• Network: USA
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 23, 2009
  • Season #: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4
Metascore
78 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Terrific acting, crackling dialogue and geek-hip crime are not the only things that make this the most electric drama to premiere this fall.
  2. 90
    Beyond the formulaic outline, White Collar, is actually one of the best new shows of the season.
  3. Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    83
    White Collar is not original. But White Collar is enjoyable.
  4. It's well-paced, it's fun to watch and none of the characters needs to be anywhere near as annoying as, say, Nick Castle.
  5. Reviewed by: Lesley Smith
    80
    The show benefits as well from its lack of exposition, focus on present action, and a ruthless economy of editing rarely seen on primetime TV.
  6. A winsome, quick-paced caper that is part "Catch Me if You Can," part "Shampoo."
  7. The likable show has something for everyone: handsome young star, sympathetic "older" costar, pretty former TV hottie, easy-to-follow caper plots, a little humor.
  8. Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    80
    This latest caper isn't at 'Burn Notice's" level yet, but based on the channel's track record, you'd be ill-advised to bet against it tracking down an audience.
  9. White Collar takes off in its own refreshing directions, with enough wit and sparkle to make the time fly by.
  10. Reviewed by: Randee Dawn
    80
    This is a show packed with smart people who make things happen and, even when following a predictable forgery crime--one that shoots off into interesting side alleys--always are one step ahead of viewers' expectations.
  11. It's the best drama pilot I saw over the summer.
  12. It's a formula that's worked so far, and if you've already loved shows like "Psych" and "Burn Notice" and "Royal Pains," why shouldn't you love White Collar?
  13. Light with no pretensions of loftiness, White Collar offers pleasant enough entertainment.
  14. Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    80
    The high concept of this buddy mystery-comedy is as familiar as it is inviting.
  15. Reviewed by: Paige Wiser
    75
    When the boys team up to bring down fancy criminal types, the dialogue is sharp, the music is snappy and the clothes are snazzy.
  16. 75
    Suspend all disbelief and relax. It ain't "Inspector Lewis," but it is stylish, good fun with dialogue as slick as those old Rat Pack suits Caffrey loves so well.
  17. If you can get past the shortcuts that series like this have to take (everything happens too effortlessly, there's excessive exposition, etc.), there's an enormous likability factor in play, and it makes you want to watch it (without much mental effort) the following 13 weeks.
  18. 75
    The best thing about White Collar is DeKay and Bomer's chemistry; DeKay in particular is able to wring subtle comedy from Burke's irritation at Caffrey's ability to get something for nothing.
  19. 75
    Tonight's 90-minute premiere is a tad overextended, but it still provides an effective and entertaining launchpad for the premise.
  20. Reviewed by: Hank Stuever
    70
    The fizzily entertaining pilot of White Collar works hard to establish a vibe of style and smarts, and almost gets the job done.
  21. Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    67
    The con-man-works-with-G-man series is already a well-oiled machine, which is both good and bad. Good, because the interplay between Matt Bomer's hipster criminal and Tim DeKay's square fed is crisp; bad because the plots are often wilted.
User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 84 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 27
  2. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Must Watch... If you dont, you'll regret it :)
  2. One of the 5 best shows on TV. Sleek, smart, sexy, sophisticated. Love the plots, twists, writing. Love the characters, acting, and locations. Wouldn't change a thing about this show. Full Review »
  3. One of the best series I have watched for years. The story maybe not that original but the good acting and characters make up for that. To bad some characters like the FBI agent that helps Burke pop-up and disappear out of nowhere. Although a great show and can't wait for more. 9 Full Review »