Coming Next Week: What's Bertie Watching?

Bertie has had a chance to watch a lot of television lately...for the last thirteen years or so.  He and Oscar enjoy watching their favorite shows together.  Much like me, Bertie enjoys the fantastic classic television shows, and, one of his favorites is the beloved comedy Bewitched starring Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha Stephens, the plucky "witch with a twitch."  Agnes Moorehead, the enchanting character actress, played her mother "Endora."  Quite famously, Dick York played Sam's mortal husband Darrin Stephens from 1964 to 1969 while Dick Sargent filled Darrin's wingtips from 1969 to 1972.  

Next week, Bertie will be offering up his thoughts on Bewitched and the important part that the show played in shaping not only the television landscape of the 1960s and early 1970s, but, how it continues to influence programming today.

To tide you over until next week, here are some of my...I mean Bertie's...favorite images from the show.

Though it's colorized (which I loathe), here's one of my favorite episodes from the show's first season (the first two were filmed in black and white).  This is Episode 4, "Mother Meets 'What's His Name'."

What's Bertie Watching: White Collar!

Finally, White Collar, is back tonight on the USA Network at 9:oo Eastern/8:00 Central.  Led by the brilliant Matt Bomer, and the stellar Tim Dekay, the cast of this entertaining look at the pairing of a master forger and an FBI agent, includes Tiffani Thiessen, Willie Garson, and Marsha Thomason.  

We at Stalking the Belle Époque have at special respect and affection for Mr. Bomer, so we encourage you to tune-in to USA tonight.  And, even though Bertie and I have invested what seems like endless months watching the fashion histrionics of Project Runway and even though the Project Runway season finale--the payoff for many weeks of viewing meltdowns, violent outbursts, some hideous and some lovely dresses, and, even, Tim Gunn falling up a flight of subway stairs, we're just going to have to watch the repeat of the finale at 1:00 Eastern/12:00 AM Central on Lifetime because NOTHING beats Bomer.

  

What's Bertie Watching? USA’s White Collar

The USA Network’s White Collar remains one of the best shows on television due in large part to the excellent cast, brilliant writing and slick production. I’ve always contended that the pairing of the show’s leads Matt Bomer and Tim DeKay is among the finest moments in casting in television history.

Bomer as the charming con-man “Neal Caffrey” brings both danger and sensitivity to the role. Bomer’s “Neal” is more than the typical gorgeous bad boy. He’s a complicated young man who is conflicted. Is he simply greedy? No. The writers and producers of the show have cleverly revealed bits of Neal’s past, giving us a nod that he acts as he does in response to some deep disappointment. Neal is constantly searching for something, trying to fill his emptiness with each new conquest. Still, such back-story would be moot without the right actor. Bomer—with each sly smile, each fleeting pained look, each shrug of his shoulders conveys more in one glance than most actors do with a whole monologue.

Similarly, Tim DeKay as FBI Agent Peter Burke is not the usual one-note fed. Peter is both on the side of the law and loyal to Neal with whom he has developed a reluctant friendship. Peter’s affection for Neal is palpable. He wants Neal to be reformed, to be successful and happy. He wants to believe in Neal, but Neal—at every turn—makes this a difficult task. Again, in the hands of a lesser actor, the relationship could seem flat and forced. But, DeKay brings a heart to Peter which is believable and natural.

Rounding out the cast are Willie Garson, Tiffani Thiessen and Marsha Thomason. The program is elegant, sharp and sumptusouly shot. In many ways, it’s a love-letter to Manhattan with long, luxurious shots of the city.

White Collar returns to USA tomorrow, Tuesday, July 10 at 9/8 Central.

What's Bertie Watching? USA's White Collar

Regular visitors to Stalking the Belle Époque, on any given day, can expect to see something pertaining to Mr. Punch--the lovable, but decidedly criminal character which originated in the pantos of the Italian Commedia dell'Arte. That's what you get reading the daily musings of a puppet-loving art historian and author. Fridays, especially, tend to focus on Punch and his family. But, today, I thought--with Bertie's firm encouragement--we would celebrate the world of the charming rogue by reminding you that another Punch-like figure will be returning with the Tuesday, January 17th premiere of White Collar, Season Four on the USA Television Network at 10/9c.

Two extremes of the adorable rogue.  Mr. Bomer is not saddled
with a Punch-like visage, but his "Neal Caffrey" does share
some of Old Red Nose's characteristics, both charming and
otherwise.
Photo of Matt Bomer from USA Television.

While White Collar's Neal Caffrey is not burdened with Punch's physical attributes--luckily for his portrayer, the impossibly good-looking Matt Bomer--he does rather share some of our Mr. Punch's characteristics. Like Punch, Neal is charming, sly and cunning; an accomplished thief and artist who is, at times, over-confident in his abilities, but nonetheless manages to get the better of those who would pursue him and, "beat the Devil."

Here, however, instead of Jack Ketch, the Hangman, our adorable rogue is pursued by an FBI agent, Peter Burke (Tim DeKay) with whom he shares a complicated affection. Their fraternal (and, at times, filial) friendship is often, no, always, tried by Neal's overwhelming impulse to seek the high of the next con. Neal's frequent Scaramouche is the anti-establishment Mozzie (Willie Garson) who urges Neal to forget about the appeal of the temptingly cozy life of a do-gooder and to keep his eyes on their increased fortunes.

Tim DeKay and Matt Bomer star as
Agent Peter Burke and Neal Caffrey in this
contemporary take on Jack Ketch and Mr. Punch.
Photo from USA Network.

And, there the similarities to the pantomime end. Creator Jeff Eastin and a team of accomplished writers have ensured that White Collar is at once intelligent, exciting, witty, emotionally-charged and engaging. This is not just your typical "handsome boys in suits" show.

Led by the talented and infectious duo of Bomer and DeKay whose interaction is one of the most delightful and interesting of any team on television, the cast also includes Tiffani Thiessen as Burke's wife, Elizabeth; and Marsha Thomason as Agent Diana Beragon.

When Season Three concluded, Elizabeth Burke had been abducted by Neal's greatest enemy, leaving Neal torn between loyal friendship and a life of freedom. I hope you'll take Bertie's recommendation and tune in to see this blue-eyed, modern-day Pulcinella try to triumph over his own particular demons.

White Collar's new season starts Tuesday, January 17 at 10/9c. on the USA Network.

What’s Bertie Watching? USA’s “White Collar”

Created by Jeff Eastin for the USA Network, White Collar stars Matt Bomer as up-market con-man, Neal Caffrey and Tim DeKay as his unlikely ally, FBI Special Angent, Peter Burke. After a too-long hiatus, White Collar begins with new episodes tonight at 10:00 P.M. Eastern on USA.




USA Network



Neal Caffery is not just your average conman. He’s an art forger and thief. After eluding the FBI for four years, Caffrey is caught and sent to prison. Of course, with his superior intellect and charm, he manages to escape so that he might find his erstwhile girlfriend, Kate. Apprehended once again, Neal offers some valuable information to Agent Burke, but not without a price. In exchange for his services in catching other high-profile criminals, Neal wants to be released from prison. Burke reluctantly agrees, arranging lodging for Caffrey at the Manhattan loft of a wealthy widow named June (Diahann Carroll). June takes an immediate liking to Neal and offers him the use of her late husband’s gorgeous vintage wardrobe.

USA Network

Neal and Burke work well, if not awkwardly, together, and soon, the team has managed to successfully capture many elusive criminals. However, Neal’s girlfriend, Kate—who also has had her fair share of questionable pursuits, appears to have been murdered, sending Neal into a period of confusion and a desire to find answers. Do the answers to his questions lie in an unusual antique music box? Will Neal hold true to his promise to Burke?

This is a smart, sophisticated drama which is superbly written and acted. It’s made all the better by elegant locations and the fantastic wardrobe worn by the impossibly handsome Matt Bomer. The cast is excellent, also including Tiffani Thiessen as Agent Burke’s wife, Willie Garson as Neal’s peculiar close friend and confidant “Mozzie,” and Marsha Thomason as Agent Diana Barrigan.

USA Network

If you’ve not seen White Collar, Bertie and I strongly recommend it. It’s mentally, emotionally, and visually stimulating in ways which have been lost as of late on Primetime television.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

What’s Bertie Watching? Hollywood Treasure

I will cast aside my puzzlement at the strange rebranding of the SciFi network as SyFy presumably to include wrestling in their line-up, to talk about what Bertie is watching. On his list of top five programs is a new offering from SyFy entitled Hollywood Treasure. This will serve as a nice distraction from a distinct lack of Project Runway.

Hollywood Treasure follows the adventures of the team from Profiles in History, a company which claims to be the nation’s leading dealer of autographs and ephemera as well as Hollywood memorabilia ranging from the Golden Age of Hollywood to television and present-day film. Profiles in History was founded by the extremely driven, but likeable, Joseph Maddalena who has been collecting and dealing in artifacts since his childhood. Hollywood Treasure follows Maddalena and his team as they ferret out the most interesting Hollywood film and television props, costumes, set pieces, artwork, photographs and lobby merchandise. On one episode, for example, Maddalena managed to convince the owner of one of the original hats worn by Margaret Hamilton as The Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz to part with her beloved treasure. Not to worry, the people who sell their items do receive a large percentage of the money raised at auction.



Hat from The Wizard of Oz
Profiles in History



 Aside from the charm of Maddalena and his team, the appeal of the show is getting a glimpse at the items which remain from classic Hollywood. We got a glance at one of Barbara Eden’s original Jeannie costumes, and—most exciting—Endora’s costume from Bewitched. Maddalena clearly knows his business and neatly explains the importance and value of each piece as he endeavors to get their owners to let him auction their treasures.

Syfy Network

It’s too soon to tell if Hollywood Treasure will be a wild hit, but the show is handsomely produced with a likeable group of people and, most importantly, offers opportunities to see iconic items which we would never have a chance to see. I also support the program because by doing what he’s doing, Maddalena and his team are preserving items which were often considered rubbish when a show or film wrapped production. Props, costumes and sets are art unto themselves and should be preserved as the important pieces of history that they are.

Hollywood Treasure airs Wednesday’s at 10/9c and 10:30/9:30 c PM on SyFy.