Excelsior: Three TV Shows for Real Men

Original Article

Sure, guys love watching TV. But it doesn't always have to be the Sunday game. There are some pretty awesome drama and comedy series out there that might have a special appeal to bearers of the Y chromosome. Here are three of them. Bonus: one dishonorable mention and one future hope.


24 (FOX)

There has never been a more testosterone-filled, bad-ass, all around guy's show than the real-time chronicles of counter-terrorism agent Jack Bauer. Each season, we follow him through 24 action-packed hours of saving the world. He is the ultimate hero - fearless, indestructible, yet willing to take unorthodox measures to save America. And no-one, not even the Geneva Convention or the US president, will stand in his way.

Jack has survived nuclear explosions, biological WMDs, being held captive in a Chinese prison for years, and even death. (Yes, he once died for five minutes. Which didn't stop him from kicking major ass for the rest of the season.) He has battled Yugoslavian kidnappers, corrupt American office holders, and cliché Middle Eastern terrorists. He's the post-9/11 American superhero. Plus, 24 still delivers on simple suspenseful action like no other show.

24's eighth season will air on FOX starting January 17, 2010. Official website: http://www.fox.com/24/


Two and a Half Men (CBS)

The hit sitcom, currently in its 7th season, stars Charlie Sheen as a middle-aged womanizer who loves his booze a little too much. He leads a carefree existence in his California beach house (paid for by his job as a jingle writer) until his wimpy brother Alan and his son move in with him after having been kicked out by Alan's ex-wife.

Two and a Half Men has proved highly successful with audiences since it premiered in 2003. Its in-your-face sexual humor paired with over-the-top yet recognizable family situations is still refreshing. One of its strongest suits is the quirky minor characters, including Charlie's and Alan's cold-hearted mother and their stalker neighbor Rose. That Charlie embodies everything men secretly want to be doesn't hurt either.

Two and a Half Men airs Mondays at 9 pm. Watch episodes at http://www.cbs.com/primetime/two_and_a_half_men/

Modern Family (ABC)

At first glance, ABC's new critically acclaimed mockumentary-style sitcom isn't an obvious pick as a guys' show. It follows the everyday lives of a family, consisting of patriarch Jay, married to a woman half his age who is also a mother; his daughter Claire, her husband and three children; and her brother Mitchell who, together with his partner, has just adopted a baby.

There's not a clear male protagonist in Modern Family; and yet, if you look a little closer, it's the men who get the most interesting storylines and have the most intriguing personalities. Jay's experiences often deal with the question of men getting old in our society; his son struggles with balancing being gay, maintaining a successful relationship and being a new father. These issues are handled in a subtle and thoughtful yet understatedly hilarious way. Which makes for great TV for the whole family - whoever that may be.

New episodes air every Wednesday at 9 pm. Go to http://abc.go.com/shows/modernfamily for more information.


Dishonorable Mention: Secret Girlfriend (Comedy Central)

This show's TV ad features a guy jumping on a club's dance floor and shouting at the women around him: "Who wants to receive a child support check from me one day? Huh?" One of the show's most recent plots was described thusly on its website: "When Phil's sister was 15, she told Sam she was too young for him, but now that she's 18, she's his for banging." Need we say more?

Secret Girlfriend airs Wednesdays at 10:30 pm. Also watch at http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/secret_girlfriend/index.jhtml, if you must.


Future Hope: Men of a Certain Age (TNT)

Ray Romano returns to television with Men of a Certain Age which he also co-created. It will also star Scott Bakula and Andre Braugher as friends who enter the eponymous "certain age" and face heretofore unknown problems. Judging from previews, the show looks promising in treating male middle age with a realistic yet dry tone. If it lives up to expectations remains to be seen.

Men of a Certain Age premieres December 7 at 10 pm. Watch a preview at http://www.tnt.tv/series/menofacertainage/