By Dean Robbins
A gorgeous pair saves ‘White Collar’
In “White Collar” (Friday, 9 p.m., USA), a charming con artist named Neal (Matt Bomer) breaks out of prison to find his true love. The FBI man who arrested him (Tim DeKay) tracks him down again and makes a deal — he can go free if he uses his con expertise to help catch other criminals.
No, “White Collar” is not set in the real world. USA specializes in this kind of crime-solving fantasy, but the new series lacks the magic of “Monk” or “Psych.” For some viewers, however, it will be enough simply to ogle Bomer in his black turtleneck, dark hair swept back and blue eyes shining like diamonds. If eyes alone could carry a TV series, this may well be the pair. CV
‘The Middle’
Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. (ABC)
Would any sane business try to improve sales by viciously insulting its customers? That’s ABC’s puzzling strategy with “The Middle,” a series that suggests that most of its potential viewers are morons. The scriptwriters amuse themselves with sneering stereotypes, but I doubt anyone who happens to live between L.A. and New York City will be amused.
The show goes so far as to ridicule the Indiana family for watching a lot of TV. Hey, if switching off “The Middle” is a mark of sophistication, I bet the residents of flyover country will prove a lot less idiotic than ABC thinks they are. CV
