Witty, Sexy, Fun

Do you fancy yourself an intellect? Do you like smart characters? The movie, Catch Me If You Can, is a brilliant movie based on a true story. The real Frank Abagnale did pass himself off as a doctor, a lawyer, and a pilot before the age of 19. The movie features Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, and Christopher Walken. If that wasn’t enough to grab you, it was directed by Stephen Spielberg and features music penned by the great John Williams. Talk about a winning team! If you haven’t watched it, go find it.

If you did enjoy Catch Me If You Can, I’ve got three great TV shows to recommend with similar vibes. They are fictional, but the characters are true to life. All three shows include brainy people skating on the edge of the law. They all have some eye candy for both the ladies and the gentlemen.

Do not fear spoilers here. I’ll give you the basics.

The first is called Burn Notice. The show aired from 2007 to 2013. It stars Jeffery Donovan as Michael Westen, a spy who was recently disavowed by the U.S. government. He uses his special ops skills to help others while trying to clear his name. His love interest, Fiona Glenanne, is played by the ever strong and sexy Gabrielle Anwar. The chemistry between the two is a fun bonus to the action. Michael’s best friend, Sam Axe is portrayed by Bruce Campbell. He furnishes some valuable backup and comic relief. Michael’s mother is played by Sharon Gless. She means well but always seems to misunderstand her son and ultimately gets in the way more than assisting. The cast is great, the characters are believable, and the premise is exotic to those of us unfamiliar with the world of espionage. Do spies really do the things the producers are presenting in the show? I don’t know, and I don’t really care. Burn Notice is realistic and exciting to me. The show is witty and fun, with just the right number of laughs and explosions.

The second show is called White Collar, which aired from 2009 to 2014. Matt Bomer stars as Neal Caffrey, a white-collar criminal specializing in art, forgery, and counterfeiting, with a minor in charm. He agrees to help the FBI capture other white-collar criminals in exchange for freedom - with a 2-mile radius tracking anklet. Tim DeKay plays Peter Burke, the FBI agent who captured him and agrees to take responsibility. The two develop a respectful relationship which is endearing. I also love the character of Neal’s friend, Mozzie, played by Willie Garson. He adds some humor and relatability. Doesn’t everyone have an Uncle Moz? Burke’s wife, Elizabeth is yet another smart, good-looking character.

The third and final show is The Blacklist. This one began in 2013 and is still being produced, with no end date in sight. It’s about a freshly appointed FBI profiler, Elizabeth Keen, who is summoned when a master criminal, Raymond “Red” Reddington, turns himself in claiming he will only speak with her. She has no idea why he sought her out. Turns out, he knows a lot about some very awful criminals. That’s where the blacklist comes into play. He’s willing to help Elizabeth hunt them down. The Blacklist is darker than the previous two shows. Many of the characters Red and Elizabeth pursue are shady, and it doesn’t have much for comedic pauses. But again, the characters are well portrayed, most notably by James Spader and Megan Boone, who play the lead roles. It is satisfying when the very disreputable people get their comeuppance.

If you like intellectual shows with some bad boy or bad girl flavor, action, humor, and a sprinkling of romance, try out: Catch Me If You Can, Burn Notice, White Collar, and The Blacklist. An added dividend is that these shows usually appeal to both genders. So, snuggle with your significant other and enjoy!