TimDekay

Oh, snap. Neal is about to leave and seems ok with his decision. But then ... the unthinkable happens, the plane explodes, and his life is forever changed.

It's a great season finale for 'White Collar' (Tue., 10PM ET on USA) that leaves things wide open for season two. Creator Jeff Eastin has said the focus will stay on Peter and Neal, supported by Elizabeth and Mozzie.

Are you a 'White Collar' fan? How did you like the season finale?

Watch the video after the jump.

In yet another hit for cable, USA's 'White Collar' -- with a cast led by star Tim DeKay -- is just another reason why people are jumping to cable for quality television. "Culturally, the opportunity to look at different venues in general -- not only on TV, but online, on our phones -- has put in our psyche that there's so much there to watch and so many avenues," DeKay explained during a chat with us.

So, to someone who maybe hasn't ventured out and watched 'White Collar' yet, what's your Cliff's Notes summary of it?
'White Collar' is a show about the unlikely pairing of an FBI agent and an ex-con solving smart, glamorous, interesting and provocative crimes in a sometimes very funny way. It's 'Thomas Crowne Affair' meets 'Midnight Run.' That relationship between Robert DeNiro and Charles Grodin, they're very different but you can tell they kind of like each other even though they're quite opposite. And the 'Thomas Crowne Affair' gives it that snap and hipness.

Has it really been over a month since White Collar left us hanging on the cliff? Yes, I guess it has. Thank goodness USA has given this show an order for a second season. It's delightful. I know, it's a fruity word, but I can't think of a better one that describes the show. Okay, fun.

Tonight, apparently, we're going to resolve the Kate/Neal/Peter question in some way, shape or form because clearly there are other cases to resolve and the partnership between Neil and Peter is moving on. It's the premise of the show, so it was inevitable that they were going to have to keep it together.

How do I know for sure, well... take a look at the preview. After the jump.

USA Network's 'White Collar' has just gotten the go ahead for a second season.

The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed the news, which was first spotted on executive producer Jeff Eastin's Twitter when he sent a congratulatory note to "the best cast and crew on television."

The crime dramedy stars Matt Bomer as con-man Neal Caffrey who, with only three months to go in a four-year maximum security prison sentence, escapes to find his ex-girlfriend. Tim DeKay is special agent Peter Burke, who negotiates a tricky deal, in which Neal promises to help Peter solve cases as long as Neal is allowed to remain on the outside as part of a work release program. The cast is rounded off by Elizabeth Burke (Tiffani Thiessen), an event planner and wife of Tim, and Mozzie (Willie Garson), a fellow con-man and Neal's confidant.

File this under the "I was expecting nothing less" category. USA Network has ordered a second season of White Collar, the Matthew Bomer caper drama. The announcement was made not via a press release, but using Twitter. Welcome to the new reality. Jeff Eastin, White Collar's creator, tweeted the news: "Congratulations to the best cast and crew on television."

This makes total sense for USA. With Monk having ended its run this month, White Collar can now fill the bill joining Psych, Burn Notice, In Pain Sight and Royal Pains as the net's original series. How ironic that this NBCU network is doing a better job with original programming than NBC proper?

Long-time readers of this site might remember the recurring feature "Short-Lived Shows." While this column may bear a resemblance to that beloved early TV Squad staple, there are notable differences. In particular, I'll be going much more in-depth about the show's fate, its cast, continuing fan support, and possible story continuations in different mediums.

Also, to make this column, a show must have actually been good. Shows that are canceled and deserve it certainly aren't "Gone Too Soon." They're perhaps not gone soon enough. Furthermore, a GTS could just as easily have been on the air for years before ending abruptly. If I'm sitting here wondering what happens next and now I'm never going to find out, that's gone too soon.

Which brings us to our first entry. HBO is known for groundbreaking television, but even they didn't know how much ground they broke with Carnivàle in September 2003. On the surface, it was yet another brilliantly produced period piece, perfectly capturing the look and feel of the Great Depression era United States. Underneath, it was nothing short of the epic struggle between good and evil.

James Gandolfini joins the HBO family for one more bash -- poolside.

Call me cynical, but I'm not quite sure why HBO pulled out all the stops for a lavish gala at the W hotel in Westwood, Calif. when so many networks are cutting back. About 200 journalists plus assorted HBO personnel feasted on filet mignon, lobster tails and an open bar.

The hotel spa was on call in nearby cabanas to give free hand massages and (for the women) fingernail re-polishing.