Jeff Eastin (2015)

If I recall correctly, it was the Solano Cartel going after Mike under the guise of the Caza Cartel. They were not after Mike the Marine, but Mike the FBI agent who was onto their bus drug route.

White Collar and Graceland are such different shows that one has almost no intentional influenced on the other. Having done White Collar first restricted the story lines for Graceland because we didn't want to repeat ourselves. White Collar was a great training ground for the process of producing a TV show - working with the writers room, bringing the show in on budget, understanding the importance of a great cast, etc. What's fantastic about television is that you can write a scene today, have it shot tomorrow, then see it cut together the next day. It's a great way to find out what works.

He's got a hot wife like I do.

It was a photocopy of the check. I cashed the damn thing.

This show keeps me pretty busy, but I'm in active development with Fox at the moment.

I wish we could do audio commentary on every episode, but the DVD market has collapsed and it's not really financially viable to do it anymore. Fun fact: I attempted to do my own commentary track using headsets in Garageband - it was me, writer Joe Henderson, Tim Dekay and Ross McCall, but one of the $19 headsets had a short and I had to junk the entire thing. I've always been a fan of Matt Stone and Trey Parker's drunk commentaries on South Park. Perhaps our studio will kick in money for the Jim Beam and we can try another one.

It was heartwarming. I definitely prefer it over the #SendMikeWarrenToHell campaign.

The truth is I have no friends or family, just the connections with the cartels. But seriously, as a small town kid coming to Hollywood, you learn very quickly who your real friends are and who is trying to manipulate you. Those themes aren't conscious, but you're probably onto something...

I'd love to. We gave some serious consideration to a White Collar/Burn Notice spinoff.

Had we gone another season I'm sure Alex would have shown up to fuck with Neal and Sara's relationship.

White Collar Nights with Agent Jones has been airing for the past three years. Surprised you haven't seen it.

That sucks. I know we didn't record commentaries but was there no gag reel? We had a great one at the wrap party.

I'm very happy with the White Collar finale. I wrote it that way because I'm very open to the possibility.

Matt Nix thinks Peter Burke is my ego, and Neal Caffrey is my id...although my former assistant thinks that I am Paul Briggs incarnate.

Yes, Matt and Tim are very close. What you see in those outtakes are exactly who they are. Their real life chemistry is a huge part of what made that on-screen relationship work.

I'm a mixture of Peter and Neal, and definitely Briggs.

In episode 2, Lauren and Paige shared a room, twin beds, until Lauren moved out. Thank you, I've always wondered if people paid attention to that much detail on my shows.

The fact that USA let me dry dock a Nazi U-boat makes it one of my favorites. That season generated some of my favorite scenes - specifically Neal robbing the safe in Peter's bedroom while talking to Peter on the phone about friendship and trust.

Fun fact: I hired Chris Masi, one of our writers on Graceland, as my assistant a few years back after meeting him on twitter, so anything is possible. Send your script to him.

To answer your first question: For WC, it was the Neal/Sara love story. Love them or hate them together, people got very involved. And for Graceland, it was Briggs as Odin Rossi in Season 1.

For your second question: Of everything I've written, I'm most proud of the Peter/Neal relationship in White Collar. Although, I have to say I'm really excited about Mike's drug addiction arc this season.

We had enough White Collar stories to go for another few years. Still wish we could have done our Neal/Peter trapped in an elevator episode.

Graceland is still on, so with the exception of the Charlie/Paige fight I hope we can get everything in that we want!

Yes, I did a great deal of research on white collar criminals, especially those in the art world. Kevin Mitnick's books were invaluable - especially his examples of social engineering (from which I borrowed freely for Neal). Kevin and I are very close friends - he was a groomsman in my wedding.

Another invaluable resource was the Art Forger's Handbook by the late great Eric hebborn. If you want to know how long to leave a canvas in the oven to age it correctly, this book is for you.

Jakes has a slow burn story at first, but arguably has the most interesting character arc of the season. I don't want to spoil too much, but he ends up with a new love named Courtney (like me) and a suitcase full of trouble.

Easy. Jakes and Johnny should have their own spin-off show. They've got amazing on-screen chemistry. Although, I'm still pushing for White Collar: Chicago.

Yes! I've got my Chihuahua Cindy who is in love with my wife's Italian Greyhound Clarence (named after Clarence Worley from True Romance).

All of them. Whiskey for the drunk commentary.

oops...

Simple: Paige's search for personal redemption.

Thanks! Glad you're looking for more Paige and Charlie. You'll get it. Vanessa suggested a Paige/Charlie fight scene this season, and I'm really upset we're not going to work it in this season, but I'm crossing my fingers for season four.

This one goes to 11.

My secret to avoiding writer's block is just to start writing. Always assume that it's going to be crap but just start punching the keyboard and when you go back...I'll think you'll be surprised how good it is!

I can juggle and do an indefinite wheelie in a wheelchair (although not at the same time). I am also an accomplished woodworker.

Yes, Simon Lovell was our real life criminal/tech advisor on the show, and he taught them how to pick locks, pick pocket wallets, and a host of other useful tricks. No special effects or magic involved for the most part.

No plans this season, but for Season 4 I would love to meet Charlie's dad and Johnny's brother.

Creators just come up with the idea, Showrunners actually do all the rest of the work, run the day to day operations. A lot of times, the creator is the Showrunner, but there are are a surprising number of shows where the creator is not the Showrunner. It always surprises me when a network trusts someone with millions of dollars a week just because they came up with one good idea.

No.

If it's a 100 m. woodworking race then you're on!

They haven't invited me this year, but I'd love to again.

It's tough to estimate exact time count but we average around 60 hours a week writing. More during the finale.

Yes, both of them. My wife, Courtney, just wrapped them in bubble wrap to transport them to my new house. I'll probably hang them above the music box, and Graceland season 1 chore wheel.

I was paid $2,000 for a movie script called Shadow Dancer. Coincidentally I just found that framed check two nights ago when my wife and I were packing to move into our new house.

Deviled Ham on white with a slice of swiss.

We received thousands of cards! Some of them were amazingly elaborate. Deluge USA to improve WC chances and yes...it all helps.

I’m holding out for the Jakes/Johnny slash-fiction.