what to watch tonight: Monday the 21st.

It's getting so very close to Christmas! Tonight's TV options includes a lot of re-runs, but set your DVR for some of these new episodes before you make the trek to your local mall.

HOLIDAY SPECIALS:
ABC: I want a dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown! at 8p

SOMETHING YOU HAVEN'T SEEN:
Bravo: Inside the Actor's Studio: Kate Hudson at 7p
NBC: The Sing-off at 8p
TNT: The Closer at 9p; Men of a Certain Age at 10p
TVLand: Make My Day at 10p

Guest Blogger: Michelle: Men of a Certain Age

As a woman of a certain age, I wasn’t sure I was the demographic this show was aiming for. But, I have to say, after viewing the first two episodes this show is going to remain on my DVR record list.

There are three main characters, Joe (Ray Romano), Owen (Andre Braugher) and Terry (Scott Bakula). They’re friends from college and have had varying successes in their lives. Terry is a has-been actor still doing temp office work to pay the bills between acting gigs, Owen works as a car salesman at the dealership owned by his father and Joe owns a party supply store and is separated from his wife. Doesn’t sound like must-see television, does it? Trust me, it is. Joe is also a compulsive gambler, Owen is trying to balance providing for his family and working for his father and Terry is still trying to get back into the acting game. Finally, a one hour drama where the men can be flawed, damaged, weak and floundering, but are still men! Not one of these characters is perfect, physically or emotionally. How refreshing!

I am not a big Ray Romano fan, but I have to say that his performance in the first two episodes has pleasantly surprised me. He plays Joe’s sadness and confusion about the future of his marriage in a subtle and believable way. Underlying all that is the fact that he is a compulsive gambler, which is what destroyed his marriage. I have to say I am impressed with how complex all the characters are across the board. Andre Braugher also gives an impressive performance. As a fan of his work, I’m used to seeing him play strong, outspoken, assertive characters. In this show he is beaten down by his overbearing and ambitious father/boss and he plays it brilliantly. Scott Bakula is also impressive playing the aging actor. He imbues Terry with a quiet desperation that is only too prevalent out here in LA, yet he also manages to make Terry sympathetic and likable at the same time. All three men are able to portray flawed characters in a very real way and you feel like you’re a fly on the wall watching three real friends going through their day.

Men of a Certain Age may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the writing is intelligent, complex and realistic and the acting is top notch. And I for one am always encouraged when I see shows that highlight characters that are older than 25 years old. If you don’t have a show you already watch or TiVo on Monday nights at 10pm ET, I suggest you give this show a whirl! - Michelle Sekine

Mondays at 10p ET on TNT

what to watch tonight: Monday the 7th.

HOLIDAY SPECIALS:
ABC: Santa Claus is Comin' to Town at 8p

TONIGHT'S PREMIERES:
TNT: The Closer at 9p; Men of a Certain Age at 10p

TiVo SEASON PASS:
CW: Gossip Girl at 9p
Bravo: Million Dollar Listing at 10p; Chef Academy at 11p