Television: WHITE COLLAR

Fridays 10PM, USA Network. (Watch the five most recent episodes via Hulu.)

Although a somewhat unrealistic premise - a confidence man is released from prison to assist the FBI on forgery cases - WHITE COLLAR proves extremely watchable because of its combination of smart writing, glorious shots of NYC (no gritty "Law & Order" alleyways here, but Columbus Circle, Central Park, and chic bars instead), and so-pretty-it-hurts lead, Matthew Bomer as the utterly charming con Neal Caffrey. (Fellow TV geeks may recognize Bomer as Bryce Larkin, Chuck Bartowski's nemesis, from Chuck.)

Sure, cases are solved way too easily by the random piece of information that Caffrey is able to charm out of the nearest dame, and I'm pretty sure that it's more difficult to stash secret notes and packages in crevices around NYC. However, the characters are so appealing it doesn't matter, and together they comprise a engaging ensemble cast.

"Hey it's that guy" character actor Tim Dekay is Peter Burke, FBI agent in charge of keeping Caffrey on a short (electronic) leash. His wife Elizabeth is played surprisingly well by Tiffani Thiessen, late of Fastlane, Beverly Hills 90210, and (very late of) Saved by the Bell. Full disclosure: I was fully expecting to dislike Thiessen, but she charmed me because she's letting herself actually age, something usually considered a faux pas in Hollywood. She's not rail thin, has visible lines around her eyes, and hasn't had everything lifted skyward. Plus, she's not playing a raging, psychopathic bitch as I remember her from BH90210. Completing the cast are Willie Garson (most famously known as gay best friend Stanford in Sex and the City) as Neal's able, sleazy 'n' smart sidekick Mozzie, and, triumphantly returning to television, Natalie Morales (aka Middleman-in-training Wendy Watson) as FBI Agent Lauren Cruz. This cast is able to take even the most far-fetched story and mold it into a crisp, entertaining hour, which sometimes is all you are really wanting.

Once again, USA Network has landed an interesting, well-written, quirky program to fit in with their other originals like BURN NOTICE. Sometimes it's difficult to believe that USA is owned by NBC/Universal, who have basically killed NBC as a broadcast network this season. However, it's likely that White Collar is just too cerebral for NBC, and would have been canceled after a few episodes. At least on USA Network it can build a loyal following and survive a bit longer.

(Now, how long until someone writes Neal Caffrey/Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan of BURN NOTCE) slash?)