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Post by Patcat on Jun 29, 2007 10:53:02 GMT -5
I wasn't planning to watch this new series on the USA Network, but I was at a friend's house. He was switching channels, and caught the start of this show, and we were hooked. Its premise is that an American spy suddenly discovers that he's been fired--a "Burn Notice" has been put out on him. No one in his agency will acknowledge him, all of his bank accounts are frozen, his credit is gone. He stumbles into private investigations as a way to make some money while he tries to figure out what happened.
The pilot veered between intrigue and black comedy, and, like a lot of shows trying to do that, it didn't always work. But it worked enough and was believable enough that I found it was very entertaining. Bruce Campbell, he of the great chin and wonderful B movies, plays the hero's older friend with great flair; Gabrielle Anwar is solid as his ex-girlfriend and another spy who helps him; and Sharon Gless is downright scary as the hero's manipulative mother. (Gless is also very brave in playing an older woman who's not that attractive.)
The writing was reasonably sharp, and the hero is both very good at what he does and vulnerable. But this sort of show depends a lot on its leading actor, and Jeffrey Donovan is splendid. I've seen Donovan in some other things--the American version of TOUCHING EVIL, a guest stint as an astronaut in a MONK episode, and I couldn't quite tell if he was a limited actor or an actor limited by his materials. Based on this first episode of BURN NOTICE, it was the latter. Donovan was likeable and believable, and even handled the voice over narration well.
I liked this show. I don't think it's the successor to MONK that USA is looking for--at least not yet--but it's solidly entertaining. My friend's son liked the gadgets the hero played with and made and the way he stood up for the little guy. My friend and I liked the wit and intelligence of the show. My friend thought it had a touch of MACGYVER about it, and I've seen some reviews that it's something of a throwback to THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. Maybe. Whatever it is, I liked it and will give it some more chances.
Patcat
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Post by diablodeblanco on Jun 29, 2007 14:00:06 GMT -5
Loved the quip "why don't you bite one and set the other one on fire". The hero was being sarcastic when talking to his ex-gf about the two FBI agents watching him. His ex-gf is rather extreme in her response to these kinds of problems. She drunkenly head butted an armed attacker when confronted by the idiot.
I liked the pilot and will watch the series again.
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Post by Patcat on Jul 6, 2007 11:42:26 GMT -5
I caught part of the second episode last night. Definite possibilities being achieved. There was a nice Robin Hood aspect to the story last night that was highly entertaining.
Patcat
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Post by ragincajun on Jul 6, 2007 12:04:41 GMT -5
I watched the premier when it reaired, don't know if it was due to being an hour and a half, but found it long and dragged out. Might give it another try, did have a few good points.
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effie
Detective
off chasing plot bunnies...
Posts: 264
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Post by effie on Jul 9, 2007 11:14:47 GMT -5
The pilot seemed a bit unfocused (as pilots are wont to be) as they tried to decide if this was action or suspense or comedy or romance. I've been liking them tho... the TV version of a summer beach read.
and it didn't hurt that the pilot had two CI guest stars (come to think of it, they were both firemen in the CI world...)
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Post by ragincajun on Jul 9, 2007 14:27:32 GMT -5
I gave it another try, and like the last episode where he helped the older people get their money back from the scam artist, it might have some potential.
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Post by DonnaJo on Aug 7, 2007 14:52:30 GMT -5
I've been trying to get into this show, sort of a loyalty thing to USA. I couldn't take The Starter Wife, I tried...I really did. It's getting better, but it still doesn't really engage me. I think Ci & Vincent have spoiled me for other shows. Why watch this when I could be watching a CI rerun? I do like the lead guy, he's charming at times & Gabrielle Anwar is great as his girl friend. Anyone else out there still watching?
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Post by Patcat on Aug 7, 2007 15:20:56 GMT -5
I'm still watching, and I do think the show is improving. But I worry that it might reveal too much about its characters and their problems too quickly.
Patcat
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Post by diablodeblanco on Aug 7, 2007 15:25:49 GMT -5
Liking Bruce Campbell as the spy buddy. Good choice for the role.
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Post by diablodeblanco on Aug 7, 2007 15:31:02 GMT -5
I've been trying to get into this show, sort of a loyalty thing to USA. I couldn't take The Starter Wife, I tried...I really did. It's getting better, but it still doesn't really engage me. I think Ci & Vincent have spoiled me for other shows. Why watch this when I could be watching a CI rerun? I do like the lead guy, he's charming at times & Gabrielle Anwar is great as his girl friend. Anyone else out there still watching? Still watching and enjoying. I agree there is a distinct difference between this show and LOCI but BN makes me laugh.
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noc
Silver Shield Investigator
Posts: 127
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Post by noc on Aug 7, 2007 18:09:53 GMT -5
Yes, I've watched it. It was on one Saturday recently and I caught a show (re-run?) last night. Of course, the acting is not as good as CI and I laugh more when watching Monk, but it's better than most network shows. I get a couple of good laughs from most episodes and I thought Sharon Gless was hysterical as his mom.
I have to admit - I'd choose Damages, Dead Zone or Monk if CI wasn't on over this show-but it's ok. I couldn't get into the Starter Wife either. Not sure why.
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Post by annabelleleigh on Jan 23, 2009 21:05:49 GMT -5
This is what I've been watching while waiting for the ever-elusive CI Season 8 to start. I find it quite clever and fun, and so apparently does a large chunk of USA viewers. The following ratings piece (pretty much the text of the USA network press release) mentions CI at the very end (see my boldface.) AL ----------------- Burn Notice Makes White-Hot Return To USA Mid-Season Bow Is Spy Drama's Best Among Adults 18 To 49; Second In ViewersBy Linda Moss Multichannel NewsJanuary 23, 2009 Excerpt: "The return of USA Network's Burn Notice was hot with viewers Thursday night. The Jan. 23 installment, the start of the second half of the spy series' second season, drew 5.1 million viewers on average to USA , according to Nielsen Media Research data. That performance marked the show's second-best total delivery ever, trailing only the show's sophomore season premiere last summer, officials said Friday. Moreover, the scripted show notched its best-ever performance among the Madison Avenue-coveted 18-to-49 demographic, averaging 2.47 million of those watchers Thursday night, beating its prior high during its second-season bow on July 10, 2008 by 4%... ...Compared to the performance in the 10 p.m. time slot on the same day last year, Burn Notice rose 91% among adults 18 to 49, 138% among adults 25 to 54, and 102% in total viewers. Burn Notice was also the No. 1 show of the day in key demos and total viewers. In fact, USA had the top six telecasts of the day among viewers 25 to 54, with Burn Notice as well as NCIS, House, Law & Order: SVU and Law & Order: Criminal Intent." The full article at www.multichannel.com/article/162637-Burn_Notice_Makes_White_Hot_Return_To_USA.php
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Post by DonnaJo on Feb 15, 2009 11:15:29 GMT -5
This season of "Burn Notice" has been fantastic. This last episode was the best yet. It started slow, and I thought it was going to be the same old "Michael helps a lady in distress." But when Michael and the FBI/CIA/"whatever" guy were scooped up with the others in a bank heist, it became my favorite ep of the season so far. Clever plotlines, writing & character development. I just wish someone would tell Gabrielle Anwar that she is too, too skinny. It's not attractive. If I were a guy, I wouldn't think she was sexy at all with those bones jutting out and that long, ribbed neck. Is that what most men think is "hot?"
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Post by Patcat on Feb 15, 2009 14:51:41 GMT -5
It was a very entertaining variation on a theme.
My twelve-year-old buddy Zach agrees that Grabrelle Anwar is too skinny. He thinks Kathryn Erbe is cute (g), and while he's not a regular viewer of LOCI, he likes it when Eames gets to boss Goren around.
Patcat
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Post by annabelleleigh on Feb 20, 2009 14:29:35 GMT -5
Variety recently reported that Jeffrey Donovan's $55K per-episode fee has been tripled. It's about time. I hope Gabrielle Anwar and Bruce Campbell received raises too.
AL
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