TNT’s ‘Men of a Certain Age’ debuting Dec. 7: Interviews with Ray Romano, Scott Bakula, Andre Braugher
Atlanta-based TNT has had its biggest success with dramas featuring doctors, lawyers and cops, be it repeats of “Law & Order” or originals such as ”The Closer” or “Hawthorne.”
But TNT keeps trying to reach beyond that reliable formula. The network came out with a character study dramedy starring Eric McCormack and Tom Cavanagh based in an ad agency called "Trust Me" earlier this year. That failed. In June, they came out with a Mark Burnett-produced reality show about weddings. That did even worse.
Now TNT tonight is latching onto a Ray Romano vehicle called 'Men of a Certain Age."
TNT's slogan is "We Know Drama" and this show definitely fits into the drama category — with comedic footnotes. It's focused on three childhood friends in their late 40s grappling with middle age. I interviewed the three actors Ray Romano ("Everybody Loves Raymond"), Scott Bakula ("Quantum Leap," "Star Trek Enterprise") and Andre Braugher("Homicide"). It's an interesting trio. Romano is from comedy. Bakula is best known for sci-fi. And Braugher's best work is in hard-boiled crime dramas.
Romano, after the monstrous success of "Everybody Loves Raymond," said he felt a bit lost. The result: he and "Raymond" co-creator Mike Royce came up with "Men of a Certain Age." "We were wondering, 'Where are we now? What are we doing next? It's easy to think you were very successful, why isn't that enough? But its never enough. You're only as good as your last thing. There was this void. We had lunch for this purpose to find a project. Well, let's just write what we know."
Romano nixed sitcoms outright. “I don’t want to follow myself,” he said. “I was proud of my legacy in sitcoms.” He wanted to delve into a deeper character, an ability to emote at a different level “and say things with a look and subtlety you don’t get in a sitcom.”
While Romano admits he's not exactly George Clooneyin the acting (or looks) department, he feels he is up for the task when it comes to drama. When it comes to acting, "I think I've gotten better. You're in the same room as an Andre Braugher and you don't think you're in the same league. But I feel more comfortable up there. There are scenes where I think, 'God! I wish I was better!' But I do feel comfortable in this role. It's definitely not Ray Barone."
- Romano’s character is a recent divorcee with two kids who owns a party store but also grapples with a gambling problem that may have led to the divorce. Romano actually had a minoir gambling problem years ago and incorporated that into his character, who has a bookie he tries to hide from everyone. “I started going to OTB when I was 16,” Romano said. “I’d sneak in. I’ve been there. I know all the ins and outs of gambling. Fortunately, I’ve never had anything tragic happen.”
- Bakula plays an aging, seldom-working actor who still dates and charms women half his age but is vaguely unhappy about his lot in life. “He’s a professionally charming fellow,” Bakula said. “That has served him well in life. I can relate to that. But Terry’s kind of lost. I tihnk he’s trapped in his 25-year-old energy. But he’s not 25 anymore. He’s covering up a lot of emptiness in his life.” Personally, with kids as young as 10, at age 55, Bakula said he doesn’t have time for a mid-life crisis. “I got to keep it together!”
- Braugher is an embattered car salesman under the thumb of his imperious dad, a demanding wife and over-active kids. “What I like is how truthful the show feels. It’s carefully observed comedy, no false moments at all,” Braugher said.
He loves the interplay of the father and son, who is in a Catch 22 at work. “There’s always the appearance of favoritism,” he said. “Then there are demands of excellence that are difficult to meet. Sons are rarely cut in the same mold as their fathers. It’s almost impossible to succeed in that situation.”
As a trio, they live vicariously through each other, supporting each other, going hiking and hanging at a diner. While there is some witty banter about aging, there are no joke lines and pregnant pauses waiting for the laughs.
The first episode is mostly set up. TNT provided some followup shows as well and there are a few amusing storylines: Bakula’s character helps a work colleague out by pretending to be an interested prospective buyer of a home to help instill interest in others. He creates a vibrant fictional character with this other actress as a married couple with kids, which makes him wistful about what it would be like for real.
Braugher in one episode hates the fact that car negotiations tend to make customers dislike him so he starts taking people’s first (low ball) offer, resulting in extraordinarily happy buyers. His sudden success drives the usual leading salesman nuts. But the shriveled paycheck eventually sets him straight.
The show lacks the aggressive “boys will be boys” ambiance of “Entourage,” “The League” or “Rescue Me.” The weight of age and expectation, of dashed hopes, of mortality, all come into play. They stare into mirrors at their sagging stomachs, their deepening crow’s nests, wondering what’s left. “These three guys are nothing like anything on television,” Bakula said. “This is more for drama. Let the comedy come out of the situaton.”
Indeed, this show is hardly a slamdunk for TNT, even with Romano’s name and face attached. It may in fact be a hard sell for folks expecting easy laughs or easy dramatic points.
But critics have generally liked it, at least more so than "Trust Me" earlier this year. The Wall Street Journal's Steven Kurutz said it's "wonderfully acted and smartly written." People magazine gave it three stars out of four, offering kudos for its realistic angst. Entertainment Weekly handed "Men" an A-minus, calling it a "mid-life triumph, a series that takes a well-worn theme and makes it unpredictable, freshly funny, and sometimes moving." Matt Roush of TV Guide wasn't so charmed, calling it a "load of coal in our holiday stocking" and "Kvetch and the City."
About the Author
Rodney Ho writes about entertainment for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution including TV, radio, film, comedy and all things in between. A native New Yorker, he has covered education at The Virginian-Pilot, small business for The Wall Street Journal and a host of beats at the AJC over 20-plus years. He loves tennis, pop culture & seeing live events.
