This is no laughing matter!
Last week, I wrote a heartfelt love letter to TNT's Men of a Certain Age that explained why it would leave a huge void in the TV schedule if it was canceled. Well, TNT officially gave word today that won't be renewing the show.
From a business standpoint, I understand the decision. The series had lousy ratings. And when I say lousy, I mean lousy. The second half of Season 2, which ended last week, averaged a 0.4 rating among adults 18-49.
But some of the biggest names in TV criticism adored the show, and with good reason. Its acting was superb (Andre Braugher just received his second consecutive Emmy nomination for his work as Owen, and Ray Romano made my personal list), its plots were easy to relate to, and the emotional attachment viewers developed while watching three middle-aged men navigate life was off the charts.
The telling story behind the cancellation has to do with the landscape of television. Is there room for a show that's so committed to showing real life? It doesn't seem like it. Series that give you a sense of family and friends—real family and friends—just don't resonate with today's audiences. Three programs that successfully deal (or have dealt) with this subject—Parenthood, Friday Night Lights, and Men of a Certain Age—are/were consistently threatened with cancellation due to low ratings. It's a shame.
Air your grievances below.
Follow TV.com writer Tim Surette on Twitter: @TimAtTVDotCom
They did the same thing to "Everybody Loves Raymond" for the first few years and look what a blockbuster that became when they gave it a chance!! All TV execs want is greed and money...........no good shows.......only crazy reality shows that can make them rich!!!
And are you going to report my comment as abusive now and have it deleted because your feelings might be hurt? If you're going to start out with a comment attacking others, learn how to take it. I can see BarryDalton's previous comment has been deleted. I'm just assuming that means you reported him. Grow a set and defend your position without whining and reporting people.
@shadowysea07 You told people here to get over themselves and their opinions and they you proceeded to give your own opinion. That makes no sense.
@BarryDalton maybe you should learn how to read. it doesn't matter what your opinion of something if your going to lash out at others just for having ones different than yours. there is no reason for people to negatively attack others just for saying tha they are not surprised the show was cancelled, didn't find it their taste ect. as for what i said the show IS the closest thing to real reality tv there is. you know instead of the idiotic named crap like jersey shore? this show was realistic. those shows are not. its an oxymoron type name like mtv, cartoon network, syfy tv land ect you know things that are named after something that would imply the content but isn't true to the name.
One word: demographics. American TV simply conditioned their audiences to watch either a) shows with beautiful people and easily digestible plots, b) crass or family oriented comedies, c) action packed hole-in-the-brain shows (of course, there are always exceptions). This show simply does not fall into any easily digestible category. It is by far the most realistic "domestic" show (meaning no genre swerve like crime, spies, etc.) I have seen in a looong time (ever?), with the characters facing repeat problems, small victories and everyday crap. But, the fact that this is Baccula's best show ever and he's the "worst" actor of the three (Romano and Braugher are just Gods in this one) simply made this show a joy to watch even without the "adrenaline rush" most of use need from other shows. I'm extremely disappointed it's gone, but I'll cherish the two seasons we did get.moreless
I understand the bottom line is always the priority when it comes to deciding the future of tv shows. But I feel that Men of a Certain Age is special (as apparently the folks who decide Emmy nominations do as well). I've posted this note over on the TNT Men of a Certain Age message board, but welcome support and suggestions in sending a "message" to the folks at TNT that many of us are fans of their other dramas - and more than willing to hit them where they live for this very bad decision (below is my note from the TNT msg board):I have been supportive and passionate about a number of shows over the past couple decades. I've watched (and applauded) the efforts of people to save their recently cancelled favorite shows. I'm a big fan of MoaCA and I will certainly send my letter of protest to the suits at TNT. But lets face it - these folks at TNT fully expect the wave of protest - I'm sure it entered their conversations more than once as they discussed this great show's future.Shows of support are great - but I think if we really want to hit TNT where they live, an organized boycott of some of their other great dramas (The Closer, Leverage, Falling Skies, Rizzoli & Isles ) would really show TNT that there is a very large number of adults that loves MoaCA and doesn't think that it deserves cancellation. I am guessing that if many of you are like me, you watch several other TNT dramas, and hurting them across several of their properties would get their attentionmoreless
I guess not everybody loves Raymond after all.
The cancellation of Men of a Certain Age is the same reason we don't have high-speed rail in America.
money makes the world go round
I am very dissapointed that TNTcanceled MOACA. I have begun a grassroots movement to help save this superior program.
Go to this facebook page...
http://www.facebook.com/SaveMenOfACertainAge
Go to this online petition...
http://www.change.org/petitions/amc-tv-pick-up-the-television-program-men-of-a-certain-age
Together we'll convince another network to pick up MOACA.
Thanks,
Jeff M
meh can't say i'm surprised it was pretty boring. the show was the closest thing to reality tv there is and everyone with a brain knows we watch tv to escape the real world. as to the people lashing out about its cancellation i'm sorry that you like niche shows that get cancelled alot that may or may not be good. get over your self and your opinions. or maybe i don't know try to do something productive with yourselves like say futurama fans did instead of coming to comment on a article and complaining.
I didn't get the appeal of Parenthood or Friday Night Lights...actually, I actively loathe them, but I LOVED this show, Men of a Certain Age. So, I"m a little sad now.
And I'm always amazed at the amount of people that take the time to comment on an article for a show they've never actually seen just to s*** on it. At least watch it and form an educated opinion, or don't make your troll comments at all.
If you ask me, and no one is, I realize these decisions are business related, but TNT did a very poor job of placement and promotion. They had a gold gem in this show, so maybe the problem isn't with the show itself, but with the network. We've seen it so many times before. Freaks and Geeks, Arrested Development, Firefly, etc. the list goes on and on of great original shows cancelled before their time. This really sucks. The state of programming on television just got worse with this announcement.
I knew from the start the show wouldn't last. It's a yawn fest just like "Parenthood." Nobody gives a darn about middle aged, middle income, semi dramas with has been actors. The lousy ratings speak for themselves. Good riddance. Put some actual entertainment in its place. urbanminister
Sincerely loved the show. Great character driven roles, Romano in particular. It's a truly tragic state of affairs that it's the only show of its kind and yet it's deemed unworthy of our precious time and attention. Since when are we expected to relate more to the problems of zombies and vampires than those of people like us. Why is it we collectively yearn for bloodlust over relatable emotion?
Great show! I'm going to miss it...
I didn't watch it but I agree that its sad that today's audience don't like shows like this, I didn't watch it but I would have if I could have and I do watch Parenthood and that is one of the most real, well done, great show that I watch and it does sometimes struggle with ratings
Here's to hoping another network sees the potential and understands the importance of good marketing! Seriously, if other, more poorly made shows can do it, why not Men of a Certain Age? ... Hopes aside, this was a fantastic show that filled a genre of television that has been hitherto untouched. I found the comedy subdued (brilliantly so), but hilarious in its execution. People found the show depressing, or too life like. I don't know about them, but I smiled inside every time the Beach Boys started playing. But, as a previous poster already pointed out, if the show doesn't get picked up elsewhere, at least it went out on a good note. Cheers!
This was definitely one of the better series on TV right now. TNT has some great ones and I'm sorry this was asked to leave. It's fine if you didn't watch because you found it too slow, or somehow uninteresting but why do some of you other posters feel the need to dance on its grave? Good luck TNT with your Dallas re-imagining.
I'm annoyed. yet another example of bad planning killing off a great show. Why the heck did they split season 2 into 2 parts? I live in England and liked this show enough to have a friend tape it and send it to me - how does that stack up in the ratings?
Ray Romano found a brilliant way to make television provide something cinema can't -- something Updike and Balzac are among the few novelists to achieve: how to develop characters in such an ongoing way that they take life in your mind. I've lost three good friends along with everyone posting above. Shoot. Just when I figured out Joe's mind bets (nothing to do with gambling) --and realized that I've been making them all my life. Now without him, how do I figure out how to stop?
Hell no this show sucks
TNT did not do the show any favors by splitting Season 2 into two parts which aired months apart. Very bad decision by TNT; that was the death knell. Too bad. The show had top-shelf actors, great plots, and excellent production. It was great while it lasted.
Very sad news, especially there were so many loose ends in the season finale. If a network wants to cancel a show I can understand but at least have the decency and the guts to end the show in a way that satisfies the fans who have dedicated themselves to seeing the characters develop.
dammit
everybody loves raymond? not TNT.
Oh man, I love that show, I'm sick of this one-of-my-fave-shows-has-been-cancelled feeling, it sucks.
Eh, won't get a chance to see this show I guess.
Not surprising. Was fun while it lasted. :)
I mourn the loss of this show. I feel as though I will be losing 3 close friends.
My Dad is going to be heartbroken. This was the only show he watched.
Joe, Terry, Owen :(
Cancel Falling Skies instead!
OMGOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved this show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
loved this show. as a 42 years old man, I could really related to those 3 guys. a huge loss!!!
First this show sucks big time who care now tnt need to bring back VVVVVVVVVVVVVVV this show was great and is better then men of a certain age
oscarwms, I agree with you. Regular cursing on TV is a real turn-off for me. Not everybody talks like that, and it bothers me that the writers in Hollywood are trying to make it seem so common.
A huge loss.
what a shame I really enjoyed this show
Sorry but I'm in this age group and they seemed whiney!But I love Scott!!!! Romano makes my hair stand on end!
Good, I CAN'T Stand Ray Romano, but I do like the other two Actors. Scott B. was great in the movie where he got lost flying a small plane and was helped by a Older 747 Aiplane Pilot played by Robert Loggia.
The mighty ratings........great shows are being cancelled because of the ratings. My favourite shows have low ratings and they all getting cancelled. I love MOCA, at least we have it in DVD to enjoy for years to come.
I watched season 1 and really enjoyed, but somehow I just couldn't get in to season 2 so I gave up after a few episodes...
Those of you who did not even watch the show should just hush up. It was NOT boring to those of us that wanted to watch a well written story about three long time friends that was well acted three excellent actors. I suppose it would be too much to hope that another network pick it up since it was already on cable. Shoot! Darned few things that I like to watch in the first place and another bit the dust.
Oh crap.. This is really sad news :(