I've watched every episode, and while I do like the show, I will say that there is some pretty wooden acting (especially from Donovan) in the show. Not that I think he's a bad actor per se, I think the stiff acting can much of the time be attributed to the very narrow time frame they shoot each hour long episode in. But I think all things considered, they do a pretty good job.
You can't expect too much when you're talking about a role that requires such a wide range of character work, shot within such a narrow, rigid schedule. That's my take at least.
Plus the show clearly doesn't take itself too seriously to begin with, they don't mind a certain amount of cheezyness. I suppose it's part of the shows charm.

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Basically I think we can all agree on one fact:
Those people who say he's a terrible actor have watched only 5 minutes of Burn Notice and therefore haven't the basis to compare.
Those of you who say he's a bad actor: Watch the entire series from the start of Season 1 until the end of Season 3 and THEN tell me you think he's a terrible actor, and I'll value your opinion. Unless you've done that, quite frankly your opinion isn't valid.

Watch Changelling. He's totally one of the most believable and memorable villain in movies.
Be arrogant as a wall, or be humble as a bridge.

you should so watch the episode where Fiona is trapt in a burning house and he can't get her on the phone. he is like going mad crazy, and when he sees her again his eyes are like so expressive and he conveys everything the character is feeling with jut his eyes. really good, I don't think you can learn that

He is so unbelievably wooden it makes me wonder if he is tossing the salad with a gay hollywood producer.

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he's amazing!! he keeps the suspense going and knows when to make it funny. if you don't like it don't watch it

Totally agree with you. Many of your detractors get all high and mighty and say "then don't watch". But it's not like we have a choice, it's absolutely the most over marketed show around, his face is on all the time. To me, over marketing usually means something's a poor sell anyway, so the pieces all fit really
*So I've seen 4 movies/wk in theatre for a 1/4 century, call me crazy?

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his voice is fine. it's the Boston accent that comes through every so often. if you want annoying voices then try watching old eps of Rosanne or Regis in the morning.

The guy's voice just makes me churn; But it could be worse.
What's sadder than being the douche, being the douche on the computer ranting about the douche

I can't get over how weird the voice is either, but he's still awesome.

That's ridiculous. The two characters were nothing at all alike.
Jeffrey Donovan got his MFA from NYU, the most prestigious and difficult to get into acting program in the U.S. People like Philip Seymour Hoffman came from there. Donovan's emphasis was on dialects and he's a classically trained and accomplished Shakespearean actor as well. Maybe you just don't like him for some weird reason and are trying to blame that on his skill set, but that's not gonna fly.

He was the same in "Touching Evil."
The man may be the worst actor out there. No offense to his fans, but this guy is just horrible.

I think he's really good. It's his character-a guy who tries to be tough all the time but can't resist flashing a huge grin when he's outsmarted a villain or occassionally lowering his guard for just a moment with Fiona. I love the show and can't wait for Season 2-almost nine months away, it's
almost
like having a baby, lol!

Wow, tjb416-1, your reply hit it right on the nose! I totally agree with you. You expressed it just right.

R U actually watching this showat all?
He not only changes his expressions a lothe can convey something just with his eyes.
Part of his character is to watch, but not be noticed (spyremember?)
so sure, he has to downplay at times.
But please don't tell me you've never seen that great smile.
As for his voice, I'm guessing you are talking about the narations (since he has used numerous accents).
Yes, it is clipped. But seems to me that the over-articulation not only makes him easy to understand, but also sets a tone for the entire show.

I love this guy's acting. I like his range of expressions, and his narration throughtout the sequence. I do NOT think he is being overexposed, as the show is engagingMy favorite series on tv these days.

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Jeff's acting for Burnnnotice is different from his other roles in so much as we get different personas within the overall main character of Michael- for example so far we have seen the rich Southern gent, the rich European, the double agent, the good ole boy and the thug- so some off it comes off as unbelievable and some of it comes off as absolute hilarious and some a little stiff.
Check out some of Jeff's other work say in Touching Evil, Pretender, Hitch and the St Germaine character in the 2nd season of Witchblade. I think watching some of Jeff's other work will give you an appreciaion of the wide variety of stuff and some of the over the top facial cues in Burnnotice
http://www.tv-links.co.uk/

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