October 30, 2009
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Advance Review: Men of a Certain Age (Holy Depressing TV, Batman!)
Men of a Certain Age is a new TNT show with Ray Romano, Scott Bakula and Andre Braugher. This dramatic series premieres Monday December 7th at 10 pm, right after a new episode of The Closer (yay!). It was created by Romano and Mike Royce and it’s a stark departure from Ray Romano’s popular TV series Everybody Loves Raymond. If you’re looking for the same Ray Romano from that show, you won’t find him here.
You see, while Everybody Loves Raymond was bright and full of jokes, this slow-paced show is tinted gray and…honestly, just flat out depressing to me. There are a few sporadic jokes (mostly by Romano’s character) but otherwise you’re dropped right into the miserable lives of three 40-year-old men. And really, I don’t have any incentive to want to watch their lives. I have enough reasons to feel depressed on my own.
Maybe I just don’t like Men of a Certain Age because I’m not the target audience for this – I’m a gal in her mid 20’s. I suspect the people who will appreciate this show are men in their 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. But of course, it’s no secret that shows like to appeal to a wide range of viewers, not just who a show is about. Sex and the City didn’t want to draw the viewership of ONLY women in their 30 and 40’s (even though that’s who the show was about). Even teenage girls loved that show. I can hardly see guys in their 20’s wanting to watch Men of a Certain Age, unless to use as a scare-tactic.
While I was allowed to preview three episodes, I only watched the pilot (which ended up making me squeamish). It just isn’t for me. I suspect it isn’t for you – but let me know if you watch it.
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November 12th, 2009 at 10:58 am
That was the worlds all time STUPID review..SO…you didn’t watch the show you just wrote a review for? Could you put that up front and save the time of all the people who wasted time here! You should headliine the review, Had it, never watched it,Heres what I think…. ….um…NEXT!
November 12th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Uh, I specifically said that I watched the pilot – that’s one entire episode. Pay attention!
November 15th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Well as an early 50’s guy I can both understand why you would not “get” the show anymore than I why I never was interested in Sex and the City. Not all TV shows are designed to appeal to every demographic. Personally, I am looking forward to checking this new series out and will give it my thumbs up or down after that.
November 15th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
I feel I was pretty open-minded and upfront about the fact that my age plays a part in how I felt about this show. But then again, my 55 year-old Dad also watched it and did not enjoy it.
November 19th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
I’m curious what firm or company you’re with, Jessica.
November 24th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Where’s the review? I have no better understanding of what this show is about after reading this “article” than I did before. Why is it depressing to you? What is the show about? Like, ya know, the premise?
December 8th, 2009 at 9:59 am
I agree. Depressing. It’s hard to get much further past it than that. So while many of the comments about your “non-review” may be true, I don’t blame you.
I happen to be a woman in her mid-forties and I’m pretty sure the show is not intended for my demographic either. Economic crisis, missed opportunities, men getting in touch with their feelings…… *gag*.
December 8th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Depressing? maybe… or realistic. shows like Desperate Housewives (which I’ve never watched) don’t pull viewers b/c of realism. regardless, I think the show has potential. wasn’t a great pilot, but not horrible. And it hardly was about ‘men getting in touch with their feelings’. in fact, I expected that but saw little or none. These men obviously already *feel*… I don’t think it’s about discovery at all even. more… just dealing with life, something few shows really ever cover.
December 9th, 2009 at 1:23 am
I did not hate it but I did not like it too much either. Can’t they EVER have an older guy with a woman his OWN age! 50 and 60 year old women are SEXY too! JEEZ, so sick of this B.S.!
December 22nd, 2009 at 2:12 am
im only 16 years old, i happen to really like this show. just because i can see the struggles and also and everyday life of a working 40 yr old. or a good majority of them. i do enjoy some of the comedy it brings. i also do not find it “that” deppressing. but thats just my opinion. (=
December 26th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
as a 63 year old retired teacher,former car salesman,avid golfer,divorcee ..this is a true picture of the changes one may experiences in life and the bonds that are formed with friends along the way. I had a bit of trouble seeing the whole picture after waching the pilot, but, the story seems to be unfolding in a very realistic way. if you are interested in the show, please be patient and let the characters develop.
March 10th, 2010 at 1:10 am
I’m having a problem viewing your site in my browser. Could you please check this. My browser is Opera 7 btw.
March 16th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Love this show. Real life. Great acting, can’t wait for the next season. I am 41 but I think I would watch it if I was 10 years younger. I just like good tv and this is good tv.