Men of a Certain Age

Courtesy of Collider

I’m bummed. Why? In reality it’s because nothing’s changed. Yesterday US TV network TNT cancelled Men of a Certain Age, just as the second series had finished airing. Why is this an issue? American networks have a habit of running shows for half a reason, and axing them. Surely I shouldn’t be upset about this?

In reality MoaCA should be pleased that TNT supported it for as long as it did. After all, money trumps creativity in the lucrative TV market, so it was only a matter of time till the show found itself in the bin (which is a cruel comparison as rubbish deserves to be in the bin, not quality).

At this point you’re probably wondering what the show is about, and that’s half the issue. While it may have been a critical darling and possessed some of the best acting on TV, its ratings were depressingly weak. Never mind the fact that it was a show that rivalled Dexter, The Sopranos and Castle for quality and human capture, its mass appeal was limited by a lack of definitive identity.

Men of a Mixed Bag

Men of a Certain Age was an odd mix of sitcom, drama, fly-on-the-wall realism and nostalgic mundane. Maybe there really is no room for older actors in US television – its leading cast painted a realistic and natural picture of what happens in life once you leave the stumbling confusion of your early years.

Created by Mike Royce (and Ray Romano), Men was a tender exploration of life supported by some stellar talent. Maybe it’s because I have a major soft spot for Ray Romano, star of Everybody Loves Raymond (arguably my favourite sitcom rivalling Friends or Only Fools), that I fell in love with it. Would I have tuned in for the pilot if I’d not known he was the co-creator and leading star?

Without the canned latter and outlandish hijinks, Romano actually showed what a strong actor he is. Struggling with a gambling addiction, Joe (Romano’s character) juggled a party-supplies-shop, a fresh divorce, two kids and his two best friends. Over breakfast every morning, they’d sit and discuss their lives, what’s happened to them and lightly insult each other in a way that was funnier than any posed sitcom.

As the show progressed, the natural acting went from strength to strength and the supporting cast became part of your family. These felt like people you knew, wanted to know and wished to spend time with. Despite a lack of action, pace or often, noticeable plot, MoaCA weaved lives that felt real. Each of the three had their trials and tribulations that felt insurmountable – in reality, they were just jigsaw pieces that part of a less obvious master plot.

Daddy’s Little Men

How about Owen (Andre Braugher’s role) who was constantly in the shadow of his father, despite being given the keys to the family car dealership. You rooted for him, felt for him and laughed when he struggled to control his business, family life and weight. It felt as though you were next to him, even when nobody else was. His ever faithful wife and children were the only people that saw his intimate side.

And who’d forget Terry (Scott Bakula), the half assed actor turned car salesman, who refused to act his age. Constantly struggling to shake the fact he’s blinked and seen his life pass him by, his romancing and irresponsibility were escapes he constantly fell back into.

It’s not just the three that made the show – the meandering plot ensured they revealed every part of themselves. Maybe it was too realistic – with broadcast packed chock full of crime drama, serial killers, executives and singing teenagers, it might be the case that nobody wanted to sit and watch life.

Anyone tuning in could be excused in thinking it was a pseudo documentary into what happens when you hit 50 – not a lot it seems. Meals with old friends, going to work, hiking past the fantasy woman.

The saddest thing about the cancellation is that we’ll never know what’ll happen – I want to avoid spoilers. With it only running for two seasons (of twelve episodes each), it’s best you just watch it and enjoy. I do hope UK retailers see a UK DVD distribution.

Tagged: marco fiori, Men of a Certain Age, Review, TV