• Ghost Whisperer
• Medium
• Numbers
• Supernanny
• 20/20
• Who Do You Think You Are?
• Dateline NBC
• House (Repeat)
• Kitchen Nightmares
• America’s Next Top Model (Repeat)
• High Society (Repeat)
• WWE Friday Night Smackdown
• Ricky Gervais Show
• Life and Times of Tim
• Real Time with Bill Maher
• Caprica
• Spartacus: Blood and Sand

The former ‘Tonight Show’ host is preparing a live tour. He plans on hitting the road and to appear at venues in different around the U.S.

The tour is not in violation of his settlement deal with NBC, since he won’t be on TV. Live tours have been successful in the past for shows including most recently Family Guy and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

It is still unknown where Conan O’Brien will end up after September 1^st.

UPDATE

Here are the cities and dates of the tour!

• Eugene, OR Hult Center For the Performing Arts
  April 12

  Buy Tickets

• Vancouver, BC Orpheum Theatre
  April 13

  Buy Tickets

• Spokane, WA INB Performing Arts Center
  April 16

  Buy Tickets

• Enoch, AB River Cree Resort & Casino
  April 17

  Buy Tickets

• Seattle, WA Marion Oliver McCaw Hall
  April 18

  Buy Tickets

• San Francisco, CA Nob Hill Masonic Center
  April 22

  Buy Tickets

• Universal City, CA Gibson Amphitheater
  April 24

  Buy Tickets

• San Diego, CA San Diego Civic Theatre
  April 29

  Buy Tickets

• Phoenix, AZ Dodge Theatre
  April 30

  Buy Tickets

• Las Vegas, NV The Pearl Concert Theatre – Palms Casino
  May 01

  Buy Tickets

• Reno, NV Grand Sierra Resort & Casino – Grand Theatre
  May 04

  Buy Tickets

• San Jose, CA San Jose State University Events Center
  May 05

  Buy Tickets

• Sacramento, CA Sacramento Memorial Auditorium
  May 06

  Buy Tickets

• Boulder, CO Mackey Auditorium
  May 09

  Buy Tickets

• Dallas, TX McFarlin Memorial Auditorium-SMU Campus
  May 13

  Buy Tickets

• Austin, TX Austin Music Hall
  May 14

  Buy Tickets

• Tulsa, OK Brady Theater
  May 15

  Buy Tickets

• Kansas City, MO Midland Theatre
  May 16

  Buy Tickets

• Minneapolis, MN Orpheum Theatre
  May 18

  Buy Tickets

• Chicago, IL Chicago Theatre
  May 19

  Buy Tickets

• Chicago, IL Chicago Theatre
  May 20

  Buy Tickets

• Toronto, ON Massey Hall
  May 22

  Buy Tickets

• Atlantic City, NJ Borgata Spa & Resort – Event Center
  May 30

  Buy Tickets

• New York, NY Radio City Music Hall
  June 01

  Buy Tickets

• New York, NY Radio City Music Hall
  June 02

  Buy Tickets

• Boston, MA Wang Theater
  June 04

  Buy Tickets

• Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
  June 06

  Buy Tickets

• Upper Darby, PA Tower Theatre
  June 07

  Buy Tickets

• Washington, DC Constitution Hall
  June 08

  Buy Tickets

• Manchester, TN Bonnaroo Music Festival
  June 11

  Buy Tickets

• Atlanta, GA Fox Theatre
  June 14

  Buy Tickets

After an online campaign encouraging her appearance, Betty White will be hosting the late-night sketch show on May 8^th.

The Mother’s Day episode will also feature appearances from other women of comedy, including Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Molly Shannon, Maya Rudolph, and more.

The former Golden Girl is now 88 years-old.

It seems that just a few short years ago, the Internet was abuzz with the potential for Web video. Hollywood agencies, already bustling with hoards of young stars looking to get a foot in the door, suddenly turned to online ‘talent departments’ in a rush to create new material.

Fast forward now to 2010, when the exuberance and influx of web series has undoubtedly started to dissipate. What went wrong? Major studios began courting development deals, flooding the market with celebrity-backed projects (We’re looking at you, Jim & Pam from The Office). Known quantities have replaced the stars of YouTube, seemingly sending the stripped-down, grass roots approach to webisodes the way of the dinosaurs. Still, a do-it-yourself ethos has persisted, at least among one group of hard-working, fun-loving folks who want you to take a little break – a Coffee Break.

Truth be told, the cast members of the new web series Coffee Break work for nothing (except your approval  ). They write, film and edit during time off from regular jobs – not to mention on holidays and weekends.  Publicity and marketing are all done through social networking sites, allowing the first part of Episode 1 (released Feb. 24) to garner more than 1,300 page views.

I caught up with the co-creator and writer of Coffee Break, Neal Fischer, via email.  He filled me in on the concept of the series, the challenges of production and more…

Where’d the idea for Coffee Break come from?

Coffee Break has a funny and interesting origin. Over a year ago, David and I were writing screenplays and TV Pilots. One screenplay was actually going to be made by a big producer of a successful horror franchise, but some random turn of events stopped that from happening. We wrote several pilots for reality TV shows that were “oh so close” but, same thing, weird events prevented them from being made. All the time writing that we did, we realized we weren’t passionate about what we were writing. We would spend at least an hour or two procrastinating before each writing session talking about random movie ideas, our own opinions on life and how “there should be a show about how we never ACTUALLY write anything and the audience sees us procrastinating and brainstorming ideas” and thus, Coffee Break was born.

How long does it take to do one webisode from start to finish?

This is a tricky question. My initial answer is: “We don’t know yet.” To go in more detail, the way we wrote the show was in a 22min pilot format. We decided to shoot it all together before editing it, like a pilot. We did this in case there was a chance that Comedy Central, F/X, Adult Swim or any other network would be interested in our concept, which we think is pretty unique in the way it blends different genres into each episode. When we knew we were going to be on the web, because it’s a great gateway to getting attention (a la It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia) we decided that the average online video watcher might not want to spend more than 7 or 8 minutes in front of the computer for a new show or concept. So we chopped up the 22min pilot into 3 parts. That’s why it’s Episode 1: Part 1, 2 and 3. When all have been released a full 22min version will be released as well. We think we are going to continue to do this but edit and release more efficiently, so that when we can release a DVD, it will have 22min episodes to watch. This first pilot was all shot on weekends or time off of work, Christmas vacation etc…it took about 3 months.

What kind of budget has gone into it?

We hope people gasp at this answer. Our budget = $0.00

We’ve never had any money except a few hundred dollars I got from focus groups and playing drums for a staging of MacBeth. We used the money to get food for the crew and actors since we couldn’t pay them. So, the one thing I am most proud to admit out of everything we have done leading up to this first part, and this is for you heads of development at the networks too, is this: Look what we did with absolutely no budget, the quality, the angles, the production value. Imagine what we could do with a budget, a sound stage, a crew of more than 4 or 5 people. I can’t even fathom the idea yet. I’m excited for new possibilities though!

What kind of equipment are you using to shoot/edit?

We shoot on two different cameras. They are the Canon 7D and the Panasonic GH1 with Canon FD lenses. They are actually photography cameras that have the ability to shoot video in HD quality. It’s very versatile. Of course, we would love to shoot an episode in the RED camera format, my DP has been showing me some great stuff…the only problem is: Money. I think what we have shot and will shoot with these camera’s will still put us ahead of the game. I can guarantee that you won’t find another web series with these special effects and this quality made on no budget and all passion like ours.

We were editing on an old AARP certified Macbook, with a non-functioning keyboard due to milk spillage. Luckily, our saving grace, Shakers Vodka, a sponsor we acquired late in the game, graciously donated money for us to buy a new Mac Pro computer to edit Final Cut on. It has helped us out tremendously.

We are so excited for people to watch this web series. We hope they decide to take a Coffee Break with us whenever they can. Just so the public knows, this is our plan. In a one month period, the first and third weeks are when we release parts (episodes) the second and fourth weeks, we release several ESPRESSO SHOTS which are little 30-60second jolts of comedy, in character, to keep the watchers with us for the next episode. This schedule allows us to shoot/edit/distribute in time for the public.

We love our fans and we can’t wait to welcome more!

Viewers can check out Coffee Break at http://www.coffeebreakseries.com – Part 2 of episode 1 is premiering today!  Also be sure to check out the video of the hilarious photo shoot the cast did in prep for their web release – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ1sufjEMXk&feature=player_embedded

If you know of other web series that deserve feature recognition on the site, be sure to leave a comment or shoot us a note on Twitter. We’d love to showcase more of the great work being produced for a global audience.

• Linus is teaching a high school class about an island where Napoleon was exiled
  • “They allowed him keep the title of emperor, but without any power it was meaningless.  He might just have well have been dead.” Ooooo foreshadowing.
• The principal of the school, Reynolds, is a bit of a dick.  He tells Ben he can’t teach the gifted history students, and he has to monitor detention.
• Ben has lunch with a chem teacher. They complain about budget cutbacks.  Linus insists on taking care of the kids, and not just worrying about bottom lines.
• Substitute teacher Locke suggest Linus becomes the principal. “It sounds like you care about this place.  If the man in charge doesn’t, it’s time for a change.”  Clearly a reference to the island reality.
• Back at Ben’s home, he’s taking care of his father, who is on an oxygen tank.  Ben tries to take care of things at home.  Ben’s dad feel bad for him.
• !Dharma still existed in this timeline!  Ben’s dad took him to the island when the was young, but they left.  ”Who knows what you would have become,” he says to Ben.  I think we have a vague idea.
• Alex (Ben’s daughter on the island, she died at the hands of an assassin hunting Ben) shows up at the door.   She’s one of Ben’s gifted students who he tutors.  Apparently they have no other relationship in this timeline.

• Ben is tutoring Alex in the library the next morning.  She’s terrified about paying for/making it into university.  Ben assures her she will get in.
• Alex mentions that principal Reynolds is a pervert.  Ben demands to know what she means.   Alex reveals that Reynolds was doing a nurse in the clinic not to long ago.
• Ben talks to the Chem teacher about breaking into the nurse’s email account.  He’s got that sketchy island look.  The Chem teacher agrees to hack the account for a good parking spot, and some new lab equipment.  He’s shocked at Ben’s new attitude. “Linus, you’re a real killer.” Dude, you have no idea.
• Ben goes to see principal Reynolds.  ”Those are 30 emails that cover a three month period”.  They talk about the principal and the nurse’s affair that took place on school property.  Sketchy Ben is back!  He tells principal Reynolds to resign, and suggest Ben as his replacement.
• Reynolds says if he’s forced out, he will ensure Alex never gets into the school she wants. It’s a similar situation to when Ben let Alex die on the island at the hands of the assassin sent to kill Ben.  Ben chose himself over her that time.
• Turns out Ben chose Alex over the job.  He didn’t get the promotion, but he got out of detention duty, and Alex got a glowing recommendation letter for university.

• Hurley and Jack are going back to the temple.  Hurley is intentionally stalling.
• Richard appears from the bushes.  Won’t say where he came from.  He offers to lead them to the temple.
• Hurley wants to know why Richard won’t age.  Apparently it was a gift Jacob gave him.
• Richard brings them to the shipwreck of the Black Rock.  This was the ship that came to the island ages and ages ago (from before 1867) as seen in the final episodes of the last season.  Richard can’t take them to the temple because everyone there is dead.  They talk for a bit, then Richard stalks off and explains he needs to go die.
• Richard says this is the first time he’s ever come back to the ship in all his time on the island.  (Did he come on the Black Rock years ago?)
• “I can’t kill myself.  Even if I wanted to.”  He needs Jack to kill him.  This must be one of the rules of the island, kinda like no one else really being allowed to kill candidates.
• “When Jacob touches you, it’s considered a gift.” says Richard.  Well Jacob touched all the candidates.  Do they have powers to?
• Jack lights the dynamite fuse, then sits down for a leisurely talk.  Hurley books it.  Jack has a crazy confidence about him.  He doesn’t think either of them is going to die, because he thinks he has a purpose on the island.  He’s really turned around since the first couple seasons.  Now he has that Locke-like insane faith.
• The dynamite doesn’t go off, it just fizzles out.  Jack was right.
• They all head for the beach.

• Meanwhile, back around the temple, on the night that the temple fell….
• Linus runs from the temple and joins the followers of Jacob.
• Miles is asked to commune with Jacob through the ashes Ilana saved.  Ben is freaked out because everyone will know he killed Jacob. Miles does his thing, rats out Ben Linus. They don’t immediately fillet Ben.  Not sure why.
• Daylight breaks as they reach the beach.  Ben tries to talk his way out of it, but no one is buying it.

• Frank and Ben are talking about the past.  Frank mentions he was supposed to have been the pilot for Oceanic Flight 815, but he overslept that day.  Ben mentions ‘the island still got you in the end.’
• Ilana comes over, pissed at Ben, and leads him at gunpoint to the graveyard.
• She secures Ben’s leg to a tree, and orders Ben to start digging his own grave as punishment for killing Jacob.
• Miles comes over to offer Ben some food.  Ben has lost his appetite, with his death looming and all.  Miles won’t even take a bribe to free Ben.
• Miles mentions that when he was listening to dead-Jacob’s thought’s, he learned that Jacob was hoping Ben wouldn’t kill him, right up until the moment Ben shoved a knife through his heart.  Ouch.
• Ben gets back to digging.
• Ben gets interrupted from digging by Locke/Nemesis.  Ben tells Locke that ‘one of Jacob’s bodyguards’ (first time we’ve heard them labelled that, as far as I know) is planning to kill Ben.
• Locke “I’m gathering a group to leave this place for good.”  But he needs someone to rule the island while he’s gone.  Locke wants Ben to become the new protector of the island.  So the nemesis can have candidates too?
• Locke unlocks the chains holding Ben there, and leaves a rifle in the woods for Ben to use against Ilana.  Ben makes a run for it.
• Ben grabs the gun and gets the jump on Ilana.  But he doesn’t kill her.  He tells her about why he did what he did. “I had a chance to save her, but I chose the island…  All in the name of Jacob.”  He explains he killed Jacob because he was angry and confused and lost.  ”I’m sorry that I killed Jacob…  I can never forgive myself.”  He just asks to leave, so he can join Locke.
• He feels the need to join Locke because “He’s the only one that will have me.”
• Ilana says, “I’ll have you.”  and she walks away.
• Ben chooses the ‘good guys’ and follows her back to the camp on the beach.

• Ben and Ilana get back, and then Hurley, Jack, and Richard reach the beach.  Everyone is reunited over some sappy music.
• But… OH NOES.  A submarine periscope appears out at sea, and is looking right at the them all.  It’s a sub run by (dramatic music) Whitmore!

It’s a week of finales for USA Network, but tonight’s Psych isn’t your normal run-of-the-mill episode. The season four swan song pays homage to classic Alfred Hitchcock films and still manages to mostly keep the humor intact. Not easy by any stretch of the imagination.

Ally Sheedy, who made her first guest appearance last season as the memorable serial killer Mr. Yang, returns in the episode. The last time we saw her, she held Shawn’s mom hostage, played cat-and-mouse with the cops and committed a bunch of heinous crimes. This time she finds her character locked up in the psych ward of the prison, but is approached by Shawn and Gus once they realize there’s a Yin to Sheedy’s Yang once again terrorizing Santa Barbara.

The episode is both written and directed by series star James Roday, a multi-talented fella currently starring in the Off-Broadway show Extinction. (Haven’t seen it? Go see it. It’s playing at Cherry Lane Theatre for a very limited time!) What’s fun about the episode is that Roday and his colleagues play the parts in some of Hitchcock’s masterpieces, including “Psycho”, “Vertigo”, “Rear Window” and “North by Northwest.” As they follow clues it’s like the characters – and the audience – are transported into these films, racing against time to solve the mystery of just who is Mr. Yin.

“We as the cast dig those (dramatic episodes),” Roday said in a conference call last week. “We don’t get to do them very often. As much as we love our show and as lucky as we are to do it and still be doing it, any time we can mix things up it’s fun for us because we get to work different muscles and even if it’s just for a week it’s fun to mix things up.”

Sheedy also chimed in by adding, “I just told myself not to get – just to not plan anything ahead of time (in regard to the character). It was so funny and wacky so I decided to completely dispense with the creepy dark, very serious and brooding serial killer thing just like I thought the whole thing was hysterically funny.”

Catch the season finale of Psych tonight at 10pm ET/9C on USA Network and drop by the chat room at http://www.characters.ning.com to chat in real time with other Psychos.

“24’s” time is almost up.

20th Century Fox TV and Fox appear ready to end the long-running hit after this season, the show’s eighth.

Studio and network execs declined comment — but it’s believed that the final decision will be made in the next day or two. Move is not a huge surprise, but still reps the end of an era for Fox.

“24” helped usher in Fox’s ratings surge in the 2000s, as the franchise — along with “American Idol” and “House,” among other series — led the network’s adults 18-49 ratings crown.

But the cost of producing “24” has continued to increase, while ratings have dipped. A one-time critical darling, “24” has also received its share of knocks from reviewers this season.

The studio is said to be considering shopping “24” to other nets — but given the thriller’s age and price tag, it’s believed that the interest from other outlets will be limited.

But even as bell tolls for “24,” the franchise is far from over. Sutherland and the “24” team have been keen on turning the show into a movie property, and have made major strides in recent months toward making that long-term goal a reality.

Twentieth Century Fox’s film side recently hired scribe Billy Ray (“State of Play,” “Flightplan”) to pen the script for the feature version. (Daily Variety,  Feb. 8.)

Ray’s pitch, which takes Jack Bauer to Europe, was a hit with Fox execs and producers of the high-concept television series.

Script is said to have come through “24” star Sutherland, who’s also an exec producer on the series — and is said to be eager to turn the long-running TV skein into a movie franchise.

Such a move into the features world was considered impossible while production continued on the TV series — given that “24” takes much of the year to produce, given its feature-like shooting schedule. But with “24” expected to end its run, the ability to focus on a movie could now finally be in sight.

“24” was created by Robert Cochran and Joel Surnow, while exec producer Howard Gordon runs the show through his Real Time Prods. banner.

Brian Grazer’s Imagine Entertainment produces the show along with 20th Century Fox TV.

Sutherland has starred throughout all eight seasons as Jack Bauer, a federal agent and member of the Los Angeles Counter Terrorist Unit (and who has saved the world several times over). “24” made noise for its real time format, in which all 24 episodes take place as consecutive hours in the same day.

Although it was developed before the terrorist attacks of 9/11, “24” debuted several months afterward — and in many ways began to mirror the changed world, given the real-life fears over terrorism and debates over torture methods. The show’s depiction of an African-American president was also seen as a ground-breaking precursor to the 2008 election of Barack Obama.

Show has also won both the Emmy and the Golden Globe awards for outstanding drama, while Sutherland has scored both an Emmy and a Globe for drama actor. “24” has also received Emmy Awards for writing and directing; last year, Cherry Jones won an Emmy for supporting actress in a drama.

This season’s edition of “24,” which takes place in New York, stars Sutherland, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Cherry Jones, Anil Kapoor, Annie Wersching, Katee Sackhoff, Mykelti Williamson, Freddie Prinze Jr., Chris Diamantopoulos and John Boyd.

Howard Gordon, Evan Katz, David Fury, Manny Coto, Brannon Braga, Brad Turner, Alex Gansa, Kiefer Sutherland and Brian Grazer are executive producers.

FOX’s summer is scorching hot with the series preview and premiere of THE GOOD GUYS (previously announced as CODE 58), the kick-off of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE’s seventh season, the summer premiere of LIE TO ME, the seventh course of culinary competition HELL’S KITCHEN, all-new installments of mysterious drama PAST LIFE plus all-new episodes of GLEE, COPS, AMERICA’S MOST WANTED and ANIMATION DOMINATION.

THE GOOD GUYS, the new action-comedy from Matt Nix (“Burn Notice”), will have a special preview Wednesday, May 19 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) before AMERICAN IDOL and will then make its series premiere Monday, June 7 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). The series is an action-packed and comedic look at what happens when a washed-up, old-school cop (Bradley Whitford, “The West Wing”) and a by-the-book, modern-day detective (Colin Hanks, “Mad Men”) try to expose the big picture of small crime.

As previously announced, television’s hottest dance series, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, swings into summer with a two-hour premiere Thursday, May 27 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). Hosted by Cat Deeley, the hit dance competition series will inspire and amaze viewers as dancers skilled in styles ranging from hip-hop to ballroom compete to be named America’s Favorite Dancer. Once the DANCE auditions conclude, weekly performance shows will air Tuesdays (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), and weekly results shows will air Wednesdays (9:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed).

Superstar chef Gordon Ramsay cranks up the ovens in HELL’S KITCHEN when the series returns for its seventh season with a tantalizing two-hour premiere Thursday, June 10 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). The cutthroat culinary competition will continue with two-hour episodes throughout the season airing Thursdays (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) as Chef Ramsay narrows down the field of aspiring restauranteurs until only one remains standing in HELL’S KITCHEN.

LIE TO ME continues its search for the truth when all-new episodes return to the schedule Mondays starting with its time period premiere on June 7 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). Mysterious drama PAST LIFE continues with a handful of original episodes beginning with a two-hour premiere Friday, May 28 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and its time period premiere Friday, June 4 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).

GLEE, the most-celebrated new show of the season, finishes its run of all-new episodes on Tuesdays (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) with its first season finale June 8. In addition, viewers can catch encore airings of all their favorite GLEE episodes Wednesdays (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) beginning June 16.

The most arresting night of television continues this summer on Saturdays with a mixture of all-new and encore episodes of COPS (8:00-8:30 and 8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) and all-new episodes AMERICA’S MOST WANTED (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), while Sunday nights feature a mix of encores and originals of THE SIMPSONS, THE CLEVELAND SHOW, FAMILY GUY, AMERICAN DAD, ‘TIL DEATH and new comedy SONS OF TUCSON (7:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).

RECAP – FOX 2010 SUMMER SCHEDULE

(All times ET/PT except as noted)

MONDAY

Mondays, beginning June 7:

8:00-9:00 PM               LIE TO ME (Summer Premiere)

9:00-10:00 PM             THE GOOD GUYS (Series Premiere)

****************************

TUESDAY

Tuesday, June 1:

8:00-9:00 PM               SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE

9:00-10:00 PM             GLEE

Tuesday, June 8:

8:00-9:00 PM               SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE

9:00-10:00 PM             GLEE (Season Finale)

Tuesdays, beginning June 15:

8:00-10:00 PM             SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE

***************************

WEDNESDAY

Wednesday, May 19:

8:00-9:00 PM               THE GOOD GUYS (Series Preview)

9:00-10:00 PM             AMERICAN IDOL

Wednesdays, June 2 and 9:

8:00-10:00 PM             SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE

Wednesdays, beginning June 16:

8:00-9:00 PM               GLEE (Time Period Premiere) (Encores)

9:00-10:00 PM             SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (Time Period Premiere)

***************************

THURSDAY

Thursdays, beginning May 27:

8:00-10:00 PM             SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (Season Premiere)

Thursdays, beginning June 10:

8:00-10:00 PM             HELL’S KITCHEN (Season Premiere)

***************************

FRIDAY

Friday, May 28:

8:00-10:00 PM             PAST LIFE (Two-Hour Summer Premiere)

Fridays, June 4 and 11:

8:00-9:00 PM               PAST LIFE (Time Period Premiere)

9:00-10:00 PM             HOUSE (Time Period Premiere) (Encores)

Fridays, beginning June 18:

8:00-9:00 PM               BONES (Time Period Premiere) (Encores)

9:00-10:00 PM             HOUSE (Encores)

***************************

SATURDAY

Saturdays (no change to lineup):

8:00-8:30 PM               COPS

8:30-9:00 PM               COPS

9:00-10:00 PM             AMERICA’S MOST WANTED

11:00 PM-Midnight      THE WANDA SYKES SHOW

Midnight-12:30 AM       ANIMATION DOMINATION (Encores)

***************************

SUNDAY

Sundays, beginning June 6:

7:00-9:30 PM               ANIMATION DOMINATION

9:30-10:00 PM             SONS OF TUCSON

Now that USA Network’s White Collar has cemented itself as the stylish new series that had critics raving back in October, it’s time to wrap season one with Tuesday’s “Out of the Box,” a finale that’s as much top-notch entertainment as it is a healthy measure of ‘cool.’

Creator and executive producer Jeff Eastin no doubt knew there was a chance for the audience, himself and the cast to have some fun here – yet the emotional complexities of the script add a new element to a show that has thus far been a mix of breezy banter, a few dabs of polish and mostly uncomplicated, rhythmic storytelling.

What’s different this time around is the twinkle in the eyes of Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer) that has dimmed ever so slightly. The ex-con’s conman talents are on full display as he assembles his crew – pickpocket/fence Alex (Gloria Votsis) and strategist/trusted ally Mozzie (Willie Garson) –for their most daring heist yet. The three are set to infiltrate the Italian Consulate in New York to get their hands on the coveted amber music box Neal has been after all season. Yet to do it they’ll need more than pretty smiles, blue prints, safe-cracking skills and some sleight of hand.

An entertaining scene has Neal (dapper in a vintage suit and hoisting a glass of Ketel One) announce to the crowd, “I’m an internationally renowned art thief, and tonight I’m here to rob you.” The ploy is the kickoff to a doozy of a robbery with a new hitch around every corner. There are security guards, surveillance cameras and smoke screens in play — high drama woven neatly into an amusing rapport between Neal and Mozzie that never gets old.

Along the way, the show doesn’t forsake moral dilemma. Neal is at odds with Peter (Tim DeKay) over the life he wants and what he’s willing to do in order to get it. Peter is more than willing to

give the conman one last chance to “do the right thing,” though he has no qualms about throwing him back in prison. Yet what drives the two apart also brings them together as they aim to take down a nemesis within the bureau now targeting everything (or in this case, everyone) the two men value most.

What carries the story along also propels it into darker territory, but it’s a welcome change for a show where optimism normally reigns even under the most dire of circumstances. The characters are no longer afraid to get their hands dirty when the need arises, and the show is better because of it.

If there’s one real flaw in this finale, it’s the absence of a perfect ending for anyone involved. Twists and double crosses come in ways you don’t expect and the real crime is having to wait at least three months to learn what happens next.

The season finale of White Collar airs Tuesday, March 9 at 10pm/9c on USA Network.

• American Idol
• Kitchen Nightmares
• Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains
• CSI
• The Mentalist
• Grey’s Anatomy
• Private Practice
• Community
• Parks and Recreation
• The Office
• 30 Rock
• Marriage Ref
• Vampire Diaries (Repeat)
• Supernatural (Repeat)
• First 48
• Manhunters: Fugitive Task Force
• Iced: U.S. Marshals Alaska
• Real Housewives of OC
• Real Housewives of New York City
• Archer
• Project Runaway
• LA Ink