. Created by Jeff Eastin, it’s fun, and occasionally more than fun, as when Neal tries coming on to Burke’s female FBI colleague only to discover she’s gay and says, “Don’t you guys have some rule about that?” To which Burke replied, “Yeah: We don’t ask, we don’t care.”
That’s the kind of line that could keep me caring for White Collar. Add Tiffani Thiessen as Burke’s wife and Willie Garson from Sex and the City as Neal’s shady pal, and it’s a no-brainer can’t-miss.
Did you watch? What did you think?
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I loved it!!!! Perfect casting all around, clever and entertaining A+!!!
Loved it, loved it, loved it!
Couldn’t have said it better! USA hit it outta the park with White Collar.
this is one of the best shows, bomer will go a long way,its like watching to catch a thief, great show,
And then there is “It Takes a Thief”, the TV show with Robert Wagner and Fred Astaire in the recurring role of his father. There were great guest stars like Susan St. James (recurring role) and Marilyn McCoo. Definitely an ancestor. I really liked White Collar.
I totally agree! I will definitely be tuning in for this one!
I like this show! Very witty and cute! Criminal minds vs. FBI-go figure.
Loved it. The chemistry between the two leads kept me glued to my seat. I could just feel the future banter.
Really loved it, Smart, Slick, and he is cute!!!!
DeKay was also excellent in ‘Carnivale’ and damn sexy too.
So glad it wasn’t just me who thought that!
I miss Carnivale so much! It would’ve made a great companion show to True Blood…
LOVED Carnivale!
Loved it too. USA continues to produce fun entertainment!
loved it. smart and funny. good interaction with the cast.
Slow moving, and did not like Tom DeKay’s character. And Tiffani Thiessen looks young enough to be his
daughter, not his wife. Roman Polanski would be proud.
Thiessen’s 35, and DeKay’s 46. Basically, one looks his age and one looks young for her age. Far from a Roman Polanski or a Woody Allen.
REALLY enjoyed it! The interplay/interaction between characters was better than the plot…it is the pilot episode however–let’s don’t get too wrapped around the missing wife sidebar though. I watch very little TV but, like I do when ‘Burn Notice’ is on, I’ve booked this timeslot. Good on you USA Network!
The missing woman is Caffrey’s girlfriend not his wife, I thought.
Yeah I was confused by that too. There was that one part when he asked Peter “Are you stalking your wife?” and Peter replied, “Want to compare notes?”
I really liked it. If USA decides to run Psych and White Collar back to back when Psych returns in the spring then I’ll be watching every Friday.
The show was fair, but far better than “Psych.” Let’s hope it does not become Psych-then Whitecollar (to replace “Monk”). I would rather watch 2 hours of NCIS reruns.
It was okay, but was that the background music from House I heard? If not it was close enough to be distracting.
it was. house is backed by universal studios, which is the same as the show. the music was the same. anyways loved the show but wish it will be paired with burn notice.
The USA network is taking names and kicking some butt with another outstanding show.
I love Burn Notice and Psych, and White Collar is now on my list of shows to watch each week as well.
I knew about Bomer from watching another of my favorite shows from his time on Chuck, and he is the perfect choice to play the lead role here.
Totally believable in the part, and very charismatic and charming.
I like the entire ensemble cast, and think this show is a winner.
Couldn’t have said it better. USA could teach NBC a thing or two about fun, original programming.
I don’t think NBC is capable of learning that thing or two, Julia.
Really, really, solid. Loved the chemistry amongst everyone–not one person didn’t click. Definitely going to keep watching. Matt Bomer especially was charming.
Awesome Pilot Episode!
Didn’t see it yet but going to the promos look charming it could become a favorite of mine (goes off to watch it…)
I loved this show. I hope it lasts. I have been waiting for it to be on ever since I saw the first commercial. I watched it last night and I am watching it again twice in a row this morning. I can never get enough of Neal Caffrey. I hated it when Traveler was cancelled that he played in. Loved him in Chuck too. I thought this show was witty, well acted and entertaining. I don’t care if it’s accurate or not. I want more of this show!
I loved it. I have not watched a show and laughed so much in a long time. The characters mesh well together. Hum maybe this will be my new Moonlight…no wait what am I saying lol.I can’t wait to see who the “HE” is in that photo too. I think that this show is gonna do very very very well and I look forward (not said that in a long time) to watching it. Finally something on television to watch but the same ole things.