The return of Blue Sky shows that lighten the mood
“Suits” has become a smash hit now that it’s on Netflix. And that’s not the only recent reminder of the USA Network’s “Blue Sky” programs, those comedic dramas from the aughts including “Psych,” “Royal Pains,” and “Burn Notice.”
First of all, “Suits” series creator Aaron Korsh is developing an offshoot of the legal drama — an obvious move as the show breaks Netflix records. Reportedly, the new series will not be a reboot or a revival so much as a franchise extension, in the manner of “NCIS: Los Angeles” and “CSI: Miami.” The next iteration of “Suits” will feature new characters in a new location, possibly Los Angeles.
Next up: A movie spun out of USA’s highly successful “Monk” series, which left TV in 2009 after eight seasons. Called “Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie,” and written by creator Andy Breckman, it premieres Dec. 8 on Peacock. Tony Shalhoub — who won three Emmys for his work as Monk — is back, along with regulars Ted Levine, Melora Hardin, Traylor Howard, and Hector Elizondo. New faces will include James Purefoy as Monk’s new billionaire foe and Caitlin McGee, who plays Monk’s late wife’s daughter, Molly.
And then last week, Matt Bomer — who is extraordinary right now in Showtime’s “Fellow Travelers” — told TVLine that there has been “very legitimate talk” about reviving his Blue Sky series, “White Collar.” “A lot of things need to fall into place,” he said, “but there is a plan in effect, at least, so we’ll see what happens.” On the series, Bomer played a charming con man who was teamed up with Tim DeKay’s FBI agent.
It may be that, while there are plenty of gritty, dark crime series out there, some of them quite good, many viewers still crave the brighter alternatives. The Blue Sky shows deliver crime-solving, but with a hint of uplift and quirk.