Men of a Certain Age – All in all, not a bad first date

Some are saying that last night’s episode of Men of a Certain Age was a welcome lighter side to the show. But I didn’t see it as anything other than a continuation of the same, a perfect combination of middle-age angst, brotherhood, and Ray Romano awkwardness. Yes, last night’s episode was awesome, but that’s nothing new for the young TNT series.

The episode played out as a story that Joe told to first just Owen, and then to Terry as well. It was the tale of Joe’s first date in twenty years, with Dory (Sarah Clarke), a woman that Terry set Joe up with. Who knew that 24’s Nina could actually be enjoyable as an actress? And who suspected that Romano could successfully woo a woman when backed into a corner?

Terry and Owen played minimal roles this week, drifting in and out of Joe’s story first at the gym, then at the supermarket, and finally at Owen’s house as Joe went through the clothing bins he stores in Owen’s garage. I’ve generally found the lack of all three guys the show’s sole weakness, but this time it felt okay. The plot was Joe’s, and it was sweet to see how a man who suddenly found himself middle-aged and separated waded into the dating world. There was a real connection between Joe and Dory, one we actually watched being built, and that’s something that five years ago Romano never could have accomplished.

I actually sat watching him last night thinking about Jerry Seinfeld. Seinfeld’s coming back to TV as the producer of a new reality show, The Marriage Ref, while Romano produces, writes, and stars in MOCA. So what? So nothing, except for the fact that, in my mind, these two comedians are inextricably linked. And for a long time I thought the creative juices contest tilted in Seinfeld’s direction. Whether or not that’s still true, a stark difference between the two began to form in my mind last night.

Jerry Seinfeld is a stand-up comic who finds humor observing everyday life. He parlayed a hit television series out of that, and spawned a generation of imitators who have each tried to replicate what he’s achieved. Ray Romano, on the other hand, gets his laughs — and ours — as a participant in the minutiae of life. Jerry would have walked in on his friend with his pants down; Ray took them off. They’re both great, but that subtle difference is what’s going to make MOCA a wildly successful endeavor for Romano.

Anyway, enough of that detour. As for last night’s episode, there are only so many times I can call Men of a Certain Age brilliant (okay, that’s not true). I’m enjoying the addition of Maria, although I hope it’s not at the expense of DaShaun (Little JJ). And I find it interesting that sports are clearly such a prevalent part of Romano’s life, with Joe playing golf with his son, watching his son play baseball, playing basketball with Dory, and hiking with his friends. I thought Ray being a sports writer on Everybody Loves Raymond was just a way to give Romano the simplest thing to do, but it’s clear that sports are a part of who Romano is.

And it’s nice to know that the guys aren’t too old for them yet. Right now it’s post-40 dating that seems the most dangerous to their health. And I’m loving it.

Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Jan 12, 2010 @ 10:00 EST5EDT