Men of a Certain Age

Did You Know?

• In Canada, the series aired on Super Channel.
• In Latin America, it premiered on July 13, 2010, on Warner Channel's prime time block.
• Men of a Certain Age is available to stream on HBO Max, which launched on May 27, 2020.

Plot

The series follows Joe, Owen, and Terry, three men in their late 40s who have been friends since college. Joe, a timid separated father of two, owns a party supply store and struggles with a gambling addiction. Owen, an anxiety-stricken diabetic, sells cars at a dealership owned by his authoritative father. Terry, an apartment building manager and semi-retired actor, dates much younger women. In season two, Owen takes over the dealership and hires Terry as a salesman, while Joe turns 50 and attempts to qualify for the PGA Senior Tour.

Cast and characters

Ray Romano plays Joe Tranelli, an aspiring golfer and party store owner separated from his wife with two children. Scott Bakula portrays Terry Elliot, an apartment building manager and former actor who has never married. Andre Braugher is Owen Thoreau, Jr., an anxiety-suffering diabetic car salesman married with three children. LisaGay Hamilton plays Melissa Thoreau, Owen's wife. Richard Gant appears as Owen Thoreau, Sr., the dealership owner and former NBA player. Brian J. White plays Marcus, a car salesman. Lil' JJ portrays Dashaun, a party store employee. Other cast members include Kwesi Boakye, Brittany Curran, Braeden Lemasters, Isaiah Montgomery, Melinda McGraw, Emily Rios, Eddie Shin, Carla Gallo, Matt Price, Michael Hitchcock, Albert Hall, Patricia de Leon, Jon Manfrellotti, Penelope Ann Miller, and Robert Loggia.

Development

In March 2008, TNT ordered a pilot based on a script by Ray Romano and Mike Royce, who had worked together on Everybody Loves Raymond. Andre Braugher and Scott Bakula were announced to star in June and July 2008, respectively. In January 2009, TNT ordered 10 episodes. The series premiered on December 7, 2009, with a TV-MA-L rating for strong language. TNT renewed the show for a second season on January 14, 2010, which premiered on December 6, 2010, and aired in two batches of six episodes. On July 15, 2011, TNT announced the series would not be renewed for a third season.

Critical reception

Season one received positive reviews, holding an 89% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 18 reviews, with a consensus calling it witty, insightful, and poignant. It scored 78 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating generally favorable reviews. Season two also received positive reviews, with a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 14 reviews, described as sharply written and deftly acted.