"Burn Notice" (2007) TV series

Creator:

Matt Nix

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Spies don't get fired, they get burned.

Plot:

A spy recently disavowed by the US Government uses his Special Ops training to help others in trouble.

Plot Keywords:

Spy | Hero | Mother Son Relationship | Friendship Between Men | Improvisation

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination

US TV Schedule:

Fri. Nov. 20	1:00 AM	USA	Signals and Codes	#3.5
Fri. Nov. 20	11:00 PM	USA	Signals and Codes	#3.5

Cast

Jeffrey Donovan	...	Michael Westen / ... (38 episodes, 2007-2009)
Gabrielle Anwar	...	Fiona Glenanne (38 episodes, 2007-2009)
Bruce Campbell	...	Sam Axe / ... (38 episodes, 2007-2009)
Sharon Gless	...	Madeline Westen (38 episodes, 2007-2009)

Runtime:

USA:60 min | Argentina:60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Certification:

Argentina:13 | UK:15 | Australia:M | Netherlands:12 | South Korea:15 | Singapore:NC-16 (season 1) (season 2)

Filming Locations:

Miami, Florida, USA

Company:

Fox Television Studios

Trivia:

The gadgets "built" by Michael are fabricated by the Special Effects Department. It is a collaborative effort by the writer, production designer, special effects and the prop master. The actual builder is Michael Doyle, the Special Effects Foreman.

Quotes:

Michael Westen: [voice-over] My name is Michael Westen. I used to be a spy. Until...
voice on phone: [phone rings] We got a burn notice on you. You're blacklisted.
Michael Westen: [voice-over] When you're burned, you've got nothing: no cash, no credit, no job history. You're stuck in whatever city they decide to dump you in.
Michael Westen: Where am I?
Fiona Glenanne: Miami.
Michael Westen: [voice-over] You do whatever work comes your way. You rely on anyone who's still talking to you. A trigger-happy ex-girlfriend...
Fiona Glenanne: Shall we shoot them?
Michael Westen: [voice-over] An old friend who used to inform on you to the FBI...
Sam Axe: You know spies... bunch of bitchy little girls.
Michael Westen: [voice-over] Family too...
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Jeopardy!: (#26.35)" (2009)

Dig it

Very fun, tho' the voice-overs are a bit much at times... and the music/slow-mo/stop-mo action stuff is a bit kitsch (probably the look they were going for).

Def. think Donovan's personality comes through in his performance -- seems like he is having TONS O' FUN with the part... (who wouldn't? It's a dream role)... but he DOES come across as a bit stiff at times... can't tell if that's the writing or his take on the character. Funny... you can hear his Boston accent come thru a lot... but it adds some charm (assuming you like Boston accents!!) Bruce Campbell is perfectly cast... will be fun to see their partnership evolve over the episodes... Not sure about Anwar as Fiona... can't decide if it's the role (and how desperate she seems to be to get back with Michael) or the actress in the role...

I do enjoy the dialog (VERY funny at times - ex: the backseat of the Mercedes)... and the speed of delivery... makes it fun to watch and the time fly... so KUDOS to the writers...

Will say this... I'm probably not in the demographic for their audience (am over 40) but can appreciate that the leads are all older... would NEVER believe that Donovan is 39. No way. He is Miami Spicy.