Men of a Certain Age

Probably should come as no surprise that this smart, funny series about three likable guys from the outer reaches of LA only lasted for two seasons on TNT, a network that tends to go in more for sexy-but-damaged blond detectives, smart-mouthed lawyers and (more recently) the reanimated JR. Maybe the fact that an important theme of the series was coping with middle-aged disappointment and scaled-back expectations failed to endear it to fans of (no offense, Ted) formulaic, escapist basic cable. Ray Romano is clearly the perfect casting choice for a part written by and for Ray Romano, Andre Braugher is always welcome, but the big surprise for us was journeyman action hero Scott Bakula ("Quantum Leap," "Star Trek: Enterprise") in the role of Terry, an attractive, confident guy whose acting career seems to have petered out before other opportunities have petered in. Viewers who have experienced such midlife phenomena as sleep apnea and post-divorce dating jitters may find this series especially compelling; strong supporting cast includes Lisa Gay Hamilton as AB's sexy, beyond supportive wife, Jon Manfrellotti as RR's bookie and third-best friend and Emily Rios (who in her brief career has already been on three of the best shows in recent TV history).

As a 51 year-old man, I feel like I fit into the "certain age" that the show is based on. A lot of new things happen at this age. You begin to think more about what and how much you eat. You hope that your kids won't be cursed with the same quirks that you have. You wonder if women are still attracted to you. You wonder if you're still cool, or if you were ever cool. This show deals with these subjects and many others in a truthful and funny way. The writing is excellent, the acting is fantastic, and the cast is wonderful. Romano, Bakula, and Braugher are really good together. I really look forward to Monday evenings because of this show.

So far I have seen both episodes of "Men of a Certain Age" and I have to say I am impressed. Ray Romano, Andre Braugher, and Scott Bakula seem to fit very well together. Ray Romano plays a great role in this show, much better then any thing else I have seen him in. This series shows the lighter side of getting older. The only thing I don't like about this series is it seems each episode ends when it seems like there should be more, but that's just their way of keeping the audience wanting more.

All in all I found this new series to be very enjoyable and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.

Not since the 70's classics, such as All in the Family, The Waltons, Barney Miller, and M*A*S*H, has there been a ensemble cast with such a depth of characters and circumstantial and contextual realism as Men of a Certain age. This series strikes me as a straight drama with various flavors of comedy, from raucous to bittersweet, sprinkled in. As a 47-year-old male I can relate to it completely, but not that relating matters, since I enjoyed M*A*S*H and All in the Family equally when I was in my teens.

When truth is poignantly portrayed through writing, acting, and production you can't miss it. It's the magic coming together of the whole and celestial alignment that happens when courage and genius are found on both sides of the lens. This show shines and is the first I would be willing to watch in SD on my HDTV since the aforementioned series of the 70's. Nothing is overdone: no melodrama, no ego trips, no pretense, no glamor, nothing special - just wonderful, richly textured exposures of characters made compelling by the final link in the chain - the actors.

As a fan, I sincerely hope they stick to the formula and don't pull a Mork and Mindy - a highly successful piece of fluff, until Mork's character was "expanded" out of its established zone.

It's an easy, deserving, lone 10 in an ocean of "reality T.V." and other vomitous, puerile, formulaic, Hollywood, corporate morass.

I have to admit, I did not think Ray Romano can pull this off. 3 middle aged men on the brink of 50, HS pals going thru life's trials and tribulations. This is a most creative offering and refreshing. The casting is great. Ray Romano is himself a divorced man with 2 kids , rounding off this clique , you had Andre Baugher , happily married, and eternally young skirt chaser Scott Bakula of Quantum Leap fame. This was realistic with none of the added silliness of some TV for shock effect.There was no laugh track,which only adds to the realism. Certainly this program was more drama than comedy. Ray Romano, though not a great comedian, is elevated by the rest of this cast as he was in ELR. Ray Romano is the Bob Newhart of today, and thats not a bad thing. This is a tasteful program that truly does delve into everyday situations. If I have one criticism , I would like to see a little more comedy . Overall , This is still a wonderful effort and worth watching. Just make sure , you are optimally alert or the show can pass you by.