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Parents' Guide to

Men of a Certain Age

By Will Wade, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Men muddle through middle age in honest, mature dramedy.

TV TNT Drama 2009
Men of a Certain Age Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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What's the Story?

Longtime friends Joe (Ray Romano), Terry (Scott Bakula), and Owen (Andre Braugher) have reached a stage in their lives when choices made years ago are starting to catch up with them. Firmly ensconced in their middle-aged years, the trio now has very different lives, and none of them is quite certain that this is what they wanted. Joe is getting a divorce and struggles with a gambling problem. Owen, a dedicated family man who works at his father's auto dealership, is trying to climb the ladder of success despite his dad's petty efforts to put him down. And Terry is an underemployed actor/office temp who prefers to date younger women and avoids commitment. As they navigate the shoals of middle age, the trio falls back on their friendship to help get through the more difficult situations.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (2 ):

The men in MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE all seem very real, and the show's strength lies in situations that seem like they could happen to anyone. There's no outrageous drama here -- just regular people trying to get through life. Viewers looking for simple escapism won't find it, but they probably will find characters who will seen familiar to anyone who's ever wondered whether the grass really is greener at their neighbor's house. Joe and Owen may be slightly jealous of Terry's string of young girlfriends, for example, but it seems like Terry's starting to wonder whether he's missing out on family life.

The acting makes these average-Joe men come to life, especially Romano as the newly separated dad who misses his kids and can't seem to figure out whether he's actually single and whether the family he worked so hard to create is really and truly fractured for good. Braugher, too, excels as a man who has to deal with a tyrannical father and boss every day, reining in years of frustration. Just like the rest of us, they're looking for a way to get the life they want -- despite the hurdles that the real world throws in their way.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about life choices. How are the three main characters' lives different, and how did each one get there? Can you think of any significant choices you've made in your own life?

  • Do the show's situations and characters seem realistic? How does it compare to other dramas or comedies about middle-aged family situations?

TV Details

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