Ray Romano’s Men of a Certain Age drama to debut Dec. 7 on TNT

To me, just thinking the words “Ray Romano” and “drama” in the same sentence sounds a little strange, because to me, he’s all comedy.

But TNT is bringing its newest original series Men of a Certain Age to the midseason on Dec. 7 starring Romano (Everbody Loves Raymond), Scott Bakula (Quantam Leap, Star Trek: Enterprise) and Andre Braugher (Homicide: Life on the Street, TNT’s Salem’s Lot). While the show is categorized as a drama I would call it more “real life.”

The series explores the unique bonds of male friendship among three 40-something men who have been best friends since college. Now, in their 40s, they are all at different crossroads in their lives in their careers and with their families, and while each guy is unique, they still are there for each other when they need to be.

“It will be dramatic when it needs to be, it will be funny when it needs to be but it will be totally real,” Romano said.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at Men of a Certain Age:

Joe (Romano) is a slightly neurotic and recently separated father of two who had dreams of being a professional golfer. He owns and runs a party store.

Terry (Bakula) is a laid-back actor who seems to breeze through life and women. But lately, he’s spent more time working as a temp than as an actor.

Owen (Braugher) is an overstressed husband and father of three who endures constant criticism from his father, for whom he works as a car salesman.

Joe, who currently lives in a hotel, is trying to connect with his kids while getting back in the dating game. He also struggles with a gambling problem that may have ended his marriage.

Terry, who is unmarried, scoffs at domestic issues, but sometimes wonders if single life is all it’s cracked up to be.

Owen tries to keep his cool while trying to rise up the sales board at the car dealership and dealing with the renovation project at home that he can’t really afford.

But when it counts, the men are there for each other.

“I think there are millions of people going through what these guys are going through,” Braugher said.

From what I can tell from the previews, the three men really have chemistry together. Separately, I’ve always thought Romano was funny and Bakula was adorable (and sexy). Braugher has been in many TV shows and movies and has alwasy brought his character to life. I see in one of the previews that his character Owen has three children, one of which is an infant, and from the looks of it, has a very stressful life that I can relate to the most. And his dad, the car dealership owner, looks like a pain in the butt!

The series marks a return to television for Romano, who created Men of a Certain Age with Everybody Loves Raymond Emmy winner Mike Royce. The two serve as executive producers, along with Rory Rosegarten and Cary Hoffman.

Men of a Certain Age will debut on Monday, Dec. 7 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on TNT following The Closer.

Images: TNT/Men of a Certain Age