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Do you like a laidback procedural? A show that’s a bit formulaic but works within that formula? Something bright and poppy with a little fun and a bit of cleverness and freshness from time to time. I had a binge recommendation that could be up your alley. It comes from the “Blue Skies” era of USA. It’s a little show called White Collar.
White Collar, like many a modern procedural, is a “Guy who you don’t expect to solve crimes is solving crimes” show. Neil Caffrey, played by Matt Bomer, is a con man who was caught and is serving a prison sentence. He escapes, and is caught again by Peter Burke, the FBI agent who originally caught him. Burke is played by Tim DeKay, aka “Bizarro Jerry” from Seinfeld. Caffrey takes a deal to get out of prison, and it involves him helping the FBI, Burke specifically, to solve cases. Lather, rinse, repeat.
The show does a lot of what you would expect. Burke is by the book and Caffrey works on the margins of legality. There are cases of the week but also overarching stories. It’s breezy with some jokes thrown into the mix. There are fun elements and charming elements but the show is never really challenging or that daring. It’s the kind of procedural stuff that so many TV watchers eat up.
Normally I don’t go for this kind of procedural, but I ended up watching every episode of White Collar. It’s a good show that’s near the top of that style of program. Now, have I ever rewatched an episode? Only the series finale. There’s no need to. It’s ephemeral but enjoyable. DeKay and Bomer have excellent chemistry. Willie Garson – who we recently lost – was fun as Caffrey’s friend and criminal compatriot Mozzie. I wish the big bads were better characters, but this isn’t Breaking Bad, you know?
White Collar is on Hulu, but you can watch it with ads on The Roku Channel and IMDbTV. You could pick and choose episodes and it would probably work out for you. It is a procedural, after all. Don’t expect your world to be changed, but do expect some solid entertainment.
