# Men of a Certain Age **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 8, 2009, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-of-a-certain-age/520421 "2009-12-08T07:50:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2009, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-of-a-certain-age/520421/21 "2009-12-15T15:44:36Z")
I have 2 episodes DVRed, and I’m just waiting to have a little block of time to watch them. I’ve never given a crap about Romano, but I like Bakula and Braugher has always seemed like the kind of actor I’d take to, so I’m really looking forward to it. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2009, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-of-a-certain-age/520421/22 "2009-12-15T16:49:41Z")
I watched the first episode (post above) I made it through half of the second show and stopped watching it and turned off ‘auto record’ on my dvr. TV watching is supposed to be about entertainment. It’s not entertainment to watch three guys’ shitty lives. A compulsive gambler, an actor wannabe, and a shitty car salesman who expects his dads car dealership to be a birthright. Yes Braugher’s character’s dad is an asshole, but who here agrees that the dealership would fail miserably under Braugher’s command. - Bakula’s character: your life’s over. Keep gettin’ the young stuff as long as you can because it’s all you have to look forward to. - Romano’s character: wake up and realize your marriage is over. Get an apartment, get a life, and stop gambling - Braugher’s character: You have a chance to not be miserable. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, get a job at A DIFFERENT dealership, and your life will work out just fine. I think I’d really like this if it was about three guys who were getting along OK with occasional missteps, but geez, not all at once. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2009, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-of-a-certain-age/520421/23 "2009-12-15T18:37:11Z")
If there’s one thing this show can do well, it’s pathos. It wasn’t entirely depressing. Each character got their moment of redemption, however small. ---
**Author:** ![Fair\_Rarity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fair_rarity/32/153_2.png) [@Fair\_Rarity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fair_Rarity)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2009, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-of-a-certain-age/520421/24 "2009-12-15T19:31:10Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > I thought about trying it - but I hate Ray Romano enough that I don’t think I could get past that. I thought so too, but the allure of the other two and the amusing commercials made me give it a try. I’m a female and not of that certain age and I enjoyed the first episode a lot. Apparently not enough to remember to watch the second one, but I’ll try to catch it. ---
**Author:** ![ShelliBean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@ShelliBean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShelliBean)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-of-a-certain-age/520421/25 "2009-12-15T19:37:21Z")
I’ll second Ruby, Khadaji. I did not love Raymond but I liked this. His character is not an older Ray Romano but an entirely different person and it’s actually pretty good. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-of-a-certain-age/520421/26 "2009-12-16T06:55:47Z")
Born in the 1950s? They are absolute children! ---
**Author:** ![Surly\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-of-a-certain-age/520421/27 "2009-12-16T21:45:49Z")
It’s starting to grow on me. I enjoyed the second episode more than the first. The party scene in the hotel room was so pathetic that it made me uncomfortable. I _know_ people like that. I enjoyed the car stealing scene though. I’ll probably stick with it for at least a couple more episodes. ---
**Author:** ![nivlac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3bc359/32.png) [@nivlac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nivlac)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-of-a-certain-age/520421/28 "2009-12-16T22:02:01Z")
I looked forward to seeing this show when I first heard about it. I’ve seen the two episodes aired so far, and I liked them a lot. It’s not straight comedy or heavy drama. It’s in the dramedy class of shows. The three leads are excellent. Scott Bakula is always good in my book. And ever since I saw Andre Braugher as House’s analyst he’s on my must-see list as well. The only question mark was Ray Romano. And somewhat to my surprise he’s more than held up his end of the trio of middle-aged, angst-ridden guys in the show. I definitely can relate to a lot of what the three of them are going through. However, I don’t see how this series can succeed outside of the limited demographics of middle-aged men. I don’t see anything in it that would appeal much to woman or younger people. But I hope it stays on the air for a while if not for anything but my personal edification. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-of-a-certain-age/520421/29 "2009-12-17T01:50:54Z")
> [@nivlac](#): > > I don’t see anything in it that would appeal much to woman or younger people. I’m younger than the barista in the show & I’m still watching. ---
**Author:** ![AmericanMaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@AmericanMaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AmericanMaid)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-of-a-certain-age/520421/30 "2009-12-17T16:33:29Z")
I am a woman in my 30’s and yet I find these guys really touching and funny. The last scene in the second episode with the guys watching the game was really tough to watch (in a good way). I think the casting is superb. It’s a nice show to fill the winter programming void. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-of-a-certain-age/520421/31 "2009-12-18T23:47:02Z")
It’s pretty depressing for sure, and also hard to watch. I actually looked away a few times when these guys were completely embarrassing themselves. There’s a surreal quality to it that keeps me watching but if it stays this tragic I’m going to have to up my meds. ---
**Author:** ![Sycorax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@Sycorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sycorax)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-of-a-certain-age/520421/32 "2009-12-25T02:20:07Z")
I saw episode 1 and liked it. How the hell did I miss episodes 2 & 3? I have my DVR (Dish sat) set to record it; hubby swears he didn’t delete any recordings, yet all I have is episode 4, which I haven’t watched because I want to see ep 2 & 3 first. I’ve been to TNT’s site and that didn’t help. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2009, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-of-a-certain-age/520421/33 "2009-12-25T02:34:35Z")
TNT seems to show them a lot. Check your DVR listings for “encore” performances. I did see the third episode, and thought it was pretty good. I’d wager that the show has probably hit its stride: if you don’t like it by now, you probably never will. Also, this third episode marked the second use of the epithet “Dick Hole.” It must be the insult of choice for this show. Last week, Owen’s wife called his father by that term, and this week, one of the car salesman called another salesman by it. I’ve never heard the phrase before, but it kind of makes sense. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-of-a-certain-age/520421/34 "2010-02-25T21:45:02Z")
Season finale was this week. I stuck this one out and was glad I did. I enjoyed Andre Braugher’s story arc the most and thought the best acting in the entire series was his family interactions, especially in the last episode where he and his father are about to start yelling at each other, only to be perfectly interrupted by Andre’s wife. Scott Bakula’s story was the least interesting - couldn’t relate to him at all. Ray Romano’s character was likely the best developed, but then, he’s the “star”. For a person who has a hard time deciding to spend $5 at Blockbuster, the idea of betting on games at $500 per amazes me - where does he get the money? I seriously hope _Men_ gets renewed. ---
**Author:** ![Rattlehead02](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rattlehead02/32/3944_2.png) [@Rattlehead02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rattlehead02)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-of-a-certain-age/520421/35 "2010-02-25T22:32:27Z")
I read on The Onion’s AV Club that it has been picked up for a second season. I’m only 34, single, no kids and no real responsibilities, so I’m probably not the target audience. But I’ve really enjoyed this show. All the characters are likable and realistic to me. Ray Ramano has been really good. I’ve seen Bakula and Braugher in enough to not doubt their ability. But Ray I’d only seen in his standup (which I love), Dr. Katz (which is basically just him doing his stand up on an animated couch, but still funny as hell) and Everybody Loves Ray (not bad, but not my thing). In Men though, he has really good range. The scene where his son asks if he’s embarrassed by him was terrific. Seemed like a genuinely real response, no over the top. ---
**Author:** ![Rattlehead02](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rattlehead02/32/3944_2.png) [@Rattlehead02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rattlehead02)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-of-a-certain-age/520421/36 "2010-02-25T22:35:51Z")
Also, I’m gonna vote that we shorten it from _Men_ to _Age_ or _Certain_. Mainly because I’d hate for someone to skim past and think I was giving praise to that piece of hack-shit, Two and a Half Men. 🙂 Hell, lets just call it _Of_. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-of-a-certain-age/520421/37 "2010-02-25T22:41:56Z")
I stuck through the entire season. I was glad to see Bakula and his little chicky end up as they did. In general, I think the series is doing a good job of holding my interest, even though I have just about zero respect for any of the characters (and even less for their families!). That’s a tough job to pull off. I’ll be watching the next season, I’m sure…TRM ---
**Author:** ![nivlac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3bc359/32.png) [@nivlac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nivlac)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-of-a-certain-age/520421/38 "2010-02-25T23:33:29Z")
IMO the best short series this season. Nice story arcs, excellent acting (especially Andre Braugher and Lisa Gay Hamilton, but others were also quite good), a satisfying season finale. I’m glad to hear that it’s going to have another season. ---
**Author:** ![Sycorax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@Sycorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sycorax)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-of-a-certain-age/520421/39 "2010-02-26T03:52:10Z")
I think this show gets better and better. At first, Bakula’s character didn’t do much for me, but I think the writers have fleshed out a persona. When the tenants complained about the lighting, at first he tried to avoid the issue, but he sucked it up and got creative, fixed all the lights, added decorative lighting, and everybody was happy. I don’t like the fact that his too-young girlfriend gets all pissed off because he’s out of town for an acting job for a few days (which she instigated). Like, ditch this shallow 20-something, grow up, and find a mature woman to fall in love with. But I realize the learning about relationships is the big part of this show. I’m very impressed with Ray Romano; I don’t even think about his “everybody loves Raymond” role. And, it’s really nice that the typical mild profanities that most people use are allowed. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-of-a-certain-age/520421/40 "2010-02-26T04:27:54Z")
Would someone spoil it for me please? I have no plans to watch, but wouldn’t mind so sone give me a show summary. Especially if there’s ANY redemption at all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-of-a-certain-age/520421.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-of-a-certain-age/520421.md?page=3)