Men of a Certain Age: The Complete First Season

While the networks continue to chase younger demographics, cable channels are carving out a niche with more shows about grownups and adult concerns. Created by Ray Romano and Mike Royce, this TNT series featuring three lifelong buddies in their late 40s serves up storylines about subjects ranging from career disappointment and failed expectations to poor judgment and gambling issues, all handled with a light touch and comic dimension. Romano plays Joe Tranelli, a divorced dad living in such a state of denial he can't bring himself to move out of his hotel room and into a permanent home. Andre Braugher is Owen Thoreau, who's happily married with two kids but constantly clashes with his father, who's also his boss at a car dealership. And Scott Bakula is Terry Elliott, a charming but underemployed actor who coasts through one-night stands and part-time jobs as if in a permanent state of “in between.” Despite the mutual envy among them for what they believe they see in each other's lives, the trio form a solid support network (between the good-natured insults and wisecracks), as well as a reality check. Men of a Certain Age presents mature characters addressing midlife in a way that's sometimes awkward and painful to watch, but also often quite funny, with characters many viewers will recognize. Compiling all 10 episodes from the 2009–10 first season, DVD extras include audio commentaries, behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, and a gag reel. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)